Africa-Press – Eritrea. Eritrea’s growing tourism potential is attracting visitors from around the globe. They are captivated by the enchanting landscapes, conducive climate, timeless cuisine, and diversified cultures. Yet, a common thread unites their experiences: the Eritrean people’s hospitality is unanimously attested as the nation’s most precious resource. Today, we share the travel impressions and well-wishes of a group of Italian tourists.
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Tourist Impressions
Luca: The Warmth of Home
“My name is Luca, I’m from Italy. I work in the tourism business as a tour operator, organizing trips for European tourists to many countries, including Eritrea. This is my second time here; my first visit was in 2017. Both times, the impression was extremely positive, especially regarding the people. Eritrea is beautiful, but its biggest resource is not the mountains, the islands, or the sea; it is the people of Eritrea. They are kind, welcoming, proud, and gentle. They are graceful and noble, making us feel at home. As an Italian, Asmara truly feels like a home away from home.”
“My favorite parts are Asmara and Massawa. In Massawa, you can still see the scars from the liberation war, but there is such a strength, pride, and dignity in the people that really touches your heart.”
“I wish Eritrea to be prosperous, and I would also like to invite others to come and see the beauty of Eritrea.”
Marco
Marco: A Small Country, A Real World
“My name is Marco, I come from northern Italy, and this is my first visit to Eritrea. In the past, I didn’t really consider it a destination because it felt quite far away. However, as soon as I discovered its history, I wanted to visit. I have been truly amazed by the country—by its diversity, how interesting it is, and how welcoming the people are, especially given their link with our country, Italy.”
“I have really enjoyed visiting the cities. Eritrea is a small country, but within it lies a real world. Every region and city is different, yet welcoming in the same way.”
Eleonora
Eleonora: Unity in Diversity
“My name is Eleonora, I am a tour guide from Italy, and this is my first time in Eritrea. I honestly love this country, especially the people. What I loved was the diversity of languages, ethnicities, cultures, food, and landscapes. All of it really surprised me. I clearly see Eritrea is a unique country in Africa; you don’t often find a nation so united despite all the diversity.”
Arianna
Arianna: Openness and Hidden Jewels
“My name is Arianna, and I come from Milan, Italy. My impression of Eritrea is wonderful. The very first thing I saw when I arrived at the airport was many people cycling. In fact, we organized a cycle trip because we saw it was common and we wanted to experience life like the local people here.”
“I really liked the openness of the people; everyone is nice and happy to talk to us. This makes me feel like I’m in Italy, as it is very easy to communicate and interact with everyone. The landscapes and the food are amazing as well. There are so many places to visit that a few days are certainly not enough. Asmara is amazing and has a lot of little jewels—you have to walk all around and seek them, because sometimes they are a bit hidden, but once you find them, you see they are incredible. I also visited Massawa, which was a discovery. The architecture is beautiful, and we really liked going by boat to the magnificent islands.”
“Finally, I wish the Eritrean people an endless joy and a good, thriving relationship with Italy as well.”
Georgia
Georgia: Fascinating Lingering Links
“My name is Giorgia, I am from Rome, Italy, and this is my first time visiting Eritrea. The trip was so amazing; I loved everything. Asmara is super interesting for us, being Italian, because you see so many Italian features standing all over.”
“The people are so friendly, really welcoming, and interesting to talk to. What is also amazing is how some elderly people still speak Italian—they speak a wonderful Italian with vocabulary we no longer use. Listening to them speak was fascinating. Of course, the nature is amazing as well; we went to the Red Sea, Massawa, and the islands. Overall, my tour time here was truly magnificent.”
Eritrea is a world’s yet-to-be-discovered tourist treasure, featuring a favorable climate, diverse culture, timeless traditional and modern dishes, beautiful landscapes, historical architectural buildings, and a clean, rich coastline with magnificent islands.
However, the consistent message from these Italian visitors confirms that the Eritrean people’s hospitality remains the nation’s most precious resource, acting as a powerful magnet that attracts tourists from across the world.
