Globally, the tourism sector has been a major economic driver for many developed and developing countries, creating job opportunities for youths and women, generating revenue for the government and the private sector while contributing to peace building, social inclusion and improving the quality of lives of locals. In 2018, the tourism sector generated close to US$1.5 trillion with a corresponding 1.4 billion arrivals. Africa recorded the highest average growth rate in arrivals of 9% reaching 68 million visits while generating US$ 38 billion.
His Excellency the President Julius Maada Bio in his New Direction Agenda prioritize the tourism sector as one of the core developments programs and key sectors for economic diversification and avenue for job creation in his administration. The support provided by the government contributed to the rapid emergence of Sierra Leone’s tourism sector as one of the promising destinations within the West African sub-region.
Furthermore, the Government of Sierra Leone through the dynamic Hon. Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs has introduced key initiatives, activities and programs to position Sierra Leone on the right economic trajectory for tourism development like mainstreaming gender equality and ‘Women in Tourism’, the elimination of GST on airfare and the implementation of the visa on arrival, organized a National Conference in Tourism and Governance for all the Paramount Chiefs in the 190 chiefdoms to manifest the strong interest and commitment of the Government to support tourism development. The conference came out with relevant recommendations that will enhance the framework for a governance strategy of the sector while taking into consideration the cross-cutting and diverse nature of the tourism industry.
However, the sector is also exposed to the presence of numerous other institutions with duplicating functions which may in some cases be in conflict with that of the role and responsibilities of the Ministry and therefore constrains its effective functioning. In the establishment of this strategy, it would provide an excellent opportunity for a better coordination, collaboration and manages the diverse goals and responsibilities given its multi-faceted nature.
Hence the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (MTCA) and the National Tourist Board (NTB) would like to recruit the service of a consultant to develop the Tourism Governance and Financial Management Strategy that would serve as a guiding framework in managing the relationship between the tourism sector and other stakeholders including MDA’s and the private sector.
Contact: Procurement Committee
National Tourist Board
Lumley Beach Road, Aberdeen.
Freetown—Email–info@ntb.gov.sl.
