Tourism and hospitality policy strengths, weaknesses and effectiveness: lessons for Malawi

Abstract

This paper discusses tourism and hospitality policy strengths and weaknesses in Malawi and the efforts taken to address and enhance its effectiveness to contribute to the successful growth of the industry in the country. It is argued that to realise the maximum benefits from tourism, scholars advocate for a robust and practical approach to tourism and hospitality policy development and implementation embracing the support of all stakeholders. The findings may help policy-makers and other stakeholders in Malawi to appreciate the importance of embracing strategies that can inform the process of tourism and hospitality policy development and implementation and be well equipped to successfully develop and implement such policies and strategies towards a vibrant tourism and hospitality industry in Malawi. This paper utilised adocument analytical approach and reviewed relevant literature on various national policies governing tourism and hospitality has been undertaken, gaining insights into how they are formulated and implemented in various parts of the world and the challenges met in the process. The information gathered has informed the status of the Malawi National Policy formulation and implementation since the period the sector was elevated as one of the key economic priority areas in alleviating poverty. The paper, however, recommends further research to a thoroughly investigate the tourism policies in the country in order to gain insights into how core challenges facing the tourism and hospitality are being tackled across all levels.