Department of

Tourism Studies

About the Department

The Department of Tourism was established under the Faculty of Tourism, Hospitality and Management in 2007 following the performance gaps that existed in the tourism and hospitality industry as revealed by the training needs assessment survey conducted by a team of researchers in the year 2000, drawn from University of Malawi and the Ministry of Tourism.  The survey had shown that 97% of the workforce employed in the industry was not appropriately trained. Initially the programme was called Bachelor of Science (Tourism). However, the programme was recently renamed to Bachelor of Business (Tourism Management) to reflect the broad content of the courses in the curriculum. The renaming also aligns with other universities offering similar programmes. Secondly, the Government has in Mw2063 identified the tourism and hospitality sector as one of the priority areas for economic growth. This sector continuously receives a loud note of enthusiasm and is gaining a priority status. The tourism sector represents a potentially high growth export service sector capable of contributing to the socio-economic development of the country. The increasing demand of tourism, leisure, and events as socio-cultural experience, creative enterprise and economic activity is easily identifiable. In recent years, Malawi has experienced growth in the tourism, recreation, events and leisure industries, hence the need to develop capacity in the planning, development and management of hospitality activities, tourism facilities and events. The Department is committed to developing a programme that was aimed at meeting increasing demand for graduates with professional planning and management skills in the sector which is currently lacking.

Our Programs

Explore a diverse range of academic programs designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their fields.

Research and Publications

Our department and research teams actively publish in peer-reviewed journals, contributing valuable insights to the field of Tourism. These publications reflect our commitment to academic excellence and our drive to address pressing global challenges.

  • Ngwira, C., Tung, V. W. S., & Tse, S. W. T. (2022). Extending the Conceptualization of Destination Brand Experiences. Journal of Travel Research, 62(7), 1605-1618.https://doi.org/10.1177/00472875221127684

    Kankhuni, Z., Ngwira, C., Sepula. M. B., & Kapute, F. (2022). Modelling the relationship between higher education service quality, student engagement, attachment, satisfaction, and loyalty: a case of a Malawian public university, Journal of Teaching in Travel & Tourism, 23(2), 229-252 DOI: 10.1080/15313220.2022.2128983

    Otoo, F. E., Ngwira, C., & Kankhuni, Z. (2022). Understanding urban festival attendees’ involvement in Hong Kong dragon boat festival. International Journal of Tourism Cities,8(4), 1079-1101. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJTC-10-2021-0207

    Muchemwa, F. (2022) Museums in small places: The Milton High School Museum, Bulawayo in Independent Museums and Culture Centres in Colonial and Post-colonial Zimbabwe, 1st Edition, Routledge, eBook ISBN 9781003108238m

    Chilembwe, J.M. (2021). The role of visitors in stewardship and volunteering in tourism. In: Fennell, D.A. (Ed.). Routledge Handbook of Ecotourism, London: Routledge, pp. 157 – 170. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003001768

    Chilembwe, J.M. (2021). Destination Israel and Malawi Wanderlust. In: Cuffy, V.V., Bakas, F., & Coetzee, W.J.L. (Eds.), Events Tourism: Critical Insights and Contemporary Perspectives. London & New York: Routledge, pp. 163 – 183. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429344268

    Chilembwe, J.M., & Mweiwa, V.R. (2020). The future of our planet is technology: Is it Ok to embrace the change in travel and tourism industry in the developing world? In: Hassan, A., & Sharma, A. (Eds.) The Emerald Handbook of ICT in Tourism and Hospitality. Bingley: Emerald Publishing, pp. 489 – 507.
    https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83982-688-720201031

    Chilembwe, J.M., & Gondwe, F.W. (2020). Role of social media in travel planning and tourism destination decision making. In: Ramos, C.M.Q., De Almeida, C.R., & Fernandes, P.O. (Eds.). Handbook of Research on Social Media Applications for the Tourism and Hospitality Sector. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, pp. 36-51.
    https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-1947-9.ch003

    Chilembwe, J.M., & Mweiwa, V.R. (2020). Peer influence mechanism of travel experience sharing on social network sites. In: Ramos, C.M.Q., De Almeida, C.R., & Fernandes, P.O. (Eds.). Handbook of Research on Social Media Applications for the Tourism and Hospitality Sector. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, pp. 17-35. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-1947-9.ch002

    Chilembwe, J.M. (2019). Nature Tourism, Wildlife Resources and Community Based Conservation in Malawi. In: Stone, M.T., Lenao, M., & Moswete, N. (Eds.). Natural Resources, Tourism and Community Livelihoods in Southern Africa. London, UK: Routledge, pp. 26-37. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429289422-3

    Chilembwe, J.M., & Mweiwa, V.R. (2019). Responsible travel and tourism adventure: Evidence from Malawi as a tourist destination. In: Sharma, A. (Ed.). Sustainable Tourism Development: Futuristic
    Approaches. New York: Apple Academic Press & Taylor and Francis Group, pp. 31 – 53.

    Mweiwa, V.R., Chilembwe, J.M., & Mankhomwa, E. (2019). Influence of government policies on sustainable tourism development in Malawi. In: Sharma, A., Pulido-Fernandez, J.I., & Hassan, A. (Eds.). Sustainable Destination Branding and Marketing: Strategies for Tourism Development, CABI, pp. 143 – 153.

    Mankhomwa, E., Chilembwe, J.M., & Mweiwa, V.R. (2019). The relationship of food, tourism, destination branding and marketing. In: Sharma, A., Pulido-Fernandez, J.I., & Hassan, A. (Eds.). Sustainable Destination Branding and Marketing: Strategies for Tourism Development, CABI, pp. 24 – 36.

    Chilembwe, J.M., Mweiwa, V.R., & Mankhomwa, E. (2018). Role of tour operators in destination tourism marketing in Malawi. In: Camilleri, M.A. (Ed.). Strategic Perspectives in Destination Marketing. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, pp. 295-321. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-5835-4.ch012

    Chilembwe, J.M., & Sepula, M.B. (2017). Corporate Social Responsibility: Practices in Tourism and the Hospitality Industry in Malawi. In: Koutra, C. (Ed.). Corporate Social Responsibility: Applications of Good Practices and Malpractices in Tourism and the Hospitality Industry in the Developed World. New York: Nova Science Publishers, pp. 87-118. ISBN: 978-1-53612-289-3

    Chilembwe, J.M., & Mponda, I.K. (2016). Sustainable tourism governance practices in Malawi as a tourism destination: The challenges and opportunities for tourism development. Tourism Spectrum: International Refereed Journal, 2(1), 1 – 10.

    Gondwe, F.W., & Chilembwe, J.M. (2015). Tourism entrepreneurial development and flight frequency at a destination. International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Reviews, 2(1), 61 – 67. https://doi.org/10.18510/ijthr.2015.212

    Bello, F. G., & Lambulira, M. (2023). Opportunities and Challenges of Community-based Eco-Cultural Tourism Development: A Case of Gwirize Cultural Village in Malawi. Tourism Cases, (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1079/tourism.2023.0016
    Lambulira, M. & Bello, F.G., 2022. Challenges to Tourism Development in Sub-Saharan Africa. A Case of Malawi. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, 13(2), pp.391-402.DOI: https://doi.org/10.14505/jemt.v13.2(58).09
    Lambulira, M., Banda, S., Mhango, G.M.K. & Bello, F.G. (2022). Students’ Perceptions Towards Tourism Education and Careers After the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 11(3):1158-1172. DOI: https://doi.org/10.46222/ajhtl.19770720.282
    Bello, F. G., & Lambulira, M. (2024). Pursuing Sustainable Tourism Development Through Wildlife Tourism: Local Residents’ Perceptions. In Wildlife Tourism Dynamics in Southern Africa: Contemporary Issues, Challenges and Prospects for Sustainable Development (pp. 115-130). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-57252-4_9

     

     

    Njoloma, E. & Kamanga, G. (2025). Assessing the Preparedness of Malawi’s Tourism and Hospitality Industry For Terrorist Attacks. in Rami, K. I, Shem, W. M, & Vanessa, G.B.G. (Eds). The Routledge Handbook of Tourism Safety, Security and Resilience Integrated Community-Based Approaches. London: Routledge.
    Kamanga, G. and Njoloma, E. (2019), “The socio-economic impact of tourism on local community in Nkhata Bay District, Malawi”, in Gursory, D. and Nunkoo, R. (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of tourism impacts: Theoretical and applied perspectives, London: Routledge, pp. 265-277.
    Bello, F., Kamanga, G. and Jamu, E.S. (2019), “Skills gaps and training needs in the tourism sector in Malawi”, African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, Vol. 8 No. 4, pp. 1 – 18.
    Bello, F. G., & Kamanga, G. (2019). Residents’ perceptions of tourism development in developing countries: the case of Malawi. Tourism Today, 79.
    Njoloma, E., and Kamanga, G. (2019), “The effects of crime on tourists’ travel decisions to Malawi”, African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, Vol. 8 No. 3, pp. 1-11.
    Mzembe, A. N., Novakovic, Y., Melissen, F. and Kamanga, G. (2019), “Institutional bricolage as an antecedent of social value creation in a developing country’s tourism and hospitality industry”, Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management. DoI: https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1740.
    Bello, F. G. and Kamanga, G. (2018), “Drivers and barriers of corporate social responsibility in the tourism industry: The case of Malawi”, Development Southern Africa. DOI: 10.1080/0376835X.2018.1555028.
    Kamanga, G. and Bello, F.G. (2018), “Exploring corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the tourism industry: The case of Malawi”, Tourism Review International, Vol. 22 No. 2, pp. 117-130.
    Bello, F.G., Banda, W. and Kamanga, G. (2017), “Corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices in the hospitality industry in Malawi,” African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism, and Leisure, Vol. 6 No. 3, pp. 1-21.

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