Africa-Press – Angola. The country received, in 2022, 129 thousand and 733 tourists, a figure that is expected to double in the near future, with the entry into force of the State’s recent visa exemption measure for citizens of 98 countries, as a stimulus to the national economy, increase in employment and development in the country.
The general director of the National Institute for the Promotion of Tourism, Afonso Vita, stated this in an interview on Friday, during which he considered the measure to be visionary and strategic.
He made it known that, in 2019, the country registered 217 thousand tourists, with a 3% share in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
With the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2021, the number fell to 63 thousand 736 and reached 0.034% of GDP and, in 2022, it increased again to 129 thousand 733 tourists, 0.018 percent of GDP.
For him, the visa exemption will have an impact on the country’s tourism and the national economy, as large tourist enterprises, such as hotels and other similar businesses, live off tourist revenue.
According to Afonso Vita, tourist investments are essential because they help to preserve jobs and create new ones, as well as increasing the occupancy rate.
He pointed out that, currently, the occupancy rate of a hotel is below 50 percent, a factor that does not provide profits, but the flow of tourists, due to the visa exemption for citizens of 98 countries, will allow stability, development of ventures and boost the entry of foreign currency into the country.
Afonso Vita also explained that the measure cannot be analyzed in isolation, as tourism enters the national agenda, playing its role in development.
He cited, as the country’s tourist attractions, the Kalandula Falls, the Kwanza rapids, the Pongo Andongo Rocks, the Giant Palanca Negra, the Serra da Leba, Fendas da Tundavala, the city of Mbanza Congo, a world heritage site, the tourist area of the Okavango-Zambezi, as well as the Miradouro da Lua.
He also highlighted the fact that the Wilton Chain will enter Angola in 2023, an international tourist movement, one of the largest in the world.
The chain, of North American origin, which gives credibility to national tourism, enters Angola through the Veleiro hotel group to manage a 5-star hotel, with 306 rooms, to be built in 4 years.
Furthermore, he made it known that the chain will begin operating with the management of an Aparthotel, in the province of Cabinda.
Memory Tourism
The highlight falls on the Tarker family, made up of North Americans of Angolan descent, who have been visiting the country since 2021, at the invitation of the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, and in 2023 they arrived with 70 members.
He also clarified that, for greater tourism promotion, a combined chain is needed between sectors such as tourism, transport and infrastructure.
It is necessary, he added, to increasingly improve access routes to the provinces and balance the management of spaces between nationals and foreigners, as they are mostly managed by expatriates.
Official data
In the last two years, 17 thousand 344 new jobs were registered in tourism, in a universe of 364 tourist accommodation enterprises.
Angola has four thousand 982 restaurants and similar and 482 travel and tourism agencies.
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