The Scottish Executive is to support the development of the tourism industry in Malawi, Africa.

In November 2005, First Minister Jack McConnell and Malawi president His Excellency Bingu wa Mutharika signed the Sustainable Economic Development Strand of the Scotland–Malawi Co-operation Agreement, which aims to develop tourism in Malawi.

In the first instance, the Moffat Centre at Glasgow Caledonian University has been awarded £250,000 from the International Development Fund to develop and upgrade a sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Training and Education Centre in Blantyre, Malawi.

The centre will train up to eight full-time members of staff to Masters level, who will then upgrade and develop the syllabus and course portfolio of the Malawi Institute of Tourism (MIT).

Scottish minister of tourism and international development, Patricia Ferguson, said: “The Moffat Centre is recognised as a world leader in tourism business development and academic research. It will offer Malawi invaluable advice to assist it to develop its tourism industry, which has the potential to attract much needed foreign investment and generate skilled job opportunities across the whole of the country.”

The agreement will also provide support for civic governance and civil society, sustainable economic development, health and education in Malawi.

In addition, since pop star Madonna visited the country to adopt a baby boy, the Malawi tourist board has received a 43 per cent increase in hits to its website. Details: www.scotland.gov.uk or www.malawitourism.com