By: Audrey Raymonda John
In a vibrant celebration of World Tour Guides Day, the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with the National Association of Certified Tour Guides-Sierra Leone, led an educational nature hike to Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
The event, held on February 21, 2025, underscored the Ministry’s commitment to ecotourism, conservation, and sustainable tourism development.
World Tour Guides Day, observed in over 70 countries, highlights the invaluable role of tour guides as ambassadors who shape visitors’ experiences and promote cultural heritage. This year’s celebration, themed “Tourist Guides as Ambassadors,” was marked by a three-day series of activities, including a public engagement session on ecotourism promotion, a symposium at the Peace and Cultural Monuments, and the culminating nature hike to Tacugama.
Speaking at the event, the President of the National Association of Certified Tour Guides, Peter Momoh Bassie, expressed appreciation for the Ministry’s continued support, emphasising that the activities were designed to raise awareness about environmental conservation.
Before the hike commenced, the Director of Tourism, Travel, and Exchange Programme, Mohamed Jalloh, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting Tacugama and the surrounding forest reserve, aligning with President Julius Maada Bio’s vision for ecotourism in 2025. Representing Minister Nabeela Tunis, Jalloh commended tour guides for their dedication to enhancing visitor experiences, often navigating hard-to-reach terrains. He noted that the hike symbolised a collective effort to combat environmental destruction while restoring and preserving Sierra Leone’s rich natural heritage.
The event reinforced the growing recognition of ecotourism as a pillar of Sierra Leone’s tourism strategy, promoting conservation while fostering cultural and community engagement.