Africa-Press – Angola. In recent months, Angola and South Africa have been strengthening their bilateral cooperation with the aim of balancing the number of tourists visiting the two countries. This initiative includes a joint action plan for the period 2026–2029.
The information was presented Friday in Luanda by South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, during a press conference held in the Angolan capital as part of the Tourism Promotion Program in Angola.
According to data presented by the minister, more than 41,700 Angolans travel to South Africa annually for various reasons, while only around 3,400 South Africans visit Angola, primarily for business.
The official confirmed that the action plan is already being implemented and includes concrete measures to invest in tourism infrastructure and marketing to increase visitor numbers between the two countries.
Ms Patricia de Lille acknowledged that there is much room for improvement, as well as great potential. She added that it is necessary to increase Angola’s promotion in South Africa and inform the population about the country’s opportunities and beauty.
She highlighted the importance of focusing on digital marketing and using social media and new technologies to reach a younger, more connected audience in both countries.
The minister emphasised that a lack of awareness of Angola as a tourist destination among South Africans is one of the main obstacles to increasing tourist numbers.
She therefore advocated for a more ‘aggressive’ and coordinated promotional campaign involving both countries.
With regard to training, she announced that South Africa would contribute to capacity building for tourism operators, including Portuguese language teaching to improve service for Angolan visitors.
Bilateral Relations
Since the end of the apartheid regime in 1994, relations between South Africa and Angola have been a fundamental pillar of regional cooperation, with more than 40 agreements signed in various areas, including tourism.
Currently, 24 South African companies operate in Angola, and last year the volume of business between the two countries reached more than 21.5 billion rand.
