Tourism is a cultural and economic phenomenon that entails the movement of people from one place to another, tourism is not only about leisure time and other recreation activities but there is more to that, it has expanded to trade and business industries.
Tourism offers great opportunities for emerging economies and developing countries. It creates jobs, strengthens the local economy, contributes to local infrastructure development can help to conserve the natural environment and cultural assets and traditions, and to reduce poverty and inequality.
Through sustainable development goals, Africa is not lacking behind in the tourism sector as its growth potential consists of different attraction sites that are both physical and cultural. According to SDG number 17, Malawi, the warm heart of Africa located in the southeast region is making efforts is promoting tourism despite the challenges such as natural disasters, pandemics, and economic crises.
On 26 to 27 April this year the Malawi international tourism expo tourism hold an exhibition at the Bingu Wa Mutharika International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe that focused on the following;
- Network with buyers and bookers of tourism products and services
- Establish business partnerships
- Showcase your destination, products, and services
- Acquire knowledge about different source markets
- Interact with travel media
- Meet other destinations
- Engage in well-informed workshops
The government identified the tourism sector as a key driver for sustainable economic growth and development. Malawi Vision 2063, the country’s long-term development plan, places tourism as a priority economic sector under the Urbanization pillar toward achieving inclusive growth and self-reliance
According to an article by the Malawi investment trade center, Malawi has developed a comprehensive tourism investment masterplan aimed at guiding investments in tourism and other related sectors. The investment masterplan provides a clear and concise 20-year tourism investment strategy to direct product development and diversification, infrastructure development, manpower development, and equitable tourism investment across the country’s tourist regions. It also highlights the national priority projects for implementation by Government as well as the private sector.
