Maputo, Mozambique – The Mozambican Tourism Ministry is drawing up a new approach to the sector, in order to make it more profitable and reduce the disorder that henders marked growth in the sector over the last few years, Minister Fernando Sumbana said in Maputo.
According to Mozambican newspaper Notícias, the new approach is based on two initiatives, namely the “Arco Norte” project, covering three northern provinces, which could generate US$1.1 billion per year for the state and the “Tourism Investment Anchor Programme,” which could employ 1,300 people.
In Nampula, Pemba and Niassa areas with great tourism potential have been identified, combining the best beaches, animal and plant life and culture, particularly on Mozambique Island, the country’s first capital and a Unesco World Heritage Site.
“This is a circuit that has all the natural conditions to be successful on an international level. There are few countries that can combine these three aspects (beach, animal and plant life and culture),” the minsiter said.
The “Arco Norte” project is expected to attract investment of some US$5 billion and, based on tourism, will develop other areas, taking an additional 700,000 tourists per year to the area, expected to spend around US$700 million per year.
In Cabo Delgado, the plan covers the city of Pemba, with three luxury tourist resorts, Ibo Island, preservation of its historical centre and encouraging rebuilding of ruins, and in Nampula the plan covers the 5 kilometres of coast between Lumbo and Sancol on Mozambique Island.
In Niassa the idea is to use the shores of Lake Niassa to build a luxury resort, establishing a link between the beach and the countryside to the Niassa Reserve and the Selous National Park (Tanzania).
The initiative, which is due to be carried out in two stages (2008-2010 and 2016-2020), also aims to reduce the disorder characterising tourism, particularly at Ponta D’Ouro and Tofo, in Maputo and Inhambane provinces, in which places that could become tourist resorts have been transformed into areas of summer homes.
