COVID-19, AIR TRANSPORT AND TOURISM IN MOZAMBIQUE

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the impact of Covid-19 on the Tourism sector, with evidence for the role of air transport in this process. The space chosen for observation is Mozambique, a developing country located in Southern Africa from which a spatial cut-out consisting of the municipalities of Maputo, Inhambane, Vilanculos and Pemba was chosen. To achieve the proposed objective, the option was for a mixed quali-quantitative methodology, multi-scalar, and the literature and documentary review and interview were used for data collection, according to a script prepared for this purpose. The results of the study show that the tourism sector has been greatly affected by the pandemic, both directly, with a drastic reduction in the number of visitors directly departing from the pandemic, but above all by reducing the number of flights by decision, both from issuing countries and later from Mozambique. However, by reducing, to a minimum the possibilities of international and national movement, the tourist enterprises (accommodation and restaurants) see their main source of income not appear. Thus, there has been the closure or reduction of activities of many undertakings with economic and social impacts perceived by all actors or agents of tourism.