Sierra Leone is hosting the highly anticipated Women in Tourism Regional Congress, scheduled to run from October 29th to 31st, 2024, with a focus on advancing women’s roles in the tourism sector.

The congress is themed “Beyond Empowerment to Education, Innovation, and Finance Access,” and aims to address the gaps preventing women from fully participating in and benefiting from the growing tourism industry.

The country welcomed Elcia Grandcourt, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Regional Director for Africa, along with other key international delegates ahead of the congress. In a press briefing, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Memunatu Pratt, emphasized the significance of the event, noting that between 67% and 70% of the workforce in the tourism sector are women. However, many remain underutilized due to limited access to resources and opportunities.

“This congress aims to give women in the tourism sector the tools and support they need to become more productive and fully participate in the industry’s growth,” said Minister Pratt.

Delegates from 12 different countries, including representatives from Zimbabwe, Egypt, Nigeria, Nepal, and South Africa, have already arrived in Sierra Leone. As of now, 59 people have registered for the congress, with more expected to arrive by October 25th.

The event aims to foster discussions on providing women with better access to education, financial resources, and opportunities for innovation within tourism, a sector that has significant potential to drive economic growth in developing countries.

UNWTO’s Elcia Grandcourt expressed optimism about the outcomes of the congress, highlighting the importance of cross-regional cooperation in achieving gender equality in tourism.

This year’s congress marks an important step in Sierra Leone’s efforts to position itself as a leader in promoting gender equality and sustainable tourism development in Africa.