Maputo — Fewer tourists are visiting the town of Vilanculo, in the southern Mozambican province of Inhambane, this year than in previous festive seasons, calling into question whether some of the many tourist establishments in Valanculo will be able to survive, warns the town's outgoing mayor, Suleimane Amugy, cited in Tuesday's issue of the independent daily “O Paisâ€.
Vilanculo is the jumping off point for tourist resorts in the Bazaruto Archipelago, and along the northern Inhambane coast. It has an international airport with regular flights to Johannesburg.
Amugy believed that the decline in Vilankulo tourism was closely linked to the security situation along the country's main north-south road. Gunmen of the former rebel movement Renamo have, in recent months, staged ambushes against vehicles on the stretch of this road between the Save river and the small town of Muxungue, in Sofala province.
There have been no attacks in Vilanculo, or anywhere else in Inhambane, and Vilanculo is 125 kilometres south of the Save. But foreign tourists are not obliged to know the geography of Mozambique in detail - it is enough for attacks to be reported, and nervous would-be tourists start cancelling their reservations.
Amugy feared that, if the military tensions continue much longer, many tourist operators may find themselves obliged to shut their establishments. This would have a serious effect on the finances of the Vilanculo municipality - Amugy said that tourism is the main source of revenue for the municipal council.
“The tourist operators may be able to pay wages to their workers today and tomorrow, but there is no certainty about the futureâ€, the mayor added.
Tourism is the economic motor of Vilanculo, on which most of the active population depends in one way or another. Not only does tourism employ a large number of local residents, but other sectors, such as agriculture and fisheries, depend on lodges, hotels and restaurants buying their products.
“The closure of tourist resorts would have a very negative impact on Vilanculoâ€, warned Amugy.
In other parts of Inhambane, the reduction in the tourist trade has already cost dozens of workers their jobs. “O Pais†reports that Barra Resorts, at Pomene, about 170 kilometres south of Vilanculo, has laid off more than 80 workers because the decline in tourist numbers has cut deeply into its revenue.
Vilanculo is the jumping off point for tourist resorts in the Bazaruto Archipelago, and along the northern Inhambane coast. It has an international airport with regular flights to Johannesburg.
Amugy believed that the decline in Vilankulo tourism was closely linked to the security situation along the country's main north-south road. Gunmen of the former rebel movement Renamo have, in recent months, staged ambushes against vehicles on the stretch of this road between the Save river and the small town of Muxungue, in Sofala province.
There have been no attacks in Vilanculo, or anywhere else in Inhambane, and Vilanculo is 125 kilometres south of the Save. But foreign tourists are not obliged to know the geography of Mozambique in detail - it is enough for attacks to be reported, and nervous would-be tourists start cancelling their reservations.
Amugy feared that, if the military tensions continue much longer, many tourist operators may find themselves obliged to shut their establishments. This would have a serious effect on the finances of the Vilanculo municipality - Amugy said that tourism is the main source of revenue for the municipal council.
“The tourist operators may be able to pay wages to their workers today and tomorrow, but there is no certainty about the futureâ€, the mayor added.
Tourism is the economic motor of Vilanculo, on which most of the active population depends in one way or another. Not only does tourism employ a large number of local residents, but other sectors, such as agriculture and fisheries, depend on lodges, hotels and restaurants buying their products.
“The closure of tourist resorts would have a very negative impact on Vilanculoâ€, warned Amugy.
In other parts of Inhambane, the reduction in the tourist trade has already cost dozens of workers their jobs. “O Pais†reports that Barra Resorts, at Pomene, about 170 kilometres south of Vilanculo, has laid off more than 80 workers because the decline in tourist numbers has cut deeply into its revenue.