Travel and Tourism in Angola
Safety concerns and prices undermine leisure tourism
Despite the extremely positive evolution of travel and tourism in Angola, the main tourism indicators are supported by business tourism flows. Although leisure tourism flows are increasing, concerns over corruption, violence and lack of safety affect the number of international arrivals to Angola. Alongside this, extremely high prices, particularly in Angola’s capital, Luanda, which have led to this city becoming known as the most expensive in the world, influence the as yet underdeveloped levels of leisure tourism.
Evolution of travel and tourism still heavily reliant on government investment
Although the Angolan government is modern and liberal, the level of bureaucracy involved in international entrepreneurs establishing their companies in the country remains very high. As a result, although private investment is increasing, the principal measures which enabled evolution in travel and tourism were undertaken by the country’s government, either through the implementation of political programmes, such as the Tourism Master Plan, or through the construction of facilities, in particular travel accommodation facilities.
Opening up of European airspace boosts growth in travel and tourism
As the result of a major fleet renewal, in 2009 the state-owned airline TAAG was given permission to operate flights to Portugal. As the company’s efficiency and security indicators proved to be constant, in 2010 the company was authorised to operate within the whole of European airspace. This boosted the establishment of bilateral agreements with European countries for the transportation of tourists, fuelling growth in air transportation.
Vigorous performance of travel and tourism expected
The main goal of the Angolan government in the forecast period is to improve travel and tourism so that the country will no longer be so dependent on oil extraction. In order for the importance of this industry to increase in terms of national GDP, a number of measures targeting the upgrading and development of infrastructure in travel and tourism as a whole are expected to emerge. This is forecast to be favourable for the increase of these market indicators over the forecast period 2011-2016.