Opening of the tourist season in Casamance: Cap Skirring welcomes the first tourists in an atmosphere of confidence and hope

The 2026-2027 tourist season officially began in Casamance on Sunday, October 18, 2026, with the arrival of the first Transavia international flight at Cap Skirring Airport. On board, more than 170 passengers set foot on Casamance soil, marking the start of a new period of activity that will extend until next May and which is generating great hope for all stakeholders in the sector.

To lend particular prestige to this event, the Minister of Culture, Crafts, and Tourism, Alpha Thiam, traveled to Cap Skirring alongside representatives from national tourism organizations, the Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD), the Senegalese Tourism Promotion Company (SAPCO), and numerous stakeholders in the tourism ecosystem. This mobilization, he stated, reflects the importance placed on this sector, considered a strategic driver of national economic development.

Welcoming the first visitors of the season, the minister praised the strong choice made by these travelers who decided to spend their holidays in Senegal. For him, this confidence testifies to the renewed attractiveness of the Casamance region and sends a positive signal internationally. "When tourists choose Casamance, they tell the world that this land is safe, welcoming, and ready to receive visitors," he declared.

Alpha Thiam also highlighted the many assets of the region, renowned for its beaches, lush nature, cultural heritage, and above all, its legendary hospitality. According to him, Casamance offers much more than just beach tourism. It is now a complete destination capable of attracting visitors seeking authenticity, discovery, and meaningful human experiences.

The minister also commended Club Med, a long-standing player in Cap Skirring, whose investments and commitment continue to significantly contribute to the destination's international visibility. He emphasized the need for Senegal to further diversify its tourism offerings in order to showcase the full range of its regional assets.

Turning to the national outlook, Alpha Thiam announced that a new strategic plan for tourism, culture, and crafts will soon be submitted to the authorities. The result of a participatory process involving all stakeholders in the sector, this document aims to unlock the potential of each region and strengthen the competitiveness of Senegal as a tourist destination. The stated ambition is to make tourism one of the country's main drivers of growth and ultimately attract more than three million visitors.

In the same vein, he emphasized that Senegal has already demonstrated its capacity to organize major international events, citing in particular the Youth Olympic Games, the Dakar Biennale, and the Francophonie Games. These events further reinforce the image of a stable, welcoming country capable of meeting international standards.

Speaking in turn, Cheikh Sarr, Executive Director of Quality, Safety and Security at AIBD SA, representing the company's CEO, reaffirmed the company's commitment to fully supporting this tourist season. He indicated that all AIBD teams have been mobilized to offer travelers the best possible reception conditions, particularly in terms of safety, security, and service quality.

The official reiterated that Cap Skirring International Airport, certified since 2024, benefits from a permanent system in place to guarantee operational compliance and user satisfaction. Regarding the recent damage caused by heavy rains to some infrastructure, he assured that safety measures were immediately implemented and that rehabilitation work is already underway.

With this first arrival of the season, Casamance confirms its return to the forefront of national tourism. Between renewed visitor confidence, the mobilization of authorities, and renewed ambitions for the sector, all the indicators seem to be in place for the 2026-2027 tourism campaign to be a success. From Cap Skirring, the entire Senegalese tourism industry is showcasing its ambitions and reaffirming its commitment to attracting more travelers from around the world.