Ouagadougou,The special edition of the Ouagadougou International Tourism and Hospitality Exhibition (SITHO) and the Ouagadougou Tourism, Hotel and Catering Showcase (VITHRO) is officially open on Thursday October 26, 2023, in Ouagadougou .
The highest authorities of the Transition want to make tourism one of the levers of economic development in Burkina in a context marked by the security crisis. This is why, after a suspension of the Ouagadougou International Tourism and Hospitality Exhibition (SITHO) and the Ouagadougou Tourism, Hotel and Catering Showcase (VITHRO), respectively in 2017 and 2020, the government decided to jointly organize these events to boost the sector.
The official launch of this special SITHO-VITHRO edition took place on Thursday October 26, 2023, on the site of the Ouagadougou International Crafts Fair (SIAO), in the presence of the Prime Minister, Apollinaire Joachimson Kyélem de Tambela. This event, which takes place from October 26 to 29, 2023, is an opportunity for tourism professionals and exhibitors from Burkina and friendly countries to reflect on the theme: “Promotion of internal tourism, a factor of resilience”.
According to the Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, Emmanuel Ouédraogo, this theme is a challenge and an invitation to develop strategies for resilience in the face of the various adversities that Burkina suffers. For him, it is the sector most affected, but tourism companies remain standing. “Despite the difficulties of the moment and the interpretations that are made of them, Burkina Faso remains a beautiful country, frequentable, the destination not to be missed,” launched Mr. Ouédraogo.
He assured that the relaxation on the security level will create a climate favorable to the development of all tourism stakeholders. But, in the opinion of the boss in charge of tourism, it is essential that the Burkinabè, especially young people, learn to know their country, to appreciate the natural and cultural diversity that it offers. He stressed that the Action Plan for Stabilization and Development promotes the implementation of sustainable tourism that creates jobs and highlights local culture and products. He welcomed the presence of delegations from foreign countries, namely Mali and Niger, at this event.
Two countries sharing the same challenges
The choice of Niger as the guest country of honor, he said, is linked to the fact that the two countries share the same challenges in all sectors including tourism. The Nigerien Minister of Tourism and Crafts, Guichen Agaichata, said she was honored by this invitation from the country of honest men.
She appreciated the theme of the edition which fits with the objectives of the two States to make the tourism sector a driving role in socio-economic development. “We are convinced that the promotion of domestic tourism remains a preferred alternative for the development of the sector in Africa,” she said. Ms. Guichen also announced that the two countries intend to implement various tourism projects to make relations fruitful.
The president of the Federation of Employers’ Organizations of Tourism and Hospitality of Burkina (FOPATH-B), Célestin Zoungrana, recognized that the revitalization of tourism is the responsibility of everyone. For this, he congratulated the organization of this edition which demonstrates the quality of cooperation between public and private actors and their commitment to meeting the challenges facing the sector.
Indeed, he suggested, the sector has been hit by the security crisis and the damage is, among other things, the drop in the arrival of international tourists and attendance at certain sites, the reduction in economic profitability investments… Faced with these difficulties , he invited the Burkinabè to show initiative in order to support the revival of the sector.
The spokesperson for the sponsors of publishing, Idrissa Nassa, new president of the National Council of Burkinabè Employers, also called on the government to take incentive measures to make the sector profitable for promoters. For this, he assured that his structure will be made available to the ministry in charge of tourism in order to formulate concrete proposals to boost the sector.
Source: Burkina Information Agency