The 2019 edition of the annual Malawi International Tourism Expo (MITE2019) has opened at the Bingu Wa Mutharika International Convention Centre (BICC) in the country’s capital, Lilongwe.
MITE, since its inception has become the Southern Africa country’s biggest tourism event, attracting hundreds from the Southern, East Africa and across the globe to engage, discuss and exchange ideas as far as tourism is concerned.
This year’s features three days of exhibitions, Business to Business (B2B) and networking sessions with display of rich and authentic Malawian culture providing thrill and quality entertainment for patrons. Performing the official opening ceremony, the Chief Secretary to the Government of Malawi, Justice Lloyd Muhara lauded the efforts of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism, Department of Tourism, partners, sponsors and all stakeholders for helping ensure another successful event.
He said the Government of Malawi considers tourism a priority sector for which reason it was putting in place interventions and measures to help develop and grow the sector. Quoting figures from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) on tourism’s contribution to the economy, Muhara said, the sector is responsible for over 7% of Malawi’s Gross Domestic Product and employs 6.7% of work labour – figures he said, the government is aiming to increase through investment and robust tourism growth plans.
He mentioned for example that Government has acquired lands to develop world class beach resorts in several districts in the country.
Muhara said that with Malawian Government having captured tourism in the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MDGSIII), it behooved on industry players, especially the private sector to join in the promotion and marketing of the country in order to attract more tourists and increase tourism receipts.
MITE2019 consists of 44 international Hosted Buyers from US, Germany, Holland, Sweden, Poland, Italy, Ghana, Rwanda, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Canada, Tanzania, UK and Zimbabwe with a number of exhibitors from Malawi and beyond.
MITE2109 is under the theme, “Showcasing the Real African Experience,” and is organised by the Malawi Department of Tourism under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism.
Click here to view more pictures from day one of MITE2019
By: Samuel Obeng Appah
