Historical Urban Tourism: The Evolution of Tourism in Colonial Lourenço Marques, Mozambique c.1920-1975

Scholarship is growing on cities as tourism destinations in the Global South. The vast majority of existing writings focus on contemporary issues around tourism development. This paper offers a contribution to address the historical knowledge gap within urban tourism research. The focus is Maputo, Mozambique's capital city, formerly known as Lourenço Marques. Using archival documentary material, the colonial tourism past of this city is examined. Lourenço Marques was the critical pivot for tourism in colonial Mozambique. Regional flows of tourists-most importantly from South Africa-were drivers of colonial tourism development. The strengthening of infrastructural linkages with South Africa meant that the city became a popular winter destination for visitors attracted by the city's continental European atmosphere and beaches. Of critical importance for tourism growth was the establishment of an accommodation services economy and the promotional activities of South African Railways. During the apartheid period Lourenço Marques continued as a growing tourism hub until the early 1970s when with political unrest and uncertainty linked to the anti-colonial struggle the tourism economy faltered and ended the colonial chapter of tourism for Lourenço Marques.