President Koroma Hosts National Tourist Board By State House Communications Unit President Ernest Bai Koroma on Thursday 22 January met with members of the National Tourist Board at State House, Freetown. The Acting Minister of Tourism and Culture Kadie Sesay in her introduction of members of the board said the team will be charged with responsibility of implementing programmes immediately after Ebola. President Koroma thanked the board for the updates providing an insight of plans moving forward, especially at a time when the country is registering marked improvement in new confirmed cases of Ebola. He stated the country now has the capacity to chase the virus and that government was determined to sustain those efforts as we move forward in building the social and economic life of the citizens. As a government and in diversification of the economy, the president underlined the important role of the tourism sector in the future development of the country, noting its significance to providing employment and revenue generation. ‘’In terms of potential, tourism should be the key player; that is why you have a great responsibility to ensuring that we realize that potential, he said. The potential of the sector is God-given but its for us to develop them, President Koroma noted. He further assured of government’s support in helping them execute their functions. The Director of Tourism Foday Jalloh said as part of the post-Ebola strategy they have embarked on three main aspects ranging from strengthening the legislative framework, launched the new national cultural policy of Sierra Leone and on the verge of upgrading the monument and relics Act of 1967. He said they will continue with their school and community outreach programmes through the museums to teach kids about the usefulness of the country’s museums and the culture as a whole, and provide technical expertise to showcase the importance of the country’s artefacts. Giving an updates on the tourism sector, Mr Mohamed Jalloh said they had put together strategies to revamp and revitalize the sector in the aftermath of Ebola and putting together a tourism recovery plan to put Sierra Leone on the international map. He also called for the protection of beaches, mountains, islands and all natural, cultural and historical resources as well as promoting a well-coordinated campaign for domestic tourism that will kick start international tourism to promote and rebrand the image of Sierra Leone. The Commissioner of EXPO Milan 2015 Mr. Philip Conteh informed the president about plans for this year’s event. ©SHCU 2015
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 11:50:23 +0000
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