[{"bbox": [157, 151, 1073, 312], "category": "Text", "text": "In addition to the high level strategic vision, Malawi is well endowed with policies and regulations on tourism, including ecotourism, as well as natural resources management. The Ecotourism Strategy entered into force in 2021, as support to the broader National Tourism Strategy, and aspires at making Malawi a preferred tourist destination with well conserved natural resources and unique cultural heritage. In 2022, President Chakwera launched a detailed and ambitious Tourism Masterplan, including identification of possible tourism hubs and destinations."}, {"bbox": [157, 322, 1073, 510], "category": "Text", "text": "Policies and regulations coherently follow and take as priority sustainability (economic, social and environmental) as guiding principle for the growth of the sector. The Action is in line with this framework and will contribute to effective implementation and monitoring of Government's commitments and priorities. It will pay particular attention to strengthen collaboration of different actors (public and private sector investors, civil society and local communities), and to improve the capacities of local communities to become agents of social and economic change and to sustainably harness the potential of Malawi natural and cultural capital."}, {"bbox": [157, 520, 1073, 576], "category": "Text", "text": "The proposed Action intends to contribute to MIP Priority Area 1, Green and Resilient Economic Transformation, and in particular to Specific Objective 2, Enhancing environmental sustainability."}, {"bbox": [157, 586, 1073, 746], "category": "Text", "text": "This Action contributes to the Global Europe targets on climate change and biodiversity and tallies with the Global Gateway priorities on climate. Of the principles of the EU Green Deal, it resonates well with the Farm-to-Fork and Biodiversity strategies. The Action will contribute to SDG 1 (no poverty), 5 (gender equality), 6 (clean water and sanitation), 8 (decent work and economic growth), particularly target 8.9 (promote beneficial and sustainable tourism), 10 (reduced inequalities), 12 (responsible consumption and production), 13 (climate action) and 15 (life on land)."}, {"bbox": [157, 757, 1073, 892], "category": "Text", "text": "As part of the TEI Green Growth, the Action will develop synergies with the interventions in support of preservation, restoration and regeneration of Malawi's natural capital, particularly the EU funded UCHI programme (part of AAP 2022) and the ongoing actions in tourism sector funded by Germany. The Action will seek geographical complementarities, offering livelihood alternatives to poor rural communities and breaking the cycle of unsustainable use of natural resources to earn a living."}, {"bbox": [157, 902, 1073, 1011], "category": "Text", "text": "The Action will allow EU to become an important partner to the Government of Malawi for the tourism sector, which so far is receiving scant public funding and limited donor support. It would strengthen the efforts of the only MS active in the sector and allow to expand the range of institutional interlocutor involved in the sustainable management of Malawi's resources and economic growth."}, {"bbox": [147, 1035, 402, 1066], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.2 Problem Analysis"}, {"bbox": [157, 1081, 394, 1109], "category": "Section-header", "text": "### Short problem analysis:"}, {"bbox": [157, 1119, 1073, 1253], "category": "Text", "text": "Malawi has the potential to compete with the other consolidated African tourism destinations. The country is endowed with a rich diversity of flora and fauna and it is an all season tourism destination with several possibilities for tourism products ranging from the fresh water lake and its island, mountains, hills, wildlife and culture. However, this emerging potential for ecotourism is often not transformed into concrete and appealing ecotourism products."}, {"bbox": [157, 1263, 1073, 1369], "category": "Text", "text": "Furthermore, rapid population growth, combined with alarming levels of poverty and the effects of climate change, results in overexploitation of natural resources and loss of biodiversity, that are the basis for a thriving ecotourism sector and products competitiveness on national and international markets."}, {"bbox": [157, 1382, 1073, 1570], "category": "Text", "text": "The Government of Malawi, through the Department of Parks and Wildlife, has largely improved the status of Protected Areas through the public-private partnership model. Though on a small scale, the local communities have been involved in the management of these protected areas. However, this community participation remains often limited and there are very few instances in which communities are able to propose ecotourism products to visitors. This is partly due to lack of awareness and capacity (technical and financial) and concerns more the vulnerable segment of the population, such as women and youth."}, {"bbox": [976, 1680, 1081, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 5 of 21"}]