The second edition of the Hotelier Week officially ended on September 19, 2026, in Bobo-Dioulasso, with the "Night of the Hotelier" ceremony. The event was presided over by Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts, and Tourism, Gilbert Ouédraogo. The week-long event, organized by Sissiman International Hotel School (SIHS) in collaboration with Burkina Suudu Bawdè, brought together approximately 1,050 trainees. The theme for this year's edition was "African Hospitality, a Lever for Sovereignty: Training, Innovating, and Shining."
The Hotelier Week offered training in various hospitality fields, including cooking, pastry-making, restaurant service, reception, laundry, and fast food. The program consisted of over 760 hours of training, divided into 16 workshops and modules. Topics covered included cooking, pastry-making, in-room service, reception, hotel English, digital marketing, and financial management. The event also featured civic activities, blood donation drives, and around ten excellence competitions.
According to Achille Roland Sow, the general commissioner of the Hotelier Week, the event aimed to create a concrete learning environment for sharing and promoting hospitality skills. This edition prioritized practical training, with 80% of the program dedicated to hands-on experience and 20% to theory. Sow expressed satisfaction with the event's outcome, noting that 1,050 trainees benefited from initiation and advanced training.
Minister Gilbert Ouédraogo commended the private sector's commitment to training and professionalizing young people in the hospitality industry. He emphasized the importance of improving service quality throughout the hospitality value chain, from reception to restaurant service and amenities. Ouédraogo highlighted that excellence should become a standard in the industry, particularly as Burkina Faso seeks to develop its internal tourism.
The development of internal tourism is crucial, according to Ouédraogo, as it encourages Burkinabè people to explore their country's tourist attractions. He noted that the fourth edition of the Great Internal Tourism Season was organized this year to promote domestic tourism. The minister also announced that the country is open to foreign visitors, citing the upcoming 30th edition of the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) in March 2027.
The number of participants in the Hotelier Week increased significantly from 600 in the previous edition to 1,050 this year. This growth demonstrates the initiative's potential for professional training and the interest it has generated. During the closing ceremony, trainees received their certificates, and the best talents were recognized.
The Hotelier Week's second edition has been deemed a success, with organizers looking forward to future events. The initiative aims to promote African hospitality and provide young people with skills and opportunities in the industry. Key stakeholders, including the government and private sector, have expressed their commitment to supporting the development of the hospitality sector in Burkina Faso.
Key points
- The Hotelier Week trained 1,050 participants in various hospitality fields.
- The event prioritized practical training, with 80% of the program dedicated to hands-on experience.
- The initiative aims to promote African hospitality and provide young people with skills and opportunities in the industry.
