Five Tourism and Hospitality Professionals Honored by Ouagadougou Ministry

OUAGADOUGOU — On Saturday, October 28, 2023, the Ministry in charge of Culture recognized the contributions of five individuals in the tourism and hospitality sector as part of the special edition of the Ouagadougou International Tourism and Hospitality Exhibition (SITHO) and the International Tourism, Hotel and Catering Showcase of Ouagadougou (VITHRO).

According to a new release by Burkina Information Agency, the decoration ceremony was presided over by Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, the Minister in charge of Tourism and Government Spokesperson. Ouédraogo was joined by Guichen Agaichata, Minister of Tourism and Crafts of Niger. Five medals, comprising one Officer and four Knights in the Order of Merit for Arts, Letters, and Communication with Agrafe Tourisme et hôtellerie, were awarded.

In his address, Ouédraogo emphasized the importance of recognizing both public and private sector contributors who have shown commitment and dedication to the development of Burkina Faso’s tourism industry. “Each medal, beyond merit, is an invitation to more self-sacrifice at work, especially in these difficult times that our dear Burkina Faso is going through,” he said.

He further urged the recipients to use their awards as a source of inspiration for even more dedication and sacrifice in their roles, to work towards achieving a Burkina Faso built on the foundations of peace, renewed security, social cohesion, dignity, integrity, and prosperity.

Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Noufou Compaoré, the general administrator of the ARLY SAFARI travel and tourism agency and an Officer of the Order of Merit for Arts, Letters and Communication, expressed gratitude to the Ministry and dedicated his medal to the president of the Federation of Employers’ Organizations in Tourism and Hospitality (FOPATH) and its members.

“We are committed to meeting other challenges for the influence of culture and tourism in Burkina Faso,” Compaoré stated, expressing collective thanks and reiterating their commitment to further contribute to the sector.