Malawi to Waive Visa Fees on Key Tourism Markets

Malawi-During the State of the Nation Address, Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera announced the immediate waiving of visa fees for nationals from key tourism markets, writes Jorge Thawe.

These markets include the United Kingdom, United States of America, Netherlands, Germany, Australia, Belgium, Italy, France, Poland, Norway, Finland, and Sweden, as well as future markets such as China, Russia, and Canada.

"Although tourism is Malawi’s third foreign exchange earner after tobacco and tea, as a country we are taking decisive steps to maximize its potential and increase its contribution to our GDP and forex generation," said Chakwera.

"In particular, his administration has adopted and is pursuing policies such as the waiving of visas with immediate effect."

The president also mentioned negotiations for the introduction of direct flights from these major tourism markets, which are currently in the final stages.

Malawi will also launch an aggressive international media marketing campaign to showcase its unique tourist attractions and improve roads to key tourism destinations.

Chakwera emphasized the review of the Malawi Lake Services Concessionaire to improve its terms towards the growth of tourism activities on Lake Malawi.

"The zoning and securing of land, especially under the Lakeshore (Development of Plots) Control Order, for use by major investors who can put up tourism infrastructures along the lake," he added.

The president admitted that Malawi, like other countries globally, is faced with economic shocks due to global economic trends and locally, the economy has suffered due to servicing of accumulated domestic debts and adverse weather conditions affecting agricultural productivity and power generation.

The State of the Nation Address also expressed progress made in sectors such as tourism, mining, trade and industry.

The president said that proper legislation, infrastructure development, and enforcement of laws were put in place to ensure that these sectors contribute to the country’s GDP.

The State of the Nation Address was delivered under the theme: “Delivering Economic Transformation and Governance Reform through Sacrificial Action and Service.”