Luanda – Angolan President João Lourenço on Saturday toured the shifting dunes of the Iona National Park, at the wheel of a four-wheeled motorcycle, in an incentive to young people to invest in domestic tourism.
With the First Lady, Ana Dias Lourenço, in tow, the President appreciated the scenic beauty and biodiversity of this natural conservation area, after the inauguration of 26 infrastructures to support the management of the Iona National Park.
Speaking to the press, João Lourenço said that it was a pleasant feeling, which he felt for only the second time, after having already done it in the past in Mozambique.
Therefore, he encouraged the youth, in particular, and Angolans in general, to invest in tourism, as this segment is not only aimed at foreigners.
He said that after attention has been paid to the Iona Park, others such as the national parks of Cangandala, Luengué-Luciana, Bicuar and Cameia will follow, and public tenders should be held for the award of these tasks.
On Saturday, João Lourenço witnessed the repopulation of the Iona National Park with 13 giraffes from South Africa and toured the inaugurated infrastructures.
These activities marked the first of the two days of the program that the Head of State has to fulfill in the province of Namibe.
The Iona National Park is an extensive area of more than 15,000 square kilometres that is home to a huge diversity of elements of the Angolan fauna, with the oryx as a pivotal specimen and the welwitchia mirabillis plant as the ex-libris of its flora.
The management of the important nature reserve is in charge of the Non-Governmental Organization Afrikan Parks, as a result of an agreement signed by this entity with the Government of Angola four years ago.
In addition to working for the repopulation of the park, protecting the fauna and flora, taking into account the dangers that derive from human action (poachers, uncontrolled grazing, felling of trees and shrubs), Afrikan Parks also has the purpose of creating conditions that promote tourism, attracting visitors in increasing numbers, both national and foreign. ART/DOJ
