Until now, Guinea-Bissau has been primarily preoccupied with its own affairs. Now, rumours are spreading that the course will be set for the country to open up as early as 2026. The tourism of this African country is not bringing big effects of the GDP, but this could change soon. The destination have a huge potential of being a tourism hot spot in West Africa…
The country once belonged to the West African Kingdom of Kaabu and the Mali Empire. The territory of present-day Guinea-Bissau became a colony of Portugal in the 16th century. In 1973/1974, Guinea-Bissau broke away from Portugal. The official language is still Portuguese. However, not everyone in the country speaks the language of the former colonial rulers. Creole seems to be widely spoken, and various African languages are understood and spoken throughout the country. French is also heard occasionally. Some of the younger, internet-savvy residents are eager to learn and speak English.
Free and independent – has this improved the situation of the population of Guinea-Bissau?
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 Guinea-Bissau’s natural beauty is the lack of plundering of raw materials and, above all, forests.
While large parts of the forests and raw materials have been destroyed in neighbouring countries such as Gambia and Senegal, the traditional way of life of large parts of the indigenous population throughout the country has created an oasis of nature.
Various local skirmishes and problems between different ethnic groups have ensured that Guinea-Bissau’s natural environment has suffered relatively little damage.
The archipelago 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 wildlife, which will benefit the population of the entire country in the long term. Here, the population and government are committed to sustainability and the preservation of flora and fauna for the future of the travel industry.
Guinea-Bissau’s trump card: the 88 islands of the Bijagos Archipelago
For many centuries, a wide variety of tribes lived together on this archipelago 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, were largely left alone by them. Fortunately, that was a long time ago.
Today, the people of Guinea-Bissau are considered somewhat shy, but friendly and open to travellers. Word has also spread among the population of this African country that the future lies in the promising tourism industry. Contrary to some outdated press reports, travellers can feel safe and move around freely in the capital Bissau. Unlike in tourist areas in Gambia or Senegal, in Guinea-Bissau you won’t be asked ‘Friend, taxi?’ every three minutes.
Tourism could become the most important source of income for the country, which is why there are now widespread efforts to promote the travel industry and attract international investors to the country. The government will do everything it can to ensure that economic development is positive.
The unique selling points
… of Guinea Bissau are impressive, more on this below. A few key facts about some of the islands: Formosa has an impressive 141 km², Canhabaque is 111 km² in size and Bolama is slightly smaller, at just under 99 km², to mention just a few of the Atlantic oases. Only a few hundred indigenous people live on some of the islands, with 6100 people living on Bolama. The island is a recognised biosphere reserve and is almost completely surrounded by mangrove forests and is known for its excellent cashew nuts.
What makes Guinea-Bissau a particularly exciting destination in Africa from the perspective of the tourism industry and global travellers?
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 harbours 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.
Archipelago of the Bijagós:
The Bijagós Islands off the coast of Guinea-Bissau form a unique ecosystem with rich wildlife, including rare bird species and sea turtles. The archipelago is protected as a 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 inhabitants are familiar with both traditional African and Portuguese influences.
Political challenges … are a thing of the past:
Guinea-Bissau has had an eventful political history marked by political instability and coup attempts. These challenges have influenced the country’s development and make it politically unique.
Chances for investors in the tourism
Guinea-Bissau will be fully open to ecotourism by 2030. This could present an excellent opportunity for international hotel chains to turn one of the 88 islands into an eco- or luxury travel icon in Africa, for example.
It is important to the government that the plans are sustainable in order to preserve Africa’s former biodiversity for future generations. Not all the key points of the opening plans are clear yet, but it seems that a country with a unique natural landscape is opening its doors to Europeans and presenting its beauty to the world as a gem among long-distance travellers.
Safety first
Guinea-Bissau will launch a broad awareness campaign for the population, police and authorities. English lessons for everyone working in the travel industry will be an important part of the communication.
Conclusion:
If Guinea-Bissau does indeed open its doors to travellers from Europe very soon, this exciting country with its 88 islands will shake up the entire African tourism market.
We are eagerly awaiting further developments and will keep you up to date with the latest rumours and report back as soon as possible.
….
