On Friday, President Lazarus Chakwera announced that Malawi has eliminated visa requirements for visitors from 79 countries to boost tourism.
Tourism is the third-largest source of foreign currency in the impoverished southern African country, after tobacco and tea, but Chakwera claims the sector is underperforming.
Chakwera went on to say, “Chief among the factors contributing to this is our country’s accessibility, which is why we have implemented the visa waiver program”.
The countries that profit from the exemption include the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia, and members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional bloc.
Vera Kamtukule, Tourism Minister stated that onerous visa procedures have stifled the country’s potential and sparked complaints.
“Our strategy is to attract investments in agriculture, tourism, and mining”, Kamtukule continued.
“By eliminating visa requirements for our key source markets globally, we are signaling that Malawi is open for business”, Kamtukule added.
The landlocked nation, which is home to abundant wildlife, such as elephants, hippos, and crocodiles, is partially covered by Lake Malawi, Africa’s third-largest freshwater lake.
The lake, known for its crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches, and diverse marine life, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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