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Exploration of the touristic potentials of Bonthe Sherbro Islands

Officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, the National Tourist Board and the Monuments and Relics Commission in collaboration with Citizens for Sustainable Tourism have completed an assessment of the touristic potentials of Bonthe Sherbro Islands.

Led by the Director of Tourism in the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Mohamed Jalloh, the team visited the pristine Turtle Islands, Victoria and Mania Islands and the vast stretch of cheppo beaches.

The team notes the urgent need to develop the Islands with a view to harnessing the socio-economic gains for national development.

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Madam Memunatu Pratt is desperate to overall the entire tourism infrastructure in the country.

“The vast array of Islands are some of the best you can get anywhere in the world.” noted Paramount Chief Chernor Amidu Ashun Ngabay of Dema Chiefdom,  Bonthe District.

 

CategoriesArticles Discover News By Sierra Leone National Tourist Board

TOURISM MINISTER TAKES SALONE INTERNATIONALLY

 

By Mohammed Sankoh

 

The Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt, has taken Sierra Leone internationally by embarking on a serious marketing and building confidence with investors and tour operators at this year”s International French Market IFTM Top Resa Exhibition 2018 held at Port-De Versailles- Paris from the 25th -28th September.

The Minister who was accompanied by officials from the ministry of Tourism, National Tourist Board , Monument and Relics Commission and Miss Sierra Leone, Sarah Laura Tucker, helps to more attention attraction for Sierra Leone”s tourism sector, which has inspired some top French travel writers to show interest in visiting the country.

In view of her determination to transform tourism, Dr. Pratt interacted with many top business tourism magnates, while networking, business innovations, and keeping tourists abreast about potentials in the Sierra Leone tourism market formed part of her activities during the Exhibition.

Dr. Pratt was of the form convection that Sierra Leone”s participation in the exhibition would lead to the start of a great business investment in tourism and travelling sector respectively.

Meanwhile, Sierra Leone is said to have rediscovered its place in the French-market, where as the National Tourist Board NTB approached and employed the warfare strategy to showcase the country’s friendly climate for business  and tourism with the aim of increasing the number of tourists” arrivals in the country.

The visa on arrival and visa free for some countries, including France is being negotiated with airlines to reduce cost of flying into Sierra Leone.

 

 

CategoriesArticles Discover Explore News Travel By Sierra Leone National Tourist Board

In love with Nyangai

By Mohamed Faray Kargbo

It is not often that one has the opportunity to go to distant places and meet new acquaintances. So whenever such circumstances present themselves, one must do everything humanly possible to grasp and hold it firmly.

I first met Nyangai on Saturday 6th October, 2018 when the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Monuments and Relics Commission and the National Tourist Board made a visit to Bonthe Sherbro Island to assess the touristic potentials of the district with a view to exploiting it for national advancement.

The two hour watercraft ride from Bonthe Island to the Turtle Islands meant nothing to me considering the beauty of this God-given nature. For once, I couldn’t convince myself that the likes of Nyangai existed in Sierra Leone.

The palm trees, foliage and shrub on this tiny island are systematically positioned such that one is forced to love her at first sight. The pristine, white and shiny beaches connived with the huts, local boats, freshwater and ocean to produce a compelling spectacle. One hasn’t got an option but to love Nyangai.

 

Nyangai like the rest of the islands that constitute the Turtle Islands is extremely beautiful.

It was not long enough that I realized that each of the turtle-shaped islands is unique in their own way. The twin islands of Nyangai and Nyankai marry on low tides only to divorce on high tides.

“Whoooosh……….Whooosh” The calming sounds of the waves and the friendliness of the few inhabitants compete to steal our attention. Coconut was served even before we could alight the boat. This was why I fell in love with Nyangai.

 

Arguably some of the most pristine beaches in the world, the turtle-shaped islands offer an unparalleled opportunity for human beings to interact with nature.

Strategically located in the South-western coastal areas of Sierra Leone, this group of islands lie unexplored.

Due to its gritty sand, cool salty water, gentle wind, soft scratch of waves overlooking the blue sky; I reluctantly left the Cheppu beach which stretches to neighbouring Liberia.

Although, frequently exploited by foreign tourists, the communities, mostly poor people, sit on treasures that could easily transform their socio-economic status.

From Hoong to Sei, Baki to Moti, the islands are sights-to-behold, beautiful, pristine, clean and breath-taking.

They offer an enviable opportunity for tarpon or game-fishing, bird watching and expedition.

Any tourist investor who explores the Bonthe Sherbro Islands is sure to show interest in that area. Once attractive tourist investment areas, the challenging period of Sierra Leone’s history led to the decline in touristic activities in those areas.

 

The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and the National Tourist Board must speedily continue the process already initiated. Bonthe Island can boom the economy of this country.

“For far too long Bonthe Sherbro Island has been neglected, under the new Direction we cannot allow that to continue.” concluded Memunatu Pratt, the country’s Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister.

As I conclude this piece, one thing is clear, that my love for Nyangai remains intact.

Education and Outreach Unit

Monuments and Relics Commission

23 Pultney Street

Freetown

www.mrcsl.org

Email: info@mrcsl.org

CategoriesArticles News Press Release The world Travel By Sierra Leone National Tourist Board

Minister of Tourism shares Sierra Leone’s investment opportunities with international journalists in Paris

Minister of Tourism shares Sierra Leone’s investment opportunities with international journalists in Paris

By Mohamed Faray Kargbo and Kai Bockarie Saquee

“We want to build confidence and to assure the world that Sierra Leone is ready once more to attract tourists from theFrench Market.”

These were the words of the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Memunatu Pratt to a cross section of international journalists at the French Exposition in Paris, France.

In a Press Conference organized on Wednesday September 26,2018, Madam Pratt told the Press that “tourism is the only asset that can transform Sierra Leone.”

While exhibiting the hidden treasures of Sierra Leone, Madam Pratt underscored the need to take advantage of the endless opportunities that the country is blessed with to tour Sierra Leone.

A video displaying the touristic potentials of Sierra Leone was viewed by all journalists who were present for the conference.

The media practitioners asked series of questions ranging from the peace and stability of the country to the infrastructural development of the nation.

In attendance were the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Tampa Gbetuwa, Director of Tourism, Mohamed Jalloh, General Manager, National Tourist Board, Fatmata Abe-Osagie, Alieya A Kargbo of Tourism is Life and Miss Sierra Leone 2018, Sarah Laura Tucker.

IFTM Top Resa is the biggest forum where top global tour operators meet to network and improve business relations.

Media and Communications Unit
Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs
King Harman Road

Marketing Department
National Tourist Board
Lumley Beach Road
Freetown

CategoriesNews Press Release Tour Operators Travel By Sierra Leone National Tourist Board

Top World Tour Operator (Thomas Cook) to do business with Sierra Leone

By Mohamed Faray Kargbo

Thomas Cook Group, one of the leading global tour operators would soon start doing tourist business with Sierra Leone.

In the meeting with the Flight and Airport Services Manager of Thomas Cook Group, Stephane Joly, he assured that they would be coming to Sierra Leone to evaluate the tourism investment opportunities.

Facilitated by the National Tourist Board, the Group held meetings with Sierra Leone’s Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister, Memunatu Pratt during the French Expo in Paris.

While inviting Thomas Cook Group to explore Sierra Leone, the Minister assured that the country’s rich cultural and touristic resources could hardly be compared with others.

The Group promised to visit Sierra Leone in November, 2018 to evaluate the touristic strength with a view to marketing her to tourists globally.

“Sierra Leone remains one of the untapped treasures of the world” remarked the country’s Director of Tourism, Mohamed Jalloh.

Fatmata Abe Osagie is the Acting General Manager of the Tourist Board of Sierra Leone, she confessed that bringing Thomas Cook Group to Sierra Leone could be the best thing to happen to tourism in Sierra Leone.

Thomas Cook Group operates in over 150 countries. Their package holidays are second to none with some of the world’s best destinations.

Media and Communication
Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs
KingHarman Road

Marketing Department
National Tourist Board
Lumley Beach Road
Freetown

CategoriesArticles Discover News Press Release The world Travel By Sierra Leone National Tourist Board

Miss Sierra Leone 2018, Sarah Laura Tucker at the IFTM Top Resa Trade Fair and Exhibition

Sierra Leone at the IFTM Top Resa Trade Fair and Exhibition. Miss Sierra Leone 2018, Sarah Laura Tucker already doing the magic to woo investors to do tourism business in Sierra Leone.

The French Expo started today Tuesday 25th September, 2018 with tourism professionals and businesses exhibiting their products and services.

CategoriesNews By Sierra Leone National Tourist Board

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ORIENTATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT ADOPT A BOOTH AND OTHER TOURISM RELATED ISSUES.

Today on the 11/09/2018 the prestigious AYV hosted the well aufaut Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs as she informed the general public about the Adopt a booth theory and launch on the 13th September 2018 at 11:30 at the famous Family Kingdom Resort….amongst the random questions she nailed was based on: Beach safety and security, demolition, sustainability, replication of the adopt a booth to beaches, tourism policy related issues, marketing and rebranding the destination. The Minister poised a stronger position on the above issues and responded accordingly as wise viewers passive through. Finally she encourage the general public to exhibit collaboration and willingness to work and foster peace and security along tourism potentials areas.  As she concludes she implore investors, corporate houses, traders and interested citizens to express interest in the adopt booth.

CategoriesNews By Sierra Leone National Tourist Board

SIERRA LEONE FULLY PARTICIPATED IN THE CLIMATE FINANCE SUMMIT IN BANGKOK

UN Climate Change Conference – Bangkok 4 to 9 September 2018 Second part of the forty-eighth session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 48.2) Second part of the forty-eighth session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI 48.2) Sixth part of the first session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA 1.6)

The team from Sierra Leone- Mr. Gabriel Kpaka Deputy Director-General and UNFCCC National Focal Point Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency Ministry of Transport and Aviation Mr. Albert Harrison Harvey Finance Manager Sierra Leone Tourism Board, Mr. Sellu McCarthy Assistant Director Finance Ministry of Finance Mr. Abdul Bakarr Salim Deputy Director Climate Change Secretariat Sierra Leone Environment Protection Agency Ms. Cyrillia S.O Wilson Admin and Human Resource Manager Tourism Sierra Leone Tourism Board

Climate finance refers to local, national or transnational financing—drawn from public, private and alternative sources of financing—that seeks to support mitigation and adaptation actions that will address climate change. The Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement call for financial assistance from Parties with more financial resources to those that are less endowed and more vulnerable. This recognizes that the contribution of countries to climate change and their capacity to prevent it and cope with its consequences vary enormously. Climate finance is needed for mitigation, because large-scale investments are required to significantly reduce emissions. Climate finance is equally important for adaptation, as significant financial resources are needed to adapt to the adverse effects and reduce the impacts of a changing climate.

In accordance with the principle of “common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities” set out in the Convention, developed country Parties are to provide financial resources to assist developing country Parties in implementing the objectives of the UNFCCC. The Paris Agreement reaffirms the obligations of developed countries, while for the first time also encouraging voluntary contributions by other Parties. Developed country Parties should also continue to take the lead in mobilizing climate finance from a wide variety of sources, instruments and channels, noting the significant role of public funds, through a variety of actions, including supporting country-driven strategies, and taking into account the needs and priorities of developing country Parties. Such mobilization of climate finance should represent a progression beyond previous efforts.

CategoriesNews By Sierra Leone National Tourist Board

THE MINISTER AND THE ACTING GENERAL MANAGER REPLICATED THE BEACH CLEANING TO LAKKA BEACH AND RIVER NO. 2 RESPECTIVELY

 

Since the introduction of the cleaning exercises by the HE. The President, the Minister so far has shown the correct and timely inventions, together with her keep on toes team members, ensuring the dreams of making Sierra Leone a tourist destination once again revamp. This is so far been visible by the very involvement of the proactive Minister of Tourism in this cleaning along the coastal lines beaches. The Ministry and The Board has so far use this cleaning exercises as better approach in creating the right awareness needed for communities who has less knowledge about their responsibility and roles as custodians of these touristic sites countrywide.