Ouagadougou: Three days before the opening of the 15th edition of the Ouagadougou International Tourism and Hospitality Exhibition (SITHO), Betamou Fidele Aymar Tamini, president of the organizing committee and Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, announced at a press conference that preparations are progressing satisfactorily. He also unveiled innovations that will mark this edition.
According to Burkina Information Agency, among the innovations that will make the 15th edition of SITHO 2025 special are 3D virtual tours that allow immersion in the country’s natural and cultural riches, a “Tourism Tech” hackathon aimed at stimulating the development of ICT solutions in tourism, and tourism project pitch competitions to highlight creativity and encourage local initiatives.
Mr. Tamini also announced the creation of a website dedicated to SITHO to enhance its international visibility, along with a SITHO village designed as a national and Sahelian gastronomic space. The show will also offer classic activities including exhibitions, conferences, thematic panels, ‘Bougousso’ artistic evenings, B2B meetings, the Educ’tour in the guest of honor region, the Nakambe, and tourist excursions.
Additionally, the president of the organizing committee indicated that the mobilization of institutional and private partners is effective. He added that the participation of Ghana, the guest of honor, and special guest countries Niger and Mali, as well as UN Tourism, is confirmed. A total of 172 exhibition stands have already been reserved, with registration for competitions, B2B meetings, and tourist excursions open and ongoing.
“Everything is being done to ensure the success of this edition,” assured Mr. Tamini. He emphasized that SITHO 2025 will see the participation of more than 10,000 visitors, over 25 media outlets, tour operators, and delegations from Mali, Niger, Haiti, Cameroon, South Africa, Ghana, and UN Tourism.
According to Fidele Aymar Tamini, from edition to edition, the Salon contributes to strengthening the international visibility of Burkina Faso, stimulating investment in the sector, and creating synergies between public and private actors. “In 2025, this ambition remains, with a renewed desire: to position SITHO as one of the biggest tourism events in Africa and a tool serving the integration of the peoples of the Sahel,” he said.
For him, SITHO 2025 will be a showcase, a forum, and a moment of unity. “It will be the place where Burkina Faso, despite the challenges, will reaffirm its desire to move forward, to build peace and development by promoting its heritage and through regional cooperation,” Fidele Aymar Tamini stated.
As a reminder, the 15th edition of SITHO will be held from September 25 to 28, 2025, in Ouagadougou under the theme: ‘Tourism and Integration of the Peoples of the Sahel’.