On Thursday, September 19, 2024, the Director General of the Burkinabè National Tourism Office (ONTB) met with culinary professionals, travel agencies, and associations promoting tourism and hospitality. The meeting aimed to prepare for the 14th edition of the International Tourism and Hospitality Fair of Ouagadougou (SITHO), scheduled from November 28 to December 1, 2024, under the theme: "Tourism, a Factor in the Promotion of Identities and Cultural Diversity."

During the meeting, the Director General emphasized the importance of involving culinary professionals in the event, urging them to fully embrace their role in showcasing Burkinabè cuisine at SITHO. Soulaïman KAGONE highlighted the opportunity for these professionals to display the country's rich culinary heritage, contributing to the promotion of tourism through the enhancement of the nation's gastronomic assets.

The participants expressed their gratitude for being included in this preparatory phase of SITHO 2024 and made suggestions to enhance the representation of gastronomy at the event, with the ambition of making it a key driver of tourism attraction.