Minister of Tourism Michael Usi has appealed to both tourists and destination managers to take up responsibility of ensuring conservation of culture, diversification and even preservation of cultural heritage if sustainable tourism is to be achieved.

Usi says using the National Ecotourism Strategy, the ministry analyses existing resources and services, and find ways in which they can be implemented in short and  long term as a way of promoting ecotourism.

He says despite all the work being put in, there is still need for concerted efforts with service providers and tourists themselves if the country is to fully embrace sustainable tourism.

Tourism expert from Mzuzu University, Matthews Lambulirani, says it is high time Malawi introduced serious frameworks that will guide those that are in the industry, as well as penalize those that do no support sustainable tourism.

Said Lambulira; “There is an inspection exercise, which takes place to ensure that the accommodation facilities are meeting the minimum standards. They close down some hotels, for not meeting minimum standards If the same seriousness applies to the issues of sustainable development, the operators will be forced to follow the practices of sustainable tourism. 

The United Nations World Tourism Organization defines sustainable tourism as tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.