‘Sadc tourism can thrive in the face of global terrorism’

Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (Retosa) has urged member State to work enhance tourism marketing as the region stands to benefit in the wake of widespread terrorist attacks in rival destinations.

Acting executive director Simba Mandanyenya said this in Lilongwe on Monday on the sidelines of this year’s second annual Southern Africa Women in Tourism (Sawit) Conference.

“Terrorism has not affected our region; that makes it more competitive from a point of safety and security. We would like to take advantage of that by engaging in tourism,” Mandanyenya said.

His remarks come barely days after terrorists killed at least 27 people in a hotel in Mali and many more in other countries such as Nigeria and Kenya.

Minister of Information, Tourism and Civic Education Jappie Mhango said the conference will provide a platform for women to network and empower them to actively participate in tourism activities.

However, random interviews showed that women face a number of challenges, including access to land for tourism development; finance for investment, equal pay, abuse and capacity levels; among others. n