Government has underlined the need for the academic community to come up with strategies that can help in the growth of the country’s tourism sector.
Minister of Tourism Vera Kamtukule has made the appeal through a public lecture titled “Solidifying the gains: Everything. Everyone”, delivered Wednesday evening at the Grand Palace Hotel in Mzuzu city.
Speaking during the function, Kamtukule bemoaned the lack of research findings that are capable of influencing policy changes.
“Although a lot of research has been done in line with issues of tourism, more is needed to influence policy changes, build capacity and improve the sector,” she said.
Kamtukule underscored the need for Malawians to embrace a positive mindset towards tourism.
The minister also highlighted the need for the country to identify role models, saying a lack of visible role models in the tourism sector is discouraging a lot of people from pursuing tourism-related programmes in school.
“I am glad that plans are also at an advanced stage to establish the Malawi College of Tourism, a significant step in ensuring the growth of the sector in the country,” said Kamtukule.
Dean of the Faculty of tourism, Hospitality and Management at Mzuzu University (MZUNI), Dr. Lameck Zetu Khonje thanked Kamtukule for delivering what he described as a productive lecture.
“This lecture has motivated us to pursue more research, bearing in mind that our past work has been acknowledged during this event,” said Khonje.
The event attracted academics from the Faculty of Tourism, Hospitality and Management at the MZUNI, Ministry of Tourism officials and players in the sector.
The public lecture came as the country gears up for the Malawi International Tourism Expo scheduled to take place from the 24 April to 26 April 2025 under the theme “Solidifying the Gains, Everything. Everyone. Tourism”.
President Lazarus Chakwera is expected to grace the occasion.
