Lubango - Foreign and national tourists who took part in the 1st International Climbing Festival of Angola expressed the need to disseminate more of the country's immense tourist potential, as well as promoting inclusive and attractive packages.
Speaking at the end of the event, which ran from the 16th to the 25th of this month, Brazilian tourist Frederico Lemos, who was in Huíla for the first time, said that the country's ‘natural beauty’ is still not sufficiently explored and that more publicity is needed.
The climber, who has also been climbing for 10 years, said that if there was more information about the country's potential and more publicity on official and secure platforms, more people from abroad would come to Angola, because of the beauty of the places.
He emphasised that tourism in Angola is still expensive, so packages should be more accessible to everyone, not just international tourists, but above all nationals, who are the main audience that appreciates its potential.
The climber said that his experience was incredible in places with wonderful waterfalls, considering that it's hard to find a place as beautiful as this, and with the opportunity to climb, which he saw even more interesting.
For Chilean Luis Birkner, there is a need to improve the supply of places where tourists can stay in the camping modality, because the potential exists in the country, it just needs more conditions and publicity to attract tourists.
To the US citizen Nathan Cahil, it is needed to work in the support of the government for tourism in the country, especially for this type of sports of adventure, taking into account that there are already natural infrastructures to this.
He reinforced that the wonders of Angola, particularly in the province of Huíla, will be better known after the festival, so that in the next editions they can attract more tourists, not just to go climbing, but to take advantage of the local potential.
In the same vein, the Angolan actor Raul do Rosário, an amateur climber, emphasised that it is a sport that challenges one's integrity and courage, hence people's interest in doing it.
“Seeing these people from different parts of the world, who are doing the sport all over the world, as well as training new climbers, will be good for our tourism”, said the actor.
He urged the need to raise awareness regarding the preservation of the collective heritage so that more tourists visit the country.
The First International Climbing Festival of Angola, was attended by 40 climbers from 18 countries, including Angola.
During the event, they had workshops in slacklining, bolting, route development, climbing classes, search and rescue workshops, among other activities. EM/MS/MRA/DOJ
