An iconic cultural attire specialist, Innocent Sopani has challenged tourism players to invest much in the grass root cultural aspect, saying it is the core center of the nation.
Sopani made the remarks in an interview with ProjectM during a visit to his shop which specializes in traditional attire.
He says authorities and private sectors need to work collaboratively by for instance, establishing cultural villages among others.
“Culture is the most core center that defines a nation. I feel this is high time our nation needs to concentrate on the tradition as its aspect is unique. We need to have special cultural houses where domestic and international tourism will be promoted and at the same time bringing back some of the dying culture. We should refrain from concentrating much on wildlife while skipping the cultural aspect.” Says Sopani.
Sopani adds that for the past years, key players in tourism circles have concentrated much on wild life genres such as accelerating on promoting tourist attraction sites while at the same time forgetting highlighting the identity of the country.
“God created beautiful places in every part of the continent. If you go to Zambia and South Africa or Tanzania, you will find beautiful tourist attraction sites which are quite similar to Malawi but the only difference that can put us on top in as far as tourism is concerned is our culture. That is the supreme backbone we have to always advance”, he said.
Meanwhile, Sopani says, he is always ready to work with any tourism sector trouper in selling Malawi and has appealed to the general public in taking the individual role of patriotism towards selling the country’s image.
Innocent Sopani, is mostly available at Bingu International Convention Center (BICC) Auditorium and also has premises at Lizulu site near tsoka main market in the Capital City of Lilongwe.
Sopani has also a Facebook page called Malawi Creations and his phone numbers are 0880972249 and 09999184
