The Togolese government has announced a shift in its tourism strategy, moving from potential to performance-based tourism. According to Minister Isaac Tchiakpe, the goal is to make Togo a desirable destination. This new approach was highlighted on September 28, 2026. The country's tourism sector has shown promising growth, with over 500,000 tourist arrivals in 2024, surpassing the set target.
Togo's tourism infrastructure has expanded significantly, with 685 establishments registered in the national repertoire, including 213 hotels, 66 inns, and 53 other accommodations. While this growth is encouraging, Minister Tchiakpe emphasizes that the focus should now be on extending tourists' stays, enhancing their experiences, and increasing their spending to benefit local communities.
The government is taking a comprehensive approach to improve the tourism sector, covering the entire value chain. This includes valorizing tourist sites, modernizing accommodations, developing circuits, and enhancing services. The role of digital technology is becoming increasingly important, with a new platform for booking accommodations for major events, which will be expanded to promote digital marketing, site mapping, and online booking.
The ultimate goal is to make Togo a visible, desirable, and easily accessible destination for travelers seeking a West African experience. To achieve this, the government is organizing pilot circuits around major cultural events, such as the 2026 Évala festival, to transform these events into tourist products while preserving their authenticity.
For 2027, the ambition is to consolidate and exceed the 500,000 annual tourist arrivals. By 2030, the goal is to scale up the sector, focusing on five key areas: supply, infrastructure, promotion through a "Destination Togo" brand, digital technology and data, and skills and quality.
Despite these efforts, two significant challenges remain, particularly for European and North American tourists: the high cost of air transport and accommodation. Minister Tchiakpe notes that it is often cheaper to travel to Thailand for a week than to West Africa, highlighting the need to address these issues to make Togo a more competitive destination.
The government aims to overcome these obstacles and achieve sustainable growth in the tourism sector. With a focus on performance and a comprehensive strategy, Togo hopes to become a premier destination in West Africa, offering a unique experience for visitors while benefiting local communities.
Key points
- Togo aims to exceed 500,000 annual tourist arrivals by 2027 and scale up the sector by 2030.
- The government is investing in digital technology to promote the destination and improve tourist experiences.
- High air transport and accommodation costs remain significant challenges for Togo's tourism sector.
