Côte d’Ivoire: A step towards recognition as a regional tourist center in West Africa

IN BRIEF Côte d’Ivoire aims for 5 million tourists per year. Roadmap: Sublime Côte d’Ivoire. Promotion through international events, such as Top Resa. The Minister of Tourism positions himself as an ambassador. Modernization of air transport infrastructure. Air Côte d’Ivoire is strengthening its fleet for the future. Highlighting cultural circuits and business tourism. Promotion through innovation and technologies, including AI. Impact of the CAN on the tourism sector. Increase in tourism contribution to GDP.

Côte d’Ivoire, with its roadmap Sublime Côte d’Ivoire, aims to become a leading player in tourism in West Africa. Through an ambitious strategy to attract five million tourists per year and actively promoting its assets, the country positions itself as a regional hub. The Minister of Tourism, Siandou Fofana, plays a key role in this transformation, highlighting modern infrastructures, a climate of peace, and diverse offers ranging from beach tourism to cultural circuits.

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The undeniable assets of Côte d’Ivoire #

The Côte d’Ivoire destination benefits from a rich and varied geography, as well as political stability that reassures visitors. This fertile ground fosters the growth of the tourism sector, reinforced by a calm climate. Minister Fofana emphasizes the importance of highlighting these strengths, stating that, from now on, “Forgetting Côte d’Ivoire is no longer possible”.

Infrastructure in full evolution #

One of the pillars of the Ivorian tourism strategy is based on the development of modern infrastructures. Currently, the international airport of Abidjan, undergoing transformation, aims to accommodate five million passengers in its first phase, with the ambition of reaching ten million subsequently. To support this growth, the creation of the airline Air Côte d’Ivoire is also part of this dynamic, providing a fleet of the latest generation.

In parallel, a major road network is being modernized and developed, ensuring smooth and secure access to various tourist destinations in the country.

Varied and attractive tourism offers #

Côte d’Ivoire does not limit itself to classic beach offers. It also promotes its new cultural circuits, allowing visitors to discover the richness of its heritage. This diversity also attracts an increasingly developed business tourism, with the establishment of regional headquarters of major international institutions such as the African Development Bank and the IMF. This gives Abidjan a leading geostrategic position, encouraging economic actors to choose the country as a meeting point for their negotiations.

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Moreover, the city of Abidjan stands out with the presence of a regional stock exchange, further strengthening its status as a dynamic economic center. In response to this evolution, the government has increased hotel capacity and established infrastructures to meet the growing needs of visitors.

Innovation at the service of tourism #

Despite some issues related to past security crises, the Ivorian authorities are betting on innovation to revitalize the country’s image as a tourist destination. The opening of 15 tourism offices internationally is part of this strategy. Fatime Camara, director of the office in France, highlights the use of technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality to offer immersive tours of Abidjan, revealing the hidden treasures of Côte d’Ivoire.

The country is also committed to benefiting from the economic repercussions of organizing the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), which has spotlighted Côte d’Ivoire while mobilizing an investment of 1.5 trillion CFA francs. The goal is to strengthen the tourism sector, which currently represents 6% of GDP, with hopes of reaching 8% in the coming years.