Berlin: Angola's tourism and cultural potential will be at the center of attention for the world media and more than 5,000 international exhibitors expected at the International Tourism Fair Berlin (ITB) 2026, which begins on Tuesday in Germany. The golden and historic moment that will turn the country into the 'world tourism capital' will be the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Angola stand, a fact that will concentrate and captivate the gaze of the international press, thousands of exhibitors, and visitors from more than 170 countries around the world. According to Angola Press News Agency, for exemplary participation, the Angolan delegation headed by the Minister of State for Economic Coordination, José de Lima Massano, representing the President of the Republic, landed on Sunday night in the German capital, the expo venue. The Angolan delegation also includes the minister of Tourism, Márcio Daniel, the Angolan Ambassador to Germany, Maria Econge, as well as 20 tour operators who will promote the country's vast tourist and cultural diversity. On Monday, the day before the exhibition, a business forum between Angola and Germany is scheduled, alongside a courtesy meeting between the Minister of State for Economic Coordination and ambassadors of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) accredited to the Federal Republic of Germany. The agenda includes business networking and several meetings between the delegations of the countries participating in the fair. The program also features an investors' gala, a cultural event and presentation of Angolan gastronomy, as well as a press conference and several interviews with Angolan entities. Angola's presence as the 3rd African country to be the main protagonist in the world's largest tourism fair, alongside Tunisia (2007) and Botswana (2017), marks its return to this event, a milestone that comes 11 years after the country's last official participation in this showcase in 2015. According to the minister of Tourism, Márcio Daniel, with this historic achievemen t, Angola leaves behind its status as an unknown tourist destination and begins to assert itself as an emerging destination. Angola's participation as a protagonist in the event coincides with the celebration of the 60th anniversary of ITB, established in 1966. Under the brand "Visit Angola - The Rhythm of Life," the country's return to this fair aims to make Angola an authentic, sustainable, and competitive emerging destination, attracting new players or investors from the international market. This edition of the world's largest and most prestigious tourism showcase has the motto "Discover the stories behind 60 years of legacy," focusing on the theme "Leading Tourism to Balance," emphasizing sustainability, artificial intelligence, and the future of travel. ITB has evolved from a small event into a vital meeting of tourism professionals, bringing together thousands of exhibitors and international visitors every year.
