Sierra Leones Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Tunis has paid an on the spot visit to traders and also embarked on a conducted tour of Sierra Leones oldest market, big market, as part of the ongoing year-long domestic tourism campaign.

The minister was accompanied by her Deputy, Khadijatu Grace Kamara, the Director of Culture, Foday Jalloh, the Administrative Manager of the Monument and Relics Commission, Ann-Marie Kamara and Ag. Senior Assistant Secretary, Fatmata Samura.

Being the oldest market in Sierra Leone, dating from the 18th Century, Sierra Leone Big Market host an incredible array of arts and crafts for sale. From wooden carvings, drums and jewelry to paintings and wooden craft such as shukublai and other locally made textiles. Located at Wallace Johnson in Freetown, it is also the biggest artisans market in Sierra Leone.

During her tour of the market, Minister Tunis intimated that the visit was part of the ongoing efforts to promote domestic tourism by showcasing what the market the market has to offer, applaud those that have done extremely well in using locally made materials. She maintained that the visit to Big Market is ties with the January theme of Explore and Discover aimed at encouraging more people to visit places and explore. The traders at the market welcomed the visit of the Minister and team as it was an opportunity for them to not only display their wares but also to have the Minister herself getting them involved in the year-long tourism for all campaign.