Malawi will from Wednesday to Friday host the 2012 International Vocational Education and Training Association (Iveta) conference at Nkopola Lodge in Mangochi.
The conference, expected to bring together over 300 people from across the world, will be a big boost to tourism which has been dwindling in the district due to government’s ban on lakeshore conferences.
Most tourist attraction in the lake shore districts of Mangochi and Salima are anxiously waiting for the conference to make some money.
Mpale Cultural Village, for instance, is asking some delegates to seek accommodation at the centre to sample the Yao cultural heritage.
The village manager Baitoni Balakasi said: “We are set for this event and it is only here at Mpale Cultural Village where you can view authentic cultural dances performed by surrounding communities, or interact with the model village families in the village setting.â€
Sunbird Nkopola hotel manager Sylvester Mtambo said all the 55 rooms at the hotel have been furnished for the meeting.
He said some delegates will be accommodated at Sun and Sun Holiday Resorts, Andrews Resort, Club Makokola and Mpale Cultural Village.
Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (Teveta) Malawi will host the global conference with support from the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (Teveta – Zambia) and the Botswana Training Authority (Bota).
Teveta executive director Yusuf Alide is also optimistic that the flocking to Malawi of over 300 delegates will be a big boost to local businesses and the economy as a whole.
“We are talking of some 300 delegates or more flocking to Malawi. Hosting such a global event will put Malawi on the map. These foreign dignitaries will be able to appreciate our tourism attraction places. And I am sure they will bring some forex which will be a boost to our economy too,†he said.
The conference will be held under the theme “Human Resources Development for Poverty Eradication.â€
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