By Alieu Kondoh, Information Officer MTCA
FREETOWN, Sep. 13 (232News) – The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and its Agencies have held the first of three regional dialogues in commemoration of the United Nations World Tourism Day on the theme: “tourism inclusive growth in attaining the SDGs and agenda 2030 in post Covid-19 era” at Paloma Hall in Kenema.
In his opening remarks, the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, William I.K. Robinson noted that Tourism remains inclusive which is why they are taking the discussions to all the regions in celebration of the UN World Tourism Day on the 27th September, 2021. He encouraged the People of the Region to view this as a lucky occurrence and practicalize discussions given that they are the first point of call for this year’s celebration.
Giving the purpose of the dialogue, Malik Kamara on behalf of the Director of Tourism, Mohamed Jalloh reiterated that the regional dialogue is in celebration of the UN World Tourism Day and how the sector is contributing towards the development of the nation and how it can be linked to the Sustainable Development Goals. He pointed out that the issues of climate change mitigation and adaptation, the lack of preservation of our cultural values and heritage, poverty rate are impeding the development strides of the sector and therefore called for the embracement of tourism as an alternative means of livelihood and development.
In her keynote address, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt explained the contribution of tourism in the development of Sierra Leone. She acknowledged the challenges in taking the sector to higher heights, but said that with the show of commitment by President Bio to the sector, considerable strides have been made in harnessing the potential of the sector.
She told the gathering that because Sierra Leone belong to the UN World Tourism Organization, the Month of September is Tourism and Cultural awareness raising month and with support from UNDP and other Partners, the Ministry took the dialogue to the regions to look at the issues affecting the sector and how to increase participation in sector activities with the theme: tourism inclusive growth in attaining the SDGs and agenda 2030 in post-Covid-19 era in relation to how climate change and people’s behaviors towards the environment affects the sector.
She maintained that tourism is part of the inclusive growth and the protection of the sector in the development of different sectors and particularly the 17 sustainable development goals is crucial. She called on the people of the Eastern Region to take the sector seriously as there are lot of benefits in tourism, while appealing to them to take the Covid vaccine as it is a prerequisite for the revival of the hospitality business.
There were three high level interactive panel discussions on the SDGs. The first panel deliberated on Tourism climate change mitigation, protection of marine resources and biodiversity whilst the second panel looked at Tourism, poverty alleviation and food security and the third panel discussed affordable health care, quality tourism education and gender equality.
The Director of Culture, Foday Jalloh, the Mayor of Kenema city, Regional Representative of the Hotel and Tourism Association all made contributions towards the discourse.
