[{"bbox": [158, 153, 1073, 232], "category": "Text", "text": "management (such as could be the case for ecotourism products) communities are incentivised to participate in forest management and relieve overdependence on forests as a source of livelihoods. The same approach is valid for other natural resources such as water basins."}, {"bbox": [158, 243, 1073, 322], "category": "Text", "text": "At the institutional level, there is need for increased coordination across line ministries and for continuous awareness raising amongst key decision makers outside the Tourism sector of the real value, in economic, social and environmental terms, of ecotourism in Malawi."}, {"bbox": [158, 336, 1073, 469], "category": "Text", "text": "Tourism is a major source of foreign currency for Malawi, and currently generates visitor exports worth over USD 40 Million from the approximately 800,000 visitors that it attracts annually. This is about 1.75% of the total exports for Malawi. Almost 80% of foreign visitors come from neighbouring countries (Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia). Eastern and Southern Africa region are valuable markets for Malawi's tourism products. There is also a growing potential for domestic tourism."}, {"bbox": [148, 496, 460, 527], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 3.5 The Intervention Logic"}, {"bbox": [158, 541, 1073, 622], "category": "Text", "text": "The premise for this action is that no meaningful sustainable economic growth will occur in the country if the economy is not diversified but that tourism can make a substantial contribution to diversification and GDP growth."}, {"bbox": [158, 633, 1073, 820], "category": "Text", "text": "Taking into consideration that Malawi's tourist offer is mainly natural and the poverty rates and unemployment in rural areas, ecotourism can become a readily available alternative for socio-economic growth. The rural communities actively involved in ecotourism become a source of products, produce and services for ecotourists. Ecotourism has potential to empower the women and youth so that they can transform the welfare of their communities and support regeneration of degraded natural and cultural heritage. If linked to the key source markets, local ecotourism operators will be able to create employment and business opportunities for their communities."}, {"bbox": [158, 831, 1073, 991], "category": "Text", "text": "The main underlying assumptions for the action are that (i) natural resources will remain the backbone of a diversified and competitive tourism product in Malawi as stated in the national tourism policy (ii) active participation of local communities in ecotourism ventures will lead to resilient and sustainable economies (iii) government will strengthen the multi-sectoral institutional framework to support ecotourism development (iv) marketing activities will intensify to create domestic and international demand for the ecotourism products."}, {"bbox": [158, 1003, 1073, 1163], "category": "Text", "text": "The action will be implemented at national, district and community levels. It will aim at strengthening planning and coordinating capacity at national and district levels and management of nature-based business ventures at community level. The intervention will be implemented across the country in the ten nodes outlined in the National Tourism Investment Masterplan with priority given to those districts where EU interventions are ongoing (particularly actions funded under UCHI programme and its natural resource management component)."}, {"bbox": [158, 1175, 1073, 1254], "category": "Text", "text": "SO1 will be achieved through identification of ecotourism investment opportunities, that local communities can participate in, and assist them to develop competitive products. The products and services will be graded and certified to meet internationally acceptable standards."}, {"bbox": [158, 1266, 1073, 1398], "category": "Text", "text": "SO2 will be achieved through improved coordination in the implementation of ecotourism activities, networking and building consensus, capacity building at national and district level. The Action will support academia and other institutions to carry out tourism research and surveys as well as development of a robust tourism management database, for informed decision making and policy formulation."}, {"bbox": [158, 1411, 1073, 1492], "category": "Text", "text": "SO3 will be achieved through digital presence and participation of local communities/operators in tourism events where Malawi's uniqueness will be highlighted. Networks created and trade leads identified shall ensure improved market access for the ecotourism products."}, {"bbox": [966, 1680, 1081, 1705], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 11 of 21"}]