Public Notice: Notice to Desist from promoting Tour packages for the One Nation Reggae Festival
LAST CALL FOR 2024–2025 LICENSE REGULARIZATION
FINAL NOTICE:
All establishments with outstanding 2024–2025 license fees must regularize immediately to avoid enforcement actions.
Please read the full press release for complete details.
Press Release: Massive deposit of wastes along the Lumley beach
The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and the National Tourist Board have observed that the net installed by the Propel Organisation and Engineers Without Borders to trap dirt from flowing into the ocean via the Juba and Kaningo Creek axis has broken due to…………
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
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
NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF “ADOPT A BOOTH”.
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.
SIERRA LEONE WELL POSITIONED AT THE FRENCH TOURISM TRADE FAIRS
Sierra Leone Profile Raised At French Tourism Market
IFTM Top Resa 2018
September 25 @ 10:00 – September 28 @ 16:00
This year’s trade fair in France at Port de Versaile stand out to be a one of its kind, as the event gathered thousands of tourism liked minded audience which covers tour operators, airlines, hotels chains, and estate engineers, investors for tourism destinations, cultural exchange consultants, tourism organizations, and new destinations where strongly visible, which the Sierra Leone delegation took advantage of giving the right and correct information relating to the destination. This audience plus added visitors presence on daily attendance basis, created the level platform to meet with the right people to relate our message, that Sierra Leone is safe, set, and ready to receive tourists from all over the world.
This year’s trade fair delegation was headed by Madam Memunatu B. Pratt, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. With her leadership and support the team was able to meet key benchmarks as strong indications showed to shift the demand curve for tourist arrivals to Sierra Leone, with every support from the Permanent Secretary-Mr. T.R.Gbetuwa, The Director of Tourism- Mr. Mohamed Jalloh, who was there to give the technical support, backed up by the Acting General Manager- National Tourist Board-Madam Fatmata Abe-Osagie who stepped in strong with the Marketing and PR skillful approach aided by the Marketing Manager- Madam Lucinda Kargbo. The Commission for Monuments and Relics was fully represented by two professional staff: Mr. Mohamed Farray Kargbo-the Communications and Outreach Officer and Madam Ann-Mary Kamara- the Admin Officer, who also showed up strong. Moreover, The Chief Executive Travel Officer of Tourism is Life Tours was in full attendance and gave relentless support to the achievements of a successful trade fair and the lead to meeting with Thomas Cook, a leading world tour operator. The Tourism Representative for Sierra Leone to France Mr. Olivier Thery and assistant Madam Zoumba gave their very best in designing the booth, and indeed the booth captured the right audience coupled up with the mass distribution of our local handy crafts, food items and many other promotional materials.
The genuine urge from the eyes of the visitors showed a strong signal that Sierra Leone will rise again, and the tourism shift we expect is not too far.
Amongst many activities was a one day a tourism press conference held at Pavilion 7, hall 3 by 4:30 France time. This one-day press conference was timely and the need was geared towards raising the profile of the country’s image that Sierra Leone’s Tourism potentials are huge and are ready to be tapped by those who are interested to tap from it. Not only that, but the team was able to create the awareness that corrected the negative publicity that has taken social media over the years. Therefore, the press conference was really needed to the international tourist generating regions that Sierra Leone is peaceful and ready for business. Many questions where posed to the team, but also answers were provided to those questions as wanted.
As the trade fair was a success, the last day was used by the Minister of Tourism and the entire team to meet with the Sierra Leonean Community based in France. The meeting was to discuss their full participation in creating the right awareness within the society they live.
Minister’s address at the International Press conference in IFTM
More deliberations went on and on with key Tourism minded investors like Thomas Cook who is really intending to be doing chattered flights, and to make Sierra Leone a tourist destination as with this we can create more night occupancy and right awareness to other tourism companies.
NTB MKT/PR/COMMUNICATIONS
TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR SIERRA LEONE
TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR SIERRA LEONE
Following the declaration made by His Excellency Brig. (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio on the resumption of commercial flight operations on the 22nd July 2020, the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Transport and Aviation in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, Sierra Leone Airports Authority and the National COVID- 19 Emergency Response Centre (NACOVERC) publishes the following safety and public health guidelines which shall be strictly adhered to by all arriving and departing passengers at/from the Freetown International Airport.
ARRIVING PASSENGERS
1. All passengers shall produce a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test result issued no longer than 72hrs before departure at point of origin.
2. At the check-in desk at the airport of embarkation, passengers are required to display travelers’ authorisation to Sierra Leone, received through the Government of Sierra Leone travel portal (www.travel.gov.sl). The travel authorization consists of:
Negative PCR COVID-19 test result issued no longer than 72 hours before departure,
Pre-departure public health passenger locator form
Proof of payment for COVID-19 testing on arrival, paid through the online platform
3. Health officials will collect temperature, basic health screening data, and seat number on arrival.
4. All passengers shall be subjected to a mandatory COVID-19 test upon arrival:
Passengers will simultaneously have a PCR test swab and an RDT test on arrival.
If the RDT screening is negative, passengers are allowed to depart from the airport and observe public health protocols (mandatory proper mask wearing, hand washing, and physical distancing) while awaiting their PCR test result.
If the RDT screening if positive, passengers will be isolated at a hotel in Lungi while awaiting their PCR test result. Note, the cost of the accommodation at the hotel shall be borne by the passenger.
For all test results, the PCR result supersedes the RDT result.
PCR results will be disseminated via the local contact number confirmed by the passenger on arrival.
5. All children under 2 years shall be exempted from pre-departure and arrival PCR test requirements.
6. Airline crew are exempted from the pre-departure and arrival PCR test requirements and should follow airline policy for testing. Airline crew must adhere to public health protocols.
7. Two temperature screenings will be conducted by Port Health Services. If temperature is 37.5 degrees Celsius or above, passenger will be taken aside for further observation.
8. All passengers shall go through a walk-through disinfectant channel/Infrared temperature scanner at the entrance of the arrival hall.
9. All passengers with machine-readable passports shall go through the Immigration E-gate system. Passengers with Emergency Travel Certificates or non-machine-readable passports shall go through the Immigration booth.
10. At the Baggage Reclaim section passengers shall maintain social distancing and observe
all public health protocols, including proper use of face mask at all times.
11. All passengers will be directed to a Reception Lounge while awaiting their COVID-19 test.
12. Passengers with a negative RDT screening test are cleared to proceed to their destination, while awaiting their PCR result and adhering to public health protocols. PCR test results (available in no more than 48 hours) will be distributed via the contact confirmed on arrival.
13. If a passenger’s PCR test is positive, s/he will be contacted by public health authorities and taken to an appropriate treatment centre.
14. Passengers sitting near a positive case on the plane will be considered primary contacts. Self-quarantine and monitoring by public health officials will be required.
15. All passengers are strictly advised to observe all public health protocols (proper and constant use of face mask, hand washing/sanitizing, observing social distancing) as directed by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation / NaCOVERC.
16. The same protocols shall apply to all VIP passengers.
DEPARTING PASSENGERS
1. All passengers are subjected to a mandatory Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID- 19 test with a negative result issued no longer than 72hrs before departure at the Freetown International Airport. Cost for this test will be borne by the passenger.
Passengers will use the Government of Sierra Leone Travel Portal to request their pre-departure test, to pay for the test, and for scheduling sample collection.
Passengers with negative PCR results will receive e-confirmation and certificates ahead of travel. Physical copies can be collected at the airport at a designated desk.
Passengers with positive PCR results will not be permitted to travel and must follow public health protocols for isolation and contact tracing. They will be re-tested after seven days.
Passengers who have entered Sierra Leone within five days shall be exempted from the mandatory additional test on departure.
All children under 2 years shall be exempted from PCR test requirements.
2. On arrival at the airport, passengers shall be directed to a reception area to avoid congestion and ensure social distancing during the check-in process.
3. All passengers are encouraged to complete their check-in online before arriving at the airport.
4. All departing passengers shall go through the thermal screening/disinfectant channel at the airport’s departure entrance.
5. All departing passengers shall have their passport/travelling document verified before proceeding to the check-in counter.
6. Departing passengers shall proceed to the check-in counter for baggage drop and collection of their boarding pass. While at the check-in counter, they are mandated to produce their COVID-19 PCR negative test certificate or e-certificate issued within past 72 hours.
7. Departing passengers shall proceed to the immigration services for onward travel authorization via the e-gate or immigration booth.
8. All departing passengers shall go through security screening before proceeding to the departure hall.
9. All departing passengers shall proceed to the waiting lounge where social distancing, proper use of face mask and other health protocols shall be strictly observed.
10. All passengers shall proceed to the final screening and verification point prior to boarding the aircraft.
11. Boarding procedures shall be in accordance with the approved SOPs of the respective airlines.
12. All passengers are strictly advised to observe all public health protocols (proper use of face mask, hand washing/sanitizing, observe social distancing) as directed by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation / NACOVERC.
13. The same protocols shall apply to all VIP passengers.