The Bankui-Sourou region in Burkina Faso is home to numerous tourism potentialities, including historic bridges, forests, and wildlife. Lansané Dao, president of the Federation régionale des acteurs du tourisme de Bankui-Sourou (FRAT-B), highlights the region's attractions, such as the pont du Mouhoun, built during the colonial era, and the forêt des Petits Balé and forêt des Grands Balé, which are home to many animals, including elephants.
The FRAT-B was established on August 17, 2026, and brings together six provinces: Balé, Banwa, Mouhoun, Koosin, Sourou, and Nayala. The federation aims to promote and develop the region's tourism sector, with a vision of making it a professional, competitive, inclusive, and sustainable industry. The organization has already begun to create a directory of hotels, restaurants, and other services in the region.
Despite its potential, the region's tourism sector faces significant challenges, including limited access to financing and infrastructure constraints. According to Dao, the sector needs more flexible and adapted financing mechanisms to support the development of tourism infrastructure and activities. The region has been affected by the security crisis, but tourism actors remain determined to work towards the sector's growth.
The FRAT-B is working to develop a digital tool that will enable visitors to easily locate tourist sites, accommodations, and services in the region. The federation is also focusing on professional training for tourism actors and improving access to the region's sites. However, progress has been slow due to limited resources and infrastructure challenges.
The recent SITHO conference highlighted the importance of financing for tourism projects. Dao emphasizes that financing must be accompanied by more flexible conditions for accessing resources. The sector, primarily driven by private initiative, requires adapted credit lines and support measures to enable project holders to turn their ideas into reality.
The region's tourism sector has shown resilience in the face of the security crisis. Dao notes that the simple fact that tourism actors continue to work and promote their activities demonstrates their commitment to the sector's growth. The FRAT-B is advocating for greater support from authorities to address the sector's challenges and unlock its potential.
As the region looks to the future, Dao is optimistic that the crisis will eventually subside, and tourism will flourish. With the right support and investment, the Bankui-Sourou region can become a major tourist destination in Burkina Faso, offering a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.
Key points
- The Bankui-Sourou region in Burkina Faso has significant tourism potential, including historic bridges, forests, and wildlife.
- The region's tourism sector faces challenges, including limited access to financing and infrastructure constraints.
- The Federation régionale des acteurs du tourisme de Bankui-Sourou is working to promote and develop the region's tourism sector, with a focus on professional training, improved access to sites, and adapted financing mechanisms.
