On Monday, Member of Parliament for Mangochi Central Constituency, Victoria Kingstone, called on the government to prioritize the rehabilitation of the Golomoti-Mtakataka Road, a critical route that connects to key tourist hubs in Mangochi.
Kingstone emphasized that the government should focus on improving road infrastructure leading to major tourist attractions, particularly in Mangochi, to enhance visitor access and, in turn, boost revenue collection.
“Golomoti-Mtakataka Road is a crucial link to several tourist destinations, yet it remains in a deplorable state,” she said. “Tourists traveling from Kamuzu International Airport often have to navigate this road, which is in very poor condition.”
The MP highlighted that upgrading such roads could significantly increase foreign exchange earnings for the country by attracting more tourists.
Kingstone also urged the authorities to provide clear guidelines for investors and local communities on where to construct hotels and lodges in Mangochi. This follows recent concerns over rising water levels in Lake Malawi, which have negatively impacted the tourism industry by damaging infrastructure.
In response, Minister of Tourism Vera Kamtukule, during her presentation on the current status of tourism in Malawi, stated that her ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Transport and Public Works to improve road access to tourist attractions nationwide.
“We cannot deliver a comprehensive tourism package alone; it requires coordinated efforts with other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs),” Kamtukule said.
She also announced plans to extend runways at Cape Maclear in Mangochi and Likoma, and to develop hotels, casinos, a golf course, and a shopping complex to further enhance the tourism industry in Mangochi.
“As part of our 2063 agenda for the tourism sector, we are focusing on destination marketing by building the national image and developing our tourism products,” she added.
