By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Djibouti, 23 November 2025 — Djibouti has launched the 2025 Tourism Fair, a flagship event aimed at accelerating tourism development, boosting foreign investment and diversifying the national economy.
Organised by the National Tourism Agency (ANT) with support from the French Embassy, the fair brought together senior government officials, diplomats and tourism operators, including the Minister of Commerce and Tourism Mohamed Warsama Dirieh, French Ambassador Jérôme Bresson and ANT Director-General Osman Abdi Mohamed.
Exhibitors ranging from tour operators and hotels to travel agencies, guides and artisans showcased Djibouti’s expanding portfolio of tourism offerings, spanning coastal attractions, desert landscapes, lakes and cultural heritage sites.
French Ambassador Jérôme Bresson highlighted the country’s global tourism appeal, describing Djibouti as an underexplored destination with significant commercial promise.
“Djibouti has a very strong tourism potential. There are truly wonderful things to see, and many natural and tourist treasures that deserve to be discovered by visitors from around the world,” Bresson said during the launch ceremony on Saturday.
ANT Director-General Osman Abdi Mohamed said the fair reflects growing institutional commitment to structured and sustainable tourism development, praising cooperation with French partners and reaffirming the agency’s strategy to strengthen visibility and investor confidence.
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“We thank our partners, in particular the French Embassy, for their support and trust. Together we work towards sustainable, structured and future-oriented tourism,” he said.
Minister Dirieh described tourism as a strategic pillar of Djibouti’s economic transformation, underscoring its role in reducing dependence on traditional sectors and expanding employment opportunities.
“The tourism sector represents a strategic lever for the economic diversification of the Republic of Djibouti,” he said, pledging continued government support for initiatives that enhance the country’s competitiveness and attractiveness.
The fair aligns with Djibouti’s Vision 2035 development strategy, which targets a significant increase in tourism’s contribution to the economy and aims to attract around 500,000 visitors annually by 2030, building from a relatively modest current base.
Officials said the event will become an annual platform to promote innovation, strengthen partnerships and position Djibouti as an emerging tourism hub in the Horn of Africa.
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