Ouagadougou:At the opening of the 16th edition of the Ouagadougou International Tourism and Hospitality Fair (SITHO), the Burkinabe government called for increased mobilization of appropriate financing for tourism projects. The aim is to transform the sector's potential into viable economic activities, jobs, and opportunities for the population.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the event, themed "Financing of structuring projects, a lever for the development of tourism," is expected to foster an environment conducive to private investment and the emergence of sustainable tourism projects. Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Oudraogo, who led the ceremony, emphasized the need for substantial investments in infrastructure, site development, equipment, accommodation, mobility, training, promotion, and digital solutions for tourism development.

The Prime Minister urged that tourism projects be aligned with available funding sources, highlighting tourism as a strategic lever for economic growth, job creation, and cultural enhancement. He noted that Burkina Faso's geographical proximity, rich heritage, cultural diversity, and historical ties with Mali and Niger offer advantages for developing complementary tourism offerings suited to the region's realities.

Mamou Daff, representing the Malian and Nigerien delegations, stated that their presence at SITHO symbolizes a shared destiny among the three countries. He stressed that Sahelian cooperation should extend beyond security and economic issues to include economic development, societal values, and a common tourism identity.

Burkina Faso's Minister of Tourism, Pingdwend Gilbert Oudraogo, remarked on the evolution of this SITHO edition compared to previous ones, noting the increased participation of tourism professionals. He emphasized the focus on addressing investment needs in the tourism sector across Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).