Phebian Simbo, AYV News October 30, 2024
Nabeela Farida Tunis, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs has called on all and sundry to join hands in supporting the Tourism Sector’s transformation, noting that Tourism affairs is everyone’s affairs (tourism business nar all man business).
She was speaking at the opening of the Women in Tourism Regional Congress hosted by Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Tourism at the Freetown International Conference Hall.
Nabeela Farida Tunis said: “The Women in Tourism Regional Congress will go beyond empowerment to equip women with actionable insights, multi-faceted support, and equitable opportunities. We will use the Women in Tourism Regional Congress to prioritise advancing mentorship and education initiatives, promoting technological innovation, and improving access to financial resources, while advocating for gender-responsive policies to propel women into leadership positions. The Women in Tourism Regional Congress is Congress comes at a crucial time, aligning with Sierra Leone’s newly launched 10-year National Strategic Tourism Plan, which emphasizes inclusivity through its ‘Tourism for All’ campaign. By harnessing the full potential of women, Sierra Leone seeks to reinforce its emerging tourism industry and foster a more equitable future for all”.
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, Seraphine Wakana said: “Sierra Leone stands out as a unique destination, requiring visitors to travel by air, land and sea to access the country. Tourism offers transformational opportunities, especially for women, and empowering women in tourism is more than just a policy”.
Natalia Bayona, UN Tourism Executive Director said: “If we are to achieve our goals in promoting Tourism, I want to encourage member countries to incorporate Tourism into the school curriculum”.
Elcia Grandcourt, UN Tourism Regional Director for Africa: “The transformation of tourism in Sierra Leone is very much commendable. With a renewed sense of hope and purpose, let us work together to realise a future where tourism serves as a catalyst for prosperity and shared success”.
Mayor of Freetown, Her Worship Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr: “In most leadership sectors, women are under-represented. Tourism is an opportunity to lift ourselves from poverty and under-representation in national issues”.
Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said: “Over the years, the Tourism sector has seen rapid transformations. We identify the Sector as one of the country’s economic diversification, which make it key in our government’s Big-5 agenda”.
Women make up 54% of the global tourism workforce and 70% in Africa, yet they often occupy lower-skilled, underpaid, and informal positions.
According to UN Women, women undertake 2.5 times more unpaid household and care work than men, significantly limiting their financial independence and opportunities to thrive.
Despite their strong presence in the tourism industry, only 25% of decision-making roles are held by women, and the gender gap widens as one looks up the leadership ladder. These statistics reveal the pressing barriers women face, including restricted access to finance, markets, technology, education, and training, further compounded by discriminatory laws and societal norms that impede their progression.
To address these challenges, and in line with SDG 5 and the UN Tourism Agenda for Africa – Tourism for Inclusive Growth, spearheaded by the UN Tourism Secretary-General, the Sierra Leone Ministry of Tourism & Cultural Affairs (MTCA) will host the inaugural Women in Tourism Regional Congress in Freetown, from 29 to 31 October 2024.
The Congress featured dynamic panel discussions, showcase personal journeys and successful women-led initiatives, and highlight best practices and proven strategies to overcome disparities.
Experts discussed the power of mentorship and education in advancing women’s careers, along with specialised training programmes that enhance leadership and industry-specific skills.
In parallel, technology and innovation took center stage as a key enabler for business growth. Women in tourism were encouraged to embrace cutting-edge digital tools and gain expertise in areas such as digital marketing and data analytics, fostering a culture of innovation and positioning women-led businesses for success in a fast-changing market.
On the sideline of the Congress, a technical workshop on finance access empowered women entrepreneurs, managers and leaders of tourism businesses, representatives from women-led NGOs, and government officials involved in tourism and economic development, by enhancing their financial literacy and access to capital.
Key topics including securing microfinance and small business loans, crafting winning business plans, and developing robust financial strategies were discussed. The workshop also sharpened participants’ pitching skills and abilities to build strong investor relationships, hence equipping women-led businesses for long-term growth and sustainability.
The Women in Tourism Regional Congress brought together women Ministers and key industry leaders, alongside women entrepreneurs, artisans, artists and performers, who form integral part of the tourism value chain.
The three-day event will give delegates the opportunity to immerse themselves in Freetown’s vibrant culture and heritage, with local craft displays and a lively open-air carnival to conclude the Congress.
This celebration emphasised the vital role of cultural and creative industries in enriching the tourism sector and empowering women.
