Ouagadougou — A special edition of the Ouagadougou International Tourism and Hospitality Exhibition (SITHO) and the International Showcase of Tourism, Hospitality, and Catering of Ouagadougou (VITHRO) included a popular cross country walk and an aerobics session. The event took place on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at the SIAO site in Ouagadougou.
According to a new release by Burkina Information Agency, the event attracted over 200 participants, including stakeholders in the tourism industry, agents from the Ministry of Communication, Culture, Arts, and Tourism, and members of the national organizing committee.
Significantly, the police forces—including the national police, municipal police, and the national police academy—participated in large numbers. The event began at the Ouagadougou International Craft Fair (SIAO) and covered a distance of 3 kilometers before looping back to the starting point.
Among the attendees was Adama Segda, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication, Culture, Arts, and Tourism. Segda highlighted that the event aims to allow the Burkinabè people to engage in sport for better well-being and mutual understanding. “The cross country and aerobics session aims to remind the Burkinabè people that they must unite and speak the same language,” she said.
Segda also emphasized the role of tourism in fostering social cohesion. She mentioned that tourism is a sector that allows for the integration of people through visits to various countries, regions, and local tourist sites. Through travel, people can better understand different cultures and learn to tolerate each other, she added.