Speaking at the 8th Accra Weizo travel expo on June 29, 2025, Houadjeto urged governments to reduce bureaucratic barriers and invest in travel infrastructure.

“Travelers should move from Accra to Lagos or Banjul to Abidjan with ease,” she stated, advocating for efficient implementation of the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol.

The expo, themed “Reimagining the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol,” convened tourism stakeholders to address regional integration challenges. Houadjeto positioned Ghana as a cultural gateway, highlighting GTA investments in eco-lodges, game parks, and diaspora engagement programs. “We’re building people-centered tourism that supports livelihoods and sustainability,” she explained, emphasizing heritage preservation and authentic storytelling.

Ambassador Ikechi Uko, convener of Akwaaba African Travel Market, lamented West Africa’s tourism paradox: Despite having 400 million people and rich attractions, the region receives Africa’s fewest visitors while generating its highest outbound travel numbers. “We must encourage West Africans to explore their own region through simplified processes,” Uko stressed, noting standardized services could position the sub-region as a unified destination.

The event featured tourism conferences, exhibitions, B2B sessions, and the Balafon Awards honoring ECOWAS tourism pioneers. Houadjeto concluded by urging collaborative action: “Let’s reimagine tourism as a force for unity and progress across West Africa.”