AYV News, August 19, 2024
In their relentless drive to take the Tourism for All Campaign to every region in Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and its agencies (National Tourist Board, Monument and Relics Commission) supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have in the Partner and Promote month of the campaign held regional stakeholder engagements in Kambia and Kono districts respectively.
Stakeholders in Moyamba and Pujehun will be engaged as part of the first phase of this nationwide endeavor.
These engagements seek to foster effective collaboration and cooperation among stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach to sustainable tourism development by sharing the vision of the Tourism for All Campaign, present the significance of partnership in tourism and culture to boost the confidence of strategic partners in the regions.
In Kambia, the Deputy Secretary of the Ministry, Sahr Phillip Morsay explained that the purpose of the engagement was not only to meet with stakeholders but also identify the tourism and cultural offerings that the district holds.
Paramount Chief of Gbinleh chiefdom, PC. Alimamy Sorie in his welcome remarks thanked the Ministry for bringing the TFA campaign to their district. He stated that as custodians of the attractions in the region, it was important that solid collaboration is established between the Ministry and stakeholders to ensure proper promotion of their assets.
In her keynote address, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Tunis extended greetings from President Dr. Julius Maada Bio to the people of Kambia district, stating that they were there to partner with stakeholders as well as locals of Kambia to promote tourism and culture. She praised leaders, district council and school pupils for their show of commitment, underscoring their critical roles in the promotion of tourism and culture in the various localities on a continuous basis.
In Kono, Paramount Chief Allie Musa III of Mafindor chiefdom in his welcome address applauded the Ministry’s domestic tourism drive, saying that is poised to embrace the initiatives of the ministry.
Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Khadijatu Grace Ahene Kamara emphasised that Sierra Leone is endowed with rich touristic and cultural heritage for which Kono is not an exception, hence they were there to identify and discover the products for continuous promotion by its stakeholders.
The Director of Tourism, Travel and Exchange, Mohamed Jalloh delivered presentation on the significance of partnership in tourism while the Director of Culture, Creativity and Innovation, Foday Jalloh presented on the importance of partnership for cultural promotion.
Technical staff of the ministry embarked on site visitation to identify existing and new hospitality facilities as well as administering questionnaires to gauge the perception of locals on domestic tourism in the regions. Discussions with stakeholders and experience sharing on partnering for the promotion of tourism climaxed the sessions.
