Minister of State Highlights Tourism as a Strategic Sector for Job Creation

Luanda: Minister of State for Economic Coordination José de Lima Massano on Wednesday emphasized the significance of tourism and civil aviation as pivotal sectors for attracting investments, generating employment, and fostering social inclusion across Africa. He addressed these points during the opening of the Ministerial Meeting on Tourism and Air Transport, which is part of the 2nd Ministerial Conference of UN Tourism and the International Aviation Organization (ICAO) currently being held in Luanda from the 22nd to the 24th of this month. According to Angola Press News Agency, the minister stressed that achieving economic integration in Africa requires strengthening infrastructure and enhancing regular air connections in a secure and accessible manner, alongside coordinated policies that facilitate the movement of people, goods, and services. José de Lima Massano highlighted Angola's ambitious economic diversification agenda, with tourism and transportation playing a central role in the government's priori ties. He pointed out the ongoing rehabilitation and expansion of airport infrastructure, particularly the construction of the new António Agostinho Neto International Airport, which aims to establish Angola as a "regional hub" within major African and international air traffic routes. The modernization of TAAG, Angola's national airline, is also a key focus, with plans for fleet renewal and the launch of new routes connecting Luanda to Abidjan, Libreville, Lusaka, and Nairobi. In the realm of tourism, the expansion of Angola's hotel network and tourism offerings is expected to gain momentum with investments from international hotel chains such as Hilton, Marriott, and the Mélia group. Additionally, Angola has introduced the "E-visa" system, ensuring processing within 72 hours, and implemented visa exemptions for citizens of several countries, including 14 African nations. These measures are part of a concrete policy to enhance African mobility and stimulate tourism. The Minister emphasized the importance o f promoting tourist destinations and enhancing coordination between African air operators and the public and private sectors. He articulated Angola's commitment to the Single African Air Transport Market and the principles outlined in the African Union's Vision 2063, reinforcing the country's role in defining policies and projects for tourism development on the continent. The 2nd Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa serves as a vital platform for collaboration, aiming for the coordinated liberalization of African airspace. Participants, including experts and operators from the tourism and air transport sectors, are engaged in discussions to address challenges and explore solutions for advancing inter-African tourism. The conference's primary goal is to devise integrative solutions that will boost these critical components of Africa's economy under the Open Sky Initiative. The event will culminate in a joint declaration focused on facilitating travel within Africa by reducing bureauc ratic barriers, particularly in visa issuance, and pursuing the full liberalization of multiple entry points.