Angola brought the “Rhythm of Life” to ITB Berlin 2026
- Tim Henshall

- Mar 10
- 3 min read

To mark the 60th anniversary of the world’s leading B2B tourism trade fair, guest country Angola presented the “Rhythm of Life” in Berlin from 3rd – 5th March 2026, with dance performances, drumming, and a vibrant energy.
As the official guest country of ITB Berlin 2026, Angola used the world’s leading travel trade fair to present its strategy for sustainable tourism development and international partnerships. Under the theme "The Rhythm of Life," the country, along with 21 co-exhibitors including hotels, national parks, destination management companies (DMCs), and the national airline TAAG Angola Airlines, presented itself as an authentic destination with significant growth potential.
For its 60th anniversary, the trade fair attracted approximately 97,000 trade visitors. With 5,601 exhibitors from 166 countries, it offered a central platform for networking and business deals with an estimated volume of €47 billion.
At the opening press conference on March 2, Angola's Minister of Tourism, Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, emphasized the strategic importance of the sector for the country's economic diversification and sustainable growth.

At the subsequent opening gala with around 700 international guests, Minister of State for Economic Development José de Lima Massano underscored Angola's ambitions: Africa boasts the highest growth rates in tourism worldwide, and Angola, with its natural beauty and adventure experiences, is ideally positioned to participate. The culinary highlight of the evening was a menu by Michelin-starred Angolan chef Helt Araújo, who offered a modern interpretation of traditional ingredients.

With a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at the start of the trade fair on March 3, Deborah Rothe, Director of ITB Berlin, and Berlin's Governing Mayor, Kai Wegner, along with the Angolan delegation, officially opened the guest country pavilion. The subsequent press conference focused on Angola's tourism strategy: sustainable development, local value creation, training, and community-based models are intended to create new employment opportunities and strengthen economic resilience.
Angola also had a prominent presence at the ITB Berlin Convention: Together with representatives from UN Tourism and WTTC, the country participated in the Global Roundtable "Leading Tourism into Balance."
The final highlight of the first day of the trade fair was the Global Tourism Forum – Angola Leaders Dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Berlin, where international investors discussed opportunities in the Angolan tourism and infrastructure sectors.
Even outside the official program, the three days of the trade fair were used extensively for discussions at the political level: Numerous delegations visited the Angolan stand to greet Tourism Minister Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel and his team and to engage in dialogue.
Angola also made its mark in international tourism marketing: At ITB Berlin, the Angolan Ministry of Tourism was awarded the Golden Star Award at the 26th International Tourism Film and Multimedia Competition, "The Golden Citygate." The award recognized the new promotional film "Visit Angola," which took first place in the "Country" category.
With Kizomba dance workshops and the well-attended "Angola Night" at the Angola stand, the country offered trade visitors the opportunity to experience and immerse themselves in the "Rhythm of Life" through traditional finger food, signature drinks, and live performances. Further impressions of Angola's guest country appearance can be found here.
"Being able to present Angola as the guest country on the international stage of ITB Berlin 2026 was a special privilege for us," explained Julia Kleber, CEO of the KLEBER GROUP and official representative of the Angola Tourism Board. “This is just the beginning; we look forward to continuing to highlight Angola as an authentic and emerging destination in global tourism.”
About Angola
Angola is one of the world's last great adventures – a hidden gem in southwest Africa that captivates with its pristine nature, cultural richness, and astonishing diversity. As the sixth-largest country on the African continent, Angola combines spectacular landscapes – from lush rainforests to endless deserts – with a rich history shaped by the Kingdom of the Congo and the Portuguese colonial heritage.
The capital, Luanda, the gateway to the Atlantic, is a melting pot of African, Portuguese, and indigenous influences, with a vibrant urban life and a lively music and dance culture.
With its new slogan, "Visit Angola – The Rhythm of Life," the destination presents itself as an authentic travel destination for explorers, nature lovers, and culture enthusiasts. Those who want to experience Africa off the beaten track will find truly new territory here – full of emotion, rhythm, and authenticity. For more information: www.angolatourism.com
UK Media contact :
Adele Cutler, PR Manager
adele.cutler@klebergroup.com / +44 (0)7976 578988
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