The 10th edition of the Féria International de Turismo (FIKANI) has officially opened in Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, bringing together over 220 exhibitors, including national, provincial, and international participants, at the Mozambique-China Cultural Centre. The event’s opening was marked by a vibrant display of pomp and pageantry, with cultural groups showcasing the rich diversity and heritage of Mozambique.
In his address, the President of the Municipality of Maputo Rasaque Manhique highlighted the city’s growing capacity to host tourists, announcing the addition of new beds to the city’s accommodation stock. This expansion is a testament to the city’s commitment to developing the tourism sector and positioning Maputo as a premier destination.
Vasco Manhica, President of the Federation of Tourism, shared that Mozambique’s tourism sector has witnessed a 10% growth, attributing this success to the implementation of policies that make the country competitive in both African and global markets. He specifically thanked President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi for the visa waiver program, which has significantly boosted tourism by making the country more accessible to international visitors. Manhica emphasized the importance of enhancing the visitor experience and promoting the diverse range of cultural and tourism products that Mozambique has to offer.
The event also underscored the significance of training, tourism professionals across all regions of Mozambique, recognizing this as fundamental to the sector’s development. A recent survey by the National Institute of Statistics revealed positive trends in tourism growth, further highlighting the potential for continued expansion.
Minister of Culture and Tourism, Eldevina Materula, emphasized the siginiface of this year’s theme, stating, “This edition is being held under the motto: “Tourism, a Tool for Economic Development and Social Transformation”. It is a motto that leads us to reflect on the role of tourism professionals and the general public in the development of the country’s tourism industry and the impact tourism has on improving the quality of life of our population”.
The Minister also spoke about the abundant investment opportunities within Mozambique’s tourism sector, with a particular focus on Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism. She emphasized that MICE will take center stage in the country’s tourism strategy moving forward.
In his keynote speech, President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi expressed his desire to be remembered for his role in promoting Mozambique’s tourism. He emphasized the importance of FIKANI as a platform that showcases Mozambique’s commitment to valuing tourism’s role in the economy. The President also highlighted the impact of natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism growth, while expressing optimism that initiatives like the visa waiver program and efforts to improve air travel to Mozambique will help revitalize the sector.
The President’s remarks included a heartfelt statement: “Fellow Patriots! We are a nation blessed with tourism potential and very strong cultural diversity, proving itself to be a real tool for economic development and social transformation. By holding the International Tourism Fair – FIKANI, whose opening of the X Edition we are conducting today, we aim to promote tourism in Mozambique with the intuition of further galvanizing our economy. We congratulate the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and partners for this such an important showcase to discover and rediscover the beauties and tourism potentials that our country offers.”
President Nyusi also reaffirmed his commitment to creating a sustainable environment that conserves Mozambique’s natural treasures while fostering social inclusion and job creation. His vision includes enhancing infrastructure, improving security, and revitalizing key sectors like the national airline, LAM, to boost tourism.
There are 220 exhibitors present at FIKANI 2024 from the Republics of South Africa, Eswatini, Namibia, Rwanda, Nigeria, Angola, Kenya, Portugal and Spain. The exhibitors are distributed across 145 Stands, 70 of which are occupied by hotel, tourism and similar service providers, namely: Tourist Enterprises, Travel Agencies and Conservation areas, 35 in Crafts and 40 in Gastronomy.
