Malawi: Ministry of Tourism through the Department of Tourism and Hotels Board has closed some of the tourism businesses in Blantyre. The reason for the business closure is the businessmen’s failure to comply with operational standards.
The tourism industry of Malawi is run on set standards which seek to give the travellers visiting Malawi a sense of perfection. The facilities lacked the required tourism and hotel board licenses. As such these businesses did not meet the minimum standards for operation.
Malawi Institute of Tourism (MIT), Alendo Hotel, Max & Sherry Dine and Lounge, La Carvena and Cafe, Serenity, Elite Lodge, including Cassim Car Hire are among the tourism enterprises which have been shut down in Blantyre.
Speaking during the inspection tour, Regional Tourism Officer for the South, Gift Mwale shared the importance of this exercise. He claimed that following the rules set by the government is important for maintaining the integrity of Malawi tourism sector.
“Every tourism enterprise is supposed to operate with a valid tourism and hotel license which is issued after meeting minimum standards. The closure is because all those that are on the list have not met the minimum standards.
“There are some who meet the minimum standards and were given licenses but could not pay for the license and they were operating without a valid license which is illegal. So, they have also been closed because they are not complying with standards,” explained Mwale.
Mwale has confirmed that each business was given a comprehensive inspection report. In this report, the officers shared details of the issues that need to be addressed. The businesses were warned several times about the issues after which they were closed.
Mwale said that the businesses who are facing closure were given three warnings, however, they did not comply.
Meanwhile, the ministry has urged tourism entities to rectify the identified issues before resuming operations. The units have also been assured that the ministry will revisit to open their services.
The ministry has announced that they are aiming to close more than 200 tourism businesses in the Southern Region with at least 83 in Blantyre alone. The sector is expected to intensify the inspection exercise in other districts.