The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs in Sierra Leone successfully mobilized hundreds of tourism stakeholders for a health walk in Freetown as part of the activities marking World Tourism Day 2026. The exercise, which took place on Sunday, was a collaborative effort between Ministry staff, representatives of its agencies, private-sector operators, and other tourism partners. The event aimed to promote healthy living, environmental awareness, and the development of Sierra Leone's tourism industry.
The health walk commenced at Aberdeen Road Junction, with participants following a designated route before concluding at Gigibonta Car Park, where a brief programme was held. Senior Permanent Secretary Judith C. Jones expressed her gratitude to the participants for their support and commended the Ministry's leadership and staff for organizing the event. She described the exercise as beneficial to both physical well-being and teamwork, revealing that she had not participated in a similar physical activity for more than a decade.
Director of Tourism Mohamed Jalloh emphasized the connection between healthy lifestyles and environmental sustainability during the event. He highlighted that activities such as the health walk help promote awareness of environmental protection and encourage people to adopt more sustainable practices. This aligns with the Ministry's efforts to integrate environmental considerations into the tourism sector.
Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Nabeela Farida Tunis addressed the participants, thanking them for their involvement and reaffirming the Ministry's commitment to advancing Sierra Leone's tourism sector through inclusive and innovative initiatives. She took the opportunity to introduce the Ministry's newly launched AI-powered Tourism Chatbot Portal, designed to improve access to tourism information and enhance the visitor experience through digital technology.
The Minister also highlighted upcoming cultural and tourism activities planned to conclude Sierra Leone's Year of Culture and Creativity. These include the One Nation Reggae Festival and the Third United Nations Africa Gastronomy Conference. The World Tourism Day health walk provided a platform for stakeholders to combine physical fitness, environmental awareness, networking, and tourism promotion.
The event demonstrated the sector's role in promoting social well-being, environmental stewardship, cultural development, and economic growth. The Ministry stated that the activity forms part of its broader World Tourism Day programme, reflecting the sector's commitment to holistic development. The collaboration among public institutions, private-sector operators, and communities was strengthened through this initiative.
The health walk and related activities underscore the Ministry's dedication to fostering a vibrant and sustainable tourism industry in Sierra Leone. By engaging stakeholders and promoting environmental awareness, the Ministry aims to contribute to the country's economic growth and cultural development. The success of the event suggests a positive trajectory for the sector.
Key points
- The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs in Sierra Leone organized a health walk in Freetown to mark World Tourism Day 2026.
- The event promoted healthy living, environmental awareness, and the development of Sierra Leone's tourism industry.
- The Ministry launched an AI-powered Tourism Chatbot Portal to improve access to tourism information and enhance the visitor experience.
