Ouagadougou: The Burkinabe Prime Minister, represented by the Minister of State in charge of the Civil Service, Bassolma Bazié, expressed his joy on Thursday for the effective holding of the 14th edition of the Ouagadougou International Tourism and Hospitality Show (SITHO), in a context of crisis. "It is a source of pride for Burkina Faso, despite the security challenges, to continue to hold its major cultural events, including the Ouagadougou International Tourism and Hospitality Fair (SITHO)," declared, on behalf of the head of government, the Minister of State in charge of the Civil Service, Bassolma Bazié. According to Burkina Information Agency, the holding of the 14th edition of SITHO is further proof that Burkina Faso remains standing and resolutely committed to guaranteeing the conditions necessary for its development. The Minister of State took the opportunity to pay tribute to all the fighting forces engaged in the fight against insecurity and in the protection of tourist sites. Bassolma Bazié spok e on Thursday, November 28, 2024, in Ouagadougou, during the opening of the 14th edition of SITHO, scheduled from November 28 to December 1, 2024, in the Burkinabe capital. Placed under the theme: "Tourism, factor of valorization of identities and cultural diversity", this event was attended by the sister Republics of Mali and Niger, special guest countries. For Minister Bazié, by combining tourism and the promotion of cultural identities, SITHO 2024 has the merit of offering each citizen tourist products in which they recognize themselves. "This show must be a framework for business meetings, discovery of our realities, cultural mixing, but also for rejoicing to reflect our resilience despite adversity," said the Minister of State. According to him, tourism allows man to build himself, to strengthen social cohesion between citizens and communities, in the sense that it offers him the opportunity to meditate and to come into contact with other men and other environments. For the Minister of State in charge of Tourism, Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, SITHO 2024 constitutes a framework to further enhance tourism potential and demonstrate that the AES area, and in particular Burkina Faso, remains an essential destination. He took the opportunity to invite the Burkinabe to promote internal tourism, while being the first visitors to their tourist and cultural heritage.