Foreign Tourists Praise Huambo’s Historical and Cultural Heritage

Huambo: The historical and cultural heritage of the city of Huambo captivated foreign tourists traveling with the South African operator Rovos Rail on Saturday, a visit that boosts the tourism profile of the Lobito Corridor. The group, comprising Australians, Americans, and Irish nationals, arrived in Huambo early Saturday morning from Benguela province (specifically the municipality of Lobito) as part of an international rail route promoting cultural and tourism exchange across Africa. According to Angola Press News Agency, during the visit, the tourists explored some of the city's key landmarks, including Dr. António Agostinho Neto Square, the Culture Garden, the Cathedral, the Cultural Center, and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, sites of significant historical and architectural value. Australian tourist Derel West, 69, highlighted the architectural, cultural, and historical beauty of Huambo. He advocated for the preservation of local heritage for future generations. Susan, a 62-year-old Australian, n oted that Angola is progressing but needs to take further steps toward creating new tourism experiences to attract more international visitors. Elizete Quilombo, Director General of the Angolan partner company, stated that the itinerary aims to promote Angola as an international tourist destination and showcase the country's investment opportunities. According to the official, the 15-day journey is divided into two stages: the first connects Zimbabwe to Lobito, and the second departs from Lobito, passing through Huambo, en route to Mozambique. Elizete Quilombo explained that tourists show great interest in Angola's history and value the hospitality of local communities, as well as the cultural displays presented along the route. Despite this positive assessment, she pointed to the condition of certain roads and limitations in basic sanitation as challenges that continue to constrain the growth of tourism in the country. Meanwhile, Adilson Ernesto, head of the Tourism Department in Huambo province, noted tha t initiatives of this kind help establish Angola as a safe tourist destination with high potential. He advocated for tourists to stay longer in the province to boost the economic impact on the hospitality, dining, and handicraft sectors. He stated that local authorities are exploring ways to adjust future tour itineraries, aiming to allow visitors to spend more time in the region and explore other local attractions. Last week, Rovos Rail conducted another international tour with 65 visitors of various nationalities, traveling from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to Lobito in Benguela province.