Tourism masterplan falters, face hurdles
Land unavailability for the development of the country’s prioritised tourism investment projects is limiting progress of the tourism infrastructure investment plan, the National Planning Commission (NPC) has said.
NPC data contained in the 2023/24 Malawi 2063 (MW2063) First 10-Year Implementation Plan (MIP-1) Annual Progress Report indicates that of the 103 project sites, Ministry of Tourism is promoting the implementation of the 10 priority projects, with two of them already getting strong investor interest.
For the two, NPC said 52.7 hectares has been secured in Traditional Authority (T/A) Maganga in Salima District for the development of an integrated tourism resort.
Reads the NPC report in part: “National Tourism Investment Masterplan was developed and launched, but not much investment is coming through.
“Currently, the land unavailability for prioritised tourism investment projects is a key challenge. There is a need to secure and zone all 103 project sites to be investor-ready.”
Between 2022 and 2025, NPC also expected the Department of Civil Aviation to rehabilitate air strips in all tourist attraction sites such as Makokola Retreat in Mangochi, Salima and Mzuzu.
However, NPC said the air strips along the tourist centres, especially along the lakeshore district, have not been given financial attention in the national budget and kthe development partner support
Prioritising tourism in the urbanisation agenda is integral to the inclusive creation of wealth milestones as outlined in the MIP-1, according to NPC.
“Presently, existing tourist attractions lack essential infrastructure such as robust transportation, adequate quality accommodation, affordable and high-speed Internet, suitable financial services, uninterrupted energy and water supply,” reads the report in part.
The MIP-1 sets ambitious targets aimed at cultivating a robust tourism industry that is projected to contribute approximately 11 percent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and generate 15 percent of total employment by the year 2030, the year the country would have turned into a lower middle economy if it grows by 10 percent.
NPC data shows that the share of tourism and travel to the GDP steadily increased to eight percent in 2023, one percentage point better than in 2022.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Malawi Tourism Council chairperson Justin Dzinkambani said investment in tourism product development should be significant to boost tourist numbers that can sustain the industry.
He urged government to provide the necessary enablers for industry operators such as road network infrastructure through which the players can utilise to enhance business facilities.
Said Dzinkambani: “Government needs to assist in creating a business environment that would enable the private sector to develop faster.
“We need a legal framework that is seamless and friendly to help tourism sector growth.”
Meanwhile, Malawi has developed a road map on how to boost the tourism industry in line with the Malawi Government’s agriculture, tourism and mining (ATM) strategy.
Speaking in Lilongwe on Friday after the close of a tourism full lab, Presidential Delivery Unit director Enwell Kadango said the tourism sector is working on improving the aviation industry and attracting more airlines to operate in Malawi for an easy transport system for tourists.
The Tourism Masterplan, supported by the African Development Bank, seeks to identify national priority projects for implementation.
