Luanda receives a cruise with around 300 tourists.

The province of Luanda recorded this Sunday (April 5) the arrival of two cruise ships carrying around 300 tourists, in transit to other destinations, an initiative that reinforces the capital’s positioning as a strategic tourist destination in Angola.

According to the Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism, Gersy Pegado, the presence of these visitors represents “a very large window of opportunities” for the country.
“We have been experiencing an influx of tourists; today alone we have 300 visitors who are already integrated into various tourist circuits,” she highlighted.

According to the official, Luanda has been consolidating itself as a regular stop for international cruise ships, with more than 60 vessels already recorded over recent years.
She mentioned that the strategy is to enhance cultural tourism by combining gastronomy, music, dance, and historical heritage as key attraction factors.
According to the general director of the company TravelGest, José Cabral, who oversees the logistical operations of the cruises, before docking at the Port of Luanda, the ship coming from Cape Town, South Africa, made stopovers in Namibia and Baía dos Tigres in Moçâmedes, in the Namibe province.

He noted that this ship carries around 37 tourists, mostly Swiss, American, and British.
He explained that the tourists’ visit includes a city tour of the main landmarks of the city, such as the Museum of Anthropology, the Fortress, and the Iron Palace, followed by lunch on Luanda Island.
He also informed that during their stay in Luanda, visitors will have the opportunity to visit Mussulo Island, in an experience designed to combine leisure with contact with local culture.
For José Cabral, the growing number of stopovers in the national territory demonstrates the country’s potential in this sector.

“We have been working with the Ministry of Tourism and other entities. Each ship that arrives gives visibility to Angola and shows that we have the capacity to receive large vessels,” he stated.
In turn, the commander of the ship Vasco da Gama, Adrian Firsov, of Romanian nationality, explained that the vessel carries Portuguese and German tourists, as well as crew members of various nationalities.

“Our main objective is to provide the best moments of happiness and a memorable experience for our tourists throughout the journeys,” he stated.
He noted that during the short stay, passengers will have the opportunity to explore some points of the Angolan capital, with emphasis on experiences related to nature, the coastline, and local gastronomy, especially fish-based dishes.
He explained that despite the interest in exploring more of the country, the stay will be brief. “The ship will remain in Luanda for only one day, departing this Sunday afternoon for the next destination, which is Cape Verde.”

According to the captain, the journey to Cape Verde should last around seven days, after which tourists will continue their itinerary across the African continent.
The stopover reinforces Angola’s positioning in the international cruise circuit, at a time when the country has been recording an increase in the number of ships and tourists seeking to discover its cultural and landscape diversity. MEL/AJQ

Source: ANGOP- https://www.angop.ao/noticias/turismo/luanda-recebe-cruzeiro-com-cerca-de-300-turistas/

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