The Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts has signed an updated
partnership framework agreement with the Organizing Committee of the Youth Olympic Games
(COJOJ) of Dakar 2026 and the Fédération des Organisations Patronales de l’Industrie
Touristique du Sénégal (FOPITS).
The signing ceremony took place on Monday, September 02, 2024 at the
ministerial Spheres in Diamniadio, in the presence of national directors,
general directors, professionals and other tourism stakeholders.
The Secretary General of the Ministry, Mouhamadou Moustapha Thioune, representing
Minister Mountaga DIAO, recalled that a partnership agreement had been
concluded between the various parties in 2020, while the YOG were due to be held in
2022 before being postponed due to Covid-19.
“The purpose of this (new) convention is to define the frameworks for collaboration
between the private tourism sectors, the State of Senegal represented by the Ministry
of Tourism and Handicrafts and the Organizing Committee of the YOG with a view to
better organization of the event,” explained the Secretary General who
delivered the Minister’s speech.
For this first Olympic Games to be held on African soil, Minister
believes that “this is a challenge for the African continent and an opportunity for
Senegal to develop key sectors of the economy, notably tourism and
crafts”.
According to him, it is also a “huge challenge for Senegal to succeed
in organizing this world event of unparalleled exigency”.
Indeed, Minister Mountaga DIAO reassured the partners that all aspects of
his Department’s sector would be implemented to offer a quality stay
to all profiles of participants with rich and varied experiences.
As well as being a challenge for the African continent, the YOG are an opportunity for
Senegal to develop key sectors of the economy, notably tourism and
crafts.
“In terms of intangible benefits, the YOG will undoubtedly contribute to
boosting the visibility and reputation of Destination Senegal, as well as
positioning Senegal’s tourism offering on new markets; which
will help us achieve our short- and medium-term objectives, in particular that
of reaching 3 million tourist arrivals by 2027,” he pointed out.
The Dakar 2026 Olympic Games are also a showcase for Senegal’s tangible and intangible heritage
, hence the call for citizen mobilization.
“In view of the hopes we have for the considerable spin-offs of the YOG for the
Senegal, but also the expectations of the international Olympic community vis-à-vis
Senegal, there is a need for a national mobilization around His
Excellence M. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar FAYE, President of the Republic of
Senegal, the Government under the leadership of its Prime Minister, Mr. Ousmane
SONKO and the Organizing Committee to meet the challenges of organizing the YOG
” declared the Minister who insisted on the welcome, accommodation, catering,
tourism and promotion of the Destination.
For Ibrahima WADE, General Coordinator of the COJOJ Dakar 2026, this
world sporting event will undoubtedly help breathe new life into
Senegalese tourism and better position Destination Senegal on
the global market.
“More than 6,000 officials and nearly 20,000 foreign participants
are expected to visit our country over a period of around four
weeks between October and November 2026,” revealed Mr. WADE, representing
Mamadou Diagna NDIAYE, President of the Senegalese National Olympic and Sports Committee
(CNOSS).
The Dakar 2026 YOG,” he continues, “is an excellent way of transforming the
perception of Senegal and Africa, while leaving a lasting legacy thanks to
infrastructure and countless intangible benefits.
Representing Mamadou Racine SY, President of FOPITS, Boubacar SABALY
praised the involvement of the Ministry of Tourism and Crafts in the
participative and federative approach.
He gave the full commitment of the national private sector of the tourism industry to
alongside the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts and the COJOJ.
“I can assure you that we will do everything in the hotel,
tourism and catering sectors to guarantee the quality of service that is expected of
us,” emphasized Mr. SABALY.
Concluding his remarks, Minister DIAO announced that his departments had
begun to draw up a specific action plan, including the
artisanal section, with a view to the Dakar 2026 YOG.
“This will focus on large-scale actions, in particular upgrading
tourism and hotel infrastructures, with an extensive programme of
classification and inspection; building the capacity of players to raise
levels of service; positioning the YOG at the heart of the
promotion strategy for Destination Senegal; reinforcing security and
formalization in the sector; capitalizing on the achievements of the YOG, in particular the
products and infrastructures designed on this occasion”, he indicated in his
speech read by the Secretary General, Mr. THIOUNE.