The Mozambican President, Filipe Nyusi, said this Thursday, 8 August, during his opening speech at the 10th edition of the International Tourism Fair (FIKANI), that the country has secured around 59.4 billion meticals (940 million dollars) in investments for 2023 in the tourism sector, describing that the sector continues to grow.
“This is an increase of more or less 17 per cent. This trend promises good medium and long-term prospects for our economy. This symbolises the unequivocal recognition in the foreign market that the country has made progress in improving conditions for investors and the competitiveness of our tourism”, he stressed.
The head of state added that during his current term in office, from 2020 until the first half of this year, 1088 tourist enterprises had come into operation in Mozambique, including hotels and other accommodation units, restaurants and drinks establishments and travel agencies, contributing to the creation of more than 14,000 jobs.
Exhibitions at FIKANI
“Alongside this, the attention paid to human capital has contributed a great deal,” added Filipe Nyusi, referring to the training of 11,244 professionals in the sector, “an important factor in welcoming and offering quality tourism”.
The Mozambican President defended the fact that Mozambican should promote areas such as the Maputo National Park or Ponta de Ouro, the Bazaruto archipelago and the Gorongosa or Chimanimani national parks (centre of the country), also pointing to tourism “as one of the pillars for the diversification and acceleration of the national economy”.
On kidnappings
In his speech, Filipe Nyusi addressed the issue that most worries Mozambican society, asking for everyone’s contribution so as not to scare tourists. “Because these crimes happen on the streets, in homes and in businesses,” he said.
The head of state guaranteed that the government is committed to solving the problem, which has plagued the country since 2011, particularly the business class (with estimates of 150 businesspeople kidnapped in this period), which operates in Maputo.
“The government is continuing and is working seriously to combat this evil. And the measures are being designed,” he insisted, emphasising that the “guarantee of security and tranquillity is necessary for Mozambique to present itself among the main global tourist destinations”.
