Sustainable and eco-tourism sites will absorb some of the thousands of unemployed Malawians who were laid off due the lack of tourist numbers during the Covid-19 period.

Sustainable and eco-tourism sites also increase the local economic development for surrounding villages through jobs and local procurement.

Success of tourist sites might negatively effect surrounding communities. Traditions and customs can be effected negatively by the influx of tourists. This can be often observed through social change resulting from interactions between tourists and the local inhabitants, especially in remote societies. The influence can be felt at the individual and family levels through the deterioration of conventional norms, as well as at the societal level (crime, prostitution, etc.) (37).

The seasonality of the tourism sector puts the economic security of the locals employed in the industry at risk. This is further exacerbated by the existence of a high level of dependence on the sector, coupled with an inflated cost of living for the locals (23).

Enclave tourism, which refers to "tourists purchase holiday packages that are all-inclusive package deals" results in economic leakages as enclave tourism is notorious for the repatriation of revenue obtained from the running of tourism business in the host country. This would lead to little economic benefit for locals and would increase inequality (15).

As tourist activities expand, the habituation of animals to ecotourist activities can result in animals becoming vulnerable to persecution from other non-tourists that consider the animals either a nuisance or a highly prized resource (16).

Lessen the industry-induced environmental burden on the planet and encourage the participation of local communities and actors in tourism value generation.

The Zero-Draft National Tourism Policy document of 2015 is still awaiting cabinet approval and provides the direction the Government will take towards transforming the sector into a major tool for socio-economic development (32).

The revised National Environmental Policy of 2004 provides guidance and sets standards for development of sector policies in environment and natural resources. It offers an overall framework against which relevant sectoral environmental policies are revised and adopted to ensure that these are consistent with the principles of sustainable development (38).

The National Wildlife Policy of 2000's goal is to ensure proper conservation and management of the wildlife resources in order to provide for sustainable utilisation and equitable access to the resources and fair sharing of the benefits from the resources for both present and future generations of Malawians (39).

The Malawi National Cultural Policy of 2014 aims to have, preserve and protect the vibrant Malawian culture for national identity, unity in diversity and sustainable socio-economic development (40).

Financial incentives: The Green Climate Fund (GCF) seeks to promote a paradigm shift to low-emission and climate-resilient development, taking into account the needs of nations that are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, such as eco-tourism sites. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been selected as Malawi’s Delivery Partner for the GCF Readiness Project (9).

Fiscal incentives: Investors in the tourism sector access free import duty, free import excise and VAT free importation on certain goods (11).

The Malawi National Parks and Wildlife Act is the most comprehensive environmental law in Malawi that relates directly to tourism. The law makes it an offense for anyone to harass wildlife while inside of game reserves, unless that person is on a legal hunting expedition. The law is equally applicable to tourists and locals, and the punishments can be severe depending on the circumstance (25).

The Malawi Tourism and Hotels Act of 1968 provides for the control and management of hotels, and the establishment of a Tourism and Hotels Board (10).

Central African Wilderness Safari (CAWS), Kutchire Lodge, Avis Car Hire, Majete Game Reserve, Kungoni Cultural Centre.

Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Wildlife, Malawi Tourism Council (MTC), Malawi Institute of Tourism (MIT).

Scotland Malawi Partnership, GIZ, UNESCO, Green Climate Fund (GCF), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Malawi Mulanje WeForest, Coordinating Union for Rehabilitation of the Environment.

Malawi currently has some private sector investments in eco-tourism and protected area management through concessions with the Government. The eco-tourism and protected areas in Malawi include Nyika National Park, Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve, Kasungu National Park, Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, Lake Malawi National Park, Liwonde National Park, Majete Wildlife Reserve, Lengwe National Park and Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve (27).