Celebrated musician and producer Lulu said Wednesday that the country should not sideline arts and culture in tourism.
With September being Tourism Month, the ‘N’zalera’ creator said Wednesday said the country has immense talent which, if well supported, will do a lot in marketing tourism to the world apart from other potential areas such as landscapes.
“We have music, fashion, traditional dances, visual arts, theatre and films that are attractive but there is little in terms of support and, in most cases, they are not included in their plans. I wish there were proper plans put through for art and tourism to move together,” the artist, who is in Uganda, said.
He said it was high time the country started believing in its creatives and engaged them in tourism projects.
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“Look now, people from outside are believing in us and this narrative has to change. Tourism can grow if arts and culture are given all the space and, as I said, it is not only about music but all the other art forms,” Lulu said.
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The artist will be debuting at the Kirya Live 2023 at Kampala Serena in Uganda Friday, and he has indicated that he will perform for the first time his newly dropped single titled ‘Okongola’.
“Ugandan people will be the first audience to sample ‘Okongola’ live on stage. I am here to perform to my best and raise Malawi’s flag but also sing about Malawi, this being Tourism Month,” he said.
Recently, Minister of Tourism Vera Kamtukule said her ministry would work hand in hand with the creative sector to uplift tourism.
She admitted that they have not done much in engaging the industry which, she observed, has potential to offer more to the tourism sector.
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Director of Arts in the Ministry of Local Government Unity and Culture Humphrey Mpondaminga, said yesterday that cultural tourism was vital in the development of tourism.
Cultural tourism is a type of tourism activity in which the visitor’s essential motivation is to learn, discover, experience and consume the tangible and intangible cultural attractions/products in a tourism destination.
Mpondaminga said, as part of being on the same platform with the tourism sector, they have created a calendar of events as part of reconciling with the Tourism Month.
“Just last weekend we had Umhlangano wa Maseko Ngoni Cultural Festival in Ntcheu and we have also had Umthetho Cultural Festival and Mdauku wa aTonga. We also have other festivals coming up such as Sand Music, Gonapamuhanya and Chiwanja Cha Ayao. All these are to drum up support for tourism,” he said.
Mpondaminga said as they have done in the past years, they would want to stay in close collaboration with tourism sector.
“Arts and culture products are unique and have huge potential. We have programmes coming up where we are packaging products in arts and culture and this includes music works and Lulu and Tay Grin are some of the outstanding artists,” he said.
