Maputo - Tourism is buoyant in the southern African country of Mozambique, famous for its white-sand beaches, with government income from the sector doubling in four years, a government minister told Parliament Thursday.

Tourism added 185 million dollars to state coffers in 2008, up from 95 million dollars in 2004, and a 13-per-cent increase from 2007.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Planning and Development Minister Aiuba Cuereneia said that Mozambique, which was a premier tourist destination before the country's 16-year civil war ending in 1992, was regaining its reputation as one of southern Africa's beautiful spots.

In 2008, about 1.7 million tourists visited Mozambique, mostly from neighbouring South Africa.

"The sector is one of the major contributors to our economy, with yearly investments of 600 million dollars and currently employing 20,000 people," Cuereneia said.

The government's goal is to reach 4 million tourists a year by 2020.

To achieve this figure, the sector must grow at 16 per cent a year, Cuereneia said. (dpa)