Digital crucial for tourism development—ministry
Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism has advised tourism operators to fully utilise digital innovations to improve their marketing strategies at both local and international levels.
In an interview, the ministry’s regional tourism officer for the North Japhet Kuweluza said advanced technological platforms could spur the country’s tourism sector.
He said this in the context of the National Tourism Month ahead of the World Tourism Day on September 27.
“This year’s theme is Tourism and Digital Transformation, that is why we are calling upon all stakeholders in the tourism sector to embrace digital technology in all issues that affect the industry,” said Kuweluza.
This week, the ministry rolled out the 2018 National Tourism Month, with a number of activities lined up during the month.
In a statement, the ministry’s Principal Secretary Ken Ndala said the launch of the National Tourism Month marks the beginning of raising awareness on tourism contribution towards the socio-economic development.
Reads the statement in part: “To foster awareness of the importance of innovation and digital transformation, the ministry and key stakeholders will carry out different activities during the month.”
The Malawi Government Annual Economic Report 2018 shows that tourism contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to rise to 7.7 percent this year from 3.3 percent last year.
