Ministry closes tourism entities
The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture has embarked on a campaign aimed at closing tourism establishment, especially travel agents and car hire companies, operating without renewing licences.
For example, on Wednesday the ministry closed some businesses in Lilongwe and Blantyre.
Regional Tourism Officer for the South Kennedy Jana said the exercise aims at enforcing compliance with the country’s laws.
“We are trying to make sure that each and every tourism enterprise is operating with a licence and in compliance with laws because this problem is big, especially among travel agents and car hire companies,” he said.
The licence fee for travel agents and car hire companies is K140, 000 per year but those whose businesses have been closed will add K50,000 as a penalty.
Mid this year the line minister Michael Usi also led a campaign to close tourism operators such as restaurants and hotels which were operating without renewing their licences.
Justin Mkweu is a fast growing reporter who currently works with Times Group on the business desk.
He is however flexible as he also writes about current affairs and national issues.
