The second edition of the Hospitality Week in Burkina Faso came to a close on September 19, 2026, in Bobo-Dioulasso, with the Nuit de l'Hôtelier ceremony. The event was held under the theme of promoting hospitality and restaurant professions. Authorities, industry professionals, partners, trainers, and apprentices gathered to discuss the challenges of professionalization and excellence in the sector. The ceremony was attended by key stakeholders, including the Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts, and Tourism.
According to Achille Roland Sow, the General Commissioner of the Hospitality Week, the event saw 1,050 apprentices benefit from training in initiation and improvement through six workshops and ten transversal courses. The training approach is based on an "80-20" model, with 80% practical training and 20% theory. This approach aims to equip apprentices with directly applicable skills in hotel establishments. Sow encouraged the beneficiaries to put their knowledge into practice and continue their professional development.
The Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts, and Tourism, Gilbert Pingwendé Ouédraogo, emphasized the importance of synergy between the state and the private sector in developing the hospitality industry. He noted that the state sets the orientations, conducts reforms, and organizes the regulatory framework, while the private sector contributes to implementing development initiatives. The minister praised the mobilization of private actors around the Hospitality Week.
Minister Ouédraogo highlighted the significance of internal tourism in encouraging Burkinabè to explore their country's rich cultural heritage. He stressed that developing accommodation and catering is crucial to supporting this dynamic. The minister also noted that the increasing number of apprentices, from around 600 in the previous edition to 1,050 this year, reflects a growing interest in hospitality professions.
As Burkina Faso prepares to host major international events, including the 30th edition of FESPACO in March 2027, Minister Ouédraogo called on professionals to prioritize quality and excellence in the tourism value chain. He encouraged stakeholders to make quality and excellence their references in the industry. The Nuit de l'Hôtelier ceremony concluded with a recognition of apprentices, trainers, partners, and actors who contributed to the second edition.
The event demonstrated the commitment of stakeholders to promoting the hospitality industry in Burkina Faso. The General Commissioner's "80-20" training approach has been instrumental in providing apprentices with practical skills. The private sector's involvement in the Hospitality Week has been praised by the minister, who sees it as essential to driving the industry's growth.
The second edition of the Hospitality Week has set a precedent for future events, with the aim of consolidating the professionalization of the hospitality sector in Burkina Faso. Key stakeholders have expressed their commitment to continuing their efforts to promote excellence and quality in the industry. The Nuit de l'Hôtelier ceremony marked a successful conclusion to the Hospitality Week.
Key points
- The second edition of Burkina Faso's Hospitality Week trained 1,050 apprentices in hospitality and restaurant professions.
- The event was held under the theme of promoting hospitality and restaurant professions, with a focus on professionalization and excellence.
- The "80-20" training approach was used, with 80% practical training and 20% theory, to equip apprentices with directly applicable skills.
