Mozambique , Africa 's rising star:
Mozambique 's tourism sector is flourishing thanks to legislative reforms and the opening of high quality hotels and resorts.

Mozambique 's tourism sector is flourishing thanks to legislative reforms and the opening of high quality hotels and resorts throughout the country, Stephen Williams reports on the work still in progress.

Mozambique 's Prime Minister Luisa Diogo, confirmed that her country had attracted over 700,000 tourists in the previous 12 months and that the government's own projections see this number growing to four million visitors a year by 2025.

The incredible growth in visitor numbers being anticipated is due to a number of legislative reforms including the approval of a new tourism code, investor-friendly regulations for the sector and an initial strategic tourism development plan to be implemented over the next seven years.

One important development has been a bilateral agreement reached by Mozambique and South Africa to allow their citizens to freely travel between the two countries for stays of up to 30 days, without the need for visas. Similar visa-free arrangements have also been made with Malawi and Swaziland .

Fuel price rises
The Mozambican Ministry of Energy on Wednesday announced increases in the price of liquid fuels of up to 19 per cent, taking effect immediately. The price of petrol rises by 8.1 per cent, from 32.84 to 35.49 Meticais per litre. Diesel is now almost as expensive as petrol. A litre of diesel now costs 35.35 rather than 31.02 Meticais, a rise of 14 per cent.

Departure taxes rises
From February 1st 2008, departure taxes applicable at Mozambican airports will be increased. Domestic departure tax will increase to US$10 (R68) per person, while regional departure tax and international departure tax will both be US$30 (R205) per person. These taxes are payable on check-in at the airport.

One Stop Border Post Ready By March 2009
The long awaited "one stop" border post between Mozambique and South Africa , will open at Ressano Garcia (Lebombo on the South African side) by March 2009, and current estimates are that it will cost about 130 million US dollars