Senegal targets 2 to 3 million tourists for 2026-2027 season

Senegal has launched its 2026-2027 tourism season in Cap-Skirring, with the Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Alpha Thiam, announcing a long-term goal to attract between 2 and 3 million visitors. The season, which is expected to run for seven months until May 2027, officially commenced with the arrival of a group of 175 tourists from France and Belgium.

While the country aims to leverage its beaches, cultural heritage, and gastronomy, several challenges to competitiveness remain. These include the high cost of airfare, infrastructure needs, staff training, and site cleanliness. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the equitable distribution of economic benefits to local communities and artisans. In the Casamance region, local collectives have previously noted difficulties with air connectivity and the loss of seasonal jobs, despite tourism accounting for approximately 8% of the national GDP.