The National Tourist Board is leading a delegation of the Private Sector at this year’s World Travel Market in London, 5th 8th November 2012; in its continuous efforts to promote and rebrand Sierra Leone, as an attractive tourist destination with high tourism potentials and opportunities.
The World Travel Market which is an annual tourism promotional event, is one of Europe’s largest Tourism Fairs with over 180 countries and thousands of tourism related businesses gather to network, discuss and market respective countries and businesses such as Tourism Authorities, Airlines, Travel Agents etc seek to increase their markets leading to increase in tourist arrivals and revenue so as to improve on their respective country’s socio-economic enhancement and turnovers.
Sierra Leone is among 20 African countries including its competitors in the sub regions, vying for tourist markets. During the four day event, The National Tourist Board and the private sector were able to meet and exchange ideas and also identify potential partners and stakeholders leading to tapping into tourism opportunities Sierra Leone has to offers.
The Sierra Leone delegation to the event comprises the Chairman – Mr. Ahmed Wurie, Mr. Cecil J Williams, General Manager – National Tourist Board, Mrs. Fatmata Abe-Osagie, Marketing and Public Relation and Mr. Kai Bockarie Saquee, the Marketing and Publicity Assistant. Other members of the Private Sector include Mr. Abimbola Carrol, of Visit Sierra Leone, a representative from KTI Travel and Tours and Mr. Alieya Kargbo of IPC Travel and Tours. Other Private Sector stakeholders that supported this event are Leisure Lodge, Leone Lodge, Kimbima Hotel, Family Kingdom Resort and Country Lodge.
The Government of Sierra Leone provided counterpart funds for this event so as to augment the funding of the marketing activities under the Enhanced Integrated Framework Tier 2 Programme, which is supporting the National Tourist Board in the implementation of the Sustainable Tourism Development and Promotion Project, that was approved in May 2012 for the expansion of the Tourism Industry in Sierra Leone.
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