Maputo, Dec. 19, 2024 (Lusa) - Tourist lodgings in Mozambican hotels grew by 21.7% in the third quarter, according to figures released by the National Statistics Institute (INE) on Thursday in its economic situation report.
This is more than 130,000 guests up to September, according to data from the Monthly Survey of Hotel Establishments, while according to INE, air passenger and cargo transport grew by 15.5% and 6.0%, respectively, in the same period, compared to the same period in 2023.
However, this scenario contrasts sharply with the last quarter of the year, which was marked by violent post-election demonstrations in the country. Mozambican entrepreneurs estimate tourism losses at 500 million meticais (€7.5 million), and tourist bookings were cancelled due to social instability.
"It is estimated at approximately 500 million meticais (€7.5 million) because this is happening in the middle of the high tourism season in Mozambique, which is summer and the festive season," Muhammad Abdullah, head of the Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism department at the Confederation of Economic Associations (CTA), told Lusa today.
The cause is the demonstrations and stoppages called by presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, who rejects the results of the 9 October general elections announced by the National Electoral Commission (CNE), which awarded victory to Daniel Chapo, the candidate supported by the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), which still have to be validated by the Constitutional Council by 23 December.
Muhammad Abdullah said that the impact of the demonstrations and stoppages on the tourism sector is felt in all the country's provinces, highlighting the cancellation of bookings, especially in Maputo, where some establishments have closed.
"There is still no data on the number of unemployed caused by this crisis and, quite frankly, we hope that the situation is resolved quickly so that it doesn't have to come to that," said the head of the Mozambican private sector, warning of the negative repercussions for the country's image abroad.
"This is our greatest fear, the repercussions that these images that are being spread by the international media will create, with damage to our country's tourism image, these are the so-called consequences for tourism and the economy in general," he added, indicating that the CTA will focus on digital marketing to “recover the image” of the country.
The CTA called for dialogue between political actors to end the post-election crisis: "All we can do is raise awareness among those who have the right to do so (...) How complicated it will be to regain the trust of tourists," concluded Muhammad Abdullah.
On 5 December, the Mozambican government assured tourists planning to visit the country during the festive season that the borders are fully operational, with safe tourist sites, despite the post-election demonstrations.
In a statement sent to Lusa, the minister of culture and tourism, Eldevina Materula, said that the demonstrations were "localised in urban areas" and that popular tourist destinations, including parks, national reserves, beaches and other coastal regions, "remain safe, unchanged and open to normal activities".
"Airports and land crossings are operational, allowing travellers to reach their destinations," said the minister, acknowledging the “apprehension” of tourists already booked in the face of the strikes and stoppages to contest election results.
At least 130 people have died in the post-election demonstrations in Mozambique since 21 October, according to a report this week by the Decide Electoral Platform, which monitors the electoral processes in Mozambique, which also points to 385 people shot.
Presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane said on Monday that the proclamation of the results of the general elections by the CC, expected on 23 December, will determine whether Mozambique "moves towards peace or chaos".
PVJ/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
