Libreville, June 22, 2026 – With the 2026 Tourism Caravan just weeks away, Gabon is stepping up its efforts to showcase its natural heritage. The Minister of Sustainable Tourism and Crafts, Professor Marcelle Ibinga Itsitsa, recently chose Woleu-Ntem Province as the focal point for a strategic inspection tour, sending a clear message about tourism’s growing role in the country’s economic transformation.

Over two days, the minister traversed this northern province, rich in natural resources, cultural traditions, and artisanal crafts. Her mission came at a pivotal moment as Gabon seeks to reduce dependence on extractive industries and position sustainable tourism as a key driver of growth, job creation, and regional integration.

Preparing a national showcase

The upcoming Tourism Caravan is designed to be more than just a promotional event—it’s a strategic initiative to reposition Gabon as a leading ecotourism destination in Central Africa. In Woleu-Ntem, the minister engaged with local authorities, business leaders, tour guides, artisans, and young entrepreneurs to assess progress and identify opportunities to strengthen the province’s tourism appeal.

Discussions centered on professionalizing local artisans, improving visitor experiences, and empowering communities living near natural and cultural sites. The delegation also inspected potential caravan venues, evaluating accessibility, safety, infrastructure quality, environmental preservation, and visitor appeal to ensure an event worthy of Gabon’s ambitions.

Tourism as a development engine

This mission underscores a fundamental shift in Gabon’s tourism policy. Once considered secondary, the sector is now recognized as a vital tool for economic diversification. Gabon boasts remarkable assets: over 80% of its land covered by tropical forests, 13 national parks with exceptional biodiversity, and a cultural heritage that remains largely undiscovered internationally. Woleu-Ntem exemplifies this potential, offering forest landscapes, ancestral traditions, local crafts, and strategic regional connections.

The strategy championed by Marcelle Ibinga aims to convert these strengths into tangible economic benefits for local populations. Sustainable tourism is presented as a pathway to job creation, entrepreneurship, and increased community incomes, aligning with the broader vision of a Gabon Vert (Green Gabon).

A regional ambition

One of the mission’s standout aspects was its cross-border outreach. By visiting areas near Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, the minister highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in tourism. Modern tourism thrives on transnational experiences, integrated circuits, and expanded cultural discoveries. Gabon intends to leverage the 2026 Caravan to foster cultural exchanges, boost tourist flows, and position itself as a gateway to Central Africa.

Through this reconnaissance mission, the government is signaling that tourism is no longer just a leisure sector—it’s a diplomatic, economic, and territorial tool. Woleu-Ntem is emerging as a laboratory where heritage preservation, regional integration, and wealth creation are advancing in unison. The success of the 2026 Tourism Caravan could mark a decisive step in building the Gabon Vert that authorities envision for the country’s future on the African and global stage.