Talatona - The first edition of the Okavango Raid to take place from September 20 to 26, at the spring water of the central Huambo Province to the horn of Angola in eastern Cuando Cubango, is expected to boost the country's eco-tourism potential.
Speaking to the press at the end of the Okavango Raid launch ceremony, the CEO of the National Agency for Management of the Okavango Region (ANAGERO), Rui Lisboa, said the tourism promotion could attract more than 150 domestic and foreign tourists.
Rui Lisboa stressed that the tourism promotion of the Okavango region aims to provide opportunities for tourists to get to know and enjoy the natural riches that the country has to offer.
"We're going to start at the spring water of the Okavango in Huambo province, Bié and in the remote areas of Cuando Cubango province where we're going to camp in four different places, namely Cuangar, Dirico, Luiana sede and in the horn of Angola and the return will be via Namibia," he said.
Rui Lisboa said the tourism promotion includes three packages ranging from 120,000 to 300,000 kwanzas and that those interested could visit the website www.raidokavango.ao for all the necessary information.
He added that, since the Okavango region represents a "wildlife sanctuary", tourists will be able to observe its natural habitat, a large quantity and diversity of wildlife.
"The region also has a great historical heritage whose main attraction is the battle of Cuito Cuanavale and various ethno-linguistic groups," he said.
Lisboa regretted the fact that the region remains short of adequate accommodation conditions in all the areas of tourist interest, which is why adventure tourism has been chosen, where tourists are provided with their own accommodation.
He added that several projects have been approved for the rehabilitation and construction of four border posts, as well as the rehabilitation of roads with a view to improving access for tourists in the region.
Asked about the amount invested in the project, he said that in January the first investors' forum in the Okavango region was held with seven memorandums signed to implement ecotourism projects valued at more than 120 million US dollars for tourism development.
The Okavango Raid is an organized tour by tourists to the main areas of tourist interest in the region, it will be held annually with the opening of a new tourist route each year.
GIZ/MDS/AMP
