Here's his respons:
So better get your visa prior to your trip to Moz at the Embassy in your home country!I heard the rumours but unfortunately I can confirm that, at borders and airports, $85 is the new price for a 30 day single entry tourist visa (Visto fronteira), the only type of visa issued on arrival (other types from consulates). This came into effect, unannounced on July 06. The previous price at borders and airports was US$25.
Senhor Makwakwa of the Consular section of the Mozambican Embassy in Pretoria 012 401 0300 confirmed this and apologised for any inconvenience to visitors to Mozambique. This follows on the drastic increase (in 2006) of visa prices when issued at Moz consulates in South Africa and around the World. The rationale then was that, whatever your country charges a Mozambican for a visa, Mozambique would charge a reciprocal rate. For some passport holders (UK for example), the charge for a visa at a Moz consulate in South Africa since 2006 has been R750 (or about $100), so for many travellers $85 may still be cheaper.
Wish I knew who advises governments regarding such decisions. All the research shows that a far bigger percentage of what so-called 'budget' travellers spend actually stays in the country, and more jobs are created than by the high-end jet-setters who won't notice the increase.
Mike