Burkina Faso/ Ouagadougou prepares to shine as a tourist destination: Return of the International Tourism and Hospitality Show

Ouagadougou is preparing to host a double tourism celebration from 26 to 29 October 2023, with the joint holding of the Ouagadougou International Tourism and Hospitality Exhibition (SITHO) and the International Tourism Showcase, Hotel and Restaurant of Ouagadougou (VITHRO). After a few years of suspension, this year will mark the strong return of these two major events.

During a press conference in Ouagadougou, the president of the organizing committee, Fidèle Tamini, revealed two major innovations that will mark these festivities. The first is the provision of pavilions for each region of Burkina Faso. This initiative aims to enable each region to present its tourist specificity, in order to attract the attention of visitors to their unique tourist sites. This regional diversity promises a varied and enriching tourist experience for visitors.

The second innovation is the return of the biotope, a space dedicated to the presentation of some wild animals. This particular feature aims to arouse the curiosity of the visitors and to reinforce the attraction of the event.

The two events, SITHO and VITHRO, will take place on the site of the International Craft Show of Ouagadougou (SIAO) under the theme «Promotion of internal tourism, resilience factor». Niger is the guest of honor of this edition because of its security similarities with Burkina Faso, while the Centre-South region is the guest of honor.

The program of these festivities will include various activities, including a popular cross-country, conferences and thematic panels, an Educ’tour for the discovery of tourist sites, as well as cultural activities.

After a suspension of 5 years for SITHO and 3 years for VITHRO, these two major events are merged to offer a complete and exciting tourist experience of Burkina Faso. The organizers hope that this event will strengthen the country’s place on the international tourism map and attract a large number of visitors eager to discover the cultural and natural wealth of this West African nation.

Justine Akolatsey