Copyright mwnation
Sunbird Tourism plc has announced plans to open its K11 billion Livingstonia International Conference Centre at its beach resort complex in Salima as a milestone in strategic repositioning of its lakeside resort portfolio. In a statement made available to The Nation, the Malawi Stock Exchange-listed firm said the K11 billion investment at Sunbird Livingstonia Beach and Sunbird Waterfront in Senga Bay, Salima is poised to strengthen Salima’s standing as a premier destination for business and leisure along Lake Malawi and bolster the country’s capability in meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions tourism (Mice). Sunbird Tourism plc chief executive Samson Mwale is quoted in the statement as having said that their vision is to consolidate the group’s position as the preferred brand in hospitality. He said: “This drives our commitment to continuously exceed guest expectations and deliver unparalleled experiences across all our hotels and resorts, including the Mice segment. It [the conference centre] will elevate the delegate experience by combining modern design, cutting-edge technology, and premium hospitality.” Mwale said the conference centre will feature world class amenities, including a 1 000-seater conference arena equipped with advanced audio-visual technology and a total conference capacity of 1 500 delegates across six breakaway rooms with capacities ranging from 20 to 150 participants. The centre will also include dedicated dining facilities with a capacity to seat 300 people, designed to provide an enhanced dining experience for conference guests, according to the statement. Sunbird Tourism plc is 71 percent owned by the Malawi Government, 14 percent by the public and 15 percent by Press Corporation plc. In 2024, the firm posted a 102 percent profit-after-tax jump to K10.6 billion courtesy of prudent cost management and revenue increase. During the previous year, the hotel chain posted a profit of K5.3 billion.
