By: Mohamed Jalloh
In her relentless and indefatigable efforts to show case Sierra Leone’s touristic attractions to the world, Dr Memunatu Pratt has graced the Fitur trade Fair in Ifema, Madrid, Spain.
The yearly event is deemed as one of the biggest tourism exhibitions that attracts the tourism market from the 18 January -22 January 2022.
On Wednesday, 18th January 2023, the Tourism Minister participated in the opening of the event through a Ministerial meeting that attracts almost every Tourism Minister in the world.
The importance and political relish attached to the event should not be underestimated, given that the Fitur trade fair was officially opened by King Felipe of Spain and attended by several high placed politicians in Spain, Latin America and across the European continent.
According to Dr Memunatu Pratt, Sierra Leone is not new to the Fitur event but what is different this time is that the country`s prestige and importance has greatly improved due to the central focus and attention accorded her.
She said the stand of Sierra Leone is better designed than in previous occasions and the Green, white and Blue is flying high at the entrance of the event.
The Tourism Minister expressed happiness in attending the event because it will serve as a platform to see old business friends, create new contacts and explore diverse opportunities to attracting potential tourists to Sierra Leone.
She further noted that the high powered delegation from the ministry and the tourist Board will use the occasion to learn about new trends, and to further engage with marketers that will promote the Sierra Leone Tourism brand to the rest of the world.
Madam Pratt expressed her desire to tap into hugely lucrative tourism market in Spain and to further devise strategies that will lure more Spanish tourists to visit Sierra Leone.
Madam Pratt said these are the kind of events they participate in and activities they undertake that help to bring more tourists to Sierra Leone.
“About 2,500 Spanish tourists have visited Sierra Leone due to our efforts at Fitur and we will explore new avenues that will help to attract other tourists from around the world to visit Sierra Leone”, the minister of tourism and cultural affairs disclosed.
She expressed delight at the fact that her efforts are yielding dividends, as is witnessed by the Freetown-Budapest Rally, Return of Afro-Americans tracing their roots to Sierra Leone and the large influx of Spanish tourists visiting Sierra Leone.
The high powered delegation from the Tourism Ministry and the Sierra Leone Tourist Board will benefit immensely from Fitur because the event also serves as a platform for training, debates, inspiration and experience sharing in Global Tourism.