More than 35 000 lose jobs in Malawi tourism amid Covid-19 crisis
Malawi tourism is currently under tight threat over coornavirus outbreak (Covid-19) as reports say over 35 000 people have lost their jobs due to closure of some hospitality businesses.
On April 7, Malawi registered three more cases of Coronavirus bringing the total number of confirmed cases to eight, with one death.
The presence of Coronavirus in the country has impacted so much on the tourism and hospitality industry leading to closure of some businesses premises to loss of employment.
Director for the Department of Tourism, Isaac Katopola Thursday said that the industry was arguably the hardest hit sector due the advent of the Coronavirus pandemic.
He said his office has received reports from the industry of both temporary and permanent closure of tourism and hospitality businesses and that employees in excess of 35,000 have been laid-off.
The Director said the reason is that they cannot make money because almost all local and international bookings are cancelled, similarly with Conferences and meetings.
“The tourism private sector players have since engaged Government for bailout packages to avoid having more facilities closed and retain some of the employees in the sector.
“On prevention of Coronavirus, we have developed robust guidelines which we have circulated to the tourism and hospitality players,” Katopola said
Manager for Chikale Beach in Nkhata Bay, Josephine Imani said things are not well with COVID-19 and they have been forced to trim number of workers from 29 to only 10.
He said they had a series of bookings but they have all been cancelled due to the pandemic.
“We feel like just closing the business but we still have hoped that may be getting a few clients to sustain our business. We have sent home about 19 workers on unpaid holiday because we can no longer make money to meet their wages,” said Imani.
Green Safaris, owners of Kaya Mawa lodges at Likoma Island, said they are expecting serious revenue loss in 2020.
One of the officers at Majizuwa lodges along Lake Malawi in the Northern region district of Karonga, Nation Nyasulu confirmed of closing his business and had already sent home 12 workers.
He said most of visitors at their site come from Western and European countries which have as well been hit hard by the pandemic.
According to 2018 Travel and Tourism Economic Impact Report, the direct contribution of Travel and Tourism to GDP in 2017 was 3.5 per cent and 7.7 per cent in 2019 and was expected to rise by 2.8 per cent and 4.7 per cent through 2028 respectively.
This refers to total value of goods and services and the sector’s economic activities generated by hotels, travels agents, airlines and other passenger transportation services.
In Monetary terms, the sector’s contribution to GDP translates to US$ 553 million (about K400 billion) annually.
The subdued growth has affected job creation, with employment remaining at 6.7 per cent of total employment at about 525,000 jobs.
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Nduna zongokonda kunyenga zingakambe chani cha nzeru???
say that again. money left and right account zao zadziwako kuli zingati popeza io cash ndi mbwembwe mabunle bundle
Stupid dpp government
Poor planning
So you planned for the effects of the Corona virus. You are better than our prophets!!!!!!!
The saddest part is it is happening everywhere. Malawi is no exception. Globally we have been rehearing about it even in America, Zimbabwe kenya and india. Airline crew have been laid off too and some sent on unpaid leave. No one should pretend that Malawi is unique. God forgive us and help us. They may be worse if buyers do not purchase tobacco and tea this year too.
That’s what you get when you’ve got a dunderhead as a leader. He’s got no idea of how to run a country, let alone planning for such disasters.
Just wait for the next pandemic.
Those who have lost jobs because of the coronavirus must be assisted by the the government. The basic upkeep pay.
For your information other countries like UK are doing that.
I know Malawi has a wise leader who. Is also well educated.
I am in transportation business. Next week I am laying of 21 people. No business no money no employment. That is the truth about Coronavirus.
If some APM thought he would use the crisis to save his illegal job of interim president, the reality will only come to hit him when people start suffering – no job, no food, starvation and Malawians dying.
Then with this situation one is standing and saying LOCKDOWN. Nonsense
Nothing unique about your case my friend. It’s happening everywhere. It has happened to you. It happened to me in March and for all of you who think it can’t happen to you, just wait.