Angola sets its sights on tourism boom

Angola has its sights firmly set on a major increase in mainstream international inbound tourism. The country, often regarded as one of Africa’s last wilderness frontiers, is positioning tourism as a key driver of economic diversification. A large-scale expansion of international air connectivity, new conservation- led accommodation and increased engagement with international travel trade partners are all parts of its strategy over the next 12 months.

Original article by Christiaan Schultz https://www.tourismupdate.com/edition/tourism-month-august-2026/view-edition

The tourism sector is already showing encouraging momentum. International tourist arrivals increased by almost 28%, from 174 408 visitors in 2024 to 223 140 in 2025, according to Angola’s Minister of Tourism, Marcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel.

“This sustained growth gives us confidence that our continued investment in infrastructure, conservation and international partnerships is laying the foundations for long-term sustainable tourism development, while positioning Angola as one of Africa’s most exciting emerging destinations. The Ministry sees the next year as an important period in Angola’s tourism development,” Daniel told Tourism Update.

AIR ACCESS

The airport is designed to accommodate up to 15 million passengers annually. Daniel

said the focus over the coming year would be on increasing international operations,

expanding airline services and strengthening Luanda’s position as a regional aviation hub.

Alongside modern passenger facilities, the wider Airport City development will introduce new hotels, commercial facilities and business infrastructure, creating an integrated gateway for both leisure and business travellers.

“For visitors, this means a smoother arrival experience, improved international

connections and greater confidence in travelling to Angola. Better air access is fundamental

to growing tourism and ensuring Angola is more accessible to international markets. The airport forms part of a wider programme of investment in roads, aviation and visitor infrastructure that will improve accessibility across the country over the coming years,” Daniel said.

International connectivity is set for a further boost when TAAG Angola Airlines launches its

planned direct Luanda-Houston service in 2027. According to Daniel, the route opens direct access to one of the world’s largest aviation hubs, making Angola considerably more accessible for travellers from the US, while also providing convenient onward connections

from Canada and other North American markets.

“North America represents an increasingly important source market for adventure, luxury

and experiential travel. We believe Angola’s combination of untouched wilderness, rich

cultural heritage and authentic experiences will appeal particularly to experienced travellers looking for destinations beyond the traditional African safari circuit.”

The route is also expected to support business travel, investment and trade links, which Daniel said were closely connected to tourism growth.

He added that it formed part of Angola’s strategy to diversify visitor markets beyond Europe

and Southern Africa. CAMPS

Angola is developing new tourism products around its protected areas. The first permanent tourism accommodation inside Iona National Park is scheduled to open on October 1. It’s a partnership between the Government and African Parks, which are jointly managing the national park. Located at the former Gruta do Leão camping site, the new 10-guest camp will comprise just five en-suite tents each with en-suite bathrooms. A restaurant and bar are also planned. The camp is in a remote section of Iona, where the Namib Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean.

“The small scale of the camp is designed to preserve the sense of wilderness that makes Iona so special. Guests will be staying deep within the national park, with wildlife including giraffe regularly seen in the surrounding area. The combination of dramatic rock arches, desert scenery and the camp’s isolated setting creates a distinctive atmosphere,” Daniel said.

“Visitors can experience vast desert landscapes, unusual geological formations, endemic

flora including the iconic Welwitschia, exceptional night skies and the park’s recovering

wildlife populations.”

Two new safari camps that are planned within Cuatir Nature Reserve represent another

important step in Angola’s long- term conservation tourism strategy. Situated within the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, the reserve forms part of one of the

world’s largest transboundary conservation landscapes.

Completion dates for these two developments are unknown, but Daniel said the developments were expected to provide small- scale, environmentally sensitive accommodation designed to showcase one of Africa’s last truly wild wilderness areas.

“The camps will also play a supporting role in ongoing conservation initiatives, wildlife restoration and local employment, while offering visitors an exclusive safari experience in a destination that remains largely unexplored.”

TRAVEL TRADE

Developing strong relationships with the international travel trade remains one of Angola’s

highest priorities. Daniel said the country’s priority markets currently included Southern Africa, the UK, Spain, Poland and the wider DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland), with North America becoming increasingly important as connectivity improved.

“These markets have been selected because of their strong demand for nature, culture,

adventure and experiential travel, all areas where Angola offers a distinctive and authentic proposition. Our objective is not simply to raise awareness of Angola, but to ensure the destination becomes easy to book through trusted travel partners. We are therefore

working closely with specialist tour operators, DMCs and airlines to develop market-ready

itineraries and new tourism products,” he said.

Over the next 12 months, Angola Tourism will continue working with international tour

operators through familiarisation visits, participation at leading travel trade events, including

WTM London in November, destination training, joint marketing initiatives and ongoing

engagement with travel advisers.

“Alongside our international activities, we are also investing in developing local tourism capacity through training programmes that strengthen DMCs, guides and tourism businesses to ensure international visitors receive a consistently high-quality experience. By supporting both international partners and local operators, we are creating the foundations for sustainable long- term tourism growth,” said Daniel.

Angola is also targeting the MICE market through the continued roll-out of the Angola Convention Bureau and the opening of the new Luanda Conference Centre.

“Perhaps most importantly, we are seeing increasing interest from international tour operators and investors who recognise Angola as one of Africa’s most exciting

emerging destinations. Our focus is on ensuring that this growth benefits local communities,

protects our natural heritage and provides visitors with authentic experiences that cannot be

found elsewhere,” Daniel said