The Federation of Allied Tourism Associations (FATA) held one-day stakeholder engagements in Kenema and Bo on Friday, 11 September 2026, attracting wide participation from operators across the tourism and hospitality value chain and garnering regional buy-in for its draft constitution and strategic roadmap.
FATA, created in October 2025 to promote unionism and protect the interests of private sector players in Sierra Leone’s tourism and hospitality industries, brought together representatives from its 19 member associations for focused consultations.
For the Kenema session, operators from all over the Eastern Region converged at the former Kenema District Council Hall. Stakeholders gathered in Bo Inn to discuss common priorities for the Southern Region. The gathering was attended by hoteliers, guest house owners, restaurateurs, nightclub operators, travel agencies, tour operators, transport providers and leaders of allied associations.
The federation formally presented and fully explained its draft constitution in both sessions. The main discussion focused on the document outlining FATA’s objectives, governance structure, membership criteria, and a proposed code of conduct. Members participated actively, asking questions and contributing to governance arrangements, membership obligations, dispute-resolution mechanisms, and how the federation will coordinate collective action.
The questions raised and the answers given by FATA officials were recorded for inclusion in the finalised constitution.
Kenema and Bo participants, at the end of the day’s deliberations, gave a strong endorsement to the draft constitution and to the movement and planned initiatives of FATA to advance the sector. The approvals show regional support for a united private-sector voice that can advocate for policy support, share best practices, and mobilise resources to grow tourism businesses across Sierra Leone.
The Chairman of the Sierra Leone Association of Travel Agencies (SLATA), Mr John Rogers, reiterated FATA’s founding purpose and the importance of unity. “FATA For ME, FATA For YOU, FATA For WE ALL,” he said, emphasising the federation’s role as a collective platform to empower individual businesses through common action and representation.
President of the Sierra Leone Hotels Association, Mr John Shallop, commended FATA for reaching out to the regions and urged members to stay committed to collaboration. “Government support is important, but the real work begins with us,” he said. The participants thanked the organisers and pledged to work closely with FATA as it finalises its constitution and rolls out its roadmap to develop tourism and hospitality across Sierra Leone.
