The country’s first ever tourism indaba is set to take place in September this year, the Department of Tourism has confirmed.
The indaba, which aims to open Malawi to foreign investors, will take place alongside the country’s tourism month activities.
The tourism month is an annual celebration held in September to focus on the importance of tourism to the economy of Malawi.
Chief Director in the ministry of Trade and Tourism, Elsie Tembo, said preparations for the indaba have already started.
“The organising committee has already met three times and the event is likely to take place in September alongside the tourism month celebrations,” she said.
Tembo, said the event is very important as it will not only attract tourists into the country, but it will also offer an opening to potential investors.
“Tourism and trade go together, so the indaba is not only targeted to increase tourists’ traffic but to woo investors in various sectors including the tourism and hospitality industry,” she said.
The country’s tourism sector however, contributes about three percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Minister of Trade and Tourism Joseph Mwanamvekha said government expects the contribution of the tourism sector to the GDP to increase from eight to 13 percent by the year 2018.
Mwanamvekha said the government has put in place strategies to achieve the targeted growth and one of which is the indaba.
“There are plans to increase representation in key source markets such as China, Germany, United Kingdom and South Africa. Promotion of Malawi as a leading destination for conferences and events will also continue as a result of the modern conference and events facilities available in Lilongwe,” he said.
The Malawi tourism sector has failed to grow over the years due to challenges that include lack of financial resources to support the proper management of tourism establishments such as protected areas and lack of infrastructure structure such as access roads.
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