A view of Lake Kazuni, Vwaza, Malawi (BOUNDLESS SOUTHERN AFRICA) 

When Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera delivered a State of the Nation Address at the 50th Parliamentary Session and Budget Meeting in February, tourism was top of mind.  

Seeking to boost the economy, he said, “Since tourism is Malawi’s third [largest] foreign exchange earner after tobacco and tea, we are taking decisive steps to maximise its potential and increase its contribution to our GDP and forex generation.” 

The steps he referred to are visa waivers for a number of countries, including China, and the introduction of direct flights from major tourist markets.  

Streamlining immigration policies 

Malawi’s Homeland Security Minister Kenneth Zikhale Ngoma said the visa waiver has already been implemented. 

“We have made the decision because we want many foreigners to enter the country. What we are saying is that visas will still be required to enter the country, except for exempted countries,” said Ngoma. “We do not want people that want to visit Malawi to be facing entry challenges, because that frustrates some [travellers].”  

The relaxation of visas was good news for Tourism Minister Vera Kamtukule, who has striven tirelessly to improve tourism in the country. 

She said President Chakwera has always wanted to have a good relationship with those she described as “tourism” countries in order to improve the economy. 

“So, by removing visa requirements for some countries, the president is sending a signal that Malawi is open for business,” said Kamtukule. 

Meanwhile, lawyer Jai Banda, who is also an international affairs expert, said the Immigration Act amendment to allow visa free entry for some countries would help Malawi in its efforts of streamlining immigration policies which, he observed, foster international cooperation. 

“These amendments reflect the on-going commitment of nations to facilitate smoother interactions between their citizens and the world,” he said.  

Even the country’s top bank Standard Bank has hailed government’s decision to scrap selective visa requirements. 

The bank has been pushing for this for some time, especially in the wake of forex shortages that have been affecting the country.  

“It will assist the country to realise foreign exchange through the attraction of tourists. This is what we have been advocating for some time now,” said Phillip Madinga, Standard Bank chief executive officer in Malawi. 

Dancers perform in Lilongwe, capital of Malawi, on 14 October 2023 (VCG)

Removing tourist stumbling blocks 

According to Justin Dzinkambani, board chairperson of Malawi Tourism Council, the visa waiver is just one of a number of issues that need to be looked into to attract more tourists in the country. 

He said there will be more competition with other countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region as they will also strive to ease entry restrictions. 

“Attracting tourists will become a competition not only in SADC, but also in East Africa as well. As such, we need to look at a number of areas that are stumbling blocks to tourist attraction,” he said. “For example, we need to have good roads and also ensure that people can travel long distances to national parks and game reserves without hurdles.” 

This sentiment is echoed by Kamtukule. “This monumental decision isn’t just about visas; it’s about unleashing the untapped potential of our beloved Malawi and inviting the world to experience its wonders first-hand,” she said. 

The country’s development plan Malawi 2063 recognises a number of tourist attraction areas like lakes, rivers, mountains and valleys and “a rich and diverse culture” which, it says, is being underutilised. 

Other areas the country is striving to improve include transport infrastructure systems (road, rail, air and water), superior accommodation, affordable and fast Internet connectivity, financial services and uninterrupted energy and water supply.  

“Our priority is to urbanise all tourist attraction sites and make our beautiful country a regional and international tourist destination, harnessing the SADC and Sub-Saharan continental tourist market as well as the rest of the world,” states the development plan. 

Mathews Lambulira, tourism planning and development expert at Malawi’s Mzuzu University, said tourism has the potential to foster economic development and alleviate poverty.  

“The economic potential of tourism in Malawi is unmistakable. It is this latent promise that has rekindled the hope of the Malawian government in the tourism sector,” said Lambulira. “As Malawi intensifies its focus on tourism and investment, it must remain attuned to global trends and concerns within the industry.”  

Tourism figures up 

The Malawian government has also incorporated principles of sustainability into its broader tourism plan and policies. 

Every official tourism plan and policy document they have issued highlights the importance of sustainable tourism and green investment, aligning with global aspirations such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

“This demonstrates the government’s willingness to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs and the promotion of sustainable tourism,” said Lambulira.  

Kamtukule disclosed that 1 million tourists came to Malawi last year. 

“And I am hopeful that the number will keep increasing because there are a number of attraction sites that people would like to visit,” she said. 

While Lake Malawi remains the country’s main drawcard, Malawi has traditionally been a popular destination for travellers seeking an authentic African experience, due to its national parks, plush accommodation facilities and diverse wildlife offerings. 

Speaking on the sidelines of a media conference to promote the forthcoming 2024 Takulandirani Malawi International Tourism Expo (MITE2024), scheduled to take place from 25 to 27 April, Kamtukule attributed the rebound of visitors to Malawi to a number of initiatives, including the 2023 Tourism Expo. 

MITE2024 is expected to draw participants and buyers from different parts of Africa and other parts of the world, such as Europe, Asia and North America, where tourism experts and industry players will network and establish partnerships with Malawi’s tourism industry. 

Kamtukule said, among other things, the ministry had launched an aggressive form of marketing to tell the world that Malawi was open to tourists after COVID-19 pandemic.  

Ultimately, the visa initiative is expected to not only grow tourist numbers, but also expedite trade and strengthen diplomatic ties between Malawi and the visa free countries.