Mozambique’s tourism sector is experiencing gradual growth, with 2018 providing revenues of US$241.8 million, compared with US$196 million in 2015, Mozambique’s Prime Minister said on Thursday in Maputo.

Carlos Agostinho do Rosário, speaking at the opening of the 8th edition of the International Tourism Fair of Mozambique, known as Fikani, said that, as a result of the reforms that the government has introduced in the sector, the number of international arrivals of tourists has also been increasing significantly.

In addition to the number of tourists, which increased to 2.8 million in 2018 from 1.6 million in 2015, there was also an increase in the number of jobs in accommodation, catering, travel agencies and other tourist activities, which went from from 58,000 in 2015 to 64,600 in 2018.

“This dynamic of the tourism sector has contributed to the recognition of our country as a reference destination at a regional and international level,” said Agostinho do Rosário, at the opening of the fair, which had over 90 exhibitors, including from countries like South Africa, Turkey, China, among others, according to the AIM news agency.

The 8th edition of the Mozambique International Tourism Fair closes on Sunday, 3 November.