The Governments of Zambia and Malawi have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in tourism development that aims to enhance destination marketing for the two countries.
The signing ceremony was a landmark achievement for the two countries, since talks of signing the MoU were initiated back in 2015.
Zambia’s Minister of Tourism and Arts, Charles Banda, said he was particularly happy to finally witness and sign the MoU because of the significant economic developments the two countries could reap through the co-operation.
He also said that the main objective of the MoU was to create and set out an agreed general framework for the development and enhancement of tourism relations between the two countries.
Zambia and Malawi have also signed a treaty on the establishment of the Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) which promotes conservation of wildlife between the two borders.
Banda urged his counterpart to act quickly and come on board with regards to UniVisas, which Zambia currently shares with Zimbabwe under the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) agreement.
Malawi’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism, Henry Mussa, said his Government was excited about the historic signing ceremony between the two nations in the joint corporation of tourism development.
According to Mussa, Zambia and Malawi share a great amount of tourism resources that could complement each other in opening up marketing and product development to enhance and improve destination packaging.
Zambia and Malawi’s location is strategic for regional co-operation, with Malawi promoting Lake Malawi and Zambia promoting the South Luangwa National Park.
The MoU between the two countries will focus on the following:
- Joint marketing and promotional programmes.
- Classification and standardisation of tourism products and facilities.
- Product development.
- Exchange of information.
- Sustainable tourism.
- Tourism investment.
- Collaboration, technical assistance and training of tourism personnel.
- Establishment of a joint Tourism Technical Committee.
