Creative Industries and Tourism as Strategic Contributors to Economic Growth
Creative industries are among the fastest-growing sectors globally, generating both economic growth and cultural vitality. As Côte d’Ivoire works to strengthen its creative economy, a delegation of 10 professionals — including government officials, event organizers, and leaders from the film, music, and culinary sectors — participated in an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) designed to explore how the United States supports and sustains its creative and tourism ecosystems. With stops across four U.S. cities, participants investigated how local initiatives can stimulate employment, preserve cultural heritage, and foster economic development through cross-sector collaboration.
Project Objectives
- Exchange best practices with U.S. policymakers and industry leaders to improve the operating environment for creative sectors and attract global investment.
- Examine the infrastructure, policy frameworks, and business ecosystems that sustain U.S. creative industries.
- Strengthen partnerships for sustainable tourism that highlights local cultural and historical assets.
- Explore collaborative models between creative industries and tourism bodies to scale projects aligned with participants’ expertise.
Project Design
Washington, DC: In the U.S. capital, the delegation gained a foundational understanding of cultural tourism strategy from Destination DC, exploring how Washington markets its creative and cultural offerings beyond traditional landmarks. A visit to Life Pieces to Masterpieces, a nonprofit working with youth through the arts, showcased how creativity can be harnessed to develop leadership skills and serve vulnerable communities.
Kansas City, Missouri: Participants examined how the private sector and community-based initiatives collaborate to promote local culture and entrepreneurship. Thanks to a home hospitality opportunity, arranged in collaboration with local partners, the group also experienced American cultural life firsthand, creating personal connections and mutual understanding.
Santa Fe and Chimayo, New Mexico: In the American Southwest, the group met Ambassador David Killion, former U.S. Permanent Representative to UNESCO, for a strategic discussion on cultural diplomacy. Participants also visited Chimayo, where they met Irvin Trujillo, a master weaver preserving seven generations of artistic heritage. Conversations centered on cultural preservation, artisan entrepreneurship, and the role of traditional arts in modern economies.
Los Angeles, California: The group explored the business infrastructure behind America’s entertainment capital. Meetings with organizations across the film, animation, and digital sectors offered insights into intellectual property protection, public-private partnerships, and international co-production opportunities.
Impact and Next Steps
Visitor Impressions:
“We represent the future of Africa and have to keep our connections with each other and with the United States. This program showed us how to build better and solid creative industries.” – Festival Organizer
“The generosity I saw from Americans toward the creative sector opened my mind to what we can propose to our government.” – Government Representative
“The biggest takeaway for me was the importance of private society and the power of a common goal to make real progress.” – Film Producer
Visitors are returning home with hopes to:
- Strengthen local creative industries by expanding collaboration between public and private sectors.
- Develop initiatives that support youth through arts-based leadership and community development.
- Launch cultural tourism platforms that integrate digital tools and storytelling to connect local heritage with global audiences.
- Promote regional creative economies through new festivals, co-productions, and cross-border partnerships.
- Explore policy frameworks and intellectual property protections that safeguard artistic work and foster sustainable growth in the creative sector.
Project summary
| Creative Industries and Tourism as Strategic Contributors to Economic Growth | |
|---|---|
| Regions: | Africa |
| Countries: | Côte d’Ivoire |
| Impact Areas: | Sports and Cultural Diplomacy, Business and Trade |
| Program Areas: | Global Leadership |