The establishment of a dedicated tourism authority, along with advances by NGOs and the public sector in developing new eco-tourism areas, is showing encouraging signs for enhancing Malawi’s competitiveness as a leading African destination.
In April, Malawi enacted its 2025 Tourism Act, which marked the first overarching revamp of the country’s tourism legislation since 1968. The Act officially establishes the Malawi Tourism Authority (MTA) as a dedicated agency tasked with regulating, developing and marketing tourism.
Speaking to Tourism Update at Africa’s Travel Indaba earlier this month, Malawi’s Director of Tourism, Noah Nansongole, said the launch of the MTA coincides with the maturation of several emerging eco-tourism areas and an increase in the supply of tourism products.
“We expect arrivals in 2024 (although not yet quantified) to total around 1.1 million, which substantially surpasses pre-COVID, and we anticipate this growth to continue as we have seen a notable increase in the supply of new lodges and entrants into the tourism sector,” said Nansongole.
He praised the successful rehabilitation of conservation areas co-managed by government and African Parks (namely Liwonde National Park, the Majete Wildlife Reserve and the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve) as catalytic developments for tourism, attracting the backing of Malawi-focused operators such as Robin Pope Safaris and Orbis DMC.
“There’s been an amazing recovery and reintroduction of animal populations in these areas, which in turn has attracted investment in new lodges post-COVID,” Nansongole said.
A similar co-management model – with Peace Parks Foundation – is in place at Nyika National Park in the north of the country.
Nansongole pointed out that the country’s 20-year Tourism Investment Masterplan, launched in 2022, identified 103 projects – of these, 10 flagship initiatives are top priorities.
“In the past, there was no integrated approach that drove our investment prospectus. We have now turned towards developing resort areas with mixed-use investments while dividing the country into various zones with designated primary and secondary destinations,” he said.
Malawi’s national government, under President Lazarus Chakwera, is increasingly emphasising the economic potential of tourism.
In April 2024, Chakwera launched the Agriculture, Tourism and Mining Strategy, which positions tourism among the key sectors driving the country’s economic growth.
In its 2025/26 budget, government increased its tourism development allocation by 283% from MK4.8 billion (€2.3 million) to MK18 billion (€9 million).
International demand grows
Recent data from Go2Africa indicates that – in alignment with global interest in exploring undiscovered destinations – international demand for travel to Malawi is growing strongly.
Go2Africa’s 2024 State of Safari Report, which analysed more than 100 000 enquiries, found that bookings for Malawi doubled between 2023 and 2024.
“Malawi is gaining traction as a rewarding, off-the-beaten-path destination due to its strong combination of aquatic, land-based and cultural attractions,” Go2Africa’s Head of Positive Impact and Product Development, Liesel van Zyl, told Tourism Update.
She said the new Tourism Act is a “positive and necessary step” for Malawi’s tourism sector.
“Establishing the authority allows for detailed focus on strategic marketing, regulation and global visibility – key for sustainable growth. For operators like Go2Africa, this formal framework enables stronger local partnerships and a more consistent guest experience, ultimately benefiting travellers and the communities they visit.”
Direction for new tourism authority
Nansongole said Malawi is looking at the models of Zambia and Zimbabwe as guidance for the functioning of the MTA.
“Whereas some countries have a dual model where regulation and destination marketing are dealt with by separate entities, we are taking a hybrid approach where these aspects are approached holistically,” said Nansongole.
The authority will also head the development of the Malawi College for Tourism – an expansion of the existing Malawi Institute of Tourism.
“The professionalisation of the industry has been an historic challenge so we are now aiming to address this deliberately – not only through training but also ensuring that current staff have the necessary qualifications,” said Nansongole
Malawi’s Trade, Industry and Private Sector Development Partners (TIPDeP), which comprises members of delegations from the European Union, the World Bank, the Union Nations and other international institutions, has applauded government for its enhanced tourism focus but stresses that significant barriers remain.
In an April 2025 update, TIPDeP identified that road and infrastructure development, high airfares as well as data gathering and analytical capacity needed to be addressed. It also emphasised the need for skilled capacity within the new tourism authority.
“Adequate capacity of the MTA will allow for investments in Malawi’s tourism marketing campaigns, infrastructure development and quality assurance programs, ultimately boosting tourism growth and economic benefits.”
