Sierra Leone markets potential to trade visitors in Germany
In an effort to boost the tourism sector, a major factor in stimulating economic growth and employment, Sierra Leone has continued to double her efforts in ensuring that the country remains an attractive destination for business conglomerates, tour operators, and other touristic purposes. (Photo: Minister Peter Bayuku Konteh and his delegation at ITB, Berlin)
The country recently participated in the week long International Trade Fair Berlin (ITB), the World’s leading Travel Trade Show. As a driving force in the travel industry, the trade fair gives important impulses to a continuously growing market. This year’s ITB Berlin is reported to have a slight increase on trade visitors and business volume.
Headed by the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Hon. Peter Bayuku Konteh, the delegation comprised of Sierra Leone National Tourist Board and the private sector, engaged trade visitors and tour operators who have expressed interest in establishing their business enterprises in Sierra Leone.
It was disclosed that two among Germany’s leading tour operators IKARUS Gmbh, and ARR, have started featuring the country in providing relevant travel information that would encourage business partners to go and explore the country’s potentials. The German tour operators are providing domestic and international tour services to trade visitors across the globe.
Mr. Konteh posing with ICD Director Mark Donfried
In another development, Minister Konteh was also a guest speaker at the Berlin International Economics Congress, one of the world’s leading global conferences that combines the fields of International Economics, nation branding and international relations, with an interdisciplinary and multinational program. The Congress was organised by the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) in Berlin, Germany.
Mr. Konteh, making his presentation at ICD
In his presentation titled ‘Global Trends in Creative Economies: Education, Entrepreneurship and Tourism as Drivers of Sustainable Growth,’ Mr. Konteh emphasised the need for African countries especially Sierra Leone, to harness the potential of the creative economy.
He believes that creative industry is an essential tool that could be used to find solutions for economic growth in both developing and least developed countries. It is in this tenor that the Minister said developing the creative economy of these countries will create an impact in the fight against poverty, inequalities and will also enhance social cohesion.
“The story of the economies of most developing and least developed countries is generally one of exploitation of mineral and other natural resources. Unfortunately, experience has shown that this has not positively impacted on the livelihood of the local people, nor has it promoted inclusive growth. There is now, however, a general awakening to the need for alternative economic activity, hence the attractiveness of the creative industries which by their very nature is attractive to young people who form the majority of the population in the developing world,” the Minister stated.
Efforts to achieve the aforesaid, he went on, also requires the establishment of robust and efficient measures aimed at protecting intellectual property rights. He reiterated Sierra Leone’s 2011 Copy Rights Acts, which was passed into law to ensure that the people enjoy the economic benefits that flow from their creative endeavours.
He later cited a UN 2010 Creative Economy Report which puts emphasis on the cultural sector that promotes tourism through making cultural heritage sites accessible for visitors, organising festivals, opening museums and galleries amongst others.
Against this backdrop, Sierra Leone after the devastating period as a result of the horrible past, has directed focus on heritage and nature rather than mass tourism.
Meanwhile, the Minister disclosed that plans are afoot to develop a number of additional heritage and nature sites to enhance tourist attraction in the country. He further expressed hope that the establishment of those sites would boost Sierra Leone’s creative economy.
Unlike the past decades, the Minister further noted that Sierra Leone has developed a Cultural Policy that provides guidelines within the cultural sector, and includes a National Council for Arts and Culture for the preservation and development of our cultural heritage.
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