Lobito - Overforty tourists are arriving this Wednesday in the city of Lobito to discover the tourist potential of Benguela province, and will return on 3 August, with the "Rovos Rail" train, ANGOP has learned.
On the other hand, twenty of the tourists who arrived on Tuesday are flying back to their respective countries today.
During their stay in the city of Flamingos, these tourists visited the "Caxaramba" cane rum factory, where they were shown the methods of production and storage of the drink, as well as ending with a tasting session.
According to the factory's managing partner, Ricardo Guerra, it's necessary to publicise the national brand, to talk a little about Angola's history around sugar cane cultivation, in a very spirited way.
"They're people with a settled life. They've travelled to various countries around the world and, when they arrive here, they encourage us with words of optimism and positivity, because we're going in the right direction," he said.
With regard to encouraging national tourism, Ricardo Guerra suggested the need to travel to the interior of the country and communicate about what exists.
"With foreign investment in the Lobito Corridor, tourism growth in the region will be easier," he said.
According to the businessman, it is important to first invest within the country and then export the Angola brand, with its beaches, gastronomy, drinks and more. "Africa is in fashion," he emphasised.
"This train passes through many African countries and tourists often talk about Angola's potential, which means they have a positive view of the country," he said.
In turn, Jorge Arrulo, a commercial manager with extensive experience in the drinks business, said that the arrival of the tourists is important in that they will be passing on Angola's potential to those who don't yet know about it.
"The country benefits because they consume, spend and leave money," he said.
Jorge Arrulo made a point of talking about situations to be improved, such as sanitary conditions, solid waste collection, the urban landscape, among others.
"It's good that tourists come because they put pressure on us to do better," he said.
The National Institute for Medical Emergencies (INEMA) is always on hand to intervene in case of need.
Nélson Calenga, head of a five-strong team, said that the train journey from Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) to Angola is very long and the travellers get tired. What's more, he added, most of them are older.
"There have already been cases in Lobito and Benguela where we were forced to intervene because some tourists were unwell, although nothing serious," he confirmed.
The tourist train, considered the most luxurious in the world, entered Angola on 27 July and will return on 3 August 2024. TC/CRB/DAN/DOJ
