Travel News travelled to Mozambique at the invitation of the organisers of the 10th FIKANI Mozmbique International Tourism Expo in August.
Continuing its tradition of showcasing Mozambique’s rich diversity, heritage, and culture, the 10th FIKANI Mozambique International Tourism Expo was held last month in Maputo. It attracted travel sector professionals from across the globe who were interested in discovering the country’s unique travel and tourism offering.
FIKANI is a collaborative showcase between the Government of Mozambique, via the National Tourism Institute (INATUR), and the private sector, represented by the Mozambican Federation of Tourism and Hospitality (FEMOTUR).
This year it was hosted over four days during which international visitors, buyers and investors explored distinctive Mozambican offerings and networked with potential partners specialising in hospitality, aviation, MICE and cultural, historical and environmental tourism offerings for both leisure and corporate travel.
Since its launch in 2013, the expo has grown in size and relevance, with this year’s participation of over 220 national and international exhibitors, workshops, B2B meetings, seminars, guided tours and cultural activities.
Cabo Delgado wins two awards
Despite its difficult circumstances, Cabo Delgado won two awards, Best Province and Best Stand (Tourism).
Amid its picturesque islands with beautiful beaches, crystal waters, historic monuments and a Unesco World Heritage Site, the province has been racked by frequent terror attacks since 2017, due to a conflict over natural resources and alleged historical socio-economic neglect by central government.
Despite these many challenges, the province has made significant progress towards improving its tourism sector.
Maputo for the adventurous
Buyers visited a variety of Maputo hotels to explore all the MICE facilities available in the city, including Melia Maputo Sky, Southern Sun Maputo, City Lodge Maputo, Radisson Blu Hotel Maputo, Polana Serena Hotel and Hotel Avenida.
The historical and cultural city tour gave them a taste of fascinating Maputo, including Maputo Central Market, the Maputo Fortress (a colonial naval base which is now a museum), the Samora Machel Statue, the first cathedral in Maputo, the Tunduru Botanical Gardens, the oldest mosque in Maputo, the Casa de Ferro and the beautiful, historic Maputo Central Railway Station, built in 1916 in the Beaux-Arts style.
Culinary experiences showcased unique Mozambican cuisine, which combines African, Portuguese and Indian flavours. From massala fruit, cashew nuts, soursop, coconuts, sugarcane juice and custard apples, to chillis, fresh fire-grilled prawns, fish, curries, cassava and traditional peanut chutney, buyers experienced the melting pot of cultures that make up the country’s cuisine.
