Picture: Angola’s Minister of Tourism, Márcio Daniel
Angola’s capital city will take center stage as the 2nd Ministerial Conference of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) comes to town.
Scheduled for July 22-24, 2025, this high-profile event will bring together African ministers, aviation and tourism stakeholders, and global industry leaders to shape policies promoting regional connectivity and economic diversification.
The conference promises to be a pivotal moment for Africa’s tourism and aviation sectors.
Building on the success of the inaugural edition in Cape Verde back in 2019, which drew in over 20 ministers, Angola is now gearing up to host the next installment of this crucial conference. Although the country had initially planned to host the event earlier, the COVID-19 pandemic forced a delay. Now, Angola is poised to take center stage, driving discussions on the vital link between tourism and air transport. The conference will shine a spotlight on innovative strategies to unlock Africa’s vast, untapped potential in these sectors.
At a press conference in Luanda on March 27, Angola’s Minister of Tourism, Márcio Daniel, and Minister of Transport, Ricardo Viegas D’Abreu, emphasized the pivotal role of this conference in advancing Angola’s tourism and aviation industries. Minister Daniel underscored the significance of tourism in Angola’s economic diversification strategy, stating, “Angola has vast potential across multiple tourism segments, including coastal, rural, scenic, and religious tourism. This conference will provide a platform to showcase these opportunities, attract investment, and create employment.”
Minister D’Abreu highlighted the intrinsic link between tourism and air transport, stressing that over 50% of tourism activity relies on aviation. “Without connectivity, tourism cannot thrive. Similarly, aviation sustainability depends on a robust tourism industry. Angola is at a crucial phase of infrastructure reform, ensuring that our connectivity strategy aligns with tourism growth,” he remarked.
Angola has made significant strides in strengthening its air transport infrastructure.
The government has committed over US$5 billion to modernize airports, expand national carrier TAAG’s fleet, and ensure compliance with international aviation standards. The recent opening of Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport stands as a testament to the country’s dedication to enhancing its global connectivity.
UN Tourism’s Regional Director for Africa, Elcia Grandcourt, commended Angola’s proactive approach in hosting this event, noting the country’s efforts in bolstering tourism and aviation capacity. Similarly, Peter Alawani, ICAO’s Chief of Economic Regulatory Framework Section at the Air Transport Bureau, emphasized the need for increased African participation in global air travel. “Currently, African aviation accounts for just 2% of global air traffic. This conference presents an opportunity to craft strategies that will strengthen regional and international connectivity,” he stated.
The event is expected to attract over 30 African ministers and 500 delegates, including representatives from airlines, tour operators, investors, and policymakers. Discussions will revolve around investment, artificial intelligence in air transport, intra-African air connectivity, and the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
With Africa accounting for only 5% of global tourism receipts, the conference aims to position the continent as a competitive player in the global tourism and aviation sectors.
