In João Das Neves’ view, the supply of tourism services in Mozambique has increased exponentially over the last 20 years for a number of tourists that, for various reasons, has reduced.
“The opportunities in the tourism sector have been diluted, leaving those who bet on this sector in a very difficult situation,” he lamented, adding that there are more and more tour operators abandoning their ventures due to unsustainability and trying to seek a compulsory retirement in their home countries.
Das Neves is of the opinion that the tourism sector can mess with everything, especially with a good part of the informal sector. The statistics end up not being reflected in the country’s fiscal and macroeconomic accounting by their nature.
However, Das Neves also mentions that the arrival of a tourist implies, at least, the activity of 10 workers or more, directly involved or benefited in the process, from cab services, handicraft, the merchant of small meals, among others.
Our source also considered that Mozambique has about 60% of the economy focused on the informal sector, which in his view is also reflected in tourism, so he assumed not to have an effective indication, but he knows that tourism contributes about 5% of the GDP.
“There are aspects that go beyond the numbers, because it’s not just the question of how much the tourist spent, but it’s the impact to whom he spent and how he spent it. The tourist, as soon as he leaves the airport, starts buying peanuts, then a piece of handicraft, that is, the tourist permanently distributes his income in various sectors of the economy,” he said.
The outbreak of Covid-19 and the role of AVITUM
According to João Das Neves, in Mozambique, long before the outbreak of Covid-19, tourism was already going through difficult times and he also revealed that at this moment more than 90% of the complexes, from Ponta do Ouro to Quirimbas are “literally empty”.
“For me, the biggest problem is not the fact that the tourist resorts are devastated, but rather the lack of direction, this is the biggest challenge,” he said, advancing that his conclusion is a result of the interactions he has with businessmen in the sector.
“The decision for a tourist to visit a certain country is a very slow process and that decision is made at the expense of the 1001 options they have, so it is important that there is something appealing that we can offer and that is better than other destinations,” he said.
“Our position as AVITUM is to have a constant exchange of information and follow up with colleagues to find a direction,” he assured.
