Lilongwe, Malawi — In a decisive move to reshape its tourism landscape, Malawi’s Parliament on Tuesday passed Bill No. 20 of 2025, the Tourism Bill, signaling a major policy shift aimed at building a modern, competitive, and sustainable tourism sector aligned with the country’s long-term development blueprint, Malawi 2063.
The legislation, a key component of President Lazarus Chakwera’s Agenda for Transformation in Malawi (ATM), introduces a comprehensive legal framework designed to regulate, professionalize, and expand the tourism industry. It establishes clear institutional responsibilities while creating mechanisms to enhance standards and attract both domestic and international investment.
Presenting the Bill on behalf of the Minister of Tourism, Owen Chomanika, the Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, emphasized its transformative potential. “This legislation mandates the Malawi Tourism Authority to oversee sector regulation and to lead efforts to market Malawi as a premier tourism destination on the global stage,” Chomanika told lawmakers.
Among the Bill’s notable provisions is the formal establishment of the Malawi College of Tourism, which will serve as the principal government institution for professional training and skills development within the tourism sector. The law also introduces a national system for the registration and licensing of tourism enterprises and practitioners—an effort aimed at standardizing services and ensuring compliance with quality benchmarks.
Chomanika underscored tourism’s critical role in driving inclusive economic growth, particularly in rural regions where many of the nation’s natural and cultural attractions are located. “Tourism is a strategic pillar for poverty reduction and rural development,” he noted, adding that the new law sets the stage for greater investment and innovation in the sector.
The Malawi Tourism Authority, once operationalized, will be responsible for facilitating tourism investment and evaluating development proposals to ensure alignment with national goals. Chomanika described the passage of the Bill as “a significant step forward” and stressed the importance of swift implementation, including the establishment of the necessary institutions and regulatory bodies.
With this legislative milestone, Malawi positions itself to harness the full potential of its tourism assets—ranging from Lake Malawi’s scenic shorelines to rich wildlife and heritage sites—as it pursues a vision of sustainable economic transformation.
