Speaking in Blantyre during the launch of the Malawi Domestic Tourism and Outbound Survey the Commissioner of Statistics at National Statistical Office-NSO Mercy Kanyuka said in the survey about 87% of the respondents indicated that they are not visiting touristic sites due to financial constraints.

The survey was conducted in all districts of the country in 2020 from the month of September to November.

According to the NSO, one of the objectives is to provide information to stakeholders in the tourism sector so that they should be making and formulating informed policies.

In her remarks Commissioner Kanyuka said among others in the survey it has been discovered that people are dominantly getting information about tourism orally.

"About 71% of the respondents indicated that they get information about tourism from other people," said Kanyuka.

Reacting to the findings, the Minister of Tourism,Wildlife and Culture Michael Usi challenged all the stakeholders to utilize the report and address the earmarked challenges.

Usi said its high time tourism operators refine on their marketing approaches so that they should also be appealing to the domestic market.

"This document must be utilized and its implementation calls for multifaceted approach," said Usi.

Among others, the survey dwelt much on things that include; types of trips people take, the perception of locals on tourism and purposes of trips.