By Bernard Mhone:
The Ministry of Tourism has said it intends to review the number of licences investors need to acquire to venture into the industry, currently standing at 45, to encourage growth of the sector.
It says the licences, which some quarters have described as prohibitive, may be revised or removed to encourage new investments and boost the industry’s development.
The idea to revise the licences stems from the enactment of the new Tourism Act, which has replaced the Tourism and Hotels Act of 1968.
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Speaking during a public lecture in Mzuzu City, where it was held in collaboration with the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management of Mzuzu University (Mzuni), responsible minister Vera Kamtukule said there was a need for updated laws to address emerging hospitality issues and promote sustainable tourism.
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The minister said they would work with related ministries and stakeholders to reduce the number of certificates and licences while maintaining quality standards in the sector.
“We will make sure that those licences are collapsing so that they are streamlined so that they encompass everything needed to have to venture into [the] tourism business because they are also barriers to entry into the sector.
“For us, we have about three licences but the rest are from other ministries. So, we need to collaborate with them and reduce the figure,” Kamtukule said.
Kamtukule disclosed that the ministry would have a special budget for research, realising the important role the academia plays towards sustainable tourism development.
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Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Mzuni, Lameck Zetu Khonje, said providing special funding to facilitate research studies aligned with Malawi 2063 vision economic goals.
“Our research has shown that tourism sustainability encompasses environmental, social and economic dimensions. That is why we promote ecotourism and collaborative partnerships with regional and global authorities in the sector. The results are revealing the gaps in practice and policy that give confidence that our work is adding value to tourism development,” Khonje said.
The public lecture, themed ‘Solidifying the Gains’, comes as Malawi is expected to host the sixth edition of Takulandirani International Tourism Expo between April 24 and 26 this year.
This year’s event will be held in Lilongwe.
