Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of Tourism and Leisure, Siandou Fofana, has emphasized the need to integrate digital and artificial intelligence (AI) tools into the country's tourism sector. On September 27, 2026, in a message marking World Tourism Day, Fofana stated that the country must harness new technologies to drive transformation and increase competitiveness. He noted that Côte d'Ivoire has made significant progress in tourism, with 6.7 million visitors in 2025 and the sector contributing 8.7% to the country's GDP.
The tourism sector in Côte d'Ivoire has shown remarkable growth, with the sector creating over 650,000 jobs between 2018 and 2025. The country's accommodation capacity is estimated to be around 87,000 rooms. Fofana highlighted that the next step is to leverage digital and AI tools to improve visitor experiences, enhance destination visibility, and promote the country's tourism offerings. This vision is part of the second phase of the "Sublime Côte d'Ivoire" strategy, which covers the period 2026-2030.
The "Sublime Côte d'Ivoire" strategy aims to strengthen the sector's digital transformation, develop domestic tourism, diversify offerings, and attract more private investment. The government plans to transform Côte d'Ivoire into a smart tourist destination, capable of harnessing data, personalizing services, and distributing tourist flows evenly across the country. Fofana stressed that all stakeholders, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), tourism professionals, and startups, must be able to utilize digital tools to enhance their visibility and services.
The minister emphasized the importance of training and capacity building to enable stakeholders to effectively use digital tools. He noted that this transformation aims to enhance the innovation capacity of Côte d'Ivoire's tourism actors, enable them to access new markets, and create more value and jobs. The government has assured stakeholders that it will create favorable conditions for the adoption of new technologies, capacity building, and the emergence of a competitive and innovative tourism ecosystem.
Fofana's vision for the sector is to make Côte d'Ivoire a premier tourist destination in Africa. He highlighted that the country's tourism sector has immense potential, and with the right strategies and tools, it can become a major driver of economic growth. The minister's call for accelerated digitalization and AI adoption in the sector is seen as a key step towards achieving this goal.
The World Tourism Day celebrations in Côte d'Ivoire were marked by various events and activities aimed at promoting the sector and its potential. The theme of this year's celebrations, "Digital and AI for Tourism," reflects the sector's growing recognition of the importance of technology in driving growth and innovation. Fofana's message to stakeholders emphasized the need for collaboration and collective action to achieve the sector's goals.
As Côte d'Ivoire moves forward with its plans to digitalize and modernize its tourism sector, stakeholders are optimistic about the prospects for growth and development. With the right strategies, tools, and support, the sector is poised to make a significant contribution to the country's economy and development. The government's commitment to creating a favorable environment for the sector's growth is seen as a positive step towards achieving this goal.
Key points
- Côte d'Ivoire aims to become a smart tourist destination by leveraging digital and AI tools to enhance visitor experiences and sector competitiveness.
