Sierra Leone is set to host its first-ever regional women’s tourism conference, a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to boost its tourism industry.

The event, scheduled from October 29 to 31, 2024, will take place at the Freetown International Conference Center, drawing participants from across Africa to focus on empowering women in tourism.

This historic conference, organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the United Nations (UN), is a major step toward increasing women’s representation in the sector.

Speaking at a press briefing on October 21, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Tunis, emphasized the importance of the event in unlocking opportunities for women in tourism. She explained that the idea emerged from discussions earlier this year with the UN World Tourism Organization Secretary-General, during which she shared her vision of making tourism more inclusive and accessible to ordinary Sierra Leoneans.

Minister Tunis highlighted that the conference will serve as a platform for key discussions, including the presentation of an action plan to the African Union (AU) aimed at increasing women’s participation in tourism across Africa.

“Women represent a large percentage of the workforce in the tourism industry, yet many face barriers to fully realizing their potential,” she said, pointing out that between 67% and 70% of the tourism workforce are women, but many struggle to gain leadership roles and access necessary resources.

The conference is expected to attract over 600 participants, with 500 of them being women from various African countries. So far, 59 delegates from 12 nations have registered, with many set to arrive in Freetown by October 25. Tunis described the conference as a pivotal moment for Sierra Leone’s tourism sector, which has gained significant traction since President Julius Maada Bio’s National Development Plan of 2018 identified tourism as a key driver of economic growth.

Fatmata H. Carew, Managing Director of the National Tourism Board, also spoke at the briefing, calling the event a “landmark achievement” for the country.

She lauded Minister Tunis for her leadership and outlined the extensive planning efforts underway to ensure a successful conference. Carew noted that multiple government agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the police, and the Office of National Security (ONS), are working together to provide security and logistical support.

In addition to high-level discussions, the conference will showcase Sierra Leone’s rich cultural heritage. Local women will present traditional crafts, and attendees are encouraged to embrace Sierra Leonean culture by wearing traditional attire and sampling local cuisine during the event.

The Ministry of Tourism has also emphasized the importance of presenting a clean and welcoming Freetown to international visitors. In partnership with the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, efforts are being made to engage citizens in city-wide cleanups ahead of the conference. Carew remarked, “This is our opportunity to show the world what Sierra Leone has to offer. It’s not just about tourism; it’s about national pride.”

As Sierra Leone prepares to welcome hundreds of delegates from across Africa, the first-ever regional women’s tourism conference signals the country’s growing influence in promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism on the continent.