Mozambique should stop being like other countries and consider eliminating visa requirements for major tourist markets, according to the World Bank (WB). The institution refers to markets that do not pose significant security threats to the country.

In the WB's perspective the adoption of such a measure would be an attraction factor for people looking for tourism in Mozambique.

Francisco Campos, of the World Bank, pointed to this procedure as the country's intention to reduce the cost of visas and assign short-stay ones to facilitate the entry of regional multi-destination travelers.

"Mozambique has to create an e-Visa system, facilitate competition in internal flights, and develop opportunities that can take advantage of airport infrastructure for charter flights, for example," he said.

According to the Strategic Plan for Tourism Development in Mozambique (SPDTM II 2015- 2025), the sector faces barriers to its growth in the country that include the weak business environment, access difficulties related to the high cost of travel, poor infrastructure, and a cumbersome tourism visa regime.

Other concerns include the weak capacity of public sector institutions to respond in a timely manner to tourists' requests, limitations in the skills and knowledge of tourism workers, and challenges related to the country's poor image as a tourism market, among others.

The source said that after seven years (when the plans were approved) "none of the challenges have been solved efficiently in order to contribute to the development of the tourism sector in Mozambique.

Francisco Campos recalled that tourism suffered a negative impact due to the covid-19 pandemic, and that insecurity in Cabo Delgado province affects the country's image as a tourist destination.

Indeed, between 2017 and 2021 tourism in Cabo Delgado attracted only 2% of the amount of investment achieved in the previous period between 2011 and 2016. Quirimbas National Park revenues reduced by about 50% in 2017. Thereafter they reduced by about 18% per year.

The World Bank also announced that as of April 2021, international insurance companies will not accept tourists and cargo entering the coastal area of Cabo Delgado province.