Sierra Leone celebrates Global Tourism Resilience Day

Sierra Leone observed Global Tourism Resilience Day on February 17, 2026, with a high-level programme at the Tunde Cole Building, Fourah Bay College in Freetown. The event, organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the University of Sierra Leone Creative and Theatre Group and the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, convened under the theme “Tourism Resilience in Action: From Crisis Response to Impactful Transformation.” Sponsored by the One Love Salone Foundation, the commemoration drew tourism stakeholders, academics, students, and school pupils for a day of dialogue focused on. Mr Friencis Bockarie, Vice President of the University of Sierra Leone, stated in his welcome address that the theme was especially timely for a country that had survived civil conflict, devastating health crises, and recurring natural disasters. He praised the Ministry and its partners for prioritising youth engagement and fostering critical discourse, emphasising the importance of resilience in building a sustainable, secure, and inclusive tourism industry. The program combined practical discussion and youth-led participation. A dynamic panel discussion moderated by Francis Momoh featured leading industry and government voices: Madam Ngadi Kamara of Hotel Barmoi, Madam Dori Turay of Sierra Leone Hidden Gems, Mr Hassan H. Senessie of the Eco-Tourism Hub, and Mr Foday Jalloh, Director of Culture, Creativity, and Innovation at the Ministry. Panellists discussed how resilience enables tourism to not only recover from shocks such as pandemics and economic downturns, but also adapt and grow in ways that protect natural and cultural assets and benefit communities. The discussion focused on international recovery models, including lessons from Jamaica’s post-COVID-19 strategy, and emphasised the importance of long-term transformation rather than short-term fixes. The discussion was consistent with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s Sustainable Development Goals framework, with repeated calls for environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and community empowerment as pillars of a resilient tourism industry. Panellists urged policy coherence, responsible private-sector investment, and increased support for small and community-based tourism businesses to ensure that economic gains benefit local communities. A lively student debate moderated by Emmanuel Summa brought university voices to the forefront, as teams from Fourah Bay College and Milton Margai Technical University debated whether resilient tourism practices can coexist with economic growth. Their discussions emphasised tensions and opportunities—how to pursue growth without harming ecosystems or marginalising cultural custodians—as well as the critical role that young people will play in shaping policy and practice. Pupils from various schools also participated in sessions designed to introduce career paths and the larger tourism value chain, exposing future generations to the sector’s opportunities. Honourable Minister Nabeela Farida Tunis, who delivered the keynote address, emphasised Sierra Leone’s recent history of resilience, citing recovery from Ebola, COVID-19, and conflict. She declared the year dedicated to Culture and Creativity, noting that music, dance, storytelling, and cuisine are powerful economic assets when used sustainably. Minister Tunis urged students and youth to assert their roles in the tourism value chain and encouraged them to be bold in creating an authentic national tourism narrative. The event concluded with a renewed commitment from government, industry, and civil society to turn resilience into long-term prosperity and inclusive growth for Sierra Leone, promising to work together to protect the country’s natural and cultural heritage while expanding economic opportunity.