USAID Arco Norte Project
Mozambique is keen on developing its vast tourism potential in a region known as the Arco Norte, comprising the three Northern Provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Niassa. In a strategic policy and paradigm shift, Government in 2009, approved and adopted the “Integrated Resort System” (IRS) as the framework for attracting investments and developing the tourism sector. This policy marks a shift away from the current strategy of attracting ad hoc investments into individual (stand alone) tourism facilities and attractions, to planned and integrated destination development, in which private sector plays the lead role.
Beach in Northern Mozambique
To this end, and with technical assistance and funding from the United States Agency for International Development, the Ministry of Tourism has since 2006, has been implementing a special project designated Projecto Arco Norte. The Project aims to create a world class and sustainable tourism industry and to position the North of Mozambique as a destination for the discerning traveler. Within this framework, six stunning sites were identified and a masterplan has been developed to guide and kick start major resort destination development in the three Northern Provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Niassa (Arco Norte). Connect to main USAID Northern Mozambique Tourism Project page.
Within the framework of a public/private partnership (PPP) and to assure private sector leadership of the tourism development process, Government has conceived the need of a special purpose company to promote the development of tourism infrastructure, attract developers, operate the special tourism zones, and ultimately promote these destinations to tourists worldwide. Consequently, a public-private company (Sociedade Anónima) under Mozambican commercial law, to be named the Arco Norte Tourism Development Company (ANTDC), is being created. The company will provide a clear structure, which will allow the market to identify development opportunities as they arise, and for attracting investments, implementing and responding to opportunities as they arise.
ANTDC will offer shovel-ready infrastructure sites for establishment of quality tourism businesses, such as hotels, lodges, resorts and casinos, shopping malls, golf courses, marinas and similar value-added projects in choice locations in Northern Mozambique. It will serve as a pilot venture that will demonstrate the viability of this type of regional development vehicle, a model proven successful in places like Bali, Cape Verde, Dominican Republic, Mauritius, Tunisia and others.