- Initiate and coordinate development, implementation and review and of key strategic documents e.g. National Tourism Policy, Tourism Strategy, Marketing Strategy, Masterplans
- Coordinate development of annual work plans and budgets (Other Recurrent Transactions and Development Budget Part I & II)
- Initiate development of tourism projects
- Initiate, facilitate, implement and evaluate bilateral and multilateral agreements in the field of tourism
- Facilitate corroboration / cooperation with other Government Ministries, Departments & Agencies
- Coordinate development of organisational and sectoral human resource development strategy and plan
- Facilitate, promote, approve and monitor tourism investment projects
- Monitor organisational and sector performance
- Prepare monthly Expenditure plans
- Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual tourism reports
- Collect, collate and analyse tourism (occupancy and other) data
- Conduct Tourism Research
- Coordinate Tourism Projects and development partner consultancy work
HOW TO APPLY FOR A TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATE
There is need to submit your application to the Department of Tourism with the following attachments;
- Project proposal/business plan
- Proof of land ownership
- Certified architectural drawings (by City/local authorities)
- Certificate of Business registration
- Environmental Impact Assessment report – in other cases
List of strategic documents attached:
- The Malawi Tourism Marketing Framework 2017, and the Domestic Marketing Strategy (Draft) 2018-2022
- The Tourism and Hotels Act, tourism marketing levy was introduced and this consists of money paid from a portion of the service charge levied on guests in hotels and restaurants.
- the Establishments that are supposed to pay tourism levy include all Tourism Enterprises as provided for in the Tourism and Hotels Act of 1968 as amended and the Tourism Regulations.
- The fund that was set up to finance the marketing of Malawi’s tourism facilities and attractions within Malawi and abroad and in so doing ensuring the fullest possible utilization.
KEY FUNCTIONS OF THE MARKETING SECTION
- Develop and implement yearly Marketing plans through an advisory Tourism Marketing Committee.
- Develop tourism promotional materials and collateral.
- Undertake domestic, regional and international promotional activities.
- Facilitate the work of Public Relations and Marketing Representatives in key source markets
- Conduct tourism marketing research.
- Conduct sensitization and awareness campaigns.
- Undertake Tourism Levy enforcement
FUNCTIONS OF THE TOURISM AND HOTELS BOARD
The main function of the board is to control and regulate the tourism industry;
- granting licences
- consent to transfer of licences
- vary, cancel or suspend licences
- classify or reclassify hotels
FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM UNDER THB
- Recommend to the minister on the required operating standards
- Conduct sensitization campaigns
- Sets and administers operating standards for all tourism enterprises (regulations)
- Enforce inspection and licensing of tourism enterprises in liaison with the Tourism and Hotels Board (licensing)
- Classify and grade tourism accommodation units in liaison with THB (star grading)
Some of the duties of the section include;
- To be advisors on issues pertaining standard operating procedures and minimum standards
- To register, classify, inspect and grade various tourism enterprises
- To collect and maintain database of tourism enterprises
Licensing Process
For an establishment to be given a tourism license, it has to be registered with the register of companies and Malawi Revenue Authority. Then the operator has to collect and fill in a license application form from the Department of Tourism, after submission of the form to the Department, the establishment undergoes an inspection to ensure that it meets the minimum requirements / standards stipulated in the Tourism and Hotels Act, if satisfactory the unit is recommended to be licenced and if not the establishment is recommended to be re-inspected after either 30, 45, 60 or 90 days depending on the findings of the inspection upon Boards approval. However, the establishment is recommended for advisory or closure if the conditions are worse pertaining to the required minimum standards.
Licensing applies to:
- All types of accommodation units
- Restaurants
- Hunting operators
- Tour operators
- Travel agents
- Car hires
- Conference organizers (event management organizations)
- Incentive travel organizers
- Photographic and other safari operators
- Wildlife reserves
- Parks
- Farms
- Sanctuaries
- Art Galleries
- Cultural villages
- Rafting
- Canoeing
- Kayaking boats
- Horse riding
- Golfing
- Cruises
- Yachts
- Scuba diving
- Hiring of air crafts or Bicycles/motor coaches
- Tourism training institutions.
- Managers of Hotels and Restaurants.
Grading Process
- An establishment that wishes to be graded collects an application form from the Department of Tourism, once filled the applicant shall return the forms to the Department. The Department takes a maximum of 3 weeks before the property is assessed.
- Application fee depends on the number of stars a property is applying for, each star is Mk100,000.00
- A team of assessors is assembled. Assessment takes at least three days for a proper evaluation of the accommodation unit
- Total score for each assessment area is recorded in the assessment form.
- A report shall be submitted to the Licensing and Standards Advisory Committee
- Endorsement by Tourism and Hotels Board
BENEFITS OF GRADING
- Use and access to Marketing tools such as: Accommodation guide and website
- Positive public relations: good PR from DOT to raise profile of units.
- Display of Tourism and Hotels Board plaque
- Use of Grading logo and insignia on all marketing materials.
- Graded units will receive priority in all DOT marketing initiatives.
- Industry recognition
LIST OF CURRENT GRADED UNITS IN MALAWI
Name of Units | No of Rooms | Location | Year Star Award | Awarded Star | Expiry Date | Phone | |
Sogecoa Golden Peacock | Blantyre | 2021 | 5 | 22-Jan-22 | 0885 99 99 11 |
goldenpeacockblantyre@gmail.com |
|
Protea Hotels by Marriott® Blantyre Ryalls | 117 | Blantyre | 2021 | 4 | 26-Aug-22 | 01 820 955 | ryalls@proteamalawi.com |
Mkulumadzi Lodge | 8 | Chikwawa | 2021 | 4 | 26-Aug-22 | 01 795 483 / 794 491 | info@robinpopesafaris.net |
Kuthengo Camp | Liwonde | 2019, 2021 | 4 | 26-Aug-22 | info@robinpopesafaris.net | ||
Kayak Africa’s Mumbo Island Lodges | Mangochi | 2021 | 3 | 26-Aug-22 | 0 999 942 661 | letsgo@kayakafrica.com |
LIST OF ATTACHED DOCUMENTS