Department Of Tourism

HomeDepartment Of Tourism
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SECTION
P&D CORE FUNCTIONS & ACTIVITIES

  • 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:

MARKETING SECTION
The Marketing section is responsible for enhancing the visibility of Malawi as a tourist destination both domestically and internationally, through;

  1. The Malawi Tourism Marketing Framework 2017, and the Domestic Marketing Strategy (Draft) 2018-2022
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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

STANDARDS & SAFETY SECTION
The Standards & Safety section undertake duties on behalf of the Tourism and Hotels Board (THB). It ensures tourist safety and satisfaction with the product through quality assurance.

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:

  1. All types of accommodation units
  2. Restaurants
  3. Hunting operators
  4. Tour operators
  5. Travel agents
  6. Car hires
  7. Conference organizers (event management organizations)
  8. Incentive travel organizers
  9. Photographic and other safari operators
  10. Wildlife reserves
  11. Parks
  12. Farms
  13. Sanctuaries
  14. Art Galleries
  15. Cultural villages
  16. Rafting
  17. Canoeing
  18. Kayaking boats
  19. Horse riding
  20. Golfing
  21. Cruises
  22. Yachts
  23. Scuba diving
  24. Hiring of air crafts or Bicycles/motor coaches
  25. Tourism training institutions.
  26. 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 Email
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