Africa-Press – Angola. Minister of State for Economic Coordination José de Lima Massano on Wednesday highlighted tourism and civil aviation as strategic sectors for attracting new investments, job creation, and social inclusion in Africa.
Speaking in Luanda at the opening of the Ministerial Meeting on Tourism and Air Transport, part of the 2nd Ministerial Conference of UN Tourism and the International Aviation Organization (ICAO), taking place in Luanda from the 22nd to the 24th of this month, he also considered the two sectors to be indispensable pillars for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to the minister, to achieve economic integration in Africa, the continent’s countries need to strengthen infrastructure and increase regular air connections, in a safe and accessible manner, combined with coordinated policies that favor the movement of people, goods, and services. In this regard, José de Lima Massano stated that Angola has implemented an ambitious economic diversification agenda, in which tourism and transportation occupy a key position and are at the center of the government’s priorities.
He also highlighted the rehabilitation and expansion of airport infrastructure, with emphasis on the construction of the new António Agostinho Neto International Airport (AIAAN), designed to position Angola as a “regional hub,” integrating the country into major African and international air traffic routes.
The Minister of State also emphasized that TAAG’s modernization process involves fleet renewal and the opening of new African routes. He announced the launch of air connections between the capitals of Abidjan, Libreville, Lusaka, and Nairobi, departing from Luanda, this year.
Luanda, this year.
In the field of tourism, José de Lima Massano highlighted the expansion of the hotel network and the country’s tourism offerings, which are expected to grow even further, due to the recent announcement of investments by international hotel chains such as Hilton, Marriott, and the Mélia group.
In addition to these initiatives, he continued, Angola adopted the “E-visa” system, with processing within 72 hours, and implemented visa exemptions for citizens of a number of countries, including 14 African countries.
According to the official, this is a concrete policy to promote African mobility and stimulate tourism.
“We intend to continue, by promoting our tourist destinations, the effective integration of African air operators and greater coordination between the public and private sectors,” he emphasized.
Regarding the 2nd Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa, the Minister of State considers it essential that this event result in joint work for the coordinated liberalization of African airspace.
He stated that Angola reiterates its commitment to the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market and the principles of the African Union’s Vision 2063.
He mentioned that the Government is available to contribute to the definition of policies, programs, and projects for the development of tourism on the African continent, as a member of the statutory bodies of the World Tourism Organization and Vice-President of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa.
He considered the Ministerial Conference a platform for sharing experiences and strengthening partnerships to enable the transformation of tourism and air transport into a true engine of inclusive growth in Africa.
Participants at the 2nd Ministerial Conference, which brings together experts and operators from the tourism and air transport sectors, are discussing topics related to the challenges and solutions to boost inter-African tourism.
The event’s fundamental objective is to find integrative solutions that facilitate the development of these two critical components of the African economy, within the framework of the Open Sky Initiative.
At the end of the event, participants will issue a joint declaration to facilitate travel in Africa, through mechanisms that reduce bureaucracy, especially in visa issuance, or through full liberalization of multiple entry.
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