Luanda: International experts defended on Friday in Luanda strengthened regional connectivity, digitalization, and cooperation among African countries to accelerate the growth of tourism on the continent and boost its competitiveness in the global market. The position was presented during the panel on "Connectivity and Tourism Growth: Opening New Markets," at the Global Tourism Forum, which brought together representatives from international organizations linked to the tourism, aviation, hospitality, and development sectors at the Angola Investment Summit 2026, which ended Friday in the Angolan capital.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the CEO of the African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA), Virginia Messina, emphasized that connectivity goes far beyond air connections, also encompassing visa facilitation, digital systems, data flow, and integration between different economic sectors. She stated that tourism depends on a comprehensive ecosystem and cannot thrive without efficient access, connectivity, and collaboration among the various stakeholders.
Virginia Messina stressed that Africa can learn from other regions of the world, particularly the Asia-Pacific region, where improved air connections have significantly contributed to increased tourist flow. "Today, connectivity is not just about airlines. Digitization and new technologies play a fundamental role in making regions and the world more connected," she said. She stressed that there should be greater integration among African countries, considering that the continent has vast tourism potential yet to be explored.
During the debate, Virginia Messina highlighted the importance of developing regional aviation hubs, pointing to the example of Ethiopia, whose strategy transformed Addis Ababa into an important connection center for East Africa. She warned that the expansion of air routes requires market studies, demand analysis, and strong cooperation between governments, airports, and airlines. "It's not enough to just want a new route. It is necessary to understand the demand and create the conditions for it to be sustainable," she explained.
The advisor and expert from the European Union, Lila Aranguzov, pointed to the European experience as an example of how regional cooperation can boost tourism. She explained that, although each country in the European Union has its own tourism strategy, they share mechanisms such as the Schengen Area, which facilitate the movement of people between member states, stimulating travel and economic activity. The expert underscored that Africa can benefit from similar initiatives, through the signing of bilateral and regional agreements that facilitate travel between countries, promote investment, job creation, and the sharing of knowledge and skills.
The expert noted that many African countries remain little known in international markets, recommending strengthened efforts to promote the continent in external markets and among Africans themselves. She highlighted the impact of digital platforms on the promotion of tourist destinations, stating that the new generation seeks information about travel through platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, reducing dependence on traditional methods. She called for a greater presence of African destinations on the digital channels used by young travelers, through the production of authentic content and experiences aligned with the principles of sustainability.
Regarding artificial intelligence (AI), Virginia Messina mentioned that the technology will not replace professionals in the sector but will allow for increased operational efficiency, improved data management, enhanced security, and support for the sustainability of tourism activities. The Angola Investment Summit 2026 aims to promote concrete investment opportunities, strengthen public-private partnerships, and boost new projects capable of generating employment, economic growth, and sustainable development for the country.
