Côte d’Ivoire Commits to Digital Future of Tourism with New Strategic Pact and Platform

Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Tourism  and Leisure of Côte d’Ivoire hosted DIGITOURISME Forum on July 31 in Abidjan, which brought together leaders from the public, private, and tech sectors, to explore concrete actions and new collaborations to build a modern, connected, sustainable, and sovereign Ivorian tourism. Cybastion  was a forum sponsor and participated in a series of strategic sessions.

The DIGITOURISME Forum unveiled the eTourism Platform, a global online platform designed to enhance the travel experience for tourists and streamline processes for the government and tour businesses. This online platform – a public-private partnership between Cybastion and the Ministry – will leverage innovative digital tools to position the country as a premier global destination, enhance governance within the Ivorian tourism and leisure sector, and generate new revenue streams.

The eTourism platform is expected to be launched later this year. This partnership will be executed over a 10-year period.

At the Forum, a strategic pact with key stakeholders was signed to accelerate digital innovation in the Ivorian tourism and leisure sector. Signatories included the Ivorian Ministry of Tourism and Leisure; sector associations representing tourism and leisure
businesses, including national federations and professional bodies; and technology and institutional partners supporting digital innovation and technology adoption.

The pact aims to strengthen a shared commitment to improve performance, innovation, inclusion, and sustainability within the country’s tourism and leisure sector. Yves de Lamotte Yoboué, Project Director for Cybastion’s Digital Solutions Business Unit, signed the strategic pact on behalf of Cybastion. Dr. Yaya Sylla, CEO of Sah Analytics and Sébastien Ellepo, CEO of NGSER were other technology partner signatories.

The strategic pact outlined key commitments from:

• The Ministry of Tourism and Leisure to strengthen digital infrastructure, implement a supportive and secure regulatory framework; integrate artificial intelligence ( AI ) and digital technologies into public policies; facilitate access to data and digital tools for both public and private actors; and coordinate stakeholders around a common roadmap.
• Technology partners agree to provide expertise, training, mentoring, and tailored digital solutions, including AI, big data, Internet of Things ( IOT ), booking platforms, and chat assistants. Partners will also work to improve interoperability of digital platforms, encourage the growth of startups in tourism innovation, and engage in strategic discussions on responsible and inclusive technology use.
• Sector associations representing tourism businesses have agreed to inform their members, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), about the importance of digitalization. The associations will promote collective projects to enhance the digitalization of businesses, improve service and management standards through digital solutions, and support innovation and technology adoption within the sector.

To monitor the progress and ensure accountability, a multi-stakeholder follow-up committee will be established. This committee will regularly evaluate the progress of the digital transformation efforts, recalibrate as necessary, and report on the progress.