Ouagadougou: The Federation of Employers’ Organizations of the Hotel and Tourism Industry of Burkina Faso (FOPAHT-B) has reiterated its dedication to collaborating with the government to enhance tourism in the nation. This was articulated during a press conference held on September 15, 2025, under the theme “support for government initiatives for attractive, competitive, and sustainable tourism in Burkina Faso.”
According to Burkina Information Agency, the event provided an opportunity for stakeholders to express their appreciation for the government’s recent decision to introduce free visas for all Africans. FOPAHT-B President Mamoudou Pierre Celestin Zoungrana described this decision as a significant transformation for Burkinabe tourism, promoting African integration, free movement, and competitiveness.
Zoungrana highlighted the government’s clear intent to revitalize tourism as a vital component of economic and social development. He expressed confidence in ongoing presidential initiatives, including the construction of the Thomas Sankara Memorial and the development of three strategic dams in the capital, which are expected to bolster domestic and inbound tourism.
Additionally, Mr. Zoungrana praised the regulation requiring developers of furnished villas to adhere to current standards. This measure aims to eliminate unfair competition, enhance transparency, and safeguard the investments of hoteliers, who are crucial to the sector’s vitality.
FOPAHT-B also called for acknowledgment as the central body for Burkina Faso’s tourism sector. The federation seeks support through various requests, such as accommodation vouchers for missionaries to boost domestic tourism and regulation of catering services to address unfair competition.
Further proposals include regional development through interstate tourist circuits and reduced charges for tourist accommodation establishments by aligning utility billing practices with those of industrial units.
Established in 2010, FOPAHT-B serves as the umbrella organization for professional associations in Burkina Faso’s tourism, hotel, and restaurant industries, aiming to enhance the nation’s tourism image, as concluded by Mr. Zoungrana.