Hon. Siandou FOFANA, Minister of Tourism and Leisure of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, delivered a heartfelt goodwill message at the World Tourism Day 2024 Celebration, organized virtually by the African Tourism Board (ATB) in partnership with the African Union. The event, which brought together key tourism stakeholders across Africa and beyond, was themed: “Tourism and Peace: Promoting Unity through Tourism in Africa.”

As the patron of the celebration, Hon. Fofana expressed his deep appreciation to the African Tourism Board for organizing what he described as an “exceptional webinar.” He emphasized the importance of events like this in uniting the continent’s tourism stakeholders to explore opportunities for peace, unity, and economic growth through tourism.

During his remarks, the Minister extended profound gratitude to His Excellency Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, for his visionary leadership and the trust placed in him to implement the “Sublime Côte d’Ivoire” strategy. This initiative has significantly elevated Côte d’Ivoire’s profile on the global tourism map, creating a lasting impact on the international stage.

Hon. Fofana also underscored the essential role that peace and unity play in the growth of Africa’s tourism sector, citing the recent success of AFCON 2023, which Côte d’Ivoire hosted and won. The tournament drew over 2 million visitors, and he credited the peaceful spirit and dedication of the Ivorian people for the event’s remarkable outcome.

“With more than 2 billion viewers worldwide, AFCON 2023 boosted our nation’s visibility. As a result of this positive exposure, the Miss France Organization has chosen Côte d’Ivoire as the host for the preparatory phase of the 30 finalists for Miss France 2025—a historic first for Africa,” Hon. Fofana shared.

He further highlighted the partnership between Côte d’Ivoire and Olympique de Marseille, which aims to promote the nation as a premier destination on the international stage. This collaboration, he noted, reflects the growing appeal of the ‘Sublime Côte d’Ivoire’ as a leading tourism hub.

In his closing remarks, Hon. Fofana urged African tourism stakeholders to remain committed to fostering peace and unity, which are essential for a prosperous future for tourism across the continent. “Together, let us continue to promote peace and unity through tourism for a bright future in Africa,” he emphasized.

The Minister also expressed gratitude to the leadership of the African Tourism Board, particularly to Mr. Cuthbert Ncube, Executive Chairman of ATB, and Mr. Dine Bouraima, Vice President. He extended his appreciation to the former tourism ministers present at the event and conveyed his eagerness to collaborate further with the African Tourism Board.

In a gesture of hospitality, Hon. Fofana invited the ATB team to Abidjan for a formal welcome, reaffirming his commitment to strengthening Côte d’Ivoire’s ties with the organization.

Kazeem Balogun

Kazeem Balogun (F. Inst. TT ) is a quintessential in tourism and media spaces. He is the Managing Editor of Kalo Africa News.

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