Abidjan, September 17, 2026 – Siandou Fofana, Minister of Tourism and Leisure, reaffirmed the government's ambition to make Ivorian tourism a true driver of growth and influence, with a target of ten (10) million international visitors per year by 2030 and approximately 1,000 billion FCFA in investments. He made this statement on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, during the official opening of the 5th edition of the IFTM Top Resa trade show (International French Travel Market – Top Resa) at Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles.

Leading the Ivorian delegation, Siandou Fofana was accompanied by H.E. Maurice Bandama, Ambassador of Côte d'Ivoire to France. The opening ceremony was chaired by Serge Papin, the French Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Trade, Handicrafts, Tourism, and Purchasing Power.

Driven by this momentum, the Minister of Tourism continues to roll out the "Sublime Côte d'Ivoire" strategy to further enhance the country's international standing. The goal is to build a bridge between Abidjan and Europe, positioning the country among the Top 5 African destinations by 2030. For more coverage on regional developments, visit In Côte d'Ivoire.

Following the 6.7 million tourists who visited Ivorian soil in 2025, the ministry intends to step up its efforts to achieve a record 10 million annual visitors starting in 2030.

Through the B2B meetings held during the event, Minister Siandou Fofana reiterated that "Côte d'Ivoire is not just a destination; it is an emotion, an encounter, a promise." In his view, "travel is not merely a movement from one place to another, but a shared emotion, a meeting of cultures, and a promise of sustainable development."

To this end, Siandou Fofana held numerous audiences and initiated several key activities. The Minister’s agenda included a visit to the "Sublime Côte d'Ivoire" pavilion, a bilateral meeting with Minister Serge Papin, the signing of a protocol with Adonet (Association of Travel and Educational Tour Organizers), an interview with Laurent Bottero from La Tribune, and an appearance on Christophe Boisbouvier’s program "L’Invité Afrique" on RFI.

The participation of the Ivorian delegation at the IFTM Top Resa trade show proved highly beneficial, helping to strengthen synergies between Abidjan and Paris, build bridges to the European market, and solidify institutional cooperation around sustainable and inclusive tourism. Read more Côte d'Ivoire news on our platform.