Ouahigouya: Private promoters of cultural and tourism businesses in Burkina Faso have called for the establishment of a framework for direct dialogue with President Captain Traore. This request emerged from a meeting held on Tuesday in Ouahigouya between government officials and private sector representatives.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the promoters issued a joint recommendation urging for "direct dialogue between private stakeholders in culture and tourism and His Excellency the President of Burkina Faso." The meeting emphasized the need for a national tourism council, decentralizing public procurement processes for restaurants to support local businesses, and ensuring airlines comply with tourism regulations to prevent them from soliciting customers individually.

Cultural stakeholders also pressed for the construction of high-quality cultural infrastructure as part of the President's major projects. Additionally, they advocated for enhanced support for artists during the National Culture Week (SNC), focusing on accommodation, transportation, and prizes for award winners.

Fidele Tamini, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, assured participants that these recommendations would be reported to his superiors. The recommendations were developed during a two-day session of the Administration-Private Sector Meeting on Culture and Tourism (RASPCT), organized at the request of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Of the seven recommendations adopted in 2023 within the same framework, six have been fully or partially implemented.