National Tourist Board of Sierra Leone
This tourism brief was provided to me courtesy of the National
Tourist Board (SL). It highlights the background
and future of Tourism in the country. For more information
please contact:
National Tourist Board
Room 100 Cape Sierra Hotel
Aberdeen, PO Box 1435
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Tel: 00 232 22 236620
Fax: 00 232 22 236621
Email: info@welcometosierraleone.org
http://www.welcometosierraleone.org
TOURISM IN SIERRA LEONE
Past and present
Introduction
Tourism in Sierra Leone, as in other developing
countries, has become the most dynamic and fastest growing
industry. It is an aggregate of many different industries
and services, and is influenced by almost every facet of society.
Many governments in developing countries including Sierra
Leone expect economic and social benefits from tourism
development such as: -
- foreign exchange earnings
- the development of areas with no other immediate possibilities
of expanding economic activity
- creation of employment opportunities
- a boost for the local production of the goods and services
consumed by the tourists
- more tax revenue for the State
- the integration of national cultures and societies and
safeguarding of the national cultural identity from foreign
culture influences
- reasonable returns on investment in the sector
- the promotion of the true image of the country to attract
holidaymakers and foreign entrepreneurs as part of the drive
to step up international political and economic cooperation
- encouraging fair distribution of national income and creating
new markets for consumer goods
- providing additional infrastructure and amenities that
will encourage and support the tourist industry as well
as benefit local and national interests
It is in pursuit of these benefits that the government of
Sierra Leone had identified tourism as a priority sector for
development – thus tourism has now become the largest
contributor to the economy of Sierra Leone after mining and
agriculture.
OBJECTIVES
Optimise the economic and social
benefits of tourism to Sierra Leone, taking into
account:
- Foreign exchange earnings
- Creation of employment opportunities
- Increase in investment
- Developing the quality of life of the people
- Enhancing and preserving the cultural heritage and physical
resources of Sierra Leone
POLICY AND STRATEGY
- Earning and not number of arrivals to be the principal
measurement for growth
- The private sector is to be the principal supplier of
tourism services and facilities
- Development to enhance the long-term image of Sierra
Leone as quality up market destination
- While Beach and Sea will remain the principal holiday
product, they will be supplemented by inland scenic, wildlife
and cultural attractions that will offer a "total African
experience"
- Extension of the tourist season
The overall development objective for Sierra Leone tourism
concentrates on endeavouring to meet the needs of tourists
by ensuring the provision of tourist amenities, facilities
and services of appropriate quantity and quality.
EMPLOYMENT
Because of the nature and variety of employment within the
hotel and tourism industry, accurate statistics are difficult
to obtain. However, according to the International Labour
Organisation statistics, about 8,000 jobs in Sierra Leone are tourism dependents. This figure will increase considerably
in the next 3 years after the tourism establishments under
construction are complete; since tourism is also a labour-intensive
service activity.
ENVIRONMENT PROJECTION
Aware of the great impact of tourism activities on the environment
and the rapid damage an uncontrolled tourism
development can cause to the environment, government is very
conscious of the importance of the conservation and protection
of the environment in the development of the tourism resources
of Sierra Leone. In this vein, government adopted a policy
of developing Sierra Leone as middle and up market destination
and to ensure that the environment is maintained in a condition,
which corresponds to the needs of the tourists, the local
habitants and to national objectives.
FACILITATION AND TRANSFER
Facilitation and transfer at the Freetown International
Airport have always been cumbersome and a source
of frustration for arriving tourists.
But with the relentless efforts by government to develop
the tourism industry, Freetown International
Airport now continues to improve under a UNDP assisted programme
(Airports Authority Project), which was established in 1988. The World Bank has also provided assistance to the Airport Authority for infrastructural improvement, such as the Arrival/Departure and Check In areas expansion, modernisation of equipments etc. Transfers to and from Lungi Airport have improved significantly from the yesteryears. Today passengers have the options of Ferries across the Targrin – Kissy/Government Wharf route, helicopter and hovercraft to the Aberdeen and hotel areas.The ferry service has been significantly improved with two
of the large ferries (vehicle passengers and baggage), hovercraft
and helicopter facilities are now fully operational. For fight
departures and arrivals, the ferries now operate to and from
Government Wharf, which reduces the traffic congestion between
Kissy Terminal and Freetown Helicopter operation. See information on getting to Sierra Leone.
PROSPECTS FOR TOURISM IN SIERRA LEONE
Despite the slowing down of the growth in economic wealth
of developed countries that generate tourist flows to developing
countries including Sierra Leone, the world, and in consequence
tourism, is in a period of rapid transition. Some nations
are moving from an industrial society to a post-industrial
one with changing life styles and values. The present desire
to accumulate material possessions is also showing signs of
lessening. There are also improvement in air transport and
other modes of transport. Forecasts are continuously being
revised and in spite of some constraints and setbacks, the
world’s political and economic atmosphere today seems
better disposed to increase growth in the tourism sector at
anytime in history.
With the emphasis put on tourism development by government,
Sierra Leone stands to benefit from the current favourable
global tourism trend, as the Western European market is showing
signs of steady growth. The considerable North American market
potentials will also begin to be tapped as soon as Airline
services to the region are established.
With tourism still in the infancy in Sierra Leone, exploiting
the international tourist industry can be a major long-term
advantage. In adopting in planned and regulation development
approach, Sierra Leone, by and large is still in a position
to expand its tourism sector in a way which
would emphasize on environmental conservation with a view
to enhance the quality of the overall tourist products. This
will no doubt, contribute substantially toward improving the
standard of living and quality of life of her people.
Tourism in Sierra Leone is highly beach oriented. The beach
areas of Sierra Leone fall into seven groups:
(i) Sulima, between the Moa and Mano Rivers.
A relatively accessible area with good beaches. About 11km
in length.
(ii) Turner’s Peninsular, an immense
beach bar with an unbroken length of 100km, which appears
to have a continuous quality beach.
(iii) Sherbro Peninsular, a similar beach
bar, some 40km long on the south of Sherbro Island.
(iv) Shenge, a stretch of perhaps 15km of
attractive beach in the Shenge area
(v) Freetown Peninsular, having a 40km length
of coast facing South West from Aberdeen to Kent with exceedingly
attractive and varied beaches by the Peninsular Mountains.
(vi) Lungi Beaches, along the Bullom Peninsular.
Approximately 15km in length.
(vii) Scarcies Estuary, a beach bar of some
8km in length to the south of the Scarcies estuary.
The whole Western Coastline from Aberdeen
to Kent comprises a series of excellent beaches
with a variety of character. The southern shore from Kent
to Tombo also has some small beaches of character, but beyond
Tombo the coastal area becomes mud flats and swamps. The North
Eastern Coastline has small beaches as well.
For more information about tourism developments and opportunities
please contact:
National Tourist Board of Sierra Leone
Tel: 00 232 22 236620
Fax: 00 232 22 236621
Email: info@welcometosierraleone.org
http://www.welcometosierraleone.org
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