ECOWAS Concludes Regional Tourism Training with Focus on Intra-Community Travel Growth
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has concluded a five-day regional tourism training workshop in Banjul, The Gambia, reinforcing its commitment to boosting intra-community tourism. The initiative forms part of the ECOTOUR Regional Policy (2021–2030) and aims to attract 10 million intra-regional tourists annually by 2029. Discussions focused on responsible tourism, easing cross-border mobility, and fostering economic integration across West Africa. Officials highlighted the importance of harmonised policies and collaborations to enhance tourism’s contribution to job creation and sustainable development.
Key recommendations from the workshop included decentralising training to reach rural and border communities, strengthening collaboration with immigration authorities, and introducing cross-border simulation exercises. The Gambia’s role as a key tourism hub was also underscored, with the sector contributing 20% to the country’s GDP. Bringing together tourism professionals and policymakers from ECOWAS Member States, the training emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to removing mobility barriers and advancing regional tourism integration. Participants received certificates of completion, marking ECOWAS’ ongoing investment in capacity building and professional development within the sector.
Source: Ecowas
