By Daniel Zimba:
The Malawi Tourism Council (MTC) says all is set for this year’s tourism street carnival, which is an annual event that is premised on increasing the sector’s contribution to the national economy.
Tourism contributes 7 percent to Malawi’s gross domestic product and is one of the sectors in the Agriculture, Tourism and Mining Strategy, which President Lazarus Chakwera’s administration has been promoting.
“The Malawi Tourism Council is proud to announce this year’s Tourism Street Carnival, scheduled to take place on August 31 2024, in Lilongwe. This highly anticipated annual event, which has previously been hosted in Blantyre, will be held on the streets from Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) traffic lights to the Capital Hotel round-about.
“This year’s theme, ‘Tourism and Peace’, highlights the critical role tourism plays in fostering unity and harmony within communities and across borders,” MTC says in a statement, further indicating that Tourism Minister Vera Kamtukule would be the guest of honour.
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The carnival will feature exhibitions of tourism sector players.
“Adding to the cultural richness of the event, there will be performances of traditional dances, including the renowned Gule Wamkulu, a Unesco-recognised cultural heritage. The Malawi Defence Force Brass Band will lead the parade, starting from the Area 18 Memorial Tower, with a stopover at the Kamuzu Mausoleum, before proceeding to the BICC street. The musical atmosphere will be further energised by live performances from prominent local artists Lulu, Dan Lu and Toast,” the statement reads.
The council adds that the event will coincide with the launch of Tourism Month.
Meanwhile, MTC Executive Director Memory Momba Kamthunzi has called on tourism operators and the general public to actively participate in this year’s carnival.
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“Let us continue to work together to make Malawi not just a destination for tourists, but a beacon of peace and harmony.
“The 2024 Tourism Street Carnival promises to be a day of celebration, cultural exchange and community engagement, as the nation comes together to celebrate the vital role of tourism in promoting peace and understanding,” she says.
