By Pateh Bah

Vice President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has, during the recent three-day Women in Tourism Regional Congress 2024, held at the Bintumani International Conference Center in Aberdeen, West of the capital, commended the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Mrs Nabeela Tunis for her exemplary leadership to host the said conference.

The regional congress was geared toward enhancing women’s role in tourism under the theme: “Beyond Empowerment to Education, Innovation and Finance Access,” and it attracted esteemed guests from across Africa and beyond including, but not limited to, Her Worship the Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyer, UN Women Head of Office, Sierra Leone, Jeromine Setcheme Mongbo, UN Resident Coordinator for Sierra Leone, Madam Seraphine Wakana and UN Regional Director for Africa, Elcia Grandcourt.

Delivering the keynote address, the Vice President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, commended the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Mrs Nabeela Tunis for what he described as tireless work and dedication that has positioned tourism as not only a key driver of the country’s economy but also as a sector that enriches culture, preserves heritage, and creates opportunities for the people.

According to the Vice President, under the minister’s watch the country has witnessed a dynamic transformation in tourism and it serves as a catalyst for development and sustainable growth, making it key in the government Big Five Game Changers agenda. The seasoned UN diplomat, who remains a key player in the current administration, recognised Madam Tunis and further commended her for a transformative journey in the tourism sector.

Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh also noted that the theme of the conference speaks to the challenges and opportunities for women in the tourism sector, and therefore urged participants to push the boundaries of empowerment and work towards a tourism industry that uplifts, educates, and empowers all.

Addressing participants, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Madam Nabeela Tunis, welcomed the Vice President, and other participants, and expressed thanks and appreciations to His Excellency, President Dr Julius Maada Bio and government for creating the enabling environment to host the regional conference.

She also lavished praises on the Secretary General of UN Tourism, Zurab Pololiskashvili and the entire UN team for what she considered as a kind gesture to offer one hundred scholarships to the Tourism sector.

Madam Tunis stated that the theme, “Beyond Empowerment to Education, Innovation, and Finance Access,” encapsulates the very heart of what is necessary in order to foster development in the tourism industry.

The Minster of Tourism and Cultural Affairs encouraged everyone, particularly the private sector partners, to see the regional conference as a call to invest in research, development, and entrepreneurship, adding that creating an environment that not only encourages new ideas but nurtures and transforms them into real solutions for the people, especially women in tourism.

On her part, UN Resident Coordinator for Sierra Leone, Ms. Seraphine Wakana, stated that the regional congress is a milestone for gender equity in African tourism. She noted that the event empowers women not only as participants but also as leaders and primary drivers in the industry.

She furthered that through collaborative sessions, knowledge-sharing and strategic networking, the women had gained access to essential resources, formed partnerships and learned strategies to overcome barriers in finance and innovation.

The regional conference was organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural affairs in partnership with UN Tourism, UN Women and the African Union, and the event attracted about 600 delegates, including leaders, policymakers and women entrepreneurs from across the continent.

The conference saw panel discussions, mentorship opportunities and workshops focused on financial access and digital tools, and all the sessions were in tandem with some of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Gender Equality and Quality Education.

During the three-day regional conference, UN Tourism presented one hundred scholarships to the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs for women in tourism and also fifty scholarships were meant for international and tourism travel and the other fifty for courses to pursue hotel management.

Adding a touch of glamour to the occasion, during the final day participants had a morning walk and tour to key touristic and cultural sites in Freetown and the events were climaxed with performances and awards were given to the National Dance Troupe, Big Market Women, Musical icon, Amie Kallon, among others, and the events ended with an Open-Air Carnival at Gigibonta Car Park on Lumley Beach Road.

In another development, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Mrs. Nabeela Tunis has during the recent Commonwealth Meeting on Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism, held in Marlborough House, London, outlined the country’s ambitious plans to make tourism a pillar of inclusive growth and environmental preservation.

Mrs. Nabeela Tunis extended her warm and sincere greetings from His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio and expressed thanks and appreciation to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC for creating what she considered as a viable platform to discuss sustainable tourism.

Madam Tunis, in her wisdom, acknowledged the role of former constitutional lawyer and seasoned politician, late Dr. Abdulai O. Conteh who served as Chief Justice in Belize for several years, and his contributions saw the link between Sierra Leone and the Central American country, Belize that has a competitive tourism industry, with one of the largest coral reefs in the world.

The Tourism Minister also recalled that through the support of World Bank-funded Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project (SLEDP), in May this year, her ministry launched the 10-Year National Tourism Strategic Plan.

After the meeting at the Commonwealth, Mrs. Nabeela Tunis also attended the ITIC Global Tourism Investment Summit held at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster where the dedicated minister was interviewed on the current state and future prospects of international tourism.