Sentidos Beach Retreat: elevating Mozambique
Mozambique’s coastal gem, Sentidos Beach Retreat, located on the idyllic Barra Beach in Inhambane, is redefining luxury hospitality. With its commitment to crafting unforgettable experiences and leaving a lasting impact on the local community, the resort is a guiding light and innovation in the evolving landscape of Mozambique’s tourism industry. In a conversation on the VA Podcast, Lwana Lopes, General Manager of Sentidos Beach Retreat, shed light on the challenges and aspirations that fuel this remarkable destination.
Pioneering unique experiences
Lwana Lopes highlighted Sentidos Beach Retreat’s mission to provide
guests with an extraordinary experience that goes beyond traditional
lodging. “What we want is people that sleep here do not feel they’ve
slept on a bed, but they’ve lived an experience,” Lopes explained. This
experience encompasses waking up to the picturesque sight of local
fishermen setting out in their canoes, casting their nets, and
participating in community projects that leave a lasting impact.
Expanding the horizon
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Sentidos Beach
Retreat has been on a growth trajectory since December. The resort is
currently in the midst of a significant expansion, which includes the
construction of additional rooms, a dive centre, and a conference
facility that would have the capacity to host at least, 300 people. This
expansion aims to enhance the quality of service and cater to the
high-end market, with room offerings set to increase from 12 to 26.
Moreover, the resort is committed to promoting community engagement. It currently features 14 self-catering rooms, catering to a lower-budget segment, particularly appealing to divers and those interested in participating in community projects. “The project started two years ago, and it should be finished next year if everything goes well,” Lopes said, highlighting the resort’s dedication to the holistic development of the local community.
Aiding local communities
Lopes also emphasised Sentidos Beach Retreat’s involvement in community
development projects. Guests are encouraged to actively participate in
these initiatives, ensuring that they leave not only with cherished
memories but also knowing that they have positively impacted the local
community. “At the end of the trip, you want the guests to leave knowing
he has left his mark because he will be helping with a project,” Lopes
stated, underlining the resort’s commitment to providing an authentic
and immersive experience for guests.
Navigating challenges
While tourism in Mozambique is on an upward trajectory, there remain
hurdles to overcome. According to Lwana Lopes, one of the key challenges
facing the resort and the tourism industry as a whole is the limited
availability of international flights. “The biggest challenge at the
moment is the international flight,” Lopes pointed out. “They have put
us with a flight from Vilankulo to here, but we need international
flights because of the guests and the agents we work with don’t want to
come when they have to get on another plane,” she added. She however
disclosed that she has received assurance from management of LAM
Mozambique Airlines that they would start an international schedule soon
– a development Lopes hopes would materialise soon to help reduce
flight challenges for their international clients and agents.
