A tourism expert, Mr Ikechi Uko, has called on tour operators across West Africa to forge stronger partnerships to boost intra-regional travel and tourism.
Uko made this call during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the just-concluded 8th West African Travel Expo, Accraweizo 2025, held in Accra, Ghana.
Themed “Reimagining the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol,” this year’s edition ran from June 27 to July 1 and focused on unlocking opportunities for seamless travel within the sub-region. A major highlight was a dedicated summit for West African tour operators and transporters.
Uko, who also convenes the annual event, explained that the summit was designed to bring tour operators and transport service providers together to network, exchange ideas, and take collective action to improve regional tourism.
“Transporters and tour operators have sustained regional travel, but they’ve rarely worked together,” he said. “So, we thought, let’s bring them together—to network, challenge one another, and take a united stance on how to move forward.”
He applauded the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for showing interest in the initiative, noting that the organisation had previously engaged in tourism only at the national level. “Now they see the value in working directly with practitioners,” he said.
According to Uko, ECOWAS has requested a comprehensive report based on the summit’s discussions. He revealed that tour operators are identifying five key issues and recommendations, which will be compiled into a participatory report to be submitted to the ECOWAS president.
Uko also disclosed plans already underway for Accraweizo 2026, including the expected participation of 21 East African tour operators who aim to connect with West African counterparts.
“Our goal is to simplify access to cities across West Africa, improve airport and border processes, and encourage regional tourism,” he said. “West Africa is rich in culture and heritage, with over 400 million people, yet it receives the least number of tourists in Africa. That needs to change.”
During the summit, calls for unity and improved cross-border tourism were echoed by stakeholders. Yvonne Donkor, President of the Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA), emphasized the need for consistent policy advocacy and partnerships to remove barriers to travel.
Similarly, Mrs Bolaji Mustapha, President of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), highlighted the role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in developing critical infrastructure like border posts, roads, and transportation. She also proposed bilingual collaboration to bridge language divides within the region.
The event underscored a renewed commitment to breaking down barriers to travel in West Africa and leveraging collaboration as a key driver for regional tourism growth.
