Márcio de Jesus Lopes: FITUR represents a strategic step forward for Angola in its international projection agenda

Where does tourism sit in Angola's development plans?

Tourism occupies a strategic place in the national development agenda. Angola boasts one of the greatest natural and cultural diversities in Africa, and the tourism industry is emerging as a key lever for economic diversification and job creation.

In the African context, Angola is part of a growing regional dynamic. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council's Travel & Tourism Economic Impact 2025 report, tourism in Africa will reach a total contribution of US$211 billion in 2024, equivalent to 7.8% of the regional economy, an increase of 9.5% over 2023 and exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 9.8%. Within this scenario, Angola generated US 2.4 billion, consolidating itself as an emerging economic engine and a strategic lever for the country's diversification.

Our aim is to increase this figure in the coming years through active investment, promotion and vocational training policies. The opening of the new Dr António Agostinho Neto International Airport, together with the Open Sky Policy and the extension of the visa-free regime, strengthen the country's international connectivity and facilitate the arrival of visitors and investors.

Angola is also experiencing a historic moment with the commemoration of 50 years of independence on 11 November 2025. This milestone represents much more than a historic event: it is an opportunity to project a new vision for the country, based on innovation, sustainability and openness to the world. This anniversary reinforces our commitment to a future in which tourism plays a key role as a driver of development, identity and international cooperation.

How important will Angola's participation in FITUR 2026 be for Angola?

Angola's presence at FITUR 2026 is a strategic step forward in our international projection agenda. This is Angola's first official participation in this trade fair, a step that reflects our desire to open new avenues of cooperation with Spain and strengthen our presence in Europe at a decisive moment for the consolidation of the Angolan tourism industry.

Under the new identity "Visit Angola - The Rhythm of Life", FITUR will be an essential platform to position the destination, reinforce its visibility and build a solid and coherent reputation with the media, opinion leaders and key industry players.

The Spanish market, in particular, offers a highly favourable context: a mature, informed traveller with a strong international demand; a growing interest in nature, culture and gastronomy; a clear willingness to discover authentic, uncrowded destinations; and an upward trend in multi-family and long-distance travel. This profile is fully in line with Angola's value proposition, making Spain a priority market for our European entry strategy.

FITUR will also enable us to make progress on one of our objectives: to promote the creation of a structured and sustainable tourism product. Direct dialogue with tour operators, agencies and industry partners will facilitate the development of an offer adapted to the expectations of the main source markets, strengthening the tourism value chain and expanding investment and collaboration opportunities.

Which of Angola’s key features will you be presenting?

Angola is a country of contrasts and extraordinary diversity. At FITUR 2026 we will be showcasing the best of our seven major tourism regions, which sum up the essence of "The Rhythm of Life": Luanda, a modern, cosmopolitan capital, where music, gastronomy and hospitality define the Angolan lifestyle; Malanje, with its majestic Kalandula Falls, the second largest in Africa, and the legendary Black Rocks at Pungo Andongo; Namibe, where the desert meets the Atlantic and the centuries old Welwitschia mirabilis grows, a symbol of eternal life; Benguela and Lobito, with its colonial architecture, golden beaches and vibrant cultural life; Huíla and the Serra da Leba, with spectacular mountain landscapes and iconic panoramic routes; Cuando Cubango, source of the Okavango River, home to wild nature and communities that preserve ancestral traditions; and Cabinda, with its tropical rainforest and its unique biodiversity on the continent.

We will also be highlighting the Quiçama National Park, recently declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, as an emblem of Angola's commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable tourism.

What other activities are you planning for your stand?

Angola's stand at FITUR 2026 has been conceived as a strategic meeting point between the destination and the Spanish tourism industry. It will be aimed at providing information and facilitating dialogue and collaboration between the country's suppliers, institutional partners, journalists, opinion leaders, agencies, tour operators and the end public. We want the stand to represent an open window to Angola, where visitors can receive information and get to know the essence of the country. Our aim is to build relationships, generate trust and foster joint development opportunities, especially in this initial phase of international positioning.

Are there any other points you would like to highlight?

Angola's participation in FITUR is part of a broader international roadmap that we are developing together with the Kleber Group, which includes, among other things, our participation as a Guest Country at CMT Stuttgart and ITB Berlin 2026, two of the most influential events in the global tourism industry. Together, these milestones mark a turning point in the internationalisation of Angola’s tourism and reaffirm our commitment to a sustainable, competitive growth model aligned with the global dynamics of the industry.

Angola represents a new vision of African tourism: sustainable, diverse and deeply humane. We want travellers to discover a country that preserves its soul, its rhythm and its authenticity, and to let themselves be carried away by the energy that makes Angola a unique destination on the continent.