China's Tourism Model Offers Lessons for Mozambique's Growth

A Mozambican tourism official says China's tourism development model offers valuable lessons for African countries seeking to turn natural and cultural assets into economic growth tools. Ofélia Musseia, head of tourism market development at Mozambique's Economy Ministry, made the assessment after attending a tourism management seminar in Hainan, China. Musseia praised the seminar's blend of theory and practical visits, highlighting China's integration of technology, infrastructure, and territorial development into tourism policy. She noted the sector can drive job creation, rural revitalization, and poverty reduction, and emphasized potential for cooperation in promoting Mozambique to Chinese tourists, attracting investment, and professional training. Mozambique, which offers visa-free entry to Chinese citizens, sees tourism as a diversification opportunity beyond its natural resource-dependent economy. The country's relationship with China has strengthened recently, with President Daniel Chapo visiting Beijing in April to deepen cooperation in agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, and digitalization.