In line with the government’s Economic Recovery Plan (ERP) the tourism sector is set to get a boost following an agreement that the Ministry of Tourism and Culture signed with the Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (Retosa).
In the agreement, five Big Brother Chasemates will tour Malawi for seven days in return for the country’s 30 second tourism adverts on DStv.
“I wish to confirm that Malawi will be running an ad on DStv in partnership with Retosa. The ministry together with some selected operators have pooled together resources for hosting of five BBA housemates on a holiday to Malawi for about seven days.
“Retosa has managed to get an agreement for BBA housemates to visit its member States in return for member countries putting up holiday packages for the housemates,” said Sosten Lingwalanya, deputy director of tourism responsible for marketing.
He explained that the ministry has already drawn up a programme for the housemates’ tour as well as the places earmarked for the visit.
“The ministry has managed to come up with an itinerary for the BBA housemates which shall include activities at Lake Malawi National Park, Majete Game Reserve, Mua Mission in Dedza and we are also exploring the possibility of a night out at one of the joints either in Blantyre or Lilongwe. But this has not yet been finalised.
“The final details of the actual flight times are being worked out. We have also argued for an extension beyond the BBA programme but this is still in the offing,” said Lingwalanya, who highlighted that the initiative “is part of the ministry’s efforts to attract more tourists to the country”.
