By Millicent Senava Mannah
Sierra Leone’s capital city recently hosted the prestigious Women in Tourism Regional Congress, held from October 29-31, 2024, at the Bintumani International Conference Centre. Organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with the UN Tourism Organization the Congress centered on the theme: “Beyond Empowerment to Education, Innovation and Financial Access.”
The three-day event was inaugurated by Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, and gathered high-level attendees, including Tourism Ministers and Deputies from across Africa, UN Tourism experts and women entrepreneurs and innovators from the region. This gathering was designed to transcend traditional empowerment by equipping women in tourism with essential resources, actionable insights and equitable opportunities for growth in leadership and innovation.
In her opening remarks, Elcia Grandcourt, UN Tourism Regional Director for Africa, emphasized the significance of empowering women through tourism, a key priority within the UN’s “Tourism for Inclusive Growth” agenda. She praised Sierra Leone’s 10-year tourism strategic plan for its transformative vision, grounded in strong public-private partnerships and attractive investment incentives.
Elcia Grandcourt highlighted that Sierra Leone’s efforts were helping amplify women’s voices and recognize their contributions to the tourism sector. UN Resident Coordinator, Saraphine Wakana echoed these sentiments, reaffirming the UN’s commitment to fostering a thriving and inclusive tourism sector in Sierra Leone.
Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Farida Tunis welcomed delegates from across the continent, expressing gratitude to President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and the Government for their support in hosting the Congress. She remarked that the event marked a major milestone in promoting an actionable and inclusive agenda for African women in tourism. Nabeela Farida Tunis also acknowledged UN Tourism Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, for offering 100 scholarships to support women in the sector.
In his keynote address, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh commended the Congress’s focus on advancing women in tourism. He noted the Government’s commitment to transforming the tourism sector, which he identified as pivotal to the country’s economic diversification and the broader “Big-5 Agenda.” Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh highlighted the Congress theme as essential in addressing challenges and opportunities for women in tourism, emphasizing that the transition from empowerment to education and financial access was key to supporting women in leadership roles across the sector.
One of the highlights of the Congress was the announcement of 100 scholarships from UN Tourism for women in Sierra Leone’s tourism industry. The Congress also featured several panel discussions and master classes, including sessions on topics such as: “Breaking Barriers: Women Shaping the Future of African Tourism” and “Leveraging Digital Transformation for Women Entrepreneurs.” An interactive forum, “Tourism Fambul Tok,” allowed women from diverse tourism backgrounds to share insights and experiences with peers.
The Women in Tourism Leadership Africa Committee was chaired by Minister Nabeela Tunis and prominent guests included Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, UN Women Sierra Leone Head of Office Jeromine Setcheme Mongbo, ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray and former Nigerian Tourism Minister, Lai Mohammed, who currently serves as Special Adviser to the UN Tourism Secretary-General.
The event was filled with engaging activities, including a welcome dinner for international delegates, a morning walk and tours to notable cultural and touristic sites in Freetown. The Congress concluded with an Open Air Carnival at Gigibonta Car Park, featuring vibrant performances and recognition awards for notable contributors to the cultural space, including the National Dance Troupe, Big Market Women and musical icon Amie Kallon.
This groundbreaking Congress highlighted Sierra Leone’s growing role in promoting an inclusive tourism landscape, underscoring the importance of advancing women’s leadership and innovation across Africa’s tourism industry.
