Libreville, June 22, 2026 — With the 2026 Tourist Caravan just weeks away, Gabon is accelerating efforts to highlight its national heritage. The Minister of Sustainable Tourism and Crafts, Professor Marcelle Ibinga Itsitsa, selected Woleu-Ntem Province as a key location for preparation, sending a powerful message about tourism’s role in economic transformation.

Over two days in mid-June, the minister toured this northern province, rich in natural, cultural, and artisanal resources. The visit aligns with Gabon’s push to diversify beyond extractive industries, positioning sustainable tourism as a driver of growth, job creation, and regional integration.

Building a national showcase

The 2026 Tourist Caravan is no ordinary promotional event. It represents a strategic vision to position Gabon as a premier ecotourism destination in Central Africa.

In Woleu-Ntem, the minister engaged with local authorities, business owners, tour guides, artisans, and young entrepreneurs. The focus was twofold: assessing caravan preparations and identifying ways to strengthen the province’s tourism offerings sustainably.

Discussions centered on professionalizing local operators, enhancing visitor experiences, and empowering communities—key pillars of sustainable tourism. The delegation also inspected potential event sites, evaluating accessibility, safety, infrastructure quality, environmental preservation, and attractiveness to ensure the caravan meets national ambitions.

Tourism as an economic catalyst

This mission reflects a shift in Gabon’s tourism policy. Once seen as secondary, tourism is now a central tool for economic diversification.

Gabon boasts immense potential: over 80% of its land is covered by tropical forests, it hosts 13 national parks renowned for biodiversity, and its cultural heritage remains largely undiscovered internationally. Woleu-Ntem embodies this wealth, offering forest landscapes, ancestral traditions, local crafts, and proximity to major regional routes.

The strategy led by Marcelle Ibinga aims to turn these strengths into tangible economic opportunities for local populations. Sustainable tourism is framed as a means to create jobs, support entrepreneurship, and boost community incomes.

A regional ambition

A standout aspect of the mission was its cross-border outreach. The minister visited border zones with Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, signaling a sub-regional focus.

Modern tourism thrives on transnational experiences. Gabon intends for the 2026 Caravan to foster regional cooperation, cultural exchanges, and tourism flows, positioning itself as a gateway to Central Africa. This mission underscores how tourism is evolving into a diplomatic, economic, and territorial tool.

Woleu-Ntem emerges as a testing ground for this vision, where heritage preservation, regional integration, and wealth creation align. The success of the 2026 Caravan could mark a turning point in building the Gabon vert that authorities envision on the African and global stage.