The curtain has risen on the scientific component of the 17th edition of the Koom-Koom Festival in Ziguinchor. For several days, some thirty academics, tourism professionals, cultural actors and environmental specialists are meeting to diagnose the problems in these strategic sectors and propose concrete solutions for the development of Casamance.

At the heart of this forum lies a strong conviction: the interdependence of sectors. For Papa Élimane Faye, a lecturer and researcher at Iba Der Thiam University in Thiès and president of the scientific forum, this meeting forms the intellectual foundation of the festival. This year's theme, "Tourism, Creative Industries, Arts and Crafts, and the Environment: Innovation and Integration," reflects a comprehensive vision of economic development.

“Tourism can no longer develop in isolation,” explains Papa Élimane Faye. According to him, the sector intrinsically needs culture and a preserved environment to be effective. This cross-cutting approach, long advocated by the festival's founders, is now finding institutional support with the merging of culture, tourism, and crafts within a single ministerial department.

Diagnosing to take better action in Casamance

The forum is not intended to be purely theoretical. The panelists' mission is to identify the real difficulties hindering the growth of Senegalese tourism, with a particular focus on the Casamance natural region. The objective is to transform these constraints into opportunities through innovation.

The strategic discussions will focus on the impact of tourism and the development of creative industries. "We know there are difficulties and challenges to overcome. We will propose solutions to break these deadlocks," assures the forum's president. The work aims to produce actionable guidelines for policymakers and stakeholders on the ground.

Women's empowerment at the heart of the issues

Particular attention is paid to the social impact of these activities. One of the ultimate goals of this scientific reflection is to promote the sustainable economic empowerment of women. By highlighting women involved in arts and crafts and tourism, the forum hopes to generate positive and lasting benefits for local communities.

Through this gathering of experts in Ziguinchor, the Koom-Koom Festival reaffirms its mission: to make culture and heritage levers for integration and growth for all of Senegal.