Mozambique is a popular holiday destination for southern African travellers looking for affordable beach getaways during the festive season.

After the country faced weeks of protests following local elections, many travellers have been left confused about how to proceed with travel arrangements when visiting the country ahead of the festive season.

On 30 October, ahead of the start of the protests, the Southern African Tourism Services Association, the representative body for inbound tourism in southern Africa, and Africa's Eden Tourism released a statement encouraging travellers to postpone rather than cancel their travel arrangements.

On 15 November, following the height of protest action in the country, the Southern African Development Community Tourism Alliance also released a statement noting it was closely monitoring the situation for those travelling to the country in December.

"We recognise the concerns the recent disruptions in some areas of Mozambique may have raised for travellers.

"The safety and security of our visitors remains our highest priority. As such, tourism sector stakeholders are working hand in hand to respond proactively, ensuring minimal disruption to the travel experience," it said.

It also said that many of Mozambique's popular tourist areas are located far from the affected regions and continue to operate smoothly, particularly fly-in destinations such as Vilankulo.

"To keep travellers fully informed, we are providing clear, timely updates on the ground situation so they can make the best decisions for their upcoming trips.

"For those planning to visit in December, we are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to provide the necessary guidance to ensure safe and enjoyable travel," it said.

If you are planning on travelling this festive season, general travel advice and guidance is as follows:

Ensure you are sourcing on-the-ground and accurate information through reliable sources only.

Create a list of emergency contact numbers and keep these on hand.

Check with your accommodation provider what the on-the-ground situation is.

Avoid cancelling your travel plans. If you decide to change your plans, try to defer or postpone these instead of cancelling.

Avoid discussing political topics publicly and obey the laws of the land.

It's advisable to monitor official updates and consult with your travel supplier closer to your departure date to make an informed decision. - IOL Travel