AYV News, October 28, 2024
Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Tunis, has announced that Sierra Leone will, for the first time, host the Women in Tourism Regional Congress. This announcement was made during the weekly government press briefing held at the Miatta Conference Centre, Brookfields, Freetown on Tuesday 22 October 2024.
Highlighting the significance of the Congress, Minister Tunis said it is being organized in collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the global body responsible for tourism, describing it as a landmark event that will bring together over 600 women from Sierra Leone and across the African continent to discuss their roles in advancing tourism within the region.
The minister hailed fruitful engagements She had with the Secretary-General of the UNWTO in Madrid earlier this year where her team outlined plans for the country’s tourism development, including the “Tourism for All” campaign, which aims to engage citizens in raising awareness about the value of tourism. She emphasized that as a result of these initiatives, the country experienced a 22% increase in visitors in 2024, thanks in part to the international conferences recently hosted in Sierra Leone.
The Congress, scheduled to take place from October 29 to 31, 2024, at the Freetown International Conference Centre, aims to develop an action plan to be submitted to the African Union. This plan will seek to boost women’s participation in the tourism sector across Africa. Of the 600 women expected to attend, 500 will be Sierra Leoneans, while 59 registrations have been confirmed from other African nations. International attendees are expected to start arriving on October 25, 2024.
Fatmata H. Carew, Managing Director of the National Tourism Board, provided an update on the country’s readiness for the upcoming Congress. She revealed that the Board has engaged private sector partners in tourism and held inter-ministerial and inter-agency meetings to ensure smooth coordination of the event. Notably, visas on arrival have been arranged for international participants, along with accommodations and transportation logistics.
Madam Carew also urged Sierra Leoneans to support the Ministry’s efforts to clean the beaches and maintain a presentable environment. She emphasized that Sierra Leone cannot afford to falter in hosting such a significant event, which presents a valuable opportunity to showcase the country’s tourism potential.
This historic Congress not only highlights the strides being made in the tourism sector but also underscores the crucial role of women in its growth and sustainability.
