The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has demonstrated its support for the Côte d’Ivoire tourism sector, participating in a key high-level round table discussion in Dubai and recruiting Ivorian footballing legend Didier Drogba as the newest Ambassador for Responsible Tourism.
UNWTO Secretary General, Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, participated at a resource mobilization round table at the invitation of H.E.Mr. Siandou Fofana, Minister of Tourism and Leisure of Côte d’Ivoire. This meeting was one of a series of donor round tables organized by the Ministry as it works to finance the ambitious “Sublime Côte d’Ivoire” tourism development strategy. Also in attendance was H.E.Mr. Patrick Achi, Secretary General to The Presidency of The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, highlighting the country’s commitment to UNWTO’s mission.
The “Sublime Côte d’Ivoire” strategy, which will run until 2025, is aimed at making Côte d’Ivoire the fifth largest tourism hub in Africa. The country hopes to welcome more than 4 million tourists a year within the next six years. To help Côte d’Ivoire achieve this goal, UNWTO will offer its expertise and support, with a particular emphasis to be placed on diversifying the tourism sector and encouraging international investment.
A vast range of tourism projects were presented by the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure of Côte d’Ivoire, which culminated with the signing of pledges worth just over $5 billion.
UNWTO proudly encourages Côte d’Ivoire to continue its effort to attract investment to support the growth of the tourism sector. As such, H.E.Mr. Siandou Fofano, Minister of Tourism and Leisure of Côte d’Ivoire, announced that the country will host, in collaboration with UNWTO, a tourism investment forum in February 2020 to provide a platform for investment opportunities in the tourism sector in Côte d’Ivoire and in Africa in general.
