A total of 66 tourist establishments remain closed due to the terrorist attacks that have plagued Cabo Delgado province since 2017. Most of the closed tourist establishments are in the districts of Macomia, Quissanga and Mocímboa da Praia.

According to a document issued last week by the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism in Cabo Delgado, of the "66 tourist establishments closed, 10 are restaurants and 56 are accommodation establishments with a capacity of 852 beds".

With the closure of these tourist establishments, the document, quoted by the local portal "Zumbo FM News"More than 500 workers have lost their jobs.

"The tourism sector has been severely affected by violent extremism, resulting in a workforce reduction of 529 workers out of a total of 3,040, corresponding to 26%," reads the document.

However, despite this closure, Cabo Delgado province received more than 26,000 tourists in the first half of 2024, of which 11,757 were foreigners.

"During the first half of 2024, Cabo Delgado province registered a total of 26,680 guests, of which 14,923 were nationals and 11,757 foreigners out of the 40,000 planned, corresponding to 66% of realization and a growth of around 93% when compared to the same period with 13,811 guests registered in 2023, of which 11,214 were nationals and 2597 foreigners," the document points out.

Cabo Delgado province has been facing terrorist attacks for more than six years, which have led to a military response since July 2021, with support from Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community, liberating districts near the gas projects.

After a period of relative stability, new attacks and movements were recorded at the beginning of the year, leading foreign entities to restrict travel to that part of the country.

(Photo DR)