Official visit to Mozambique by Minister of Tourism

17 Aug 2011

At the invitation of the Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Mozambique, Mr Fernando Subana Junior, Minister van Schalkwyk led a delegation to meet his counterpart, in a run-up to the official state visit to the country by President Jacob Zuma scheduled for later in this year.

The Minister’s delegation was welcomed by the Minister of Tourism in Mozambique. The Minister also paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister, Mr Aires Ali, where issues of mutual interests between the countries were discussed. The governments of South Africa and Mozambique has a history of a structural bilateral relationship and Minister van Schalkwyk commended Mozambique for constructively working with South Africa.

During its time in the country, the Minister’s delegation visited the Sports Complex of Zimpeto which consists of the All Africa Games Athletes Village and the National Stadium. They also visited the National Tourism Institute (INATUR) as well as the Joaquim Chissano International Convention Centre.

The two delegations later met to discuss various issues, including a review on the tourism aspects of the Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) projects, harmonisation of the level of services and grading packages within the region, the hosting of the All Africa Games and Festival of Africa by Mozambique in September 2011 and lastly, the issue of investment packages available in Mozambique.

During the discussions, Minister van Schalkwyk highlighted the importance to increase air connectivity between South Africa and Mozambique to unlock the potential for tourism in the region. The Minister also reiterated the importance of cooperation on regional marketing to drive tourism growth in both countries and the significance of good infrastructure which inadvertently links to various product offerings in the region.

There will be a strategic concentration of efforts on emerging markets, but without sacrificing our bread and butter traditional markets. Furthermore, we will follow a balanced approach between international, regional and domestic tourism – drawing on the strengths of each market while employing tactics to drive innovation and unearth new markets.

It was agreed between the two delegations that they will continue to foster and strengthen cooperation between the two countries by providing technical support to each other and to facilitate engagement to enhance harmonisation in respect of various tourism related aspects on a regular basis.

Enquiries:
Melene Rossouw
Tel: 021 465 7240
Cell: 082 753 7107
E-mail: mrossouw@tourism.gov.za

Natasha Rockman
Tel: 021 465 7240
Cell: 076 429 2264
E-mail: nrockman@tourism.gov.za

Issued by: Department of Tourism
17 Aug 2011

---

Note: by Petrus Viviers

I sincerely hope that Mozambique is capable of handling him for his methotds is notorious for en riching the rich and enslaving the poor into poverty. His methods and views even bring the middle class closer to poverty.  Rely Sir stay at home and leave the other people alone they have done well with tourism to South Africa you have lost because of your views and management.