TRAVEL to the Mozambican coastline during the current school holidays looks set to continue without disruption but strict travel advisories are in place for parts of the north affected by recent violent insurgent attacks.
Forward bookings for travel to Mozambique have been positive so far this year, with operators reporting pent-up demand for beach holidays outside South Africa. By late February, operators had noted an increase in requests for long stays, with the resumption of scheduled commercial flights to and from South Africa, strict Covid safety protocols, in-resort testing, favourable rates and quiet beaches driving demand – see Travel News Indian Ocean Destinations feature, page 6 ‘Sun-seekers flock to Mozambique’.
Airlink operates direct flights between Johannesburg and Pemba in northern Mozambique, as well as Tete, Beira, Maputo and Vilanculos. Sales & marketing manager, Karin Murray, said earlier this week that no flights had been cancelled to date, with schedules still operating as planned.
Stick to the south
Laura Parry of specialist tour operator, Mozambique Islands, said there had been a fair amount of confusion in the market about the closure of certain beaches due to COVID-19 concerns.
Where beaches are currently closed, Laura clarified: “This is in place until late April, after which we expect it to be completely lifted. But the beaches on the Bazaruto Islands and certain other areas of Mozambique are not closed.”
“The restrictions primarily affect the public beaches along the mainland, in popular areas like Maputo, Ponta d'Ouro, Inhambane, Pemba, etc. Laura said the closures were intended to restrict large crowds gathering to party and disregard Covid-19 protocols. “But, there are many quiet places to still enjoy the beach and ocean,” Laura said.
Warning on the north
In the light of recent insurgent attacks, the UK Foreign Office has warned against all travel to the districts of Mueda, Nangade, Palma, Mocimboa da Praia, Muidumbe, Meluco, Macomia, Quissanga and Ibo in Cabo Delgado Province, including the islands off the coast.
The British government has also flagged the districts of Ancuabe and Metuge (except the city of Pemba) in Cabo Delgado province, including the islands off the coast, due to attacks by rebels with links to extremist Islamic groups. Travellers were also told to follow the advice of local authorities concerning COVID-19 safety procedures in the rest of Mozambique.
The authority’s latest update further warned that there had been several armed attacks on vehicles on the EN1 road between Inchope and the town of Gorongoza and the EN6 road between Tica and Inchope, in Sofala province.
But Laura pointed out that this area [near Palma] is around 2 000km away (from Vilanculos and the Bazaruto area) near the border with Tanzania, and so has no effect on southern Mozambique, Vilanculos and the islands.
Mozambique Islands has had queries from honeymooners and families intent on travelling in the June/July holidays. “Mozambique is still a fabulous place for a holiday that is naturally social-distance friendly. Places like Ponta d’Ouro and Maputo will perhaps stay quiet for a while, but the islands will continue to offer that special holiday package that Mozambique is famous for,” Laura said.
Gm of Dana Tours (based in Southern Mozambique), Stephanie Von Allmen, said, apart from the suspension of travel to Palma and surrounding areas, operations were not affected.
“The insurgency has created some uncertainty with regard to travel to Mozambique as a whole, although the affected area is confined to the most north-eastern corner of Cabo Delgado. We may get travellers cancelling travel to the north of Mozambique, which will severely impact a region that already struggles to attract tourism.”
Stephanie said travel to Mozambique was definitely still possible. “As a local DMC, based in Mozambique, we would be the first to advise against travel to a specific destination within the country should this become unsafe.”
Travel Insurance Consultants (TIC) also helped to put minds at rest. Sales & marketing manager, Simmy Micheli, said: “TIC provides medical and personal accident (death and disability cover) in the event of a terrorist attack.”
Simmy explained that TIC defined terrorism as follows: “An act, including but not limited to the use of intimidation, force or violence and/or the threat thereof, (‘terror’) by any person or group/s of persons, whether acting alone or on behalf of or in conjunction with any organisation/s or government/s, committed for political, religious, ideological or similar purposes or reasons including the intention to influence any government and/or to coerce the public and/or put the public, or any section of the public, in a state of fear and distress, and, ‘Terrorist’ shall have a corresponding meaning.”
