Mozambique Island is home to a rare jewel of tourism and entrepreneurship: APETUR (the Association for the Promotion of Tourism and Entrepreneurship). Founded in 2000 by dedicated local tourism operators, this non-profit association's mission is to promote and foster tourism in this corner of history and culture.
Today, with more than two decades of existence, the association brings together some 42 members, all entrepreneurs passionate about tourism and the island's unique richness. Together, they have established effective partnerships with the authorities and other local players, launching projects that at once boost tourism and improve the community's social and cultural life and economic resilience.
The collective's great aim is to promote Mozambique Island as a destination of excellence. The island's rich history, vibrant culture and exotic cuisine have been the focal points of its initiatives, and the association has stood out as an important catalyst for the island's prestigious image and renown in a wide range of markets. But its role does not end there, for it has also contributed actively to the socio-economic growth of the local community.
Over its 22 years of existence, this body has left its unmistakable mark on the tourism landscape of Mozambique Island. Supporting the development of tourism infrastructure and investment in the sector has been one of its banners. At the same time, it has promoted the training of human resources in tourism, as well as implementing sustainable development projects that span economic, social and environmental dimensions.
APETUR firmly believes in cooperation with the local authorities, community members and other local partners. Through a collaborative spirit, the values of social justice, equity, and the preservation of heritage and the ecosystem are always emphasised, with the aim of making its various actions a success. This work has been recognised by various local, national and international bodies and authorities, who see APETUR as a relevant, transparent and inclusive figure on the Mozambique Island scene.
The path charted by this association is guided by clear and ambitious objectives. Promoting the rights and interests of its members, contributing to sustainable and integrated tourism, and taking an active part in finding solutions when the interests of Mozambique Island and the adjacent mainland are at stake are the cornerstones of its mission.
Moreover, the promotion of the island's historical, cultural and gastronomic tourism is a constant. Efforts to attract more tourism, both national and international, are unceasing, showing that APETUR is much more than an association.
Activities:
Since the beginning, 22 years ago, APETUR has been actively involved in a range of activities for the benefit of the community and the environment. In the early years, it focused especially on technical and management training for entrepreneurs, in partnership with the FDC (Community Development Foundation), UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) and Portuguese Cooperation, and on English-language training, with the support of the Embassy of Finland. It held historical and cultural events, such as the On´Hipiti Cultural Festival, and three annual food fairs, TZOTZIVA. It also contributed to the integrated development of Mozambique Island through a Master Plan project, and signed an agreement with the Banesco Foundation of Spain to offer credit to women entrepreneurs in tourism. In 2018, it took part in the Ekala Festival in Nacala-a-Velha. In 2019, it collected clothing and food to send to Beira, helping the population affected by Idai. The following year, 2020, in the context of the covid-19 pandemic, APETUR raised funds to help the most needy families of Mozambique Island, as well as refugees from Cabo Delgado, and carried out an ocean clean-up campaign. It also held a talk on breast, cervical and prostate cancer. In 2021, it launched the project Meu Bairro Minha Praia – Lixo Zero (My Neighbourhood, My Beach – Zero Waste), funded by the French embassy, in which, over six months, 13 youth associations on the island cleaned the beaches. It established a partnership with URB-África/UCCLA on the project Participatory Solution for Marine Plastics. It was also elected executive secretary of the community development platform of Mozambique Island, created jointly with the Aga Khan. Along the same lines, it carried out various awareness-raising activities on environmental protection and the circular economy. In 2022, APETUR took part in the United Nations Ocean Conference held in Lisbon and carried out various actions to help the population affected by Cyclone Gombe.
It also organised a beach clean-up on World Clean-up Day. In 2023, it closed the project Uma Máquina de Fabricar Sonhos (A Dream-Making Machine), which consisted of offering sewing training to 14 women from 7 traditional dance groups and a sewing machine to each group. This project was funded by Diversidade, a funding instrument of Procultura PALOP-TL.
The actions mentioned are merely a sample of the vast range of initiatives and projects that APETUR has been developing since its creation. The association believes deeply in its mission, which is to keep working with dedication and commitment to promote the culture, economy and well-being of Mozambique Island.
