The development of Angola’s hospitality and tourism sector has so far resulted in the creation of 191,000 jobs in the country, according to the Angolan Government.

Angola’s Minister of Hotels and Tourism, Paulino Domingos Baptista, made the remarks this week, as quoted by Angola news agency Angop.

There was a need to develop further the ability of the sector to welcome tourists; including domestic visitors among Angolans and foreigners living in the country, the Minister said. All visitors should be encouraged to visit the countryside and enjoy its natural wonders, he added.

Regarding efforts to boost the number of foreign tourists, Mr Baptista said gastronomy and artistic performances could be key products. He said investment in transportation was also important.

The Minister also said he hoped a greater number of higher education institutions – teaching tourism-related topics – could be opened at provincial level. They would supplement the three existing institutions in Luanda, the capital province; and those in the provinces of Malanje and Cuando Cubango.

Mr Baptista named some of the places likely to be of special interest to foreign tourists as: Kalandula Falls; the coastal areas of Cabo Ledo and Mussulo, and the wildlife-rich Okavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area.