# West Africa Tourism Organisation (WATO)

> Developing and Promoting West Africa Through Tourism

WATO is a membership-based regional tourism organisation covering West Africa. This site publishes destination guides for member states, regional projects, events, news and a partner directory. Every public page is available in English, Français, Português under a /{locale}/ URL prefix (e.g. /fr/about).

## Key pages

- [About](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/about): mandate, governance and history of the organisation
- [Membership](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/membership): membership categories, application process and member directory
- [Destinations](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/destinations): travel guides for each member state
- [Projects](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/projects): regional tourism development programmes
- [Events](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/events): summits, expos and webinars
- [News](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/news): press releases, articles and industry insights
- [Partners](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners): institutional and industry partners
- [Media](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/media): photo and video library
- [Contact](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/contact): secretariat contact details

## Destinations

- [Benin](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/destinations/benin): Voodoo & Royalty
- [Burkina Faso](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/destinations/burkina-faso): Crafts & Cinema
- [Cabo Verde](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/destinations/cabo-verde): Islands & Music
- [Côte d'Ivoire](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/destinations/cote-divoire): Basilica & Cocoa
- [Gambia](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/destinations/gambia): Smiling Coast
- [Ghana](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/destinations/ghana): Heritage & Castles
- [Guinea](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/destinations/guinea): Highlands & Rivers
- [Guinea-Bissau](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/destinations/guinea-bissau): Archipelago & Hippos
- [Liberia](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/destinations/liberia): Surfing & Rainforest
- [Mali](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/destinations/mali): Mosques & Dogon
- [Mauritania](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/destinations/mauritania): Sahara & Libraries
- [Niger](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/destinations/niger): Agadez & Giraffes
- [Nigeria](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/destinations/nigeria): Culture & Nollywood
- [Senegal](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/destinations/senegal): Heritage & Culture
- [Sierra Leone](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/destinations/sierra-leone): Beaches & Rainforest
- [Togo](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/destinations/togo): Batammariba & Cocoa
- [São Tomé & Príncipe](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/destinations/sao-tome-principe): Chocolate & Volcanoes
- [Cameroon](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/destinations/cameroon): Africa in Miniature
- [Saint Helena](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/destinations/saint-helena): Remote Island Heritage

## Projects

- [ECOTOUR Regional Tourism Policy & Action Plan (2019–2029)](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/projects/ecotour): ECOWAS 10-Year Regional Tourism Action Plan & Biodiversity Preservation Framework
- [Casamance Ecotourism Circuit Development Programme](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/projects/casamance-ecotourism-circuit): Community-Led Trail & Homestay Network Across the Casamance River Delta
- [SEE AFRICA (See, Hear, Eat, Wear Africa)](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/projects/shew-africa): A Regional Community-Empowerment Initiative Celebrating West Africa’s Living Heritage
- [WAIT (West Africa Integrated Travel Initiative)](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/projects/wait): Connecting West Africa Seamlessly, Eliminating Border Roadblocks & Promoting "Visit West Africa"
- [Tacugama Ecotourism Sanctuary Partnership](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/projects/tacugama-ecotourism-sanctuary-partnership): Wildlife Conservation Tourism & Ranger Livelihoods in the Western Area Peninsula Forest
- [WAEN — West Africa Ecotourism Network](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/projects/waen): An immersive gateway to West Africa’s rainforests, wildlife, and living cultures
- [NEW SHEW PROJECT (Sustainable Heritage & Ecotourism Workforce)](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/projects/new-shew-project): Implementing ECOWAS Tourism Priorities: Biodiversity, Statistics & Regional Growth

## Events

- [AeroWest Summit](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/events/aerowest-summit): The summit convenes stakeholders from aviation, tourism, and public/private sectors to address regional connectivity and economic development, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, investors and innovators. [CRM demo update #1] [CRM demo update #2]
- [World Travel Market Africa](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/events/world-travel-market-africa): World Travel Market Africa and Africa Travel Week in Cape Town, welcoming trade visitors, exhibitors, and hosted buyers from the tourism industry. [CRM demo update #1] [CRM demo update #2]
- [Nigeria Day at WTM 2024](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/events/nigeria-day-at-wtm-2024): A celebration showcasing Nigeria's cultural heritage and tourism offerings, held at the Nigeria stand during World Travel Market 2024.
- [WTM London 2024](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/events/wtm-london-2024): Over 50,000 travel & tourism professionals from across the globe gathered to network and grow their business at WTM London 2024. [CRM demo update #1] [CRM demo update #2]
- [WATO ARIYA 2020](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/events/wato-ariya-2020): An annual tourism expo marking the organisation's ten-year milestone, celebrating persistent effort by WATO to drive tourism initiatives in West Africa. [CRM demo update #1] [CRM demo update #2]
- [OACPS Online Webinar for World Tourism Day](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/events/oacps-online-webinar-for-world-tourism-day): The Organization of African Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) hosted a public-private sector engagement webinar for World Tourism Day, featuring WATO CEO Ola Wright. [CRM demo update #1] [CRM demo update #2]

## News

- [The World's Ten Best Ethical Destinations 2021: Special COVID-19 Edition](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/news/worlds-ten-best-ethical-destinations-2021-covid-19-edition): Ethical Traveler's annual report examines ten countries recognised for ethical tourism practices during the pandemic, modifying its methodology to evaluate COVID-19 response and sustainable recovery.
- [Adventure and Nature Play Together in Sao Tome](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/news/adventure-and-nature-play-together-in-sao-tome): São Tomé and Príncipe, unspoilt by mass tourism, offers hiking, diving, birdwatching and surfing alongside misty rainforests, white-sand beaches and rich cultural heritage. [CRM demo update #1] [CRM demo update #2]
- [WATO Hosts Tourism Investment Forum at WTM 2019](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/news/wato-hosts-tourism-investment-forum-at-wtm-2019): WATO organised a Tourism Investment Forum at World Travel Market London to highlight West Africa as an emerging tourism destination and discuss foreign investment opportunities. [CRM demo update #1] [CRM demo update #2]
- [WATO & WTCF Sign MOU](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/news/wato-wtcf-sign-mou): WATO signed a cooperation framework agreement with the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) during the Second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing to advance tourism development in West and Central Africa. [CRM demo update #1] [CRM demo update #2]

## Partners

- [African Union (AU)](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/african-union): Continental Union & Agenda 2063 Secretariat
- [Agence Nationale de Promotion des Patrimoines (ANPT Benin)](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/benin-anpt): National Heritage & Tourism Agency
- [Agence Nationale de Promotion Touristique du Mali (APTM)](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/mali-aptm): National Tourism Promotion Bureau
- [Agence Nigérienne de Promotion du Tourisme (ANPT Niger)](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/niger-anpt): National Tourism Office
- [Agence Sénégalaise de Promotion Touristique (ASPT)](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/senegal-tourism-aspt): National Tourism Promotion Agency
- [Air Côte d'Ivoire](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/air-cote-divoire): National Airline Carrier
- [ASky Airlines](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/asky-airlines): Pan-African Regional Airline Carrier
- [Centro de Promoção do Turismo da Guiné-Bissau](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/guinea-bissau-turismo): National Tourism Promotion Bureau
- [Côte d'Ivoire Tourisme](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/cote-divoire-tourisme): National Tourism Promotion Office
- [Direcção do Turismo e Hotelaria de São Tomé](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/sao-tome-turismo): National Directorate of Tourism
- [ECOWAS Commission](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/ecowas-commission): Regional Economic Community & Policy Sponsor
- [Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard)](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/gambia-tourism-board): National Tourism Authority
- [Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA)](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/ghana-tourism-authority): National Tourism Promotion Board
- [GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation)](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/giz-germany): Sustainable Development & Capacity Partner
- [Instituto do Turismo de Cabo Verde (ITCV)](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/cabo-verde-turismo-itcv): National Island Tourism Institute
- [LandMark Nike Lake Resort](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/landmark-nike-lake-resort): Lakeside Hospitality & Leisure Resort
- [Ministère du Tourisme et de la Culture du Togo](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/togo-ministere-tourisme): National Tourism Ministry
- [Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs & Tourism Liberia](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/liberia-tourism-ministry): Government Tourism Authority
- [National Tourist Board of Sierra Leone (NTB)](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/sierra-leone-ntb): National Tourism Board
- [Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA)](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/nigeria-tourism-ntda): Federal Tourism Regulatory Agency
- [Office National du Tourisme Burkinabè (ONTB)](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/burkina-faso-ontb): National Tourism Office
- [Office National du Tourisme de Guinée (ONT)](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/guinea-ont): National Tourism Bureau
- [The World Bank](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/world-bank): Global Development Finance Institution
- [Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA)](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/tougha-ghana): Professional Tour Operators Association
- [UN Tourism (UNWTO)](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/un-tourism-unwto): Specialized UN Agency for Responsible Tourism
- [University of Greenwich](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/university-of-greenwich): Academic & Research Knowledge Partner
- [West Africa Hotel & Hospitality Alliance](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/west-africa-hotel-alliance): Regional Hotel & Resort Association
- [World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF)](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/wtcf): Global Cities Tourism Federation
- [World Travel Market (WTM)](https://westafricatourism.kembit.dev/en/partners/wtm-london): Global Travel Trade Exhibition Partner

## Contact

- Email: secretariat@westafricatourism.org
- Address: Abuja, Nigeria