The partnership between IMC Krems and Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (UEM/ESHTI) constitutes the foundation of this project to strengthen the capacity of higher education institutions in Mozambique and develop and teach sustainable rural tourism. The project is funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) through its APPEAR Academic Partnership Funding scheme, which is implemented by the Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation (OeAD).
The IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems (IMC Krems), Austria and its Institute of Tourism represent a higher education and research institution focusing on application-driven research with a strong international focus and integrating business and practical expertise into teaching.
The Institute of Tourism forms part of the Department of Business and concentrates on three major lines of research: regional economics and agrobusiness research, consumer studies and innovation management, as well as tourism marketing and technology research. The institute currently leads a range of national and international research, capacity building and consulting projects within these fields of expertise. It further offers a Bachelor degree in Tourism and a Master's degree in Marketing with the opportunity to focus on Tourism as one of the fields of specialisation. Sustainable tourism plays a key role at the Institute of Tourism, not only in regards to research projects and articles but also in teaching, with sustainability featuring in a wide range of courses.
Dr. Alice Wanner is Professor in Tourism and Sustainable Development at the Institute for Tourism at the IMC Universtiy of Applied Sciences, Krems, Austria, and serves as Project Lead of CAST Mozambique. She specialises in sustainable tourism planning, stakeholder involvement and participatory processes in regional and rural destinations.
Alice holds a Doctorate in Social and Economic Sciences from BOKU University Vienna, where her dissertation focused on participatory planning for sustainable tourism in rural regions. She has contributed to national and international research projects addressing climate change adaptation, regional resilience, nature-based solutions and sustainable tourism development across Central and Southeast Europe.
Her research has been published in leading international journals, including Annals of Tourism Research and Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. At IMC, she teaches in the fields of sustainability, ethics and tourism planning, fostering dialogue between students, stakeholders and decision-makers. She brings an interdisciplinary perspective and a strong commitment to sustainable regional development to the CAST Mozambique project.
PhD, MSc, BA, Prof.(FH) Mattia Rainoldi is Director of Transnational Programmes at the IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences and a Visiting Lecturer at several European universities. He specializes in digital transformation, resilience, and sustainability within tourism, focusing on strategy and innovation. Mattia has extensive experience in leading multidisciplinary international research projects, securing research grants, and managing all aspects of project execution. His research delves into the transformative impact of digital technologies on tourism, specifically around lifestyle mobilities and digital nomadism. As an author, Mattia has published over 20 academic articles and co-edited the book “Eye Tracking in Tourism” (Springer, 2020). He also serves on the Board of Directors of the International Federation for IT and Travel & Tourism (IFITT) as Vice President. Mattia is a certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® facilitator and advises on organizational development.
In CAST Mozambique, he contributes as a trainer and supports project development.
Desiree Schnauer, BA is a scientific project assistant and researcher Institute for Tourism at the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems. Her work focuses on sustainable tourism, digital education and innovation in higher education.
She coordinates and manages national and EU-funded research projects, combining project management, financial controlling and technical implementation. With a background in business informatics, she develops digital tools, online learning formats and innovative teaching concepts that foster sustainability and impact in tourism education.
Desiree has contributed to research and publications in the field of sustainability and wine tourism and has been involved in award-winning educational initiatives, including the internationally recognised Online Wine Courses project. Her expertise bridges academic research, digital innovation and practical project implementation.
Within CAST Mozambique, she supports project management and coordination and is responsible for the technical and digital implementation of project activities, ensuring efficient workflows and high-quality outputs.
Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (UEM) is the oldest and largest public university in Mozambique. It was founded in 1962 as the Mozambique University of General University Studies and in 1976 it took the name of the founder of Frelimo, Eduardo Mondlane. UEM is a comprehensive and multidisciplinary institution based on training and research.
The Inhambane Higher School of Hospitality and Tourism (ESHTI), is an organic unit of the Universidade Eduardo Mondlane of polytechnic vocational training through teaching and applied research, also in the specific area of hospitality and tourism, aiming at capacity development, innovation, critical analysis and scientific knowledge of a multi- and transdisciplinary nature. ESHTI started its activities in 2003 with the Degree in Tourism and the two exits of Tourism Planning and Tourism Information & Entertainment. In 2007, the School started the Higher Degree in Hotel Management and launched three new courses in 2009 (Tourism Animation, Tourism Information and Management of Tourism Markets). Since its creation, ESHTI has implemented research projects to understand gender issues in the agricultural sector, issues of climate change in the planning processes for development at the local level, tourism and agriculture, conservation of biodiversity, among others. Currently, ESHTI focuses on community-based tourism induction projects with agricultural communities in the city of Inhambane.
Prof. Dr. Hélsio Azevedo is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Education at Universidade Eduardo Mondlane. He has a degree in Tourism, a Master’s degree in Environmental Planning and Management and a PhD in Geography. He specializes in tourism destination studies with a focus on tourism planning and diagnosis in urban areas and conservation areas. In recent years he has developed studies related to community empowerment for the promotion of agro-tourism and the inclusion of young people in tourism opportunities in island environments. He is currently a member of the Communication and City Research Group (Citicom-UFMT), the Space, Subject and Existence Group (IESA-UFG) and the Research Group on Tourism and Contemporary Socioterritorial Dynamics (USP). He works in teaching, research and extension in the fields of tourism, the environment and geography and also is an ad hoc tourism and environmental consultant. He is a member of the scientific board of the following journals: Tocantinense de Geografia, Sociedade e Território, Sapiência: Sociedade, Saberes e Práticas Educacionais and Ateliê Geográfico (UFG). As coordinator of the CAST project in Mozambique, Helsio leads the entire Mozambican team and coordinates with the Institute for Tourism, Wine Business, and Marketing at the IMC University of Applied Sciences in achieving all the project packages.
Prof. Dr. Daniel Zacarias is Assistant Professor at the Higher School of Hospitality and Tourism (ESHTI) at Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (UEM), in Mozambique. His background is in Geography, Water & Coastal Management and Ecology & Evolution and as such he has a broad range of research interests. In the context of tourism, his research interests range from public policy analysis and community response to visitors’ satisfaction with emphasis on visitor-resident interactions. Daniel is an active researcher, having published papers, book chapters and an edited book and is also a consistent reviewer for journals such as Biological Conservation, Ocean and Coastal Management, Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights and PLoS ONE. He is a member of the Research Group on Tourism and Contemporary Socioterritorial Dynamics.
Sónia Deolinda Lourenço Cossa, is a Lecturer at Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, at the Inhambane Higher School of Hotel and Tourism, working in the Hospitality Department. She has a degree in Tourism, master’s degree in Strategic Management of Tourist Destinations, whose dissertation topic was on Strategic Marketing in Combating Seasonality. She is currently a doctoral candidate in Tourism Management with the thesis on the theme “Solidarity Economy in the Tourist Territory of the Municipality of Inhambane (Mozambique): a Study of Integration with Local Economies”. Throughout her academic career, she participated in scientific events, developed solid experience in pedagogical management and she developed technical and professional skills in the hospitality sector, having participated as a trainer in the areas of accommodation and restaurant and bar services aimed at local communities and in some cases, managers of hotel establishments. Associated with the subjects she teaches, she also worked with local communities to encourage cooperatives and associations for the development of agritourism and this relationship has become more solid due to current research on the integration of local economies in tourism.
Pelágio Julião Maxlhaieie is Assistant Professor at the Inhambane Higher School of Hospitality and Tourism (ESHTI) at Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM), in Mozambique. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Tourism Planning, a master’s degree in Geography with a specialization in Territorial and Environmental Analysis, and a PhD in Spatial Planning. His background expertise includes Tourism Planning and Spatial Organization, Tourism Sustainability Indicators, Engineering Sciences and Technologies with emphasis on Other Engineering and Technologies (Earth Observation), Social Sciences with emphasis on Economic and Social Geography, and Urban Studies. Pelágio Maxlhaieie has recently joined the eoLab (Earth Observation Laboratory) team for research on the GPM (Global Precipitation Measurement) flagship product, IMERG (Intercalibrated MErged Retrievals for GPM).
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Luisa Eduarda Pereira Mosse, is an employee of the UEM–Escola Superior de Hotelaria e Turismo de Inhambane, has a degree in Management from the Universidade Eduardo Mondlane and currently coordinates the Department of Administration and Finance of ESHTI. In this project she is responsible for the administrative process of the project in Mozambique.
Over the course of the CAST Mozambique project, several team members have contributed significantly to the development and implementation of project activities. We would like to acknowledge their valuable input and dedication.
Although they are no longer actively involved in the project, their work has played an important role in shaping the project's outcomes and strengthening cooperation between partners.
We would like to thank our former team members for their valuable contribution to the CAST Mozambique project.
Prof. Dr. Claudia Dolezal was the initiator of CAST Mozambique and Project Lead from 03/2023 – 02/2026, after leading the preceding APPEAR preparatory funding from 12/2021 – 05/2022. In her role as project lead, she shaped the conceptual foundation of the project, established international partnerships, and oversaw its strategic direction and implementation across all work packages. Her leadership was instrumental in developing the project’s academic framework, strengthening cooperation between Austrian and Mozambican partners, and ensuring alignment with sustainable development principles. Her commitment and vision have had a lasting impact on the project’s development and outcomes.
During her time in CAST Mozambique Claudia was a Professor and Researcher in Tourism and Sustainable Development at the Department of Business at the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems, Austria. With an academic background in tourism, international development and social anthropology, she conducts extensive research in Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa, London and Austria. Her work focuses on regional, rural and sustainable tourism and destination development, with particular emphasis on the role tourism plays in community empowerment, social change and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
Claudia publishes widely on community-based tourism, sustainable development, power relations and social change in tourism. She delivers international keynotes and lectures, is engaged in capacity building initiatives, and actively contributes to academic and professional conferences worldwide. She works as an experts for the UN Tourism Academy and serves as editorial board member of Tourism Geographie and the Austrian Journal of South-East Asian Studies (ASEAS). Claudia co-edited the book Tourism and Development in Southeast Asia (Routledge, 2020) and the Handbook of Niche Tourism (Edward Elgar, 2022) and has published widely in academic journals and the media.
Dr. Giancarlo Fedeli was Professor of Tourism Management at IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems, specialising in tourism marketing, destination management and digital marketing. Holding a PhD in Tourism Marketing and Technology, he led over 50 international consultancy and research projects, including several major EU-funded initiatives.
His work spanned visitor statistics, tourism planning, economic impact studies and feasibility assessments, with clients such as UNESCO, the Scottish Government and VisitScotland. He is a UNESCO Inclusive Policy Lab expert and a founding member of the European Covid-19 Tourism Research Engagement Consortium. His research, published in leading international journals, focused on tourism management, digital marketing and ethics in tourism.
Within the CAST Mozambique project, Giancarlo contributed as a trainer and supported the development and implementation of project activities. He also served as interim Project Lead during a transitional phase of the project, ensuring continuity in coordination and strategic oversight.
Prof.(FH) Mag. Christian Maurer is Head of the Institute Marketing and Wine Business and Programme Director for the Master Programme Marketing at the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems.
He is best described as an active and passionate researcher and teacher who consistently strives for innovation and the implementation of new approaches and tools in tourism development. Characterised by his teaching approach, Christian combines theory and practice and is a strong advocate for integrating real-life projects into higher education. As an ambassador in the field of e-tourism, he is a sought-after presenter at international conferences.
Convinced that the seeds of passion for research should be linked to higher education in tourism, Christian initiated the now annual International Student Conference in Tourism Research (ISCONTOUR) in 2013. He is well published and has presented at numerous international conferences and workshops, demonstrating his ongoing contribution to strengthening ties between tourism education and industry through research and practice orientation.
Within the CAST Mozambique project, Christian contributed to the strategic development and implementation of project activities and supported the integration of research-based and practice-oriented approaches into the project framework.
Dr. Ernesto Jorge Macaringue is Assistant Professor at the Higher School of Hospitality and Tourism (ESHTI) at Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM), Mozambique, where he also served as Director of the School. He holds a degree in Geography and Rural Development, and his academic work focused on teaching and research in the fields of tourism and rural development.
Graduated in Geography and Rural Development, his areas of interest are teaching and research. In the context of tourism and rural development, his attention focuses on the analysis of public policies, popular participation in heritage management and the valorisation of local knowledge. His research is published in journals, with emphasis on Educação de Campo, Produção Académica, Sapiência, Entre Lugar and Caminhos de Geografia. Dr. Ernesto Macaringue is a member of the International Network for Critical Studies of Tourism, Territory and Self-Determination, Space, Existence and Subject.
Within the CAST Mozambique project, Ernesto contributed administrative expertise in his role as Dean and participated in project training activities, supporting institutional coordination and the strengthening of academic cooperation between partners.
Dr. Larissa Neuburger was Senior Lecturer for Marketing at IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems, where she taught marketing-focused courses and project-based lectures in the Bachelor and Master programmes. She completed her PhD in May 2021 at the University of Florida in the field of e-tourism, with a particular focus on immersive technologies and virtual travel.
Her research interests included e-tourism, tourism marketing, social media and immersive technologies (augmented and virtual reality) in the context of tourism experiences. She published regularly in academic journals and peer-reviewed books and presented her research at national and international conferences. She was a member of the International Federation of Information Technology for Travel and Tourism (IFITT), the Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) and a research fellow at Tourism RESET. Since the beginning of 2023, she served as Editor-in-Chief of the academic journal Journal of Tourism Science. Alongside her academic career, she gained professional experience in marketing and the tourism industry.
Within the CAST Mozambique project, Larissa contributed as a trainer and supported selected project activities with her expertise in tourism marketing and digital innovation.
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