Local Economic Development in Mozambique - Responsible Tourism: Critical Issues for Conservation and Development - page 6

ment and must facilitate the expansion of its private sector (Republic of
Mozambique, 2001).
The strategic plan argues that it has developed strategies to ensure that
growth is inclusive and benefits the poor, but that primarily there must be a
climate that can facilitate this growth. In other words, the large private hotels must
first exist before jobs can be created for its staff. The PARPA states that ' pro-poor
growth strategy also requires a policy climate which stimulates the private sector to
accelerate job creation and increase income generating opportunities through self-
employment… The dynamics of human development and broad-based growth are
interdependent ' (Republic of Mozambique, 2001, p3).
The collation of evidence by the government was wide-ranging and included
Participatory Rural Appraisals, taking into account the views of the poorest
communities. PARPA states that ' in the 2001 diagnoses, the need for access to basic
social services was emphasized, particularly the shortage of health posts near where
people live, lack of transportation for the sick (ambulances), and insufficient personnel.
Problems of corruption, lack of a potable water supply - especially the poor maintenance
of the existing infrastructures (such as pumps) - were also reported during this
diagnosis ' (2006, p20).
Although the strategic plan makes a strong case for promoting pro-poor
development, the document produced a strategy without an action plan. It prima-
rily focuses on what Bond (2003) refers to as 'smokestack-chasing' of foreign
investment. Bond further asserts that ' orthodox LED strategies that desperately seek
foreign investment will only exacerbate their shortcomings ' (2005, p155). In addition,
Clarke and Gaile argue that urban policies have often ' favoured investment in
amenities, such as hotels ' which tends to benefit the skilled rather than the unskilled
(1998, p31). Chasing investment rather than controlling development in a strate-
gic manner hinders its pro-poor impact. PARPA creates a gap between policy and
action that should be coordinated by central government.
Tourism as an instrument of development
Tourism was identified by the PARPA (Republic of Mozambique, 2001) as a
strategic area that could assist the government to achieve its objectives. PARPA
states that ' the travel and tourism industry now ranks first, worldwide, in terms of
revenue generation. It is the industry that employs the most people and an industry that
has demonstrated an ability to adapt quickly to crises that have battered the world
economy ' (Republic of Mozambique, 2001, p135). For these reasons it was
highlighted that Mozambique was ideally suited. It has the potential to attract
foreign investment into the area and a labour-intensive industry, promoting
extensive job creation. It was agreed that Mozambique's natural assets have
provided it with a comparative advantage to other holiday destinations.
The Mozambique government has taken a series of actions to promote the
tourism sector, including creating a separate Ministry of Tourism in 2001, adopt-
ing a Tourism Policy and Implementation Strategy (2003), producing a National