Congo-Brazzaville wants to develop tourism to diversify its economy

2023-05-03 22:04:04
In an attempt to diversify the country’s income, the authorities are now betting on tourism. This is how the port of Pointe-Noire, hitherto reserved for the reception and processing of goods, received its very first cruise ship at the beginning of April, carrying 150 tourists of various nationalities. From our correspondent in Brazzaville, The sun is barely rising on the port square of Pointe-Noire. SH Vega, a 115-meter-long cruise ship flying the Finnish flag, docks safely. On board, 150 tourists welcomed by Lydie Pongault, Minister of Culture and Tourism Industry for whom the concept of cruise tourism is becoming a reality in the Republic of Congo. “Your visit will contribute to making known the tourist assets of the Congo, land of welcome and transit, which opens its doors to you and awaits you for even longer stays”, declares Lydie Pongault. Tourism as a cornerstone to accelerate the growth of other sectors As soon as they arrive, tourists, mainly from Western countries, take the road to the Diosso gorges and the former Royal Palace of Loango. For three days, they discovered many other marvelous sites including Conkouati Park. It is home to an emblematic fauna composed, among others, of forest elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees or even sitatungas. ► To listen also: Loango: a haven of biodiversity The presence of tourists is the beginning of the realization of the ambition to diversify the economy of the country, according to Didier Sylvestre Mavoenzela, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Pointe-Noire. “Tourism serves as a vector to boost all the other sectors: transport, hotels and crafts. This is a sector in which we have comparative advantages. It’s good that people who come from outside realize (the realities of the country) and are the ones who will sell the Congo destination tomorrow, ”he analyzes. Serving as a transhipment service in the Central African sub-region, the port of Pointe-Noire, which hosted the SH Vega cruise ship built in 2022, was put under concession in 2009. Since then, the French group Bolloré has agreed to significant funding for its modernization. Getting the Congolese economy out of all-oil The port can accommodate 300-meter-long freight ships carrying up to 15,000 containers. However, in terms of tourism, this infrastructure still has weaknesses, as noted by its commander, Captain Alain Koua Ngoulou. “The port of Pointe-Noire is the ocean gateway to Central Africa. It is the biggest port in Central Africa, yes, but from a tourist point of view, we still have a lot to do,” he says. To get the Congolese economy out of all-oil, the Congolese government has included tourism among the six pillars of the National Development Plan (PND, 2022-2026, to be consulted here), along with agriculture and digital technology.
1683185604
#CongoBrazzaville #develop #tourism #diversify #economy