It may be considered one of the world’s most corrupt countries (Transparency International); one of the least developed “on the planet (United Nations) and one where life expectancy and infant mortality “continue to be among the worst of the world”, but Angola is working hard on marketing itself as a tourist destination.
The virtues of waterfalls, forests, lakes and grottoes with evocative names like Pedras de Pungo Andongo are being extolled by INFOTUR, the country’s institute of touristic promotion, at their stand at the international tourism BTL fair in Lisbon.
Laureth da Silva Bravo is at the helm of the initiative and told Angolan press agency Angop that the country is aiming to attract 4.6 million visitors by 2020.
Travel site Lonely Planet – a favourite of the most intrepid – is enthusiastic about Angola’s vast cultural riches, but carries a warning on its homepage, saying: “Travel Alert: The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all but essential travel to the provinces of Cabinda, Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul. Please check with your relevant national government”.
About the Angolan capital Luanda, it says: “There is a high level of crime in Luanda. Don’t walk around the city after dark”.
natasha.donn@algarveresident.com
Photo:”Marginal Avenida 4 de Fevreiro Luanda March 2013 04″ por Fabio Vanin – Wikipedia commons
