Bulawayo (New Ziana) -The Malawian delegation which attended the just- ended fourth Joint Tourism Technical Committee (JTTC) has expressed satisfaction with progress made in implementing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2015.
The meeting was aimed at implementing a tourism development plan between Harare and Lilongwe, while the JTTC was established following the signing of the MoU to promote investment by the two countries.
Speaking after the two-day deliberations, Malawian director of the department of National Parks and Wildlife, Brighton Kumchedwa said they have noticed the importance of the MoU and its potential benefits for the tourism sector in both countries.
He said the MoU has assisted the two countries to create a framework for cooperation and collaboration on a wide range of issues such as joint marketing and promotion, information exchange, experience and development of new tourism products and services among others.
“We are happy and satisfied with this engagement. The MoU has helped us to create a framework for cooperation and collaboration on a wide range of issues,” said Kumchedwa.
The tourism sector in Malawi, he said, is regarded as one of the top three that can effectively contribute towards the growth of the economy.
Kumchedwa hailed the various sectors in both countries for working hard in the implementing the MoU.
“I would like to pay tribute to various sectors such as the Ministry of Tourism in Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), the Ministry of Foreign affairs and International Trade and Zimparks while in Malawi we are talking of the Civil Aviation, Office of the President and Cabinet….they are too many to mention,” he said.
He urged the Joint Marketing Committee (JMC) which is meeting on the sidelines of the 2023 edition of the Sanganai-Hlanganani World Tourism Expo running from October 12 to 14 to develop a clear and implementable road map to be achieved before the JTTC meeting in Malawi next year.
In an interview with New Ziana after the signing ceremony, permanent secretary in the ministry of tourism, Dr Takuza Munyanyiwa said the engagement was fruitful as the committee managed to renew the agreement and added more clauses to accommodate issues of green tourism, heritage, air access and benchmarking.
New Ziana
