Angola has officially confirmed its significant role as the third African nation to host the prestigious Berlin International Tourism Fair (ITB) in 2026. This historic announcement was made during the ribbon-cutting ceremony that inaugurated the world's largest tourism showcase in Germany.

The opening ceremony was led by José de Lima Massano, the Minister of State for Economic Coordination, with the presence of Marcio Daniel, the Minister of Tourism. Also in attendance were members of the German government and representatives from Messe Berlin, the organizing entity of ITB. The moment was met with great excitement, attracting significant attention from the international press and global tour operators, who were particularly captivated by the traditional music and dance performed by the Angolan group Nova Energia. Despite the chilly temperatures hovering around three degrees Celsius, the intense winter cold did not deter tourists from enthusiastically visiting the Angolan stand to engage with Angolan operators and government officials.

This event marks a new and important chapter for Angola in the global tourism and cultural landscape, coinciding with the celebration of ITB's 60th anniversary. The fair itself was symbolically 'dressed' in the vibrant red, black, and yellow colors of the Angolan flag. With the compelling slogan "Visit Angola - The Rhythm of Life," the country signifies its return to the world's largest tourism exhibition, a remarkable eleven years after its last official participation in the fair, which took place from March 4 to 8, 2015.

The current edition of the world's largest tourism fair, promoted by Messe Berlin and concluding this Thursday (5), places a strong emphasis on digitalization, sustainability, and the international expansion of the ITB network into emerging markets. This year's fair anticipates the participation of over five thousand exhibitors representing more than 170 countries worldwide. Its motto, "Discover the stories behind 60 years of legacy," reflects its rich history. Furthermore, it focuses on the theme "Leading tourism towards balance," highlighting critical topics such as sustainability, artificial intelligence, and the evolving future of travel. ITB Berlin has steadily evolved from a modest event into a vital gathering point for tourism professionals, annually bringing together thousands of international exhibitors and visitors.