Africa-Press – Mozambique. The Mozambican government promises to launch specific programs and actions to develop the tourism value chain, fully exploiting the industry’s extraordinary potential as a driver of economic growth, job creation, and the promotion of balanced and inclusive development.
The guarantee was given by Prime Minister Benvinda Levi, speaking yesterday at the opening of the first edition of the African Diplomatic Tourism and Investment Forum taking place in Maputo.
“Mozambique’s tourism potential is unquestionable. The strategic location, the gastronomy, the monuments, the nature, and the cultural diversity, combined with the friendliness and hard-working spirit that characterize the Mozambican people, constitute unique opportunities to be considered, as together, they provide our country with comparative and competitive advantages,” Levi said.
Got has identified five priority tourism destinations
According to the Prime Minister, the government has already identified five main priority tourism destinations, namely Maputo, Vilankulo, Gorongosa, Quirimbas, and Niassa, whose location and attractiveness can quickly contribute to competitiveness and investment growth in the sector.
Levi also highlighted the need to encourage national and foreign entrepreneurs to expand their businesses in the tourism industry, as well as in complementary areas such as infrastructure, clean energy, hospitality and tourism training schools, and internal and regional connectivity.
“We are determined to continue improving the business and investment environment, especially by simplifying administrative procedures, strengthening the legal and regulatory framework, promoting accessible financing mechanisms, and creating specific incentives for investment in tourism and related areas,” the Prime Minister affirmed.
The diplomatic dimension
Beyond the economic aspect, Levi emphasized the diplomatic dimension of tourism, which he considers essential for strengthening relations between peoples and countries.
“Tourism, beyond its economic aspect, is an important instrument of diplomacy because it contributes to deepening knowledge, relationships, and friendship between peoples and nations, playing a relevant role in each country’s foreign policy,” the Prime Minister said.
At the same event, the Chairman of the African Tourism Board, Cuthbert Ncube, reinforced the importance of a shared vision for the future of tourism in Africa and called for a collective commitment to unlocking the continent’s potential through tourism diplomacy.
“We must accelerate investments in the tourism sector, but to do so, our governments must place tourism at the heart of democracy,” said Ncube, highlighting Mozambique’s potential and the progress being made in restoring Gorongosa National Park, the Bazaruto Archipelago, and Zinave National Park, biodiversity conservation areas.
Ncube argued that connectivity between African destinations and investments in basic infrastructure are “vital” to creating a favourable environment for the industry’s expansion.
Mozambique boasts approximately 2,700 km of coastline and a vast natural and cultural diversity that positions it among the most promising destinations in Southern Africa. In recent years, it has made significant progress, such as the restoration of natural parks and the growth of infrastructure in coastal and safari areas.
However, the tourism industry still faces significant challenges, such as poor internal air connectivity, insufficient roads and basic services in tourist destinations, high transportation and accommodation costs, and instability in some regions.
With the African Diplomatic Tourism and Investment Forum, the Government of Mozambique hopes to attract new partners and investors, consolidating tourism as one of the main levers for Mozambique’s sustainable development.
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