Malawi and Zambia In Tourism MoU
Malawi government has entered into a bilateral Memorandum of Understand (MoU) with Zambia government on cooperation in the field of tourism.
The MoU signifies commitment of both governments towards the development of tourism between the two countries.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism Henry Mussa said the MoU would enhance regional integration by the way of exploring the issue of establishing a universal.
“SADC through the Regional Tourism Organisation of South Africa is implementing several initiatives to develop and promote Southern Africa as a single destination,” he said.
Mussa expressed excitement with the MoU in as far as tourism is concerned, saying the two countries enjoy a strong cultural, historical, political and economic relationship.
Mussa explained said member states are being encouraged to forge bilateral relations that eventually would lead towards the achievements of this vision.
“Our countries have resources that could be jointly packed and marketed. For instance, whilst Zambia offers wildlife in abundance in the south Luwangwa National Park and Malawi offers Lake Malawi an inland sea experience which is Africa’s third largest fresh water lake,” the Minister pointed out.
Tourism contributes about 8 percent of Malawi’s Tourism Development Plan “GDP” and employs over 140, 000 people in direct employment.
From July 2015, the sector also set itself to implement the Malawi 2020 GDP which is an ambitious 5year strategic plan that will contribute 15 percent GDP and creating 100, 000 jobs in Malawi.
The sector offers opportunities for new investments in tourism and hospitality enterprises to match with the projected demand.