“The war factor is outdated, it's been 22 years, we have exempted visas for citizens of more than 90 countries, we have improved the business environment, in general, and yet what we see in reality is that we do not feel the necessary change in what it concerns the search for our country as the new tourist destination”, said the President.
According to João Lourenço, joint work is needed for a significant change in Angola's tourism.
The head of state also highlighted the importance of tourism for the national economy, within the framework of the effort that has been made towards economic diversification, to find other sources of income, especially foreign exchange, and to boost the non-oil economy.
“Tourism is a good ambassador for countries that have developed tourism, because it takes the name of that country to the four corners of the world, but it is one of the sectors that creates a lot of jobs”, said João Lourenço, highlighting that the Government is fighting against unemployment, especially among young people, and “tourism is one of those sectors that can contribute considerably to lowering unemployment rates, which the country, unfortunately, still experiences”.
At the ceremony, which took place this Monday, the Minister of Culture, Filipe Zau, the Secretary of State for Tourism, Helder Marcelino, and the Secretary of State for Culture, Maria da Piedade de Jesus, also took office.
