Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of Tourism and Leisure, Siandou Fofana, has emphasized the need for the country's tourism sector to leverage digitalization and artificial intelligence to enhance competitiveness and inclusion. Speaking at the celebration of World Tourism Day in Songon M'Bratté, Fofana highlighted the importance of these technologies in transforming the sector. The event, held under the patronage of Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, brought together stakeholders to discuss the role of digitalization in rethinking tourism.
Fofana noted that the evolution of traveler behavior necessitates the tourism sector's rapid digital transformation. He stressed that innovation is no longer optional but a prerequisite for the tourism industry's future growth. The minister cited the widespread use of digital tools by modern travelers for booking, comparison, and evaluation of their experiences. This shift underscores the need for the sector to adopt digital solutions to remain competitive.
According to Fofana, artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and data analysis are essential tools for improving sector performance and enhancing the attractiveness of Côte d'Ivoire as a tourist destination. He emphasized that these technologies are no longer mere gadgets but vital instruments for achieving performance and competitiveness. The minister expressed confidence that digitalization and artificial intelligence can create new job opportunities and promote greater inclusion in the tourism economy, particularly for Côte d'Ivoire's youth.
The minister highlighted the significant progress made by the tourism sector under the "Sublime Côte d'Ivoire" strategy. In 2025, the country welcomed over 6.7 million visitors, generating more than 1,100 billion CFA francs in tourism revenue. The sector's contribution to the country's GDP was estimated at 8.7%, with over 650,000 jobs created. These achievements demonstrate the potential for digitalization to further boost the sector's growth and impact.
Gbrou Alloboué Osée, the deputy mayor of Songon, representing Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, underscored the crucial role of local authorities in tourism development. He emphasized the need for improved infrastructure, road networks, public lighting, cleanliness, and security to support the growth of the sector. The celebration featured an official ceremony, a high-level conference, and a "Digital Village" showcasing technological innovations in tourism.
The event included presentations by startups offering solutions that integrate augmented reality and artificial intelligence. These innovations demonstrate the potential for digital technologies to enhance the tourism experience and drive sector growth. The World Tourism Day celebration in Côte d'Ivoire highlights the country's commitment to leveraging digitalization and artificial intelligence to transform its tourism sector.
The digitalization of Côte d'Ivoire's tourism sector is expected to have a positive impact on the country's economy and youth employment. With the right strategies and investments, the sector can continue to drive growth and contribute significantly to the country's GDP. The government's focus on digitalization and artificial intelligence is a step towards achieving this goal and positioning Côte d'Ivoire as a competitive player in the global tourism market.
Key points
- Côte d'Ivoire's tourism sector to adopt digitalization and artificial intelligence to boost competitiveness and inclusion.
- The sector welcomed over 6.7 million visitors in 2025, generating over 1,100 billion CFA francs in revenue.
- Digitalization is expected to create new job opportunities and promote greater inclusion in the tourism economy, particularly for Côte d'Ivoire's youth.
