NYCOM APPEALS FOR INCENTIVES TO WOO YOUTHS IN TOURISM

By Wilson Allan Phiri 

As the country observes Tourism Month this September, there are growing calls to create a conducive environment for youth entrepreneurs to easily penetrate the tourism market.

In its assessment of the country’s tourism potential, the National Youth Council of Malawi, which is an umbrella body of youth-centered organizations, has cited high taxes as the main factor scaring young investors from taking tourism as a business.

Speaking to Timveni news desk, NYCOM Executive Director Dingiswayo Jere said, "Sidelining young people’s views in developing the tourism sector is denying many talented minds opportunity to thrive." 

Jere said it is regrettable the country’s youths have been reduced to mare patrons of tourist attraction destinations instead of calling the shots in the tourism industry.  

With the Covid-19 pandemic continuously affecting the tourism sector, authorities have underlined that domestic tourism remains the biggest hope of resuscitating the struggling trade.