Mozambique: Maputo could become a Conference Centre of Excellence

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Mozambique: Maputo could become a Conference Centre of Excellence

5:30 CAT | 13 Aug 2024

Minister of Culture and Tourism,Eldevina Materula, speaking at the close of the 10th edition of the International Tourism Fair (FIKANI) in Maputo [Photo: AIM]

The Mozambican government wants to transform the city of Maputo, the country’s capital, into a conference centre of excellence as a way of reducing the negative impact of seasonality on the country’s tourism sector.

The desire was expressed on Sunday, in Maputo, by Minister of Culture and Tourism Eldevina Materula, at the final session of the 10th edition of the International Tourism Fair (FIKANI) in Maputo, a four-day event that ended this Sunday.

“Our biggest bet is that, like South Africa, Rwanda, Morocco and Egypt, we will also have a say in the development of major event tourism, transforming Maputo into a Conference Centre of Excellence, as well as attracting international brand hotel chains to invest in Mozambique,” the minister said.

Minister Materula said that the government had taken good note of the need to design an effective strategy to combat seasonality, focusing on medium and high-income tourism at a regional level. “On the other hand, we are in the process of creating a Tourism Tax to ensure the development of tourist destinations, as has been the case worldwide,” she explained.

The closing of the fair was also marked by the awarding of prizes in the various categories for the exhibitors who performed best. The province of Cabo Delgado, in the northern region, was distinguished with the awards for Best Stand and Creativity. Second place for Best Stand went to the province of Maputo and third place to Sofala.

The Revelation award went to the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), and the award for Best Crafts Exhibitor went to Ancha Bucuane.

The province of Inhambane received the award for best gastronomy exhibitor, and airline Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (LAM) was awarded the award for best exhibitor in this sector.

Meanwhile, the Polana Hotel took first place for best stand for tourism enterprises, followed by the companies TDHotels and Melia Hotels, which took second and third place, respectively.

According to Minister Materula, there were 220 exhibitors at the venue, distributed across 143 stands, 70 of which were occupied by providers of hotel, tourism and similar services.

“We are talking about tourism enterprises, travel agencies and conservation areas, plus 35 stands for arts and crafts, while in the gastronomy area we had 40 exhibitors from all provinces in the country,” he said.

The fair also had an international dimension, with exhibitors from South Africa, Namibia, Rwanda, Nigeria, Angola, Kenya, Portugal, and the Kingdoms of Eswatini and Spain taking part.

The event was held under the motto “Tourism, a Tool for Economic Development and Social Transformation”. Among its goals is raising awareness of the role of tourism professionals, tourism service providers, of the protection police, the traffic police, the National Migration Service and of the public in the development of the country’s tourism industry.

“We note with appreciation the debates held in the three seminars we held, namely investment opportunities in the tourism sector, ethics and quality of service, business in the tourism chain and a session on rapid promotion (speed marketing), ” said Eldevina Materula.

The fair was also attended by the Minister of Tourism of neighbouring South Africa, Patrice Lille, the Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Eswatini, officials from Portugal, the Vice-President of Sudan and others.

Source: AIM