From lush tropical vegetation and open plains to stunning coastlines and inviting beaches, Angola’s natural resources are exemplary

eace will convert Angola into a tourist destination par excellence, due to the country’s potential for eco-tourism and the richness of its traditional culture, hallmarked by beautiful beaches and a wild, mountainous interior. Angolan authorities estimate that tourism revenue generated approximately US$25 million in 2001, and with the fresh opportunities now available for the development of new projects, this figure is set to climb steadily in the next few years. As U.S.

Ambassador to Angola Christopher Dell states, “Angola has huge potential.”
The country itself is a kaleidoscope of different landscapes, cultures, and colors. From mountains to vast open plains, wide sandy beaches to thick tropical rainforest, Angola offers the visitor a distinct experience in each of its eighteen provinces. Narrow coastal plains rise abruptly to vast interior plateaus creating a dramatic landscape with plunging waterfalls, awe-inspiring rock formations, and deep gorges.
Leba Mountain in Huila province ascends from the Tundavala gorge to offer spectacular views of the vast Namibe desert. Roaring rivers wind across the country, cascading down rock faces to create such natural wonders as the Calendula waterfalls in Malange. Moreover, the hospitality and friendliness of the Angolans is unparalleled.

National Private Investment Agency (ANIP) Administrator Ari Carvalho comments, “Angola is situated on the multicultural continent of Africa. It is full of history and tradition and is composed of many different ethnic groups.

“It is a hopeful and optimistic country – when you walk down any street here, even after the worst war, people are always laughing and smiling. This is a country that welcomes anyone from around the world. When Americans visit Angola, I always say tell them to forget work, forget about business, the first thing they need to do is get to know the Angolan people.”

Minister of Hotels and Tourism Jorge Alicerces Valentim believes that tourism is a strategic sector for the country’s development and is working in conjunction with ANIP to promote Angola abroad. The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and ANIP are betting on the country’s abundant natural attractions such as its long coastline (over 1,000 miles along the Atlantic), long summer season, and average coastal temperatures of 75° to lure new investment. The country also boasts an incredibly beautiful interior landscape, rich and varied fauna, bountiful wildlife, and an extensive national park system.

Current ANIP estimates predict that nearly 50% of the hospitality sector’s infrastructure needs renovating. Of 105 hotels in the country, only half are active and these are mostly located along the country’s coastal areas.

There are 13 national parks and reserves in Angola, the most famous of which is Kissama National Park just outside Luanda, one of the largest natural reserves in the world. However, most of the country’s parks need revamping in order to restore them to a fully functioning state. Initiatives such as the Noah’s Ark Project, which transports animals from other southern African nations to Kissama, are now underway to help restore these parks to their former glory.

Travel within the country is still complicated as infrastructures are undergoing reconstruction, and flying is still the traveler’s best bet. Although domestic flights are primarily provided by national airline TAAG, Angolan airline SONAIR works in tandem with TAAG to provide services the larger airline does not offer.

SONAIR offers an amplified helicopter service, as well as the more personal and convenient option of chartered flights and executive personnel transport. The airline also now operates the first direct flight between the U.S. and Angola – a twice-weekly service between the capital Luanda and Houston, Texas. The success of this route has led the company to consider expanding services in the near future.

SONAIR Company President António dos Santos Domingos comments, “If the Houston Express route raises its load factor to more than 85% in the next six months, we will look at the possibilities of opening another route because one airplane will not be enough for the Luanda-Houston transportation demand. This means that there will be a need for another route to be put into place for perhaps Boston or Atlanta.”