The Global Tourism Forum Angola Investment Summit opened on Thursday in the Angolan capital with a level of protocol rarely seen in the region’s tourism calendar, turning Luanda into a focal point for Africa’s investment diplomacy.
The summit brought together Angola’s President João Lourenço, the President of Mozambique, several prime ministers from across the region, nearly ten tourism ministers, UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nowais, WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara, and investors from around the world.
For Angola, the gathering was about more than tourism. It served as a political and economic signal that the country intends to place tourism at the heart of its diversification strategy and position itself as one of Africa’s emerging investment destinations.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Bulut Bağcı delivered a personal message about Angola’s place in his own journey.
“Angola is not only a destination where we do business. Angola is my second home. I would especially like to thank President João Lourenço for creating this trust, this vision, and this opportunity,” Bağcı said.
Bulut Bağcı: “Angola is my second home”
His remarks also pointed to a deeper shift in the forum’s engagement with Angola. Bağcı stressed that the Global Tourism Forum is not only organising an international event in the country but is also committing to long-term investments on the ground.
“We are not here only to organize a summit. Together with my partners, we have signed for several investments in Angola’s gastronomy and hospitality sectors. Very soon, we will begin our construction processes. I am pleased to share this good news from here,” he added.
The announcement gives the summit a practical dimension beyond diplomacy. It suggests that Angola’s tourism ambitions are beginning to move from policy discussions to concrete investment activity, particularly in hospitality, gastronomy, coastal tourism, cultural tourism and destination infrastructure.
From summit diplomacy to investment commitments
The strong international presence in Luanda also reflects a broader trend across the continent. Throughout Africa, tourism is increasingly being viewed not only as a visitor economy but also as a catalyst for infrastructure development, job creation, foreign direct investment and regional competitiveness.
Gala Dinner @ Global Tourism Forum Angola Investment Summit pic.twitter.com/6NSKFfaHOj
— Global Tourism Forum (@gtourismforum) June 19, 2026
For Angola, the summit represents an important milestone. With high-level political backing, international institutional participation and growing private-sector interest, the country is seeking to present itself as a credible destination for tourism investment.
Bağcı’s message captured the tone of the opening day: Angola is not merely hosting a global forum. It is making a case for itself as a rising gateway for tourism investment in Africa.
