Sensational plans uncovered: will the isolated terra incognita of Guinea Bissau open up to tourism soon?

Pic: shows one of the cosy Eco Resorts on some of the islands...

It actually took a while... Independence from Portugal did not immediately lead to the country opening up to international trade and tourism. What is a blessing for the natural beauties of Guinea Bissau is the absence of plundering of raw materials and especially of the forests. While in neighboring countries, as was and is the case in Gambia or Senegal, large parts of the forests and raw materials were destroyed, the original lifestyle of large parts of the natives has created an oasis of nature throughout the country. Various local skirmishes and problems among the different ethnic groups have ensured that the nature of Guinea Bissau has suffered relatively little damage.

The island world and the 320 km long coastline of West Africa are unique, but not all of the islands are inhabited. They are left to nature and animals and the population of the entire country should benefit from this in the long term. In this country, the population and the government are placing particular emphasis on sustainability and the preservation of flora and fauna for the future of the travel industry.

Guinea Bissau's Asset: The 88 Islands of the Bijagos Archipelago

Different tribes have lived together on this archipelago for many centuries and once had various disputes and conflicts. The slave trade was also in the hands of the warriors living on the islands. They sold the slaves to the Portuguese and in return they largely left them alone. Luckily that was a long time ago.
Today, the people of Guinea Bissau are considered somewhat shy, but friendly and welcoming to travelers. Word has also gotten around among the population of the African country that the future of the people lies better in promising tourism. Contrary to some outdated press reports, travelers can feel safe and move freely even in the capital Bissau. 

In contrast to tourist areas in Gambia or Senegal, in Guinea Bissau you are not asked “Friend, taxi?” every 3 minutes. Tourism could become the country's most important source of income and that is why there are now widespread efforts to promote the travel industry and bring international investors into the country. The government will do everything to ensure that economic development is positive.

Guinea Bissau's unique selling points are impressive, more on that below. A few key facts about some of the islands:  Formosa has an impressive 141 km²,  Canhabaque has a size of 111 km² and  Bolama is slightly smaller, at just under 99 km², to mention just a few of the Atlantic oases. On some of the islands there are only a few hundred natives, with 6,100 people most living on Bolama. The island is a recognized biosphere reserve and is almost entirely surrounded by mangrove forests and is known for its good cashew nuts. The most magnificent giant trees can be admired on Canhabaque. Time seems to be standing still here…

Africa's most popular travel destinations (e.g. Senegal, Kenya or South Africa) will soon have a competitor:  Guinea Bissau  boasts an impressive world of islands

A sensation is emerging in Africa's tourism industry. Guinea Bissau, which covers around 36,000 square kilometers and has almost 100 islands, is probably planning to open up to tourism. The government does not want mass tourism, such as at Ballermann in Mallorca. The country wants to protect and preserve natural beauty as much as possible, which is why it wants to promote sustainable ecotourism.

 

Some of the islands have a unique and endemic diversity of animals and plants and, in particular, the 88 islands of the Bissagos Archipelago are breathtakingly beautiful. There are also islands with real rainforest and tall trees, and all sorts of rare creatures cavort on the islands and the rainforest areas. 

There are monkeys, giant tortoises in the country, as well as impressive hippos weighing up to 2100kg, crocodiles and an exciting variety of birds. The sea around the almost 100 islands of Guinea Bissau is also very rich in species.

These “hippos” look cute and not exactly nimble, but be careful: a 2000kg hippo can reach up to 30km/h on land and in the water

What makes  Guinea-Bissau a particularly exciting destination in Africa  from the perspective of the tourism industry, but  also global travelers?

Cultural Diversity:
Guinea-Bissau is a melting pot of different ethnic groups with different cultural traditions, languages ​​and customs. The main ethnic groups are the Balanta, Fula, Manjako, Mandinka and Papel.

Biodiversity:
The country hosts a rich biodiversity in its ecosystems, including mangrove forests, savannahs and tropical rainforests. This makes Guinea-Bissau an interesting place for nature lovers and researchers.

The coast of Guinea-Bissau is more than 320km long, some of it breathtakingly beautiful. Varela Beach in the north still looks the same as it did 100 years ago

Bijagós Archipelago:
The Bijagós Islands, off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, form a unique ecosystem rich in wildlife, including rare bird species and sea turtles. The archipelago is under the protection of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Portuguese Influence:
As a former Portuguese colony, Guinea-Bissau still reflects Portuguese influences in its culture, language and architecture. The official language is Portuguese. Many residents are familiar with both traditional African and Portuguese influences.

Political challenges... are a thing of the past:
Guinea-Bissau has a checkered political history with political instability and attempted coups. These challenges have influenced the country's development and make it unique from a political perspective.

Excellent opportunities for investors in the tourism industry:
Guinea-Bissau will be fully open to ecotourism by 2030. This means that there can be an excellent opportunity for international hotel chains to, for example, turn one of the 88 islands into an eco- or luxury travel icon in Africa. It is important to the government that the plans are designed sustainably in order to preserve Africa's former biodiversity for future generations. Not all key points of the opening plans are clear yet, but it seems that a country with unique nature is opening its doors to Europeans and thus a jewel among long-distance travelers will present its beauty to the world.

Further reports:   Christmas goose or cookies? - our genes play a part! Guinea-Bissau's Asset: the most beautiful islands of West Africa. Here in the picture is Rubane Island

Safety for travelers is made a top priority:
Guinea-Bissau will launch a broad educational campaign for the population, police and civil servants. English lessons can become an important component of communication for everyone who works in the travel industry.

Economic Challenges:
The country faces economic challenges including poverty, lack of infrastructure and dependence on agriculture. Overcoming these challenges is crucial for the country's future development. It is becoming increasingly clear that the new plans of the Ministry of Tourism, led by Minister Alberto Demba Turé, will generate completely new development opportunities for the country. Tour operators, airlines and the operators of international hotel chains and eco-lodges will soon be specifically addressed and given a warm welcome.

Information about arrival, weather, accommodation recommendations, prices  and  activities:

First of all: There is a lot to discover. The country is certainly one of the most exciting destinations of this decade. The journey to Guinea-Bissau is currently a bit difficult and is currently served by the Portuguese TAP or the Moroccan RAM, for example. Direct flights from Germany, Switzerland or Austria and other European countries are being planned. So a lot will change soon. The best time to travel to West Africa is from November to around mid-June. During these eight months it remains very dry and warm. From July of each year until around mid/end of October it is humid and warm and it rains every now and then. The Ministry of Tourism and Crafts in Bissau is very open to expanding flight frequencies from Europe. In the future, tour operators from Europe will also be invited to visit the country that is unknown in Europe. Press and so-called information trips to the exciting Guinea Bissau are planned. The cost of living for transport services, nuts, local fruit and vegetables or even a delicious lunch is significantly lower than the higher prices in Senegal or Gambia. Overnight stays in a double room from 14 British Pound Sterling per night.

Guinea Bissau's Bubaque Island... what a paradise!

The capital Bissau is reminiscent of Salvador de Bahia in Brazil, but also a little of Lisbon. The traveler can easily explore the city on foot and visit numerous sights and museums. Many small and large restaurants offer local delicacies, making discovering this exciting part of Africa a lot of fun. Taxis are quite inexpensive. Bicycles and motorbikes can be rented in some corners of the capital.

Europeans currently still need a visa, but simplifications are being discussed. Hotels and eco-lodges in particular are in favor of simplifying visa conditions. According to an analysis by a market research company in Switzerland, the number of visitors to Guinea Bissau will increase dramatically the easier it is to get there. The example of Georgia (Caucasus) proved that the abolition of entry formalities caused the number of visitors to explode dramatically.

 

The CEIBA HOTEL is considered the leading hotel in the capital Bissau

According to tourism expert Algassimo Bá, the best hotels in the country for “sophisticated travelers” are the “ Ceiba Hotel Bissau” and the “ Bissau Royal Hotel”, see video:

The former is very modern, the other has the classic touch of a premium segment hotel. Even demanding globetrotters can spend pleasant days here and explore the capital, the country and its people from the comfort of these excellent locations. Both are centrally located yet quiet. Of course, there are also much cheaper accommodation options , guesthouses and hotels.

Those interested will be happy to provide information about this  from the local experts

http://ksumaytours.com/
or
https://www.bolama.de/

Conclusion:
If Guinea Bissau actually opens up to travelers from Europe , the exciting country with the highlight of the 88 islands will shake up the entire tourism market in Africa . We are excited  and will stay tuned to the rumors  and  report promptly.

Orango Island .. Visitors are thrilled: “An oasis of biodiversity”

Who wrote the article about this terra incognita Guinea Bissau?

Sanae Diouri (hotel and tourism expert): “Guinea Bissau is certainly the most exciting new travel destination on the African continent and shines with incredible biodiversity and a breathtaking island world…”

Authors:
Sanae Diouri, Hotel & Tourism Consultant
Oliver Gaebe, travel journalist

Bellacoola Filmproduction UG (www.bellacoola.de) has become known as an experienced film production company with excellent references. Tourism and travel are the focus. An “Economy” department has been added in recent years and deals with the reasons for the significant decline in the competitiveness of German industry. You can use this press release - even in modified or shortened form - free of charge on your website with a source link to our homepage. We operate in many destinations around the planet and also have a team in West Africa. We will soon be reporting exclusively from the largely unknown Guinea Bissau. Our readers will certainly be very interested in the gastronomy and hotel industry news

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Press contact details:

BellaCoola Film Production UG (limited liability)
Travel journalist
Oliver Gaebe
Eythstr. 10
D-51103 Cologne

Web: http://www.bellacoola.de
Email: bellacoola-liefert(at)die-besten-bilder.de
Tel: +491796004547

Photos copyright:
www.bellacoola.de

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The largely unknown Guinea Bissau lies south of Senegal and boasts almost 100 Atlantic islands, many with endemic flora and fauna... The map used in this article is based on OpenStreetMap data available under the Open Database License (ODbL). OpenStreetMap and Open Database License (ODbL).

 

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