The 16th edition of the Ouagadougou International Tourism and Hospitality Fair (SITHO) is underway, featuring an exhibition that showcases Burkina Faso's tourist attractions through photography and virtual reality. The exhibition, located at the Professionals' Pavilion, invites visitors to explore the country's natural, cultural, and mixed heritage through images. The display, supported by Faso Tourisme, presents around twenty photographs of various sites and attractions.
The photographs on display take visitors on a journey to different regions of the country, showcasing sites such as the Sindou cliffs, Karfiguéla waterfalls, Loropéni ruins, Laongo sculptures, Samendeni dam, and Thomas Sankara Memorial. The exhibition aims to promote Burkina Faso's tourist destinations and encourage visitors to explore the country's diverse heritage. According to Harouna Damiba, curator of a museum, the exhibition is an initiative by Faso Tourisme to promote Burkinabè tourist sites.
The exhibition features a range of sites, including the Saponé chapeau, Niansogoni troglodytic habitats, Tiébélé's Mangolo, Nahouri peak, Sindou peaks, and Karfiguéla waterfalls. In Ouagadougou, the exhibition highlights iconic landmarks such as Thomas Sankara Boulevard, Thomas Sankara Memorial, and the National Museum. The display also showcases the cultural and historical richness of Bobo-Dioulasso and its surroundings.
In addition to the photographs, the Faso E-Sports stand, in collaboration with Faso Tourisme, offers visitors a virtual reality experience. The experience allows visitors to immerse themselves in different tourist sites across the country, such as Karfiguéla waterfalls, Tengrela lake, Fabédougou domes, Samendeni dam, Dioulassoba grand mosque, Thomas Sankara Memorial, and Laongo site.
The virtual reality experience is free, and visitors are encouraged to try it out. However, those with sensitivity to vertigo are advised to inform the staff beforehand, as some sequences may cause a sense of height. According to Inès Ouédraogo, a member of the Faso E-Sports stand, the technology allows visitors to explore the sites as if they were physically present.
Visitors to the exhibition have expressed their enthusiasm for the experience, with many stating that it has sparked their interest in exploring Burkina Faso's tourist attractions. Maïmounata Zaré, a first-time visitor to the exhibition, praised the photographs showcasing Burkinabè culture and enjoyed the virtual reality experience. Sheila Konaté, who tried the virtual reality experience, described it as an immersive experience that made her feel as if she were in a village.
The exhibition aims to inspire visitors to plan a trip to explore Burkina Faso's diverse tourist attractions. According to Harouna Damiba, the goal is to stimulate visitors' interest in choosing a site to visit and to promote the country's tourism industry. The exhibition runs for five days, offering visitors a glimpse into Burkina Faso's rich cultural and natural heritage.
Key points
- The SITHO 2026 exhibition uses photography and virtual reality to promote Burkina Faso's tourist attractions.
- The exhibition features around twenty photographs of various sites and attractions across the country.
- The virtual reality experience allows visitors to immerse themselves in different tourist sites across the country.
