Africa-Press – Angola. The lack of transport to reach various tourist attractions in the province of Namibe was highlighted in Moçâmedes as one of the main obstacles to developing tourism in the region.
The issue was raised during a training session for local tourist guides to mark World Tourism Day, an event organized by the Provincial Office of Culture and Tourism in Namibe.
According to Marta Manuel, president of the Association of Tourist Guides and Interpreters, tourism in Namibe is growing, but still faces difficulties such as a lack of transport and local cuisine in restaurants, which disappoints many tourists.
She mentioned that the lack of transport hinders exploration of the province’s various attractions, a problem exacerbated by the poor state of the access roads, which require improvement.
The provincial director of culture and tourism, Aurélio Ngulawa, on his turn appealed to tour guides to carry out their work properly, wearing uniforms and being registered, so as not to confuse tourists.
“Namibe province has natural beauty, including beautiful beaches, the desert, rivers and mountains, as well as other tourist attractions, which need to be showcased to tourists,” he said.
The training covered topics such as ‘First aid in field activities’, ‘Geo-referencing and GPS reading’, ‘Tourism and culture in the commercial context’ and ‘The profile of the tour guide’. Participants included technicians from the municipalities of Tômbwa, Moçâmedes, Lucira, Saco-Mar and Virei.
International Tour Guide Day is celebrated annually on 21 February.
Established by the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations in 1990, it honors professionals who enhance travel experiences by sharing stories and cultures, and ensuring the safety of tourists.
The event aims to raise the profile of the profession, emphasise the importance of guides in interpreting heritage, and promote responsible and accredited tourism.
