Geographic Description

Mozambique is located on the eastern coast of southern Africa, bordered to the south by Swaziland and South Africa, to the south-west by Zimbabwe, to the northwest by Zambia and Malawi and to the north by Tanzania. It is known for its stunning beaches, excellent diving, and untouched off-shore islands. Most of the country is coastal low-lands, but the country becomes more mountainous in the west.

Tourism Policy Environment

Tourism policy in Mozambique is guided by the following documents:

• Tourism Law, 2004;
• Strategic Plan for the Development of Tourism in Mozambique 2004-2013, 2004
• Action Plan for Absolute Poverty Reduction (PARPA), 2006
• National Tourism Code of Conduct, 2007

The Mozambican Tourism Law regulates licensing, standards and sustainable growth, and also criminalises child sex tourism.

The Strategic Plan for the Development of Tourism in Mozambique (Plano Estratégico de Desenvolvimento do Turismo em Moçambique 2004-2013) was approved by the Council of Ministers in October 2004. The vision of the Strategic Plan is that Mozambique will develop into a new, exciting and vibrant tourism destination in Africa, with a goal of receiving four million tourists per year by 2025 (Government of Mozambique, 2004).

The Action Plan for the Reduction of Absolute Poverty (PARPA) describes the country’s macroeconomic, structural and social policies and programs to promote growth and reduce poverty, along with external financing needs. PARPA was prepared by the Government of Mozambique through a participatory process involving civil society and development partners, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The current (2006-2009) Action Plan for the Reduction of Absolute Poverty (PARPA) explains the strategic vision for reducing poverty, the main objectives, and the key actions to be implemented, all of which will guide the preparation of the Government’s medium-term and annual budgets, programs, and policies.  PARPA recognises the importance of tourism as a mechanism for poverty reduction, because of the labour intensive nature of the sector and its ability to adapt quickly to crises that have battered the world economy. PAPRA also notes that natural resources (e.g. pristine beaches) form the basis of international tourism to Mozambique (Republic of Mozambique, 2006).

In October 2007, the government of Mozambique released its National Tourism Code of Conduct, with the intent of minimising the negative effects of tourism on environment and culture, while simultaneously maximising economic and community benefits. The code was a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) and the Mozambique Confederation of Business Associations (CTA) and addresses the following:

• Respect for local communities and their traditions, as well as respect for tourists;
• Tourism as a catalyst for development;
• Tourism’s role in sustainable development;
• Preserving the local culture through tourism;
• Benefiting local communities;
• Responsibility of tourism operators to inform their guests of local laws and traditions and to ensure that these are observed;
• Access to the tourism industry for a greater number of Mozambican citizens; and
• Tourism workers’ right to fair wages and training and development opportunities (Grant Thornton, 2008).

Certification / Award Programmes

Currently, MITUR, in partnership with Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA), is in the process of piloting a Fair Trade in Tourism project. Like its South African counterpart, this will involve a certification element. More information on the develops of this project to come.

TFCAs

Mozambique participates in six TFCAs, which are listed below:

• Great Limpopo TFCA (with South Africa and Zimbabwe)
• Lumombo TFCA (with South Africa and Swaziland)
• Niassa – Selous TFCA (with Tanzania)
• Mnazi Bay – Quirimbas TFCA (with Tanzania)
• Chimanimani (with Zimbabwe)
• ZIMOZA (with Zambia and Zimbabwe)