Portugal and Mozambique will cooperate in the tourism and hospitality sectors through professional training, joint destination promotion, investment attraction, heritage revitalization, and the regulation of games of chance, according to a new agreement between the two governments.
The understanding, ratified and published in Mozambique’s Official Gazette in June, outlines that both nations will promote the “exchange of best practices between their respective national organizations within the tourism ecosystem.” They will also strengthen the sharing of information and experts in areas such as tourism marketing, destination management, sector digitalization, certification, service quality, hotel operations, statistics, and market studies.
This agreement is one of more than 20 bilateral pacts signed by the two governments during last December’s summit in Porto. It establishes the sharing of experiences regarding the sustainable development of destinations and “differentiated, authentic, and inclusive” tourism products, with a specific focus on Nature Tourism, Blue Tourism, Active Tourism, and Cultural Tourism.
One of the most comprehensive components of the agreement involves games of chance. Both countries have committed to technical and regulatory exchanges regarding the licensing, supervision, inspection, and control of operators managing casinos, bingos, and online gaming.
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The parties will exchange information on responsible gaming, corporate social responsibility, and the prevention of illicit practices. They will also share international best practices regarding both land-based and digital gambling sectors.
Furthermore, Portugal and Mozambique will train teams to develop and operate tourism products and destinations through vacation packages. They will exchange technical knowledge on collecting and processing statistical data, surveys, tourism directories, sector barometers, and the monitoring of booking platforms.
Another key area of cooperation involves sharing experiences on national registries for tourism operators—including travel agencies, tour companies, and tourist accommodations—as well as regulatory frameworks and classification procedures for hospitality establishments.
In terms of tourism promotion, the agreement outlines joint participation in conferences, festivals, symposiums, and trade fairs. It also encourages the creation of tourism programs for both countries at preferential rates and the reciprocal promotion of travel seasons and destinations.
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On the economic and business front, Portugal and Mozambique agreed to exchange information on public policies, program design, financing solutions, legal frameworks, and incubation models for entrepreneurs and micro, small, and medium-sized tourism enterprises. The text also details the creation and distribution of joint catalogs showcasing tourism investment opportunities, alongside business forums where investors can pitch initiatives.
The recovery and revitalization of historical and cultural heritage for tourism purposes forms another pillar of this cooperation, which includes sharing experiences tied to Portugal’s REVIVE program.
Finally, in the field of professional training, both countries commit to establishing hospitality and tourism training programs involving the exchange of trainers and trainees, as well as specialized technical assistance. The agreement notes the intention to “promote and support the development of a Hospitality School certified by Turismo de Portugal” and to operate sustainable management models for hotel-schools where necessary.
To oversee these initiatives, both states may coordinate positions on tourism matters within international organizations. The agreement also mandates the creation of a joint technical committee for tourism facilitation, which will be responsible for drafting a five-year action plan to implement the agreed-upon measures.
