To observe World Tourism Day (WTD) on Monday 27^th September 2021, the Monuments and Relics Commission (MRC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, the National Tourist Board (NTB) and other stakeholders, on Monday 27^th September 2021 observed the day with a march pass of pupils of Heritage Clubs from various secondary schools in the Western Area including the Methodist Girls High School, the Prince of Wales, the Freetown Secondary School for Girls, Bishop Johnson Memorial School and Saint Joseph’s Convent from the National Museum to the Ministry of Tourism at King Harman Road in Freetown where they were addressed by the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs.

The theme for this year’s WTD is ‘Tourism Inclusive Growth Towards Achieving MDGs and Agenda 2030 Post-COVID -19 Era.’ 

Among the major sponsors of the event were the Maximum Impact, Adinka, Uhuru and the Inaugural African Ancestry Family Reunion 2021. 

Addressing the pupils, the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Mr. William Robinson revealed that the day is celebrated worldwide and is of interest to all, especially children, commended the National Tourist Board (NTB) and MRC for organizing the day, the United Nations Development Program, the European Union, UNESCO and the World Bank for their support.

He also applauded the Minister of Tourism for working relentlessly to rebrand and promote the sector to create impact in the country by creating jobs and revenue to undertake national development projects underscoring that her appointment by the President was not a mistake revealing that if the pandemic is eradicated next year, WTD would be celebrated in grand style to put the country on the limelight intimating that a panel discussion on the day would be held at the Brookfields Hotel on 27^th September 2021 for stakeholders to map the way forward for the sector.

The Deputy Minister also used the opportunity to appeal to all to take the COVID-19 vaccine that would help end the pandemic in the world for the sector to regain its past glory.

The representative of the MRC, Mrs. Annie Marie Kamara revealed that the day is to remind them not to forget their culture and be proud of their Sierra Leonean music, dress, language and other culture and tradition and appealed to them to be Cultural Ambassadors by disseminating the messages learnt to their communities, homes, religious places and schools.

Highlights of the event were the cultural performances and singing of the various school songs.