Luanda: The Angolan state is looking to transform the tourism sector into a financeable and bankable asset, a dynamic that should be followed by society, the Tourism Minister, Marcio Daniel, said on Tuesday in Luanda. In an interview with Radio Nacional de Angola (RNA), within the framework of the summit on investment and economic development in the African continent, called "Angola Investment Summit 2026", the minister said the diversification of the Angolan economy also involves tourism, which requires an affirmation of the sector.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Marcio Daniel stated that holding the event in Angola represents an unequivocal demonstration that tourism has assumed a strategic role in national economic policy and in the agenda for diversifying the Angolan economy. He said the government has taken concrete steps to boost the sector, highlighting the approval of public investments valued at around 500 million for the implementation of integrated infrastructure in areas of high tourism potential.
The official highlighted Angola's regular presence in the world's main tourism showcases, particularly its hosting of one of the world's largest tourism fairs, ITB, which introduced the country's name to the global tourism scene. Among the priority projects are the Cabo Ledo area in Icolo e Bengo province, Quicombo Bay in Cuanza-Sul, as well as the Pipas, Trªs Irmos, and T´mbwa bays in Namibe province.
"The State is creating the basic conditions, such as energy, water, telecommunications, roads, and territorial development plans, so that the private sector can invest in the construction of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and other tourism infrastructure," he explained. The minister said the summit will be attended by investors from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Kingdom, among other international markets, interested in developing new tourist destinations in Angola.
He highlighted that one of the key aspects of the meeting will be the formal entry of the TUI network, considered the world's largest tourism group, into the Angolan market. The company is expected to sign a partnership with the Angolan state for the management of a hotel unit. M¡rcio Daniel also emphasized that Angola is no longer an unknown destination on the international tourism scene, thanks to the intensification of promotional activities and participation in major global tourism fairs.
Despite the progress, he acknowledged that tourism's contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) remains below the African average. Data from the last quarter indicates that the sector currently represents 1.6 percent of the national GDP, but the Executive's goal is to exceed 3 percent by the end of 2027.
To stimulate domestic tourism, the minister said the Ministry is establishing partnerships with financial institutions to implement financing mechanisms that allow citizens to travel through installment payments, contributing to reducing the seasonality of demand and increasing the profitability of tour operators. 'Currently, business tourism still dominates our numbers, but from 2025 to 2026 the number of leisure tourists grew by 24%. In other words, the profile of tourists in Angola is already beginning to change. We are progressively having more tourists coming for leisure and fewer for business,' he pointed out.
The "Angola Investment Summit 2026" emerges as a platform to showcase the country's tourism potential and attract investments capable of transforming natural and cultural resources into wealth, employment, and sustainable development. Angola will host the "Angola Investment Summit 2026" from June 17 to 19, an international summit that will bring together government leaders, investors, financial institutions, and businesspeople from around the world to discuss investment opportunities, innovation, and sustainable development, with a special focus on the tourism sector.
