2024-10-31 23:07:00
Ivory Coast wants to focus on its tourism. Thanks to its roadmap “ Sublime Ivory Coast », she hopes to attract five million tourists per year. For its promotion, it travels to major events such as the Top Resa tourism fair in Paris. The Ivorian Minister of Tourism happily becomes the ambassador of his country to make it the regional hub of West Africa.
« Forgetting Ivory Coast is no longer possible. You have to deal with it », announces with a smile the Minister of Tourism, Siandou Fofana. He lists the advantages of the destination Ivory Coast : its geography, its political stability and its climate of peace. In addition to this, it highlights the efforts made by the authorities on the issue of infrastructure to aim to become a regional hub.
« It means equipping ourselves with modern infrastructure, first of all air transport infrastructure. Côte d’Ivoire is an international airport that is undergoing rapid change », he explains. The first phase of work should enable the reception of five million passengers, and in a second phase, reach 10 million.
Another strategy of the Ivorian authorities: establish a solid airline, Air Côte d’IvoireWho ” expands with the acquisition of a fleet which is of the most recent generation “. Then, ” a whole network of modern and rehabilitated road infrastructures with the construction of new roads », Continues Siandou Fofana.
Côte d’Ivoire offers classic seaside tourist offers, but it also highlights its new cultural circuits. Today, the country significantly attracts business tourism. This involves the establishment of headquarters and regional offices of large entities and international institutions such as the African Development Bank, the IMF or the World Bank.
« Anything which gives us a geostrategic position and which means that all the actors who negotiate their files are obliged to go through Abidjan », insists the minister. Abidjan also hosts the regional stock exchange, which makes it “ a leading stock market in the region “. To try to meet needs, the government has equipped itself with an exhibition center and increased hotel capacity.
Innovation to promote the destination
But the destination still suffers from the impact of the security crises experienced. The authorities, in order to attract more visitors, have launched a new communications offensive, with the opening of 15 tourism offices around the world. “ The objective for us is to arouse the desire of people to come to Ivory Coast. », explains Fatime Camara, the director of the office located in France. And for this, innovation and technologies are used. “ We work a lot on artificial intelligence (AI) to promote Côte d’Ivoire. We have virtual reality maps that allow you to take immersive tours of the basilica, the cathedral and the beaches of Abidjan. In Top Resa, we had the opportunity to visit a craft village for example “, she highlights.
Côte d’Ivoire is also banking on long-term benefits of the organization of the CANthanks to the visibility that the event gave it and the 1,500 billion CFA francs invested on this occasion. In 2022, tourism contributed 6% to GDP. The authorities hope for a jump to 8% this year.
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**Interview with Siandou Fofana, Ivorian Minister of Tourism**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Minister Fofana. Ivory Coast is aiming to attract five million tourists per year. Can you elaborate on the strategies behind this ambitious goal?
**Siandou Fofana:** Thank you for having me! Our roadmap, titled “Sublime Ivory Coast,” is a comprehensive strategy to position our country as a premier tourist destination in West Africa. We are actively participating in major tourism fairs like Top Resa in Paris to promote our offerings. The essence of this strategy is to showcase the incredible geography, political stability, and the peaceful climate of our nation.
**Editor:** Those sound like significant advantages. Can you tell us more about the improvements in infrastructure that you mentioned?
**Siandou Fofana:** Absolutely. Infrastructure is crucial for our tourism growth. We are undergoing significant improvements in air transport. Our international airport is being modernized to handle up to five million passengers in its first phase and eventually double that capacity. Additionally, we are enhancing our road networks, with new roads and rehabilitated infrastructure to ensure smoother travel for visitors.
**Editor:** You mentioned Air Côte d’Ivoire earlier. How does establishing a solid airline contribute to your tourism strategy?
**Siandou Fofana:** A strong airline is vital as it connects us to the world. Air Côte d’Ivoire is expanding with a new fleet to enhance our regional connectivity. By improving air travel options, we make it easier for tourists to visit and experience the wonders of our country.
**Editor:** Beyond traditional beach tourism, what other areas is Ivory Coast focusing on to attract visitors?
**Siandou Fofana:** We are promoting not just our beautiful coastlines but also our emerging cultural circuits and business tourism potential. We aim to be a hub for regional offices of international entities, making Ivory Coast an attractive destination for conferences and business events.
**Editor:** With these exciting developments, what would you say to potential tourists who might be considering a visit to Ivory Coast?
**Siandou Fofana:** I would say that forgetting about Ivory Coast is no longer an option. We offer a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and modern facilities. We are eager to welcome everyone to experience the warmth of our people and the vibrancy of our culture. Join us, and you won’t be disappointed!
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Minister Fofana. It’s clear that Ivory Coast is on an impressive path toward becoming a leading travel destination in the region.
**Siandou Fofana:** Thank you. We look forward to sharing the beauty of Ivory Coast with the world!