By Yunus S. Saliu
The Confederation of Employers’ Organizations of the Tourism Industry (COPITOUR) is stepping up efforts to secure official recognition from the ECOWAS Commission as part of moves to strengthen regional tourism cooperation and integration.
The decision was taken at a COPITOUR Bureau meeting held on Sept. 11 in Sal, Cabo Verde, attended by representatives from Senegal, Liberia, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia and Togo.
The Gambian delegation called on COPITOUR President Mamadou Racine Sy to pursue and conclude the process of securing official recognition from the ECOWAS Commission.
The delegation also proposed that COPITOUR seek an audience with the new President of the ECOWAS Commission to present the organisation’s achievements, ambitions and plans for the regional tourism industry.
Responding to the proposals, Sy agreed to pursue the initiative and said he would seek a meeting with the ECOWAS Commission President in the coming days, either in Abuja or Dakar, depending on availability.
The meeting also agreed on measures to strengthen COPITOUR’s internal strategy and operations.
The Liberian representative proposed updating the organisation’s strategy ahead of the planned engagement with ECOWAS and establishing a small committee to review and operationalise previous COPITOUR resolutions.
Sy subsequently directed member states to submit their contributions and proposals for the development of COPITOUR’s strategy within eight days.
The meeting further agreed to integrate EXPOTUR into COPITOUR’s programme of activities, recognising its potential role in promoting tourism and strengthening exchanges across the region.
The Bureau meeting, chaired by Sy, also reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening COPITOUR and advancing the interests of the regional tourism sector.
The meeting highlighted Cabo Verde’s growing tourism industry, with COPITOUR’s Cabo Verdean counterpart, Spencer Lima, saying tourism contributes about 25 percent of the country’s GDP.
He added that the island of Sal receives about 700,000 visitors annually.
The meeting concluded with a call for stronger cohesion among member organisations and renewed efforts to position COPITOUR as a stronger voice for the tourism industry in West Africa.
Key next steps include the preparation of COPITOUR’s strategy, establishment of the review committee, engagement with the ECOWAS Commission and incorporation of EXPOTUR into the organisation’s regional programme.