[{"bbox": [157, 151, 1074, 259], "category": "Text", "text": "The country's ecotourism products are not visible in source markets mainly due to limited marketing by the responsible institutions, who do not have sufficient budget and limited capacities to access potential lucrative international markets. In addition, most ecotourism operators have limited online presence, which makes it difficult for such businesses to attain the required visibility."}, {"bbox": [157, 269, 1074, 377], "category": "Text", "text": "While there are already a few properties and sites that can be considered ecotourism destinations, Malawi lacks an officially and internationally recognised certification and grading system. This limits the attractiveness of Malawi for tourists interested in reliable and good quality ecotourism experiences."}, {"bbox": [157, 387, 1074, 495], "category": "Text", "text": "Well-known tourism operators are mainly working in protected areas such as Liwonde and Majete National Parks. A number of other areas can transition to become niche destinations, but private sector operators, including from host communities, often lack financial capacities to carry out necessary investments. This includes investments in small scale infrastructure"}, {"bbox": [157, 506, 1074, 614], "category": "Text", "text": "The development of ecotourism products is often linked to infrastructure development. Whilst large scale infrastructure development is outside the responsibilities of host communities and Department of Tourism, small scale works with locally available materials can be at the reach of communities and private sector investors, but it will require specific technical assistance and sensitization."}, {"bbox": [157, 624, 1074, 733], "category": "Text", "text": "Tourism statistics and in particular for ecotourism are not reliable and accurate in Malawi, and this limits the understanding of the sector, its role in the country's economy and in the development of sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural communities. The role of academic research in generating evidence in support of policy decision is also not yet recognised and supported in Malawi."}, {"bbox": [157, 743, 1074, 850], "category": "Text", "text": "Finally, ecotourism actions are not fully integrated at all planning levels (central and decentralised) across sectors. This leads to implementation of conflicting policies and priorities. No coordination platforms exist to bring together different public and private stakeholders. Ministries work in silos and often conflicts between mandates and competencies exist."}, {"bbox": [157, 862, 1030, 917], "category": "Section-header", "text": "**Identification of main stakeholders and corresponding institutional and/or organisational issues (mandates, potential roles, and capacities) to be covered by the action:**"}, {"bbox": [157, 928, 1074, 1088], "category": "Text", "text": "The Department of Tourism (Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture) at the central level is mandated to oversee the policy and legislative direction in ecotourism development. The Action will strengthen the capacities of this Department to ensure a favourable enabling environment for ecotourism, including capacities for intersectoral coordination at central and local level, development of internationally recognised ecotourism certification and standard system, enhanced presence of Malawi ecotourism destinations and products on international markets."}, {"bbox": [157, 1099, 1074, 1260], "category": "Text", "text": "Other relevant government stakeholders are Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Homeland Security, Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources, and Ministry of Agriculture. Legislative directions and policy implementation by these Ministries in their sphere of competences impact the ecotourism sector and have the potential for supporting or impeding its development. The Action will strengthen strategic discussions, coordination and joint planning amongst these stakeholders to the benefit of ecotourism development."}, {"bbox": [157, 1271, 1074, 1405], "category": "Text", "text": "As custodian of the natural resources and cultural heritage, local councils, communities and their representatives are key stakeholders. They will be at the forefront of design, implementation and monitoring of the Action. The Action will engage with Traditional Authorities in the targeted areas, as strong local leadership is proven to encourage local public stakeholder participation in the activities. The Action will support communities with technical and financial support."}, {"bbox": [157, 1415, 1074, 1497], "category": "Text", "text": "CSOs and academia will play an important role in the promotion of ecotourism, creation of environmental awareness and fair distribution of information among all stakeholders. The Action will support improved statistics for ecotourism sector as well as academic research."}, {"bbox": [157, 1508, 1074, 1563], "category": "Text", "text": "Finally, ecotourism will not flourish in Malawi without private sector investors. They are partly represented by the Malawi Tourism Council, but they are a very heterogeneous category, in terms of"}, {"bbox": [976, 1680, 1080, 1705], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 6 of 21"}]