Côte d’Ivoire aims to establish tourism as the third pillar of its economy with a target of attracting 5m foreign tourists per year and creating 700,000 jobs in the sector by 2025. These targets seek to build on the substantial gains the sector has made since the political and security situation stabilised in 2012. In the subsequent years tourism grew steadily, with international tourist arrivals rising 10-fold in 2011-19. The sector’s contribution to GDP increased from 0.6% to 8.5% over that same period, indicating robust recovery.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic and the imposition of global travel restrictions in early 2020, the government is forging ahead with investment plans to establish Côte d’Ivoire as a regional tourist destination. “Domestic tourism is a niche that could be further developed in the future, reducing reliance on foreign tourists while diversifying the client base,” Monique Philippe, general director of Ivoire Voyages Tourisme, told OBG.
Structure & Oversight
Responsibility for oversight and development of tourism falls under the Ministry of Tourism [MoT], and the sector is regulated by the Tourism Code. The National Tourism Board [Office National du Tourisme, ONT] implements the government’s tourism policy and promotes the country as a tourism destination. There are 12 separate Regional Tourism Directorates which are supported by 20 departmental directorates under the ONT. In addition, 11 foreign representative agencies are charged with promoting Côte d’Ivoire abroad.
Tourism operators, hotels, guides and other sector players are represented by two key umbrella organisations: the National Federation of Tourism of Côte d’ Ivoire [Féderation Nationale de l’Industrie Touristique de Côte d’Ivoire, FENITOURCI] and the National Federation of Hospitality of Côte d’Ivoire [Féderation Nationale de l’Industrie Hôtelière de Côte d’Ivoire, FNIH-CI].
FENITOURCI represents around 200 members and works to enhance their professional training and contributes to structuring the sector’s legal framework more broadly. FNIH-CI provides similar representation and services to its members and recently became an official member of the African Tourism Board. This continent-wide organisation fosters tourism through collaboration, marketing and investment promotion.
At the national level, the government’s tourism strategy is guided by an eight-year policy for the 2018-25 period known as Sublime Côte d’Ivoire. Comprising nine reforms, the policy is a CFA3.2trn [$5.5bn] development blueprint for overhauling the tourism landscape by strengthening the Tourism Code, upgrading transport and infrastructure, developing new attractions, and improving administrative procedures. Its principal goal is to position the country among the top-five tourism destinations on the continent.
Diverse Landscapes
Côte d’Ivoire has a wide array of tourist attractions, including cultural, religious and leisure sites, and underexploited niche segments such as sport or ecotourism. With four main cultural identities, over 60 ethnic groups and almost as many languages, Côte d’Ivoire is a culturally diverse country of 27m inhabitants well known for being receptive and hospitable towards foreigners. The country’s diversity is reflected in the various festivals celebrated throughout the year, with the Abissa festival in Grand-Bassam among the nation’s oldest and most popular events. The festival typically attracts thousands of visitors each year. Other festivals on offer include the Popo Carnival in Bonoua and the Ignames festival celebrated in the country’s east. With a substantial proportion of its natural environment relatively intact and undeveloped, as well as several large national parks, ecotourism is one of the industry’s high-potential segments.
Performance & Size
Following the launch of Sublime Côte d’Ivoire, the travel sector’s contribution to GDP increased from 6.3% in 2018 to 7.3% in 2019. The government also secured investment commitments worth more than $11.4bn. However, as with many countries around the world, the growth of the country’s tourism sector has stalled due to the pandemic. According to a study by FNIH-CI, turnover for the tourism and leisure sector fell by 73% in 2020. While the government offered financial support to the industry, only four of FENITOURCI’s 200 affiliated companies were able to access it due to stringent eligibility requirements. As a result of these disruptions, the sector’s contribution to GDP fell to 4.8% in 2020, the last year for which data is available.
According to figures from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the tourism sector contributed $2.1bn to the economy in 2020, a 44% decline from 2019. The industry also shed more than 218,000 jobs, bringing the sector headcount to around 492,000 people, or 5.9% of the workforce.
The sector continues to be driven by business tourism, representing 67% of travel and tourism spending in 2020, while leisure spending accounted for the remaining 33%. However, leisure spending as a share of tourism inflows continues to grow, having risen from 28% in 2017. Domestic spending is still the dominant source of tourism receipts, accounting for 89% of spending compared to 11% for international spending. In 2020 total tourism receipts fell to $900m compared to almost $2bn in 2019.
Prior to the pandemic, the WTTC had forecast an increase in business travel spending of 7.6% in 2019, with leisure spending expected to increase by 5.9% the same year. With Côte d’Ivoire hosting a series of major international events in 2022 and 2023, including the COP15 to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, the Africa Cup of Nations and the third Intra-African Trade Fair, the government is hoping to attract more international business and leisure travellers.
Visitor Numbers & Source Markets
The number of international visitors rose sharply from 300,000 in 2012 to 2.1m in 2019; however, it fell to 668,000 in 2020 due to the pandemic. French nationals accounted for 24% of inbound arrivals in 2020, followed by residents of Guinea (13%), Burkina Faso (9%), Mali (8%) and Senegal (7%). This marked a slight decrease in French tourists. US visitors declined significantly, from 7% of total foreign arrivals in 2019 to virtually zero in 2020. Domestic tourism fell sharply, with slightly less than half the number of trips taken in 2020 compared to 2019.
Cote d’Ivoire 2022 – Tourism – Ivoire Voyages Tourisme
Apart from the pandemic, Côte d’Ivoire is also working to tackle issues that undermine its competitiveness as a regional and global tourism destination. In the 2019 World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, Côte d’Ivoire ranked 119th out of 140 countries, with poor road and port infrastructure cited as one of the principal challenges. In recent years, the government has implemented visa liberalisation policies while also investing in road and national park infrastructure in an effort to attract more foreign tourists. Developing infrastructure is one of the nine priority reforms outlined in Sublime Côte d’Ivoire.
Hotel Infrastructure
The hotel industry in the country is highly competitive. However, there are a limited number of quality establishments, and this presents an opportunity for both luxury and niche hotel operators. There are approximately 2000 hotels in the country, with a total capacity of 38,000 rooms. Most are in Abidjan, where several leading international hotel chains, including Sofitel, Pullman, Ibis and Radisson, have entered the market in recent years and plan to expand their portfolio in the country. Others such as Novotel, Adagio, Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and Sheraton are also set to launch hotels.
According to the “2021 Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa” report published by the W Hospitality Group, Côte d’Ivoire ranks in the top-10 African countries in terms of its hotel chain development pipeline. There are 15 hotels currently planned or under construction, which will add an additional 2337 rooms to the hotel portfolio.
Business Tourism
Côte d’Ivoire ranks third on the continent for business tourism, behind Nigeria and Morocco. Business travel accounts for more than two-thirds of tourist spending, mostly from regional conferences and exhibitions. Despite this, the country’s potential to become a regional destination for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions remains largely untapped. There is currently no major conference centre able to accommodate more than 5000 people. The Abidjan Conference Centre, which spans approximately 2000 sq metres, is the only large venue and is located outside of the city centre. To address this issue, the MoT is focusing on expanding conference facility infrastructure.
One of the projects in the pipeline is the Abidjan Business City, a scheme to create a central location for hosting meetings and conferences, which will include a 5000-person-capacity conference centre and hall. The WTTC forecasts that business tourism spending will double from the CFA1.5trn [$2.6bn] registered in 2018 to nearly CFA3trn [$5.2bn] in 2029.
Niche Markets
Tourism segments like ecotourism, agro-tourism and cruises also hold immense potential. Côte d’Ivoire is a major producer of high-quality cocoa and coffee. Building tourism experiences around these plantations could attract more visitors. This model of tourism has already seen some success in other African countries such as Ghana and Rwanda.
Since 2016 the government has also accelerated efforts to promote ecotourism through the conservation of parks and national reserves. The West African country is also a signatory of the first African Charter on Sustainable and Responsible Tourism. Several initiatives have already enjoyed success, including an ecotourism project in Taï National Park that invests in the conservation of animals like chimpanzees through sustainable tourism initiatives. The government also has an agreement with Le Vertendre, a Canadian specialist in sustainable development, to build eco-lodges in the country. Under Sublime Côte d’Ivoire, and with the support of regional bodies such as ECOWAS, efforts are also under way to promote cruise tourism across the region. Luxury cruise line companies already operate tours that stopover in Abidjan.
The MoT has identified creating an effective marketing strategy as key to revitalising the tourism sector. Following its successful hosting of World Tourism Day 2021 celebrations in Abidjan, a rebranding was conducted as part of a new marketing campaign for 2022. The director-general of Côte d’Ivoire Tourism, Malékah Mourad-Condé, also unveiled a new logo, song and slogan – “Ivory Coast, inspiring land of hospitality” – to promote tourism in the country in early 2022. A website showcasing the country’s diverse tourism offerings is also in the pipeline as part of the strategy.
Sport Tourism
For decades, Cote d’Ivoire was a football mecca for so many West African and African footballers before the country itself largely went on to developed and produced some of the best players on the continent.
The tournament kicks off on 13th of January and will end on 11th of February 2024 featuring 24 Teams with matched expected to be played in six venues in five cities across the country.
Stadiums
Alassane Ouattara Stadium
Commonly known as the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé and formerly as the National Stadium of the Ivory Coast, is a multi-purpose stadium in Ebimpé and Anyama, in northern Abidjan. It opened in 2020 and it’s a 60, 000 capacity stadium.
The Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium
Nicknamed Le Félicia, is a multi-purpose stadium, which can host football, rugby union and athletics, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. It is the former national stadium of the Ivory Coast national football team. It is named after the first president of the country, Félix Houphouët-Boigny, and is in the commune of Le Plateau. The stadium has a capacity of 33,000 and the home ground of the ASEC Mimosa football club.
Stade de la Paix is a multi-use stadium.
Based in Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium holds 40,000 people. Along with Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny.
Laurent Pokou Stadium
Is located in San-Pédro is a city in southwestern and it is the nation’s second largest port and the seat of Bas-Sassandra District and San-Pédro Region. It is also a commune and the seat of and a sub-prefecture of San-Pédro Department. It has a capacity for 20,000 people.
Charles Konan Banny Stadium
Yamoussoukro is the de jure capital of Ivory Coast and an autonomous district. As of the 2014 census, Yamoussoukro is the fifth most populous city in Ivory Coast with a population of 212,670. It has a capacity for 20,000 people.
Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium
Is a football stadium in Korhogo, Ivory Coast. The stadium has a capacity of 20,000 seats.
It is a new stadium named after Amadou Gon Coulibaly, who was Prime Minister from 2017 to his death in 2020.
Best Tourist Places In Ivory Coast To Visit
Ivory Coast is known for its vibrant nightlife, as well as its thriving arts and culture. Visitors can explore the bustling markets, sample the delicious food and even try a bit of traditional music. Let’s check out the top 5 best tourist places in Ivory Coast and get the most fantastic experiences on your travel journey!
Grand-Bassam
Grand Bassam was once the capital of the French colonial empire in West Africa. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to several colonial-era buildings. When traveling to the historic town of Grand-Bassam, don’t miss out on some famous tourist attractions in Ivory Coast, such as Grand Bassam Beach, Grand Bassam Museum, Grand Bassam Library, and Colonial Buildings.
Among them, Grand Bassam contributes significantly to the development of beach tourism since it draws many tourists seeking serenity to the beach. Additionally, there are restaurants and resorts lining this very long beach, which may persuade you to remain longer than you had initially intended.
Abidjan [Nightlife]
Abidjan is the largest city as well as the country’s commercial and cultural hub. It is home to some of the best nightlife in Africa, with a variety of trendy cafes and restaurants as well as a multitude of markets and shopping centers. That’s why Abidjan has been known as one of the top tourist attractions on the Ivory Coast for years. The restaurants in Abidjan serve up both tasty local dishes and international cuisine; hence tourists can choose the one that best suits their taste.
If you visit Abidjan, you should make sure that St. Paul’s Cathedral is included in your itinerary. The church of St. Paul was designed by the Italian architect Aldo Spirito and is unique. The panoramic stained-glass windows are the highlights of the church, making it more attractive. Visiting St. Paul church, tourists can find artistic and modern mosaics which depict Catholic Stations of the Cross.
Since Abidjan is in the equatorial region of Africa, its climate differs from that of the rest of the world. The best time to visit this attraction is from November to January when the weather is drier than the other humid months of the year.
Yamoussoukro
Yamoussoukro is the political capital of the Ivory Coast and home to the country’s largest mosque, the Grande Mosquée de Yamoussoukro. Visitors can explore the city’s historic sites or visit the nearby Akouédo National Park. Yamoussoukro is also known for its vibrant nightlife scene and is a popular destination for travelers looking to experience the best of Ivory Coast’s culture.
When it comes to some of the most popular tourist destinations in Yamoussoukro, the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro should be on the list. It is the largest Christian church in the world, surpassing St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. The Basilica’s interior is decorated with marble that was entirely imported from Italy and illuminated by thousands of lights.
The Grand Mosque of Yamoussoukro is another tourist destination that you should not miss on your Ivory Coast trip. The massive mosque in the heart of Yamoussoukro, one of the Ivory Coast’s most prominent religious structures, was constructed in the 20th century under the order of the country’s first president Houphout Boigny, drawing large numbers of locals and foreign tourists.
The many tiles adorning the columns within the mosque were imported from Morocco, whereas the casted iron for the mosque’s giant doors was made in France. When visiting The Grand Mosque of Yamoussoukro, please be aware that tourists must take off their shoes before entering the mosque, and ladies must also cover their heads with veils.
Tai National Park
Tai National Park is one of West Africa’s greatest wildlife sanctuaries and home to a wide variety of species, including chimpanzees, elephants, and gorillas. It is a primary rainforest and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1982. Visiting Tai National Park, tourists will have the opportunity to encounter some incredible things, including bird-watching and wildlife spotting, in a place with spectacular scenic beauty. Additionally, must-try experiences for tourists consist of hiking treks through the rainforest and witnessing the park’s enormous biodiversity.
The road to Tai National Park is a dirt track, and it becomes impassable during rainy weather. Djouroutou is the village for Tai National Park entry, approximately 215 km from San Pedro.
Therefore, it is recommended that you visit this attraction in the dry season to have an authentic adventure.
Assinie-Mafia
Assinie-Mafia is a coastal resort town in the south-eastern Ivory Coast. For beach lovers who are searching for a place to evade the urban stresses, and noises from the nearby mega-city of Abidjan, there is no better place than Assinie-Mafia. Assinie-Mafia is now equipped with numerous luxurious hotels, bars, and high-end restaurants, which best suits a romantic honeymoon.
A beach holiday here offers you a perfect mixture of relaxation and sightseeing, the beaches are beautiful and clean, and the waters are warm and inviting.
Ivory Coast is an African nation filled with incredible tourist spots. Whether you’re looking for historical sites, natural wonders, or vibrant nightlife, Ivory Coast has something for you. So, if you’re looking to explore the best of what Africa has to offer, make sure to add Ivory Coast to your list of must-visit destinations.
Outlook
According to Oxford Economics Africa, the number of jobs created by tourism will exceed 2019 levels by 2024, while visitor arrivals are set to eclipse pre-pandemic levels by 2025 especially with Africa’s Nations Cup holding across six venues and 5 major cities across the country that sure attracts thousands of football fans, tourists, and media from around the world.
First published by Oxford Business Group with Additional report by African Travel Times
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