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Burkina Faso is a landlocked country located in West Africa. 

Tourism is less developed in Burkina Faso than in other neighbouring countries:  
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Country !! Travellers (2006)
|-
| Burkina Faso||  358 683
|-
| Nigeria|| 983000
|-
| Senegal || 779000
|-
| Ghana || 584000
|}

According to the Government tourism agency, 433,778 tourists visited the country in 2011.<ref>Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou-Donsin Airport, Report, 2013, Table 1: Donsin Project Costs, http://www.burkinafasoindia.org/documents/Donsin%20FINAL%20English.pdf</ref> 

60% of the hotel capacity is concentrated in the two main towns, Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso. In 2006, business was the primary reason for travel to Burkina Faso (58%). <ref name=actionstourisme>http://www.culture.gov.bf/files/actions_tourisme_final.pdf</ref> 

In 2014, business travel spending represented about 45% of the travel sector's contribution to the Burkina Faso GDP, and leisure travel 55%.<ref name=wtcburkina></ref>

==Economy and Employment==

The total contribution of travel & tourism to [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] in 2014 was 211.5bn [[CFA]] (3.3% of GDP). The [[World Travel and Tourism Council]] forecasts this will rise by 1.5% in 2015, and to rise by 4.9% per year to 346.4bn CFA (2.8% of GDP) in 2025. However, the share of tourism in the Burkinabe economy has dropped from a peak in 2009<ref name=wtcburkina>http://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic%20impact%20research/countries%202015/burkinafaso2015.pdf</ref>

Tourism provides 61,500 direct and 84,500 indirect jobs to Burkina Faso. Burkina Faso is one of the countries where travel contributes the least to the economy. <ref name=wtcburkina></ref>

==Government involvement==

Training in tourism and hospitality is limited. The Centre de Formation en Tourisme et Hôtellerie (CFTH) established in 1989 and the Ecole Supérieure du Tourisme et de l’Hôtellerie (ESTH) established in 1999 are the two main schools in the field. The Ecole Nationale d’Administration et de Magistrature, Ecole Nationale des Eaux et Forêts (Dindéresso) and the Universities of Ouagadougou and Koudougou offer programs touching on tourism and travel.<ref name=actionstourisme>http://www.culture.gov.bf/files/actions_tourisme_final.pdf</ref>

Tourism has increased rapidly in Burkina Faso and the government has focused attention on expanding transportation infrastructure to facilitate future growth.<ref>Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou-Donsin Airport, Report, 2013, Table 1: Donsin Project Costs, http://www.burkinafasoindia.org/documents/Donsin%20FINAL%20English.pdf</ref>  

[[File:Burkina.jpg|thumb|right|]]

== Areas ==

[[Burkina Faso]] has approximately sixty different ethnic groups with populations of more than ten thousand, and each with  its  own culture and traditions.  The country can be divided into four regions: Central, Western, Eastern and Northern (The Sahel) parts of the country, each with its own geographic and cultural appeal.

==The Center==
===Ouagadougou===
====The Park of Bangr Weogo====
Located in the middle of Ouagadougou, Fernando, G. and Bachirou, N. March 26, 2006. stated that “in the urban park of [[Bangr Weogo]] can be found more than three hundred and sixty (360) species of plants, one hundred and sixty (160) species of birds and more than forty (40) species of animals such as  antelope, crocodiles, monkeys and squirrels among others.  The [[Bangr Weogo]] infrastructure includes a museum entirely dedicated to the animal kingdom, a sports area, a play area for children named “[[Faso Park]]”, and a restaurant”. The tourists on vacation in Ouagadougou will enjoy visiting the different facilities in the Bangr Weogo Park.
====The National museum ====
The National museum of Ouagadougou is also an important tourist spot.  It was created in 1962 and is still completely functional. It welcomes a combination of traditional villages that represent the different cultures and tribes of Burkina Faso; inside the museum a library is available and also sacred items that tell a lot about the culture of the country and its population.<ref name="MCAT">Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.culture.gov.bf/Site_Ministere/ TEXTES/etablissements/bumetablissements_museenational.htm - 20k -</ref>

====The international saloon of arts and crafts ( SIAO ) and the festival of cinema ( FESPACO )====

The International Saloon of Arts and Crafts ([[SIAO]]) and the Festival of cinema ([[FESPACO]]) are popular tourist attractions in Ouagadougou.  These two festivals take place every two years. The International Saloon of Arts and Crafts (SIAO) promotes African crafts industry and offers visitors the opportunity to be better acquainted African art, as all African countries are represented. The Festival of cinema (FESPACO) is unique in Africa because it showcases African Films. The FESPACO is the only festival where African actors and film makers gather with the specific aim of promoting [[African cinema]].  During this period, which lasts 2 to 3 weeks, the national television as well as all cinema screens in the city present African movies.

===Ziniaré===
====The wildlife park of Ziniaré====
The wildlife park of [[Ziniaré]] has an important variety of animals living in captivity. There, you can find elephants, lions, antelopes and many other species; it is a very fine place to visit. If you have extra time you can visit the house of the president Mr. Blaise Compaoré near the wildlife park..<ref name="STTA">Retrieved from http://www.izf.net/izf/EE/pro/burkinafaso/1012.asp - 81k {{webarchive |url=http://www.webcitation.org/5wQsCXdrt?url=http://www.izf.net/izf/EE/pro/burkinafaso/1012.asp |date=February 12, 2011 }}</ref>

====The sculpture on granite of Loango====

The area of [[Loango National Park|Loango]] near the town of [[Ziniaré]] is the granite sanctuary. Located about 35km outside the Ouagadougou, Loango is well known in the sculptors’ world for its [[Symposium de sculpture sur granit de Laongo|granite sculpture symposium]] which takes place every two years<ref name=rivagessahel>{{cite web|title=Le site de Laongo - symposium international de sculptures de granit|url=http://rivagesdumamouausahel.over-blog.com/article-site-de-laongo-88387538.html|website=Rivages association de solidarité internationale - Burkina Faso - boucle du Mouhoun - du Mamou au Sahel de Giou à Tougan|accessdate=20 May 2015|language=French}}</ref>. The site is accessible to tourists outside the Symposium.<ref name="STTA"/>

====The museum of Manega====
The most extraordinary tourist spot that the tourists will never forget is the museum of [[Manega]] also called the “Land of Rest” located at fifty (50) kilometers at the north of Ouagadougou which has been founded by Master Titinga Frédéric Pacéré, lawyer and a man of culture. Indeed, he stated that “strangely related to the sacred, this museum conceals a lot of items dealing with the domain of the mystery. There, the tourists is able to find for example 500 sacred masks having all participated in rituals in front of dead men; several tens of [[YAKOUGA]] or tombstones with men's effigy dating back to several millennia and whose rocks are aged between 2,600,000,000 and 1,600,000,000 years, elements of the oldest African cultures and many others items”. A trip in the museum of Manega is essential for those who felt in love with the mysteries that the African culture carries.<ref name="MasterPacéré">Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.musee-manega.bf/ - 5k {{webarchive |url=http://www.webcitation.org/5wQsDw9px?url=http://www.musee-manega.bf/ |date=February 12, 2011 }}</ref>

===Koudougou===
====The sacred crocodiles of Sabou====

The town of Koudougou with his sacred crocodiles of [[Sabou]] also has a lot of reputation. Indeed, the inhabitants venerate crocodiles in this region and for good reason.  The crocodiles are harmless and you can easily sit on them and take memorable pictures. That is what the native population suggests the tourists do when they arrive at Sabou.<ref name="Bicaba">Bicaba, I.Sites touristiques du Burkina: La mare aux crocodiles sacrés de Sabou
Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.lefaso.net/article.php3?id_article=3196 - 36k</ref>

==The West==
===Bobo-Dioulasso===
====The Great Mosque of Dioulassoba====
Construction of the Great Mosque began around [[1880|1800 in Africa]] and took about ten years to complete<ref>http://www.lefaso.net/spip.php?article38083</ref>. The mosque is built of bricks made of a mixture of [[mud]], [[Banco (building material)]] and [[clay]]. The pillars and walls are original, but the roof is replaced every ten to fifteen years, when it deemed to no longer keep out the rain.

====The mausoleum of Guimbi Ouattara====
[[Princess Guimbi Ouattara]] <ref>http://www.ontb.bf/index.php/experimenter/culture/les-cours-royales</ref> was a prominent figure in the history<ref>http://binger.canalblog.com/archives/2009/03/03/12794380.html</ref> of the defense of [[Bobo Dioulasso]] against the invaders in the early eighteen hundreds. Her mausoleum is open to visitors.<ref name=autogenerated1>Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.culture.gov.bf/Site_Ministere/ textes/tourisme/tourisme.htm - 20k</ref>

====Musée provincial du Houet====
Created in [1984 in Africa|1984]] and opened to the public in [[1990 in Africa|1990]], the museum attempts to depict life in the province of [[Houet]]. In the 1990s, it benefited from funding from local cultural groups which held cultural events on its grounds. 

Nearby road works led to a substantial shrinkage in the area of the museum.  This also led to a reduction in events held on the grounds. In 2008, responsibility for the museum was transfered from the Ministry of Culture to the city of Bobo Dioulasso. 

The [[Houet river]] crosses the grounds of the museum. Catfish are worshiped by faithful in the local community. <ref>http://lartsansfrique.kikooboo.com/fr/page/le-musee-provincial-du-houet-a-bobo-dioulasso-donner-a-la-culture-les-moyens-de-ses-ambitions</ref>.
<ref name="MCAT"/>

====The old town====
The town of [[Bobo Dioulasso]] grew around the village of [[Sya]](known as [[Dioulassoba]]). The village has been added to the Tentative List for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.<ref name=unescosya>http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5658/</ref>

====Swimming====
Travelers and locals can swim in private pools and the river. <ref>http://www.bobodioulasso.net/cadre_guinguette.htm</ref>
<ref name="MCAT"/>
====National Culture Week====
The [[National Culture Week of Burkina Faso]], or Semaine Nationale de la culture (SNC), takes place in Bobo Dioulasso every two years, alternating with Ouagadougou's [[FESPACO]]. It was created in 1983 the 18th edition will take place March 26 - 02 April 2016. <ref>{{cite web|title=SNC-BOBO 2016|url=http://www.snc.gov.bf/index.php/component/tz_portfolio/article/item/23-flash-d-informations/item/84-snc|website=Semaine nationale de la culture|accessdate=31 May 2015|language=French}}</ref> The festival presents the different cultures of Burkina Faso through sketches, cooking, traditional songs, sports and exhibitions.
<ref name="MCAT"/>

===Banfora===
====Natural Waterfall of Banfora====

The [[Cascades de Karfiguéla]], or Banfora Cascades, are a series of waterfalls along the [[Komoé]] River, about 70 km southwest of Bobo Dioulasso, near the town of [[Banfora]]. The waterfalls are a tourist attraction. <ref name="MCAT"/> <ref>http://www.bobodioulasso.net/baignade/baignades3.htm</ref>

====Sindou Peaks====
[[File:A tailing and fronting peak with a Gauss curve.jpg|thumb|right|The Peaks of Sindou]]
Considered a holy site by the Sénoufos, the peaks were a site for conducting initiation rites of young boys and a refuge in case of enemy incursions. Parts of the area are now opened to tourists.
<ref name="MCAT"/>

==The East==
===Diapaga===
====The National Parks of Arly and the W====
[[Arli National Park]] (sometimes spelled Arly) and the [[W National Park]] are a refuge for wildlife.<ref name="AfricaXplorer">Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.africaxplorerr.com/burkina_faso/decouverte.htm - 72k -</ref>

====The cliffs of Gobnangou====
The cliffs of [[Gobnangoua]] are a tourist attraction.<ref name="AfricaXplorer"/>

====The reserve and ranch of Nazinga====
The ranch at [[Nazinga]] offers safaris to tourists.<ref name="AfricaXplorer"/>

==The Sahel==
===Djibo===
====The archeological museum and the stone carvings of Pobé Mengao====
In the town of Djibo the archeological museum of [[Pobé Mengao]] and the stone carvings of Pobé Mengao are the attractions of the town. There are many cultural objects exhibited in the museum and available for people interested in the different stories of the land of the "men of integrity".<ref name="Soulama">Soulama, M(2005).Sites touristiques et tourisme d’affaires
Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.izf.net/izf/EE/pro/burkinafaso/1012.asp - 81k</ref>

===Gorom Gorom===
====The feminine artisanal center of Gorom====
The second town in the Sahel is [[Gorom Gorom]] and has the feminine artisan center of Gorom which is very interesting to visit. Women of the town have shown what they are really capable of and more. They excel in the domain of art, sculpture, pottery and many others disciplines. Cheap souvenir objects can be bought in the center.<ref name="Soulama"/>

====The touristic camp====
The tourist camp of Gorom Gorom is the ideal place to stay for the tourists when arriving in the Sahel and principally at Gorom Gorom. Indeed, the entire structure of that area is planned to welcome tourists on vacation. A comfortable place to take a rest, a service of restoration is also available and many others features are available just for the well being of the tourists.<ref name="Soulama"/>

==References==
{{wikivoyage|Burkina Faso}}
{{reflist}}
{{Economy of Burkina Faso}}
{{Tourism in Africa}}
{{Burkina Faso topics}}

[[:Category:Tourism in Africa|Burkina Faso]]
[[:Category:Tourism in Burkina Faso| ]]