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Zambia and Malawi have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in tourism, following the successful conclusion of the inaugural Joint Tourism Technical Committee (JTTC) meeting. The three-day meeting, held in Lilongwe from August 4th to 6th, 2026, culminated in the signing of agreed minutes and reviewed implementation documents. The meeting was aimed at operationalising the 2018 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tourism Cooperation between the two countries. Speaking during the closing ceremony in Malawi, Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary, Evans Mubanga, said the meeting had provided a platform for the two countries to identify priority areas of cooperation. The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by Head of the Zambian Delegation, Director of Human Resource and Administration, Vivien Ndhlovu, said the areas include joint destination marketing, tourism product development, promotion of cultural heritage, sustainable tourism development, capacity building and enhanced collaboration in wildlife conservation. He said the outcomes of the meeting will help the two countries to unlock new investment opportunities, increase tourist arrivals and create sustainable socio-economic benefits for their people. Mr Mubanga urged stakeholders in both countries to ensure that the agreed action points are effectively implemented, saying the success of the JTTC will be measured by tangible results. He also thanked the two delegations, Co-Chairs, members of the JTTC and the respective Secretariats for their commitment and contribution towards the successful meeting. The Permanent Secretary said Zambia looks forward to hosting the next JTTC meeting as the two countries continue to strengthen their long standing bilateral relations through tourism cooperation. And Malawi’s Principal Secretary responsible for Tourism, Jeane Munyenyembe, commended the cordial relations between Zambia and Malawi, noting that the two countries have made significant progress in implementing the 2018 MoU. Ms Munyenyembe said participation in regional tourism initiatives such as the Zambia Travel Expo (ZATEX), Malawi International Tourism Expo (MITE), Malawi-Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) and cultural exchange programmes have contributed to enhanced destination marketing, cross-border tourism and regional integration. She said the JTTC provides a strategic platform for the two countries to enhance cooperation through joint destination marketing, tourism product development, exchange of best practices, promotion of cultural heritage and wildlife conservation. Ms Munyenyembe indicated that the partnership demonstrates the shared vision of the two governments to position tourism as a key driver of economic growth, job creation and regional integration. She, however, stressed the need for both countries to ensure effective implementation of the agreed resolutions to realise the mutual benefits of the strengthened tourism partnership. Ms Munyenyembe further reaffirmed Malawi’s commitment to supporting the implementation plan agreed upon by the two countries. This is contained in a press statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today by the Ministry of Tourism Public Relations Officer, Godfridah Chanda.