It was all hands-on deck at Sierra Leone’s strategically located corner piece pavilion at the just concluded World Travel Market in ExCel London.

About the few pavilion with top government officials in attendance, it definitely wasn’t a tea party nor one reduced to funfair as was happening in neighbouring stands. The atmosphere was serene, friendly but businesslike even on a grand finale of a 3-day treat when enthusiasm naturally would have become subdued. The Salone spirit as evidently displayed by officials remained upbeat. Draped in Sierra Leone colour scarf, Hon Nabeela Tunis – Sierra Leone’s ‘poster girl’ for Tourism proudly led her ministry’s officials at the pavilion taking enquiries on her pet subject -Tourism for Sierra Leone.

Ably supported by Pastor Edward Yankson, Permanent Secretary in the ministry of tourism and culture and retinue of officials, the Sierra Leone’s pavilion was a beehive of activities. My half an hour wait to see the honourable Minister whilst she was busy taking enquiries was worth the while.

Her passion to sell Salone tourism shone through in the eagerness to take on my enquiries and posers as soon as Pastor Edward finished with the introductions: ‘Hon Minister, this is Terry of the Financial Standard Newspapers’.

And being mindful that the talking business in a customary environment - especially when done continuously and repetitively for 3 days consecutively - could be draining, I was not ready to probe with questions beyond the introductory line. ‘I have come visiting to acquaint you and your officials with our publication - the Financial Standard Newspapers and to express our shared aspiration on tourism development in Sierra Leone’.

More like ‘take me on please, I’m here to speak for Tourism and Sierra Leone’. Her state of alertness, the eagerness and passion to escalate the conversation about tourism in Sierra Leone belied the fatigue expected of someone that had been occupied with talking same subject matter for 3 days. ‘We are here to seek partnership that would work for our tourism’, she told me as a matter of fact as we sat down to have a chat. Her passion filtering through her voice. ‘Our country - Sierra Leone - has the potentials to be the destination of choice for tourists and adventure seekers. That is the point we are making and that is the height we are aiming at’.

Showing up at the prestigious event for her and her team, therefore, is not just an issue of carnival. ‘We’ve come to use this platform to meet investors in tourism, potential tourists and also foreign partners that we can leverage with in exploring our potentials to the fullest’. Adding that the 3-day travel event provided the platform for that. And how has it turned out? I enquired. ‘It’s been very rewarding’, she responded in the affirmative.

Pastor Edward Yankson, Permanent Secretary in the ministry confirmed that Sierra Leone’s participation and attendance this 2024 edition was hugely successful. The turnout of visitors – both first time and returning visitors – he told FS was quite remarkable. The Sierra Leone pavilion in the first 2 days of the event, according to him received 820 and 753 visitors, respectively. This is a no mean feat in an event with over a thousand trade exhibitors. With Hon Nabeela Tunis and her team in charge, the only way to go for Sierra Leone’s tourism is up.