The Tourism and Hospitality Industry Professionals Association (THIPA) has called for stronger collaboration among key stakeholders to position Malawi as a competitive tourism destination on the global market.
THIPA President Sylvester Mtambo made the remarks during a meeting with Umodzi Holdings Chief Executive Officer Kamlepo Kalua, stressing that while Malawi has long been recognised as a country with significant tourism potential, the time has come for industry players to intensify efforts in marketing the country’s attractions.
Mtambo said coordinated partnerships between the public and private sectors are essential to unlocking the full potential of Malawi’s tourism industry and attracting more international visitors.
In response, Kalua described the engagement with THIPA as productive and insightful, pledging Umodzi Holdings’ commitment to working closely with the association to improve service delivery across the tourism and hospitality sector.
He highlighted Malawi’s unique tourism assets, including Lake Malawi, scenic mountains, wildlife, beaches, valleys and rare animal species, saying these give the country a competitive advantage over many destinations in the region.
Kalua also outlined several investment projects aimed at boosting tourism and foreign exchange earnings. These include the development of a new casino on Likoma Island, the construction of a hotel at Malembo in Mangochi, and the introduction of a cruise ship on Lake Malawi.
Tourism currently contributes about seven percent to Malawi’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with the country ranked tenth among Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states in tourism performance.
