By Solister Mogha

Zomba, September 2, Mana: Minister of Tourism. Vera Kamtukule launched tourism month in Zomba where she appealed to Malawians to cherish and conserve Malawi’s natural beauty and resources and exercising patriotism by visiting tourist attraction sites across the country.

Kamtukule made the appeal in Zomba Friday and observed that for many years Malawians have opted to spend their holidays outside the country despite Malawi having many tourism attractions sites across.

She said most countries admire Malawi’s natural resources and beauty but further observed that most of the citizens ignore the resources and beauty to travel outside.

“My key message today is to ask Malawians to start loving all tourist attraction sites. We have a lot of treasurer that we need to be proud of and promote.

“This year, we would like to make a lot of noise so that we attract more tourists both domestic and international,” she added.

She said Ministry of Tourism will unlock the tourism industry, pointing out that tourism sector has potential to change Malawi’s economic status despite some challenges such as high taxes on tourism.

“Yes we have challenges but we are working towards addressing them so that we have a vibrant tourism sector. We will be discussing with the ministry of finance to consider reducing some taxes on tourism,” she said.

Kamtukule therefore called on Malawians to celebrate the tourism month by visiting the country’s beautiful cites and to bring out all the hidden and rich culture that Malawi is known for.

Chairperson for Zomba Tourism Association, Meya Kalindekafe appealed to the Ministry of Tourism to invest in the tourism sector to attract both domestic and foreign tourists,

She observed that the tourism sector has the potential to contribute to the Malawi’s social- economic development if much is done in collaboration with other sectors.

“As an association we are geared to promoting the tourism sector so that we achieve the country's aspiration of making Malawi a favourite tourism destination,” said Kalindekafe.

Senior Chief Mlumbe of Zomba also hailed the ministry for launching the tourism month in Zomba which he said is one of the tourist destinations in Malawi but receive little attention.

The senior chief added that Zomba has a number of tourist attraction sites but most of them are not promoted and are in a dilapidated state.

He cited Zomba plateau which is almost bare due to deforestation and called for larger scale reforestation of most parts of the plateau to reclaim its lost glory of forest total cover and beauty

“The ministry needs to do more especially in protecting all tourist attraction places. Look at our mountain. It is bare and if people are to come what will they be seeing,” he wondered.

Malawi hold annual tourism month in September to market Malawi’s tourism and this year’s launch is being held under the theme: Tiziyamba ndife a Malawi.

The day started with a solidarity march led by the Malawi Prison brass band and pavilion displays by partners in tourism, dances and music performances took place at Gymkhana Club ground where a new kid on the bloc, Gibbo Pearson and another well-known musician Attohti Manje took the stage to entertain people.