Travel agents urged to be resilient to survive

Travel Agents Association of Malawi (Taam) has advised travel agents to work on finding new ways of surviving amid the subdued business environment that has affected the travel industry.

The association’s president Patience Nyondo said this on Saturday in Mangochi during the association’s annual general meeting to discuss the positive strides they have made and how they can deal with the challenges to make the industry flourish.

She said: “Our industry was the most battered sector during Covid-19 due to the ban on travelling. We are just recovering from the effects of the global pandemic.

“But we are not yet there because we have also this problem of forex shortage which is paralysing our work. Let me urge you all to come up with resilient strategies to survive during these times.”

Nyondo said the hard times are still persisting, as such, there is need to embark on resilient measures to survive during such slippery moments.

“As an industry which has potential to unlock the country’s development and turn around things, let us devise ways that can keep us afloat during the hard times,” she said.

Nyondo cited working in partnerships, coming up with new products to woo tourists to come into the country and positivity, among others, as some of the survival strategies.

“Amid forex shortage, let us work together as partners to take Malawi to another position.

“Let’s package ourselves strategically and systematically to sail through even if the environment is turbulent,” she said.

National Planning Commission director general Thomas Chataghalala Munthali urged the travel agents to uphold the tenets of integrity and also remain honest to ensure remarkable business output, and maximum protection of their profession.

“This profession is critical to the development of the country. It is a hub of Malawi’s economic growth which we are relying on massively towards the attainment of Malawi 2063,” he said.

Munthali took advantage of the gathering to challenge the travel agents to navigate the rough economic terrain, saying despite the hostile environment, there are other means they can work on to survive.

During the conference, Taam announced the best and most helpful consultant and best manager as well as the best airlines during the past year.