Mozambique Travel and Tourism Cruise Ship Port of Call
Mozambique is a Portuguese-speaking country of over 32 million people, located in southern Africa along the Indian Ocean. With a landmass roughly the size of Texas and Louisiana and a coastline stretching over 1,600 miles—from Tanzania to South Africa—it offers untapped potential for high-value tourism. This emerging market presents unique opportunities for U.S. companies looking to expand abroad while supporting American jobs and services at home.
Tourism, particularly cruise-based tourism, is a fast-developing sector. Inhambane, only 310 miles from the capital Maputo, boasts pristine beaches and marine-based activities like scuba diving, sport fishing, and water sports, making it a standout destination for international travelers flying in from Maputo International Airport or arriving via land from South Africa. The central and northern regions of the country offer remarkable ecological and cultural assets, including Gorongosa National Park, Ilha de Moçambique (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the Quirimbas Archipelago.
The cruise season in Mozambique runs from November to May. Many passengers on these cruises are Americans, including a large base of high-spending, retired travelers. As Mozambique expands its port offerings and welcomes more international ships—especially after introducing visa exemptions for 29 countries—Maputo has emerged as an exciting new port of call.
Adding Maputo to global cruise itineraries opens new commercial pathways for U.S. companies involved in:
- Hospitality management and hotel operations
- Professional training and workforce development
- Port services, logistics, and concession planning
- Tour coordination and itinerary development
- Marketing and destination branding
- Export of U.S. travel services and tourism technology
These engagements translate to direct benefits for American workers—from port service providers and global logistics firms to travel technology developers and hospitality trainers based in the U.S. Each new port call in Maputo creates increased demand for U.S.-affiliated tour providers, itinerary developers, and hospitality experts, all of whom help deliver high-quality experiences and export American know-how. In turn, this supports American jobs and strengthens U.S. economic leadership in global travel and tourism.
For U.S. businesses, this is an opportunity to shape emerging tourism infrastructure while ensuring American services, standards, and jobs remain central to global expansion. For more information, please contact Commercial Assistant Shoubhit Palan at Office.Maputo@trade.gov