Malawi targets one million tourists – Chiumia
Malawi minister of sports, youth and culture, Grace ‘Obama’ Chiumia has said the country is targeting to court over one million high spending tourists annually and assured tourists wishing to visit the country of tight security.
Speaking after launching the tourism month themed “One million tourists, one million opportunities,” Chiumia said government has engaged an extra gear to make sure that Malawi tourist’s attraction areas in particular have enough security and live to its billing as ‘the warm heart of Africa’
The theme is modelled on the country’s vision to reach one million high spending tourists per year by 2017.
“It is the government’s wish to see into it that every tourist who visits the country should go back home with good stories so as to attract more tourists.
“We need to be open minded not only to the tourists, but also to all those who come here for other reasons like entrepreneurship and education,” she said.
Chiumia said government is determined to invest into the tourism industry.
“Currently, we are trying to connect some tourist’s attraction areas with good road infrastructures. As you may recall, government has constructed the Nkhatabay Centre to Chikale Beach with a good road to
make sure that those who will visit the beach should not have difficulties and we are not ending there. We will also open up to other areas,” said Chiumia.
Director of Tourism in the Ministry of Information and tourism Patricia Liabuba said the 2017 target is achievable.
“It looks very ambitious but attainable because currently, our hotels are running at 65-70 percent occupancy rate in our major tourists’ attractions area while in other areas we are as low as 50 percent,”
said Liabuba.
She said bringing about a million high spending visitors into Malawi, will help to create about 300,000 additional jobs and increase annual contribution to the economy to K400 billion.
She said Malawi has enough capacity to absorb more investment in the tourism industry.
Efforts to attract more tourists in the country are being hampered by lack of direct flights, infrastructure and policy issues.
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akhwethemu mwanena zoona zokhazokha. we have a long way to go. the road to cape maclear stalled several years ago just to mention 1.
If you look at the team that wants to implement this munthu wekha kungogwa ulesi! Please realise that there are a million and one things you need to do before you attract these so-called million tourists otherwise you will just embarrass us all! EVERYONE HAS TO BE INVOLVED TO CREATE A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE FOR TOURISTS! From the airport staff right down to the cleaners where these tourists will end up!
While we commend the minister to grow the tourism industry , a number a factors needs to be addressed if we have achieve the target besides only having good infrastructure. How far has the minister gone to advertise Malawi as a tourists destination? What is the government doing to curb the rising crime? Tourism its not all about Lake Malawi only.
So to promote tourism you introduce a visa process and fee that is a lot more than adjoining countries ??
@Malawiano, dude! Is it not court yard beach at Senga bay in Salima, tell Malawians the truth……………
If only government can really be serious about tourism then Malawi will move faster in terms of forex and development. Build up to date infrastructure s to attract tourist s.
All the best.
This is a joke. I cant see the country attracting such a large number of tourists if the current state if affairs is to be taken into account. Infrastructure The roads that leads to these so called tourist attraction centres leaves alot to be desired. Who would want to visit a place 100kms away with roads full of bathholes? Most of the buildings are an eye sore that needs to be demolished and new ones built. Others need renovations. What about the below parr buildings being elected everywhere in the country. Its pathetic. Transport The country does not have reliable… Read more »
I am happy that Hon Chiumia is promoting tourism and the picture which has been featured is a picture for Kande Beach found in the area where she was voted to be an MP. Malawi is best known by its lake which is Lake Malawi. Countries like Zambia and Zimbabwe their countries have their countries’s names affiliated with Mighty Zambezi River . When you pay a visit to this Mighty Zambezi River you will be amazed with the tourism industry attractions set up along the Mighty Zambezi River on both banks on Zambian side and Zimbabwean side. Without forgetting Mozambique… Read more »
Walephera uyu as minister of sports. Completely useless