The General Manager of the National Tourist Board (NTB) Cecil Williams has revealed that the number of people arriving at the Freetown International Airport have risen by an appreciable level. Speaking in an interview with newsmen he disclosed that “the tourist arrivals has increased by 58% compared to the first half of last year”. He explained that according to “our own definition of a tourist (it is) anybody who comes to your country and stays more than 24 hours is a tourist. So whether you come for sports purposes, (or) you come for tourism purposes, (or) you come for business, conference or whatever it is you are a tourist.”
The NTB General Manager explained that they get their information from the immigration cards which are filled on arrival at the airport. In the first six months (January to June) of last year 2010 17,670 arrivals were recorded. Figures for this year (January to June) 2011 show that 27,878 tourists have arrived in the country, indicating that 10,209 more people have come in this year (2011) than did last year (2010). This is a 58% jump in the arrivals over last year.
Of the five category of arrivals which includes those on Holiday, those Visiting Friends and Family(VFR), those for Business, Conference and Others, it is the business group who record the highest number of 8,736 within the first six months of this year. This is followed by those on holiday (7,177), VFR (4,792), Others (4,065) and Conference (3,108). The reason for the conference numbers being so small could be put down to the capacity of the industry to support large groups for conferences.
The NTB General Manager explained that “Going back to 2007 to now if you look at the increase in bed capacity approximately 350 beds have been added to the hotel stock, either through new hotels that have been developed or constructed or expansion of facilities.” He disclosed that for example “Barmoi has now increased from 32 to 50 bed rooms”, there have been new developments “Taia was not here Taia opened about 2 years ago that is 32 bed room then Hill Valley has increased from 40 to 75 bedroom and of course up country Sahara Hotel has increased and so on.” Cecil Williams put the jump in arrivals figures to the fact that “there is now increased awareness about Sierra Leone and as more development take place people are yearning to come and look at what are the opportunities that Sierra Leone has got to offer.”
Othman Sheriff is an experienced Sierra Leonean development professional, peacebuilding practitioner, professional journalist and human rights advocate with over two decades of engagement in community development, youth empowerment, education, humanitarian assistance and international development cooperation. Born and raised in Kenema District, Eastern Sierra Leone, he has dedicated much of his professional career to improving the socioeconomic conditions of vulnerable and marginalised populations, particularly disadvantaged young people, women, children and underserved rural communities.
As the Founder and Programme Director of Youth in Action for Development (YAD), Sheriff has played a leading role in mobilising international development assistance and coordinating community-driven interventions aimed at poverty reduction, sustainable livelihoods, social inclusion and grassroots development. Over the years, he has facilitated the mobilisation and implementation of development projects worth billions of Leones, supported by international development partners, including European development institutions, humanitarian organisations and United Nations agencies.
A committed advocate for free and inclusive Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Sheriff spearheaded the establishment of the Youth Resource Academy (YRA) in 2018, through which he has championed access to practical, employment-oriented education for underprivileged youth, particularly young women, school dropouts, single mothers, widows, unemployed youth and individuals from economically disadvantaged households. So far, the Academy has provided vocational, technical and entrepreneurship training opportunities to more than 2,000 youth helping them acquire marketable skills, pursue self-employment and improve their economic independence. He also solicit funds to provide start up kits for the youth who graduated from the academy.
In addition to his development and humanitarian work, Sheriff serves as the Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Critique Echo Newspaper, using journalism as a platform to promote accountability, responsible governance, social justice and public awareness of critical socioeconomic and human rights issues.
He is a dedicate member of many international peacebuilding networks including the United Religions Initiative (URI), International Association of Educators for World Peace (IAEWP), Intercultural Leaders Network of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC)`s Youth Solidarity Fund, and the alumni Association of King Hamad Youth Empowerment Awards.
Through his leadership, advocacy and international partnerships, Sheriff continues to champion a vision of Sierra Leone in which disadvantaged young people have equitable access to education and economic opportunities, women and girls live free from violence and discrimination, human rights are respected, and communities are empowered to pursue peaceful, inclusive and sustainable development.
The General Manager of the National Tourist Board (NTB) Cecil Williams has revealed that the number of people arriving at the Freetown International Airport have risen by an appreciable level. Speaking in an interview with newsmen he disclosed that “the tourist arrivals has increased by 58% compared to the first half of last year”. He explained that according to “our own definition of a tourist (it is) anybody who comes to your country and stays more than 24 hours is a tourist. So whether you come for sports purposes, (or) you come for tourism purposes, (or) you come for business, conference or whatever it is you are a tourist.”
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