Tourism Ministry kicks off Domestic Tourism Awareness
Tourism Ministry kicks off Domestic Tourism Awareness
Tourism Ministry kicks off Domestic Tourism Awareness
Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (MTCA, Dr. Memunatu B. Pratt has on Sunday 27th June 2021 launched the Pre-Domestic Tourism Awareness and Education Campaign with slogan, ‘Year of Domestic Tourism’.
The event was held at the Bintumani Conference Center, Bintumani Hotel at Aberdeen in Freetown with funds from the World Bank. This is part of a $40 million grant provided by the World Bank to the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) with 70% slated for the development of tourism infrastructures across the country and other infrastructures.
Six touristic sites will benefit from the World Bank grant. The grant will also support the rehabilitation and construction of 21 access roads across the country to aid touristic adventures.
Dr. Pratt said the tourism sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in Sierra Leone and is also one of the biggest in global economic development and therefore, public education should be integral for the growth of domestic tourism.
However, she said that Sierra Leone has not done much in marketing and promoting domestic tourism, and the launch aims to raise a tourism awareness culture. The Ministry is working with the National Tourist Board to undertake robust digital marketing and partnership with tourism promotion institutions.
Speakers at the launch included Nabeela Tunis, Minister of Western Region; Melrose Karmity, Deputy Minister of Local Government; Emmanuel Saidu Conteh, Member of Parliament and Deputy Chair of Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Tourism and Tamba A. Kokobaye, NTB Board Chairman