One of the unwritten rules of international travel is to meet up with nationals to discover and learn about the country. This year, I had the opportunity to travel from Brazzaville to Pointe Noire in search of new adventures. A friend recommended a tour guide based in the city and that’s how I met Amel. After a few chats and calls, Amel proposed an itinerary of three natural wonders about 70 km outside of Pointe Noire. We met up to prepare for the day trip and I was impressed by his charisma and enthusiasm for tourism in the Republic of Congo, its natural wealth, and its potential. It was also encouraging and motivating to see the African youth being boldly proud of their country and its future. My favorite line from him was “When I discovered that life was beautiful and needed to be lived, I became passionate about tourism”. Following the trip, I interviewed him to learn more about his inspiration to showcase his country to the world.
Please tell a little about you and your background
My name is Amel, I am from the Republic of Congo. I was born in Brazzaville and grew up in Pointe Noire. I studied computer science at Noida International University in India. I spent about 7 years there before coming back home. Upon return, I worked in the oil and gas industry for some time, and I currently work in administration at an international corporation. I also run my own tourism business. I take people to various parts of the country to visit natural sites and wonders. Since I was a child, I always wanted to travel the world so today I can travel and showcase my own country to others.
What motivated you to go into the tourism business?
When I was living in India, I traveled around the country with my Indian and other international friends. Through those experiences, I realized that there is a lot of knowledge to gain from travel. While living there, I also worked with two friends in the tourism industry. I was thinking to myself if I could also create initiatives in tourism in my own country. I know that my country has beautiful sites to see and wonders to experience. I had older brothers who started tourism tours in the country, and I worked with them and learned the ropes of the business. This also motivated me to start my tourism tours. I often get clients from all corners of the world. I organize itineraries with two or three sites. There are a variety to see such as forests, waterfalls, valleys, colorful lakes, caves, and beaches. I can cater to all the interests and preferences of different groups of tourists.
I am also passionate about my country. I love this land and believe in its potential and future. For example, the Republic of Congo has one of the richest biodiversity ecosystems in the world and is one of the rare homes of the silverback gorilla. Furthermore, there are thousands of animal species unique to this biodiversity. I want to showcase this to the world and my fellow countrymen.
What are some of the challenges you face in the tourism industry?
When my team and I put together trips, there are sometimes hurdles. On the road, there can be unpredicted issues. These challenges are always surmountable. Another challenge is that we often receive groups from different parts of the world and cultural backgrounds. They have distinct interests, and it is not always easy to cater to all of them. However, I am a good communicator and have diplomatic skills, and always ensure that they are all satisfied with our services.
What do you want people to know about the Republic of Congo and the African continent?
I would say that people often think that there is only one Congo in the continent. Firstly, they need to realize that there is the Republic of Congo and there is the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Secondly, when people also hear the word “Congo” their minds go straight to the negative such as wars, and poverty, and many people think we just live in jungles. I would like people to move beyond those negative stereotypes and see all the beauty, infrastructure, development, and culture that we have. A visit to the Republic of Congo is a unique experience filled with knowledge, history, and wonders.
I call Africa the motherland. When I have my own family one day, I would teach them to know their roots as Africans and to be proud of what their country has to offer. My wish, as it is for my country, is for people to visit Africa and appreciate it for its unique beauty and not feel the need to compare it to the Western world. All parts of the world have its advantages and challenges, and it is unnecessary to compare different countries or societies.
What can we expect from you in the future?
My vision is to grow in the tourism industry and make my country known worldwide. In other words, I want to give a testimony to the beauty and uniqueness of Cong-Brazzaville. As a traveler myself, I would also like to visit all the 54 countries on the continent. I look forward to experiencing the beauty of the motherland and its people. Currently, my top three countries to visit next are Lesotho for its highlands, Tanzania for its beaches, and Ghana for the good food and good vibes.
I anyone wants to visit my county; my team and I are always available to help and showcase the wonders.
Deborah Melom Ndjerareou
We Write Afrika 
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