Gaza Province in Mozambique earned US$6.3 million from tourism activities during the first nine months of 2018, revealed Emily Mapswangane, the Provincial Director for Culture and Tourism on Wednesday (November 21).
She said Gaza had received more than 96 000 tourists between January and September and that the earnings represented 60% of the provincial target for the year, and growth of just over 20% compared with the same period last year.
Mapswangane told APA: “The tourism districts of Bilene, Mandlakazi and Chókwè were major contributors, as they collected half of the amount during this period.”
Mozambique aims to draw in more tourists with its beaches and islands along its 2 600-kilometre Indian Ocean coastline.
According to the provincial official, the prevailing political stability, after a 16-year civil war that ended in 1992, provided a conducive environment for investment in tourism within the country.
Gaza Province in southern Mozambique borders South Africa to the west, with Xai-Xai being the capital.
Accommodation in the province ranges from hotels to lodges and self-catering houses, boasting activities such as diving, snorkelling, walks, hikes, kite surfing, kayaking, swimming and fishing.