It was in 1978, nearly fifty years ago. That year, Josiane Balasko and Gérard Jugnot, Michel Blanc and Thierry Lhermitte, were visiting the Club Méditerranée village at Assinie, Côte d’Ivoire, to shoot Les Bronzés.
Since then, the brand with the trident has left the country, the iconic club disappeared and only the faded images of the cult Splendid film remain, a testament to a time when Côte d’Ivoire was a top-tier tourist destination.
After the troubles of the early 21st century and the return to political stability for fifteen years, the country intends to double down to regain its tourist splendor.
Since then, the brand with the trident has left the country, the iconic club disappeared and only the faded images of the cult Splendid film remain, a testament to a time when Côte d’Ivoire was a top-tier tourist destination.
After the troubles of the early 21st century and the return to political stability for fifteen years, the country intends to double down to regain its tourist splendor.
Ivory Coast: Ten million visitors expected by 2030
Côte d’Ivoire is the eighth most-visited tourist destination on the African continent, attracting 6.7 million international visitors (mostly from Africa) in 2025, compared with only two million a decade ago.
The Ivory Coast now aims to break into the Top 5 by lifting this figure to ten million by the end of this decade, and to quickly raise tourism’s share of GDP from 7.6% today to 10%.
This also raises hopes for the creation of one million jobs. “Tourism is an opportunity, while 75% of the population is under 35” said the Minister of Tourism and Leisure Siandou Fofana, during a visit to Paris for the IFTM trade fair.
The Ivory Coast now aims to break into the Top 5 by lifting this figure to ten million by the end of this decade, and to quickly raise tourism’s share of GDP from 7.6% today to 10%.
This also raises hopes for the creation of one million jobs. “Tourism is an opportunity, while 75% of the population is under 35” said the Minister of Tourism and Leisure Siandou Fofana, during a visit to Paris for the IFTM trade fair.
“We need France”
To achieve this, Côte d’Ivoire is counting especially on France, both for inviting its residents to discover the country and for attracting investors who are still too timid.
The GDP of Côte d’Ivoire has been growing 6 to 7% per year for fifteen years, but we still suffer from an image from another era in France. The clichés are tenacious » regrets the minister.
We embrace our French heritage and are unapologetic in our relations with your country to move forward hand in hand. We need France and French tourists.
The GDP of Côte d’Ivoire has been growing 6 to 7% per year for fifteen years, but we still suffer from an image from another era in France. The clichés are tenacious » regrets the minister.
We embrace our French heritage and are unapologetic in our relations with your country to move forward hand in hand. We need France and French tourists.
Encouraging business travelers to engage in tourism
In his ten-year tenure, as a symbol of the political and economic stability regained, the minister is counting in particular on business tourism to achieve these objectives.
Thus the Abidjan Exhibition Park (5,000 seats) inaugurated in 2023, sized to host major conferences and international trade shows, while the capital Abidjan is establishing itself as a major economic hub of West Africa.
The ambition is also to encourage these business travelers to add a few days on site or to return for leisure, with the aim of increasing tourism receipts.
Thus the Abidjan Exhibition Park (5,000 seats) inaugurated in 2023, sized to host major conferences and international trade shows, while the capital Abidjan is establishing itself as a major economic hub of West Africa.
The ambition is also to encourage these business travelers to add a few days on site or to return for leisure, with the aim of increasing tourism receipts.
Partner of Olympique de Marseille
And notably the French, the leading international market (outside Africa) with 112,000 visitors last year, of whom 70% came for professional reasons.
Many settle for a stay in Abidjan, sometimes heading as far as the political capital Yamoussoukro (250 km) to visit the Basilica Notre-Dame de la Paix, inaugurated in 1989 and inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
This translates into enhanced visibility for the destination. Côte d’Ivoire is leaning on sport, following the Rwanda model. The country is a sponsor of the football club Olympique de Marseille with which it renewed for three years, and of the rugby club Stade Français.
Many settle for a stay in Abidjan, sometimes heading as far as the political capital Yamoussoukro (250 km) to visit the Basilica Notre-Dame de la Paix, inaugurated in 1989 and inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
This translates into enhanced visibility for the destination. Côte d’Ivoire is leaning on sport, following the Rwanda model. The country is a sponsor of the football club Olympique de Marseille with which it renewed for three years, and of the rugby club Stade Français.
Four Seasons, Fairmont and Raffles hotels expected by 2030
The Return of the Elephants
Not aiming to compete with Tanzania or Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire also plans to ride the wave of wildlife tourism and ecotourism. Elephants, which had disappeared from Côte d’Ivoire, are slowly returning from neighboring countries and would now number around 500.
Particularly in Comoé National Park, far to the east of the country. But for now, it remains strongly advised against by the Quai d’Orsay due to the proximity of Mali and Burkina Faso, with a high risk of terrorism and kidnapping.
« We control our borders and security is assured » assures Siandou Fofana, who hopes to persuade French authorities to change their minds.
If not, a few rare elephants can be spotted in Taï National Park (in the west). Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is also home to hippos, monkeys and numerous bird species.
Particularly in Comoé National Park, far to the east of the country. But for now, it remains strongly advised against by the Quai d’Orsay due to the proximity of Mali and Burkina Faso, with a high risk of terrorism and kidnapping.
« We control our borders and security is assured » assures Siandou Fofana, who hopes to persuade French authorities to change their minds.
If not, a few rare elephants can be spotted in Taï National Park (in the west). Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is also home to hippos, monkeys and numerous bird species.
An amusement park under construction
Even more surprising, Ivory Coast is betting on a future amusement park to attract visitors. Officially announced this summer, this project of Songon Oriental Park, on the outskirts of Abidjan, is led by a Chinese consortium.
The first phase, which should open by late 2028, will combine leisure spaces, a water park and a hotel.
A second phase will add a “snow and ice” complex and a hotel for business tourism with the ambition of eventually hosting five million visitors per year.
The first phase, which should open by late 2028, will combine leisure spaces, a water park and a hotel.
A second phase will add a “snow and ice” complex and a hotel for business tourism with the ambition of eventually hosting five million visitors per year.
Published by Thierry Beaurepère Journalist View all articles by Thierry Beaurepère
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