TOURISM IN MALAWI

TOURISM IN MALAWI
(BY CORETTA CARLY MUNKHONDIA)

Tourism is the activities of a person travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure or other business purposes.

The purpose of this report is to research the current state of tourism industry in Malawi and to discuss predicted advancement concerning advantages and disadvantages of the tourism industry and how the tourism industry can get more developed. Malawi is not a developing country therefore the government is encouraging its people the importance of this industry to its citizens economically, since many people are left into poverty. Some say the secret off Malawi tourism lies on its stunning natural beauty but there are more in it. Tourism is out spacing mining, agriculture, fishing, History and culture as the leading industry for the province. Then the report considers the importance of further tourism industry in Malawi as well as how the tourism sector can get more developed.

ABOUT MALAWI

The republic of Malawi (formally known as Nyasaland) is a democratic densely populated country located in the south East Africa. It is bordered by Zambia to the north west, Tanzania to the north and Mozambique. The origin of the name Malawi remains unclear, it is held to be either delivered from that southern tribes or noting the glitter of the sun rising across the lake as on the flag. Malawi has 28 districts, the largest city is Blantyre located in the south but the capital city is Lilongwe in the central region and Mzuzu from the Northern part. The official languages are English and Chichewa. The culture of Malawi is fully recognised by music, dance, dressing, food, languages and sports whereby volleyball, netball, football, and basketball are fully recognised as common sports.


Malawi tourism is more getting developed in the rural than in the urban areas where more people are into poverty. Tourism increases a wide range of businesses and services in thousands of enterprises. The government has a well structured representative system which working with all people to promote the development of the industry. Although the government involvements in the development have been of long standing duration, this reflects the importance of the industry to national and regional development. Today the focus of Malawi tourism is on supporting sustainable growth in visitor’s expenditure, with an emphasis on a wider regional and seasonal spread of different businesses to the poor. This fundamental component makes tourism industry in Malawi especially suitable economic development sector in so many ways:

· The tourism industry in Malawi is consumed at the point of production, the tourist has to go to so many tourist sites and spend money which opens an opportunity for local businesses of all sorts and allowing local communities to benefit through the informal economy by selling goods and services.

· Tourism is labour intensive, which is particularly importance in tackling poverty in Malawi by providing a wide range of different employment opportunities especially for both urban and rural areas.

· The infrastructure required by tourists such as transport and communication, water supply and sanitations, public security and health services also benefit in poor communities in Malawi.

· Tourism in Malawi also provides not only material benefit for the poor but also cultural pride. It creates a greater awareness of the cultural environment and its economic value, a sense of ownership and reduced vulnerability through diversification of income source.

· However tourists cause environmental damage through forest fires, destruction of sand dunes and pollution, consequently this serves negatively as increased pollution and also disturbs local residents. Sometimes they discourage tourist from entering the country.

· Malawi being undeveloped country, there are poor infrastructure and transport services to so many tourist sites which disturbs tourists from visiting other places.

· Tourist in Malawi undermines culture by commercialising it and this is often connected with increasing litter, graffiti, vandalism and noise – tourist do not always respect traditional cultures which is sad but true.

· Foreign currency has to be changed.


Malawi has also factors which affect tourism sites, this report describes geographical, social, and historical and culture as the main factors affecting tourism developing in Malawi.

· In terms of History things such as museums, old churches and schools brought by Dr David Livingstone, Sir Harry Johnson and Cape Maclear are things that attract tourist due to the great history.

· Also geographical features such as mountains and climate also attract tourist. Features such as infrastructure are not a challenge so they are looking forward to improve.

· Culture in Malawi contains traditional activities which brought interests for tourist. This factor is out spacing food, dance, paintings and dressing which shows cultural pride. Tourists in Malawi are more interested with culture by also taking part in different traditional activities. In addition tourist helps in funding the rural areas where most people are into poverty.


BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://www.guide2malawi.com/
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/news/2006
http://www.afrol.com/articles
realtravel.com
Malawi tourism .com
http://malawitourism.com/
Nyasatimes.com
http://www.ibike.orgencouragement/travel/tourism





BY CORETTA CARLY MUNKHONDIA