The Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire hosted a tourism conference last month, with top officials highlighting the West African nation’s growing prominence as a travel and investment destination.
Klo Fagama, director-general of the Tourism and Hotel Industry, represented Siandou Fofana, the country’s minister of tourism and leisure, at the Nov. 14 reception and panel discussion.
“Tourism is one of the pillars of development, and the country’s strong political will paves the way for prosperity,” Fagama said.
The panel included Fatoumata Komah, director of external services; Paul Cohen, co-founder of ieLimited and International Experiences, and Johanne Gnagne, founder of Klaman & Co. Home of Africa. Prominent journalist Eric Ham moderated the discussion.
Other speakers included Tourism Director Mariam Ouattara; Mathieu Toure, the embassy’s chargé d’affaires, and Victor Shiblie, publisher of The Washington Diplomat, which co-hosted the event.
“When it comes to tourism in a country like this, I think we have the perfect audience,” Shiblie said. “Average Americans may not travel around the world extensively, but our group is well-traveled.”
The gathering also welcomed the Washington-based ambassadors of Tunisia, Kenya and Guinea, as well as other diplomats, investors and tourism experts.
Côte d’Ivoire, home to around 30 million people, is rapidly emerging as West Africa’s second-largest economy, driven by increased investments in roads, infrastructure, hospitality, tourism and agriculture. Improved market opportunities and enhanced security measures have also improved the quality of life for its growing middle class.
In February, the country successfully hosted and won the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Nigeria. In preparation for the event, Côte d’Ivoire invested hundreds of millions of dollars in tourism-related projects. In addition to sports tourism, the country hopes to be a leader in religious, business, ecological and cultural tourism.
Projections show that next year, Côte d’Ivoire will generate $4.7 billion in annual GDP from tourism, attracting some 4.2 million visitors. The sector is expected to employ 650,000 Ivorians and position the nation as one of Africa’s top five tourist destinations. Plans also call for training 700 micro-entrepreneurs to stimulate growth in the tourism industry.
“Ivory Coast is a land of wonderful diversity. It boasts an unparalleled cultural mosaic, enchanting landscapes, golden beaches, natural parks and a history that resonates in the heart of West Africa,” Fagama noted. For Côte d’Ivoire, he said, tourism is more than just an economic pillar; it serves as a platform for cultural exchange and a driver of sustainable growth, which is why the government has introduced its ambitious “Sublime Côte d’Ivoire” program to establish the country as a premier tourist destination.
“Aware of the potential represented by the American market, our vision is to place Côte d’Ivoire among the destinations of choice for the largest tourism operators in the United States,” Fagama said. “We are convinced that tourism can become a lever for mutual prosperity while promoting a mutual understanding of our cultures and values.”
Toure, offering to share his country’s “vision and exceptional opportunities” with the US, thanked American travel agencies and tour operators for their support.
“Whether you are passionate about gastronomy, nature or culture, Côte d’Ivoire has something to offer for each of you,” he said. “It seduces with its diversity and timeless charm.”
Toure noted that S&P Global recently upgraded Côte d’Ivoire’s credit rating from BB- to BB with a stable outlook.
Added Ouattara: “Today, we meet with a specific goal: to open the doors of Côte d’Ivoire to new investments in the tourism sector, while facilitating the inclusion of our country in the catalogs of the largest American tour operators.”
During the discussion, Komah spoke of the vital role played by the country’s 15 global tourism offices in the US, Canada, Morocco, Britain and elsewhere, as well as the nation’s 13 regional and 30 departmental agencies in promoting tourism and attracting investment.
When asked about the influence of Ivorian culture in the United States, Gnagne said she founded her organization earlier this year in San Diego with the mission of celebrating African heritage. California is a “very diverse and multicultural community,” where people are genuinely curious about African culture,” she said. “So far, we’ve focused on showcasing Ivorian traditions through various events.”
Cohen, who specializes in Africa’s hospitality and tourism sectors, added that while returns on African investments are robust, many investors remain careful in assessing the investment policies of African nations before making decisions. He said factors like a strong labor force and the ease of opening bank accounts as well as tax obligations, labor incentives and infrastructure development play a critical role in shaping investor confidence.
Photos by Jessica Latos
