Tourism in Mozambique
The tourism assets of
History
Despite its tourism assets and its proximity to
After independence from Portugal in 1975, the Mozambican Civil War that took place in the newly independent country between 1977 and 1992 decimated the tourism industry and wildlife conservation in Mozambique.[1] Organized tourist travel in the country had ceased by 1978.[3] The confidence of tourist operators has been growing since the end of civil conflict in the country, and the country now has the opportunity to revamp and further develop its tourist industry. Inadequate marketing budgets and a lack of tour operators limit the growth of the tourism industry.[1]
By the end of the 1990s tourism was the fastest growing sector of Mozambique's economy. A Minister for Tourism was appointed in 1999.
There are about 7,700 hotel beds in the country, with an approximate occupancy rate of just below 40%. The capital Maputo has about half of the hotel nights. It is slow and expensive to access land for new hotel developments. Many tourist operators supply their own power.[1] Air access is limited, with only one connection to Portugal other than regional services to Dar es Salaam, Harare, Johannesburg and Nairobi. Flight prices are high. Domestic air transport is very limited, although the price of fares is limited because of new small air carriers.[1] The country's visa regulations are a problem for the tourist industry because many other countries near to it, such as Mauritius, Seychelles, and the Maldives, do not require European Union citizens to have visas.[2]
The government hopes that the country's game and nature reserves will become a major tourist attraction.[3] Despite game numbers being decimated during the wars there is positive growth in many of the nation's parks, especially the Maputo Special Reserve,[4] and Gorongosa Parks.[5]
Areas of interest
Cabo Delgado
Gaza
Inhambane
- Banhine National Park
- Bazaruto Archipelago
- Bazaruto National Park
- Inhambane
- Pomene National Reserve
- Tofo
- Vilankulo
- Zinave National Park
Manica
- Chimanimani National Reserve
Maputo
Niassa
Ponta do Ouro
Sofala
Vamizi
Zambezia
References
- ^ ISBN 9264039678, p. 64-68
- ^ ISBN 0821368354, p. 347
- ^ ISBN 1857431839, p. 753
- ^ "Maputo Special Reserve". Mabeco Tours. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
- ^ "Gorongosa National Park". Mozaic Travel. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
External links
- Idyllic Mozambique, One Of Africa's Rising Stars - slideshow at The Huffington Post