Press Release

The rhythm of Angola will set the tone for the start of ITB Berlin's sixtieth anniversary. With a colourful show programme featuring dances, Angolan music and other cultural elements, the Official Host Country will open the World's Leading Travel Trade Show on 2 March 2026. Under the heading ’The Rhythm of Life’, around 700 to 800 invited guests from politics, the tourism industry, the media and international institutions can look forward to an artistic journey through Angola.

High-ranking representatives from politics and the international tourism industry are expected to attend the opening event, including Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin, Dr. Christoph Ploß, Federal Government Coordinator for Maritime Economy and Tourism, Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), and Shaikha Al Nuwais, Secretary-General of UN Tourism. Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO of Messe Berlin, will represent ITB Berlin. The hosts for the evening will be H.E. Márcio Daniel, Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Angola, and H.E. José de Lima Massano, Minister of State of the Republic of Angola.

"We are very excited to be the Official Host Country of ITB Berlin 2026. This partnership offers a unique opportunity to showcase Angola's cultural diversity, natural beauty and uniqueness on one of the most important international platforms," said H.E. Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Angola. "With our new brand identity, 'Visit Angola – The Rhythm of Life', we not only want to show how vibrant and authentic Angola is, but also to invite the international travel industry to experience the rhythm of the country with all their senses."

"It is a special privilege for us to present Angola as the host country on the international stage at ITB Berlin 2026," said Julia Kleber, CEO of the KLEBER GROUP and official representative of the Angola Tourism Board. "The country combines impressive natural worlds – from spectacular coastlines and vast deserts to imposing waterfalls and ancient rock landscapes. The Rhythm of Life stands for this energy, diversity and openness. We are all the more delighted and proud to raise Angola's profile as an authentic new destination in global tourism."

The opening gala will focus on Angola's cultural identity: Travessia – From Traditional to Modern, composed especially for the evening, is conceived as a sequence of artistic moments leading from the country's musical origins to a contemporary interpretation.

The starting point is the dikanza, played by Dr. Raul Tolingas, a prominent figure in traditional Angolan music. The rhythm permeates the entire performance and stands for memory, cultural heritage and telling of history. Congas, guitars and percussion build on this. A young musician continues the rhythm – symbolising the dialogue between generations. The striking guitar solos by Dr. Teddy Nsingui give a characteristic note to the musical story, before a piano and violin mark the transition to the present. Traditional styles such as semba, rebita and rumba unfold in a contemporary interpretation.

The transition from tradition to the present is also visible in the choreography: folk elements merge into a modern idiom, bringing Angola's cultural diversity to life. Large-scale LED installations pick up on this artistic storytelling throughout the evening, bringing the country's landscapes and moods to life – from the Kalandula Falls and vastness of the Namib Desert to the Atlantic coast. The result is a production that showcases Angola's cultural heritage, the passing on of tradition and its creative dynamism on the international stage

The evening's culinary highlights also follow the theme of the host country's appearance: Michelin-starred Angolan chef Helt Araújo interprets traditional ingredients in a contemporary manner, translating the flavours, colours and textures of the country into a modern menu.

During the trade show, Angola will offer a comprehensive insight into the country’s natural beauty, cultural diversity and hospitality, positioning itself as an authentic destination with great tourism potential for adventurers, nature lovers and culture enthusiasts. The Host Country Report provides wide-ranging background information on Angola's diversity. Read the Host Country Report here (PDF, 102 kB).

Additional information on the host country Angola can be found in the Host Country Flyer (PDF, 3.1 MB), ITB News & Insights and the ITB Navigator.

Angola is one of the world's last great adventures – a hidden gem in south-west Africa that captivates visitors with its pristine natural beauty, cultural wealth and astonishing diversity. The sixth largest country on the African continent, Angola combines spectacular landscapes – from lush rainforests to endless deserts – with an eventful history shaped by the Kingdom of Congo and Portugal’s colonial legacy. The capital Luanda, the gateway to the Atlantic, is a melting pot of African, Portuguese and indigenous influences, with a vibrant city life and lively music and dance culture. With its new slogan ’Visit Angola – The Rhythm of Life’, the country is presenting itself as an authentic travel destination for adventurers, nature lovers and culture enthusiasts. For those looking to experience Africa off the beaten track a whole new world beckons here – full of emotion, rhythm and authenticity. For additional information: www.angolatourism.com

You can register online here now. Please note the accreditation guidelines. After your application has been processed and approved you will receive an email with a PDF containing your accreditation, press badge and a personal QR code. Please display this QR code at the entrance. Your ticket is non-transferable. You can register and obtain accreditation online around the clock for the entire duration of the event.

About ITB Berlin and the ITB Berlin Convention and ITB 360°
ITB Berlin 2026 will take place from Tuesday, 3 to Thursday, 5 March as a B2B event. Since 1966, ITB Berlin has been the leading trade show for the global travel industry. In 2026, it will celebrate its 60th anniversary under the motto “Discover the stories behind 60 years of legacy.” At the same time, the ITB Berlin Convention will take place under the theme “Leading Tourism into Balance,” bringing together 400 top speakers from business, science and politics on four stages and across 17 thematic tracks to explore the key challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the industry. At ITB Berlin 2025, 5,800 exhibitors from more than 170 countries and territories displayed their products and services to almost 100,000 visitors. With ITB 360°, the 365-day global innovation hub that is ITB Berlin now offers the worldwide tourism community year-round insights in the shape of specialist articles, podcasts and other innovative formats.

Additional information is available at www.itb.com and from the ITB News & Insights & Social Media.

Press releases can be found online at itb.com under Press Service / Press Releases.

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