In November, Senegal will host the first International Coastal and Cruise Tourism Exhibition (SATOLIC), bringing together several countries of the sub-region.
A turning point for the tourism industry in West Africa. From November 20 to 23, 2024, the Place du Souvenir Africain in Dakar will host the first International Coastal and Cruise Tourism Exhibition (SATOLIC). The event, which “promises to revolutionise the region’s tourism landscape,” will showcase the exceptional natural assets of Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Cape Verde, the Senegalese Tourism Promotion Agency (ASPT) said in a press release to APA on Monday.
This innovative exhibition will bring together the main players in the sector and offer a unique platform to explore the vast potential of cruise tourism in Senegal and throughout the sub-region.
With its strategic location “at the center of the world,” the Port of Dakar has positioned itself as an essential hub for international cruises. More than twenty ships call here each year, offering travelers the opportunity to immerse themselves in Senegal’s rich culture and fascinating history, ASPT points out. SATOLIC’s ambition is to “launch an interstate cruise linking the participating countries, complemented by a strategic air bridge.”
Senegalese officials hope this “bold initiative” will revolutionise the tourism landscape of the West African coast, while putting Senegal and its neighbors on the world map of cruise destinations. The goal is to attract a new wave of travelers in search of authentic, diverse adventures.
It will also boost the sub-regional tourism offer and optimise the use of existing port infrastructures. Beyond the economic spin-offs, the fair will highlight Senegal’s commitment to responsible tourism, with particular emphasis on the preservation of coastal and river ecosystems and the involvement of local communities in tourism development, according to ASPT.
ODL/sf/ac/lb/as/APA