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Tourism institute pushes for new legal framework

 

Malawi Institute of Tourism (MIT) says policies and legal instruments governing the sector are archaic and need to be reviewed.

In an interview on the sidelines of the Malawi Tourism Council (MTC) conference in Lilongwe on Wednesday, MIT chairperson Oswald Bwemba said the new law will help to capture all tourism players.

The Tourism Act currently in use was drafted in 1968 and partially reviewed in 2004.

Katopola: All efforts being undertaken

He said: “Our policies and legal framework form the main part of the enabling environment for the tourism sector to thrive. But when you look at the current provisions, the ordinary tourism player is not captured.

“As such, the current laws governing the tourism sector are not conducive enough to facilitate access to incentives for the ordinary small and medium tourism entrepreneur in Malawi,.”

Director of tourism Isaac Katopola said government has a 20-year tourism master plan to guide it on how to improve infrastructure to enhance tourism.

“All efforts are being undertaken to make sure that tourism grows and benefit many Malawians,” he said.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism Henry Mussa said government acknowledges the sector’s direct contribution to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) which is at seven percent.

The 2018 Malawi Government Annual Economic Report put the sector’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) at seven percent.

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