Angola will host the Global Tourism Forum Investment Summit 2026 from June 17 to 19 in Luanda. This event marks a significant step in the nation's efforts to diversify its economy. Angola aims to reduce its reliance on oil and boost its tourism sector.
Oil currently accounts for 30 percent of Angola’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It also makes up 65 percent of government revenues and more than 95 percent of goods exports. This heavy dependence makes Angola very vulnerable to changes in global oil prices. The push for tourism aims to create a more stable and varied economic base.
Ghana, like many African nations, seeks to balance economic growth with sustainable development. Angola's strategy to leverage its natural and cultural heritage for tourism mirrors broader discussions in Ghana about diversifying its own economy beyond traditional exports like cocoa and gold. Ghana also explores tourism potential, particularly eco-tourism and cultural heritage, to create jobs and generate foreign exchange.
Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, Angola’s Minister of Tourism, stated in March 2026, “Angola cannot base its economic future on oil alone. Tourism is our green oil, with enormous potential to create jobs, develop rural regions and sustainably utilise our natural and cultural heritage.” This statement underscores the strategic importance Angola places on tourism. He also noted that Angola is translating tourism potential into concrete business opportunities.
Angola's National Tourism Development Plan (PLANATUR) aims to double tourism revenue by 2027. The plan also seeks to create 500,000 new jobs and expand the tourism sector’s contribution to GDP to 1.9 percent. This strategic plan complements the wider National Development Plan (2023-2027) which focuses on diversification. In January 2026, President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço approved an investment of over US$500 million to further develop infrastructure supporting this vision.
International investors and tourism leaders will attend the Global Tourism Forum Investment Summit 2026. This summit will showcase Angola's potential and foster international partnerships. Angola has already introduced a visa exemption for 98 countries and hosted ITB Berlin, the world’s largest tourism trade fair, earlier this year. Such initiatives attract essential capital into areas like hospitality, eco-tourism, and infrastructure development.
According to UN Tourism, Angola saw a significant increase in international arrivals in 2025. Visitor numbers surged by 28 percent over the previous year, reaching 223,140 visitors. This figure surpassed pre-pandemic levels. The ongoing investment activity and renewed demand suggest that Angola's tourism sector is on a growth trajectory, despite remaining below historical highs from the 2010s.
The successful implementation of PLANATUR will help Angola achieve its ambitious goals. This includes attracting foreign direct investment into key tourism infrastructure. The outcomes of the Global Tourism Forum Investment Summit 2026 will be crucial in gauging investor confidence and securing the necessary funding for these projects. This will determine the pace of Angola's economic transformation.