ECOWAS is set to attract 10 million intra-community tourists to West Africa annually by 2029, strengthening regional economic growth. At a high-level workshop in The Gambia, Commissioner Massandje Toure-Litse highlighted the importance of tourism in driving GDP and job creation.
Represented by Dr. Tony Elumelu, she emphasized that the ECOTOR policy will enhance tourism standards, streamline hotel classification, and improve staff mobility, aligning with the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol.
Under the leadership of ECOWAS President Dr. Omar Touray, tourism is being prioritized as a catalyst for sustainable development, with a target contribution of at least 12% to member states’ GDP.
The Gambia, where tourism generates $85 million annually and supports 82,000 jobs, was chosen as the host for a five-day training workshop aimed at enhancing sector efficiency.
The initiative seeks to create a competitive and integrated tourism market, improving infrastructure, boosting private sector performance, and making West Africa a top global travel destination.
