By Ruth Kumwenda

Blantyre, January 28, Mana: Ministry of Tourism through the Department of Tourism and Hotels Board has closed some of the tourism enterprises in Blantyre for failing to comply with operational standards.

The facilities lacked the required tourism and hotel board licenses; hence, did not meet the minimum standards for operation.

Malawi Institute of Tourism (MIT), Alendo Hotel, Max & Sherry Dine and Lounge, La Carvena and Cafe, Serenity, Elite Lodge, including Cassim Car Hire are among the tourism enterprises, which have been shut down in Blantyre.

Speaking during the inspection tour, Regional Tourism Officer for the South, Gift Mwale emphasized the importance of compliance in maintaining the integrity of Malawi’s tourism sector.

“Every tourism enterprise is supposed to operate with a valid tourism and hotel license which is issued after meeting minimum standards. The closure is because all those that are on the list have not met the minimum standards.

“There are some who meet the minimum standards and were given licenses but could not pay for the license and they were operating without a valid license which is illegal. So, they have also been closed because they are not complying with standards,” explained Mwale.

Mwale clarified that each enterprise was given a comprehensive inspection report detailing specific issues that needed to be addressed and was warned several times.

“Actually, those that are being closed were inspected three times before but still could not comply;  that is why we are undertaking this exercise to enforce the law,” said Mwale.

Meanwhile, the ministry has urged tourism entities to rectify the identified issues before resuming operations. The units have also been assured that the ministry will revisit to open their services.

The ministry earmarks closing over 200 tourism enterprises in the Southern Region with at least 83 in Blantyre alone. The sector is expected to intensify the inspection exercise in other districts.