The Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, Pingdwendé Gilbert OUEDRAOGO, officially launched the 5th edition of the International Showcase of Tourism, Hospitality and Catering of Ouagadougou (VITHRO) on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Ouagadougou.
Held under the theme “What strategies to revitalize tourism in the AES region: challenges and prospects?”, this edition runs from April 29 to May 3, 2025, with Togo as the guest country of honor.
The event has now become a key platform for promoting the tourism potential of Burkina Faso and the wider sub-region.
In his speech, Minister Pingdwendé Gilbert OUEDRAOGO highlighted the strategic importance of VITHRO, which has become a vital platform for promotion, exchange, and cooperation among tourism professionals. He emphasized that the chosen theme reflects a shared desire to rethink the sector with an integrated, resilient, and united approach—especially in light of the security challenges facing the AES countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger).
“This forum is a valuable opportunity for strategic reflection on tourism, to create synergies and to build strong partnerships among stakeholders,” stated Minister Pingdwendé.
He also made a strong call for participants to dare to reinvent tourism, culinary arts, and local cultural expressions, which he described as the true treasures of the region.
For his part, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Célestin ZOUNGRANA, looked back on the evolution of VITHRO since its first edition in 2017. He praised the progress made and the reputation the event has gained over the years, becoming a space for dialogue, innovation, and collective development. He also underscored the ambition of this 5th edition, which aligns with a regional vision shared by the three AES countries, committed to building a prosperous and sustainable future together.
“It is time to pool our strengths, harmonize our policies, and collectively showcase the many cultural riches of our common area,” he said.
The five-day event includes conferences, exhibitions, culinary and craft fairs, as well as special community-themed days.
The opening ceremony concluded with a symbolic ribbon-cutting followed by a tour of the exhibition stands.
Source : DCRP/MCCAT
