Malawi, a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, has initiated a programme to enhance tourism on its popular attraction Likoma Island by providing snorkelling and diving courses to local operators. 

According to a press statement, Joyce Storey, Assistant Tourism Officer for Likoma, emphasised that these skills will play a crucial role in attracting more visitors to the island’s rich marine environments.

The statement says that two-week training course was conducted in Monkey Bay, with youth from Likoma in attendance. 

The initiative aims to create new tourism opportunities while promoting marine conservation efforts in the area.

Yusuf Asima, a tour guide and course participant, described the training as an ‘eye opener’ that will create job opportunities and improve water safety. He highlighted the advantage of being able to offer expert assistance to tourists interested in underwater activities.

Another beneficiary, Anslem Gondwe, expressed gratitude for the free training and its potential to attract foreign currency through increased tourism. 

However, he called on the government to provide necessary equipment to allow the newly trained operators to put their skills into practice.

This initiative represents a strategic move by the Malawian government to diversify its tourism offerings and capitalise on the natural beauty of Likoma Island’s underwater environment.

The courses offered will help in attracting tourists to visit the island for tourists who love diving and snorkelling and it will help in bringing in forex, says Gondwe.