Mozambique has been named Best Tourism Investment Destination at the World Tourism Awards 2026, presented by the World Tourism Forum Institute (WTFI) at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels, alongside the Global Tourism Forum Annual Meeting 2026. Fredson Bacar, Secretary of State for Tourism, Ministry of Economy, received the award on behalf of the Government of Mozambique before an audience of ministers, investors and industry leaders from around the world.

Photo: World Tourism Forum Institute

The award marks a second consecutive year of recognition for Mozambique at the World Tourism Awards, following its selection as Best Sustainable Destination in 2025. Together, the two honours tell a clear story: a country long admired for its coastline, islands and wildlife is now also earning the confidence of international investors.

Tourism at the heart of a new economic vision

Since taking office in January 2025, President Daniel Francisco Chapo has placed tourism at the centre of Mozambique’s economic agenda. He presents the sector as a strategic engine of growth, jobs and social inclusion, and as the surest path to diversifying the economy beyond natural gas, coal and other extractive resources. “Gas will one day run out… tourism will never run out,” the President said earlier this month.

The Government’s Five-Year Programme for 2025–2029 turns that conviction into concrete targets raising tourism’s contribution to GDP to 6% by 2029.

Reforms that open the door to investors

The President’s vision has been matched by structural reform. Mozambique has created the National Agency for Tourism Development and Investment (ANDITUR), established the Southern Corridor Special Tourism Economic Zone covering Vilankulo, Pomene and Inhassoro in Inhambane province, and is rolling out an electronic visa platform alongside a new “Visa Gold” scheme for foreign investors. Inhambane, which President Chapo has long championed as the country’s tourism capital, is being developed as the national tourism hub and a pilot model for other regions.

The results are already showing. At the second Mozambique Tourism Summit in Vilankulo earlier this month, President Chapo reported that arrivals of tourists and investors had risen by more than 254% compared with the same period last year. The Government also presented investors with a portfolio of 40 to 50 tourism projects, 25 of them structured for financing and partnerships.

The Summit’s own story was also recognised in Brussels. Standup Mídia won the award for Best Social Media Strategy in Tourism for its campaign for the Mozambique Tourism Summit, giving Mozambique a second honour at this year’s ceremony.

Global brands are taking notice

Investor confidence is visible on the ground. In September 2025, President Chapo launched the US$140 million project for Aman’s first resort in Sub-Saharan Africa, at the Karingani Game Reserve in Massingir, Gaza province, describing Mozambique as “a land of opportunity and a secure, welcoming environment for world-class investment.” Singita is planning new eco-lodges in the Bazaruto Archipelago, while the Vilankulo waterfront, airport expansion and the development of Massingir airfield are opening up access to some of the country’s most promising destinations.

Under Secretary of State Bacar, the tourism sector has launched work on a National Tourism Strategy and an Inhambane Master Plan with World Bank support, prepared a national MICE strategy and made Mozambique’s debut at IMEX Frankfurt, with a consistent focus on bringing local communities into the tourism value chain.

About the World Tourism Awards

The World Tourism Awards, organised by the World Tourism Forum Institute, recognise the destinations, organisations and leaders shaping the future of global travel and tourism. The 2026 ceremony was held in Brussels alongside the Global Tourism Forum Annual Meeting 2026.

About the World Tourism Forum Institute

The World Tourism Forum Institute (WTFI) is a global organisation dedicated to driving innovation, investment and sustainability in travel and tourism through platforms including the Global Tourism Forum and the World Tourism Awards.