By Millicent Senava Mannah
The Women in Tourism Regional Congress 2024, held from October 29-31, concluded successfully with esteemed guests from across Africa and beyond. This significant event aimed to enhance women’s roles in tourism under the theme: “Beyond Empowerment to Education, Innovation and Finance Access.” The Congress addressed the unique challenges women face in the tourism industry and equipped them with essential tools for success.
It commenced with addresses from notable figures, including Her Worship the Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyer; UN Resident Coordinator for Sierra Leone, Madam Seraphine Wakana; UN Regional Director for Africa, Elcia Grandcourt and Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism, Nabeela Farida Tunis. Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Hon. Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, inaugurated the Congress at the Freetown International Conference Center, emphasizing the Government’s commitment to enhancing women’s participation and leadership in tourism.
Held at the Bintumani Conference Hall in Freetown, the Congress brought together leaders and tourism experts from across Africa to forge new pathways for women’s advancement in the sector. In his keynote address, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh stressed the need for transformative steps beyond traditional empowerment, highlighting education, innovation and financial access as crucial components for sustainable growth and gender equity.
Praising the Congress as a pivotal forum, the Vice President emphasized tourism’s potential to drive economic diversification and local prosperity. “Tourism has vast potential not only to create jobs but to foster economic diversification and drive local economies forward,” he stated. He noted that by leveraging Africa’s cultural and natural resources, the tourism sector could open up new opportunities, especially for women, who play vital roles as consumers, contributors and entrepreneurs. However, he acknowledged the significant barriers many women face, including limited access to finance and skills training.
The Vice President called for a targeted focus on education to equip women with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving tourism landscape. “Innovation is key,” he remarked, emphasizing the necessity of digital tools and solutions for women entrepreneurs. He urged African banks and financial institutions to develop tailored financing models to address the unique demands of the tourism sector, enabling greater access to capital for women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
According to the Vice President, regional cooperation also plays a critical role in amplifying tourism’s potential. By improving transportation and digital connectivity across African nations, he argued, the continent could boost accessibility and reduce travel costs, creating a sustainable tourism ecosystem rooted in cross-border collaboration. “When you invest in regional connectivity, you create a tourism ecosystem that is not only self-sustaining but thrives on cross-border collaboration,” he stated.
In her address, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Hon. Nabeela Farida Tunis, welcomed the Vice President and Congress participants, highlighting the event’s role in promoting inclusive tourism initiatives. She emphasized the importance of equipping women with the resources and knowledge necessary to excel within the industry. With representatives from over 370 organizations, the Congress aimed to address the barriers women face in accessing leadership roles, financial mobility and sustainable opportunities, inspiring a collective commitment to regional growth.
Organized by the Ministry of Tourism in partnership with UN Tourism, UN Women and the African Union, the Congress gathered over 600 delegates, including leaders, policymakers and women entrepreneurs from across the continent. Together, they explored strategies to bridge gender gaps in tourism through education, technology and financial access, recognizing the vital contributions of women, who constitute nearly 70% of the workforce yet occupy only 25% of leadership positions.
The Congress included diverse sessions featuring panel discussions, mentorship opportunities and workshops focused on financial access and digital tools. These sessions aligned with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including gender equality and quality education. Tourism Minister ,Nabeela Tunis, highlighted the Congress’s role in Sierra Leone’s 10-year National Strategic Tourism Plan, “Tourism for All,” which aims to boost inclusivity in the sector. Elcia Grandcourt, UNWTO’s Director of the Regional Department for Africa, emphasized the importance of dismantling barriers that prevent women from reaching their full potential in the sector.
In a significant gesture, UN Tourism presented 100 scholarships to the Government of Sierra Leone, furthering opportunities for women in tourism. This initiative underscores a commitment to education as a foundational pillar for advancing women’s roles in the sector.
The Congress emphasized the importance of creating platforms for women and men to share experiences, exchange knowledge and devise actionable solutions for the tourism industry. Addressing barriers to education, gender gaps and finance access are critical to empowering women in tourism. Nabeela Tunis noted the need for tailored educational programs and partnerships with academic institutions to create pathways to success for women.
Mentorship and leadership programs, particularly for young women, were highlighted as essential for enhancing women’s representation in leadership roles. This supportive environment will enable women to contribute more significantly to tourism’s growth and innovation.
Congress sessions also explored how technology can drive women’s entrepreneurship and creativity within the tourism sector. Embracing technology allows women, including those in rural areas, to amplify their voices and expand their roles in tourism.
The Congress called for infrastructure improvements in transportation, energy and data management essential components for building a sustainable tourism ecosystem. Investment in these areas can enhance women’s advancement in tourism, fostering a more equitable and resilient sector.
With numerous educative, exciting and engaging breakout sessions, the Women in Tourism Regional Congress 2024 underscored tourism as a potential catalyst for sustainable development. Delegates discussed how a focus on gender equity can unlock tourism’s full potential, yielding economic benefits for local communities and preserving cultural heritage.
Ms. Seraphine Wakana, UN Resident Coordinator for Sierra Leone, further emphasized the Congress as a milestone for gender equity in African tourism. She noted that the event empowers women not only as participants but also as leaders and primary drivers in the industry. Through collaborative sessions, knowledge-sharing and strategic networking, women gained access to essential resources, formed partnerships and learned strategies to overcome barriers in finance and innovation.
During the Congress 50 scholarships in international and tourism travel law and 50 scholarships in hotel management were presented to the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, underscoring the event’s commitment to advancing women’s roles within the tourism industry.
Presentation of gifts to Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh and Tourism Ministers from other African nations formed a part of the occasion, celebrating a shared commitment to empowering women and transforming the tourism industry across the continent.
The third day of the event was very eventful with a tour with participants to various tourism sites within Freetown and ended with a carnival at Gigibonta Car Park on Lumley Beach Road.
As the Congress came to a close, Sierra Leone stands poised to drive further advancements in gender equality in tourism, setting a precedent for other African nations. Through ongoing support and partnerships, Sierra Leone’s tourism sector is primed to become a model of inclusivity and sustainable growth, with women playing a central role.
