Investing in Sierra Leone's Tourism: Opportunities and Strategies

1. INVESTING IN SIERRA LEONESpotlight on Tourism Hon. Memuna Pratt, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs June 2019 UK – SL Trade and Investment Conference

2. Significance of tourism worldwide and in Africa • One of the largest and fastest growing export industries • Experiencing a consistent growth in international arrivals and receipts estimated at 1.4 billion international arrivals (+6%) in 2018 • International tourist receipt generated USD$1.3 trillion in 2018 • Africa accounted for: • 67.1 million international arrivals in 2018 • US$ 37 billion in international receipt (+8%) in 2017 • Tourism is a labor intensive industry, providing 1 in every 10 jobs in 2017 worldwide • Tourism can stimulate growth in other sectors, namely manufacturing, transportation, aviation, and agriculture – it contributes ot 10% of the world’s GDP • The sector can contribute to Sierra Leone’s protection of the environment and our rich cultural heritage

3. Sierra Leone’s most popular tourism features • Scenic beauty • Year-round sunny climate • Rich heritage and wildlife • Warm, friendly and hospitable people • Most peaceful country in West Africa • Religiously tolerant nation • Politically stable Sierra Leone has 2,090 know species of higher pants, 147 mammals, 626 birds, 67 reptiles, 35 amphibians, and 99 fish species

4. Strategies for tourism development: the National Development Plan Tourism has been identified as one of the key sectors to contribute to the diversification and transformation of the economy • Key strategies from the NDP: • Embark on robust marketing and promotion to improve the image of Sierra Leone • Develop skills within the sector • Improve the policy and legal environment • Develop the tourism infrastructure • Diversify the tourism product offer • Improve the tourism experience of domestic and international visitors

5. International tourists arrivals in Sierra Leone

6. Major strides undertaken to reform the sector within the last 10 months: • The review of policies and legislation – visa on arrival and reduction in the cost flight tickets • Intensifying marketing and promotional drive; moving towards e-tourism • Forging partnerships with communities – community empowerment, sensitization, protection of resources and trainings • Partnering with the private sector and consolidating the entertainment industry and cultural and traditional groups • Attracting partners to assist in providing training for both the public and private sector operative in the industry – B.sc in THM • Expanding our tourism offer – parks, reserves, cultural heritage and exotic islands

7. Opportunities in beach tourism / island tourism • Investments opportunities in: • Restaurants • Hotels • Eco-lodges • Marina • Cruise facilities • Boating • Leisure and recreational activities Sierra Leone’s pristine beaches include: • Sulima area which has around 11km of beach between the Moa and Mano rivers • Turner’s Peninsula with an amazing 100km of beaches • Sherbro Peninsula, with around 40km of beaches • Shenge with 15km of beaches • Freetown Peninsula, with 40km of beaches backed with beautiful mountains • Lungi, along with Bullom Peninsula, with around 15km of beaches • Scarcies estuary, which has around 8km of beaches

8. Opportunities in cultural / back to the roots tourism • Investment opportunities in: • Eco-lodges • Catering facilities • Tourist boat cruises with considerable capacity for weekend trips Sierra Leone is unique in its history as a free nation founded by former slaves and their descendants. A true melting pot of cultures, language groups, and religious affiliations. Sierra Leone is known for its cultural diversity and tolerance. Potential for cultural / back to the roots tourism: Excursions to islands with cultural and heritage significance: Bunce Osland, Tasso island, Banana island, Plantain Island

9. Opportunities in cruise tourism 1. International Luxury Cruises for longer trips and stopovers • 2. Cruise boats for: • Frequent services on the Sierra Leone Estuary • Internal transfer • Leisure

10. Opportunities in eco-tourism / adventure tourism Sierra Leone has 31 protected natural areas which are home to pygmy hippos, tarpons, chimpanzees, elephants, and many species of birds. They offer exceptional eco-tourism potential. • Outamba-KilimiNational Park and KumHill Complex • Loma Mountains National Park • TingiHills • Western Area Peninsular National Park • Go la Rainforest National Par k • Kangari Hills Non Hunting Forest Reserve • Kambui Hills Forest Reserve • TiwaiIsland Game Sanctuary • Lake Sonfon Sanctuary • Mamuta-Mayosso Wildlife Sanctuary • YawriBay • Mape and MabesiLakes • Sierra Leone River Estuary • Shebro River Estuary and Turtle Islands • ScarciesRiver Estuary • Investment opportunities in: • Eco-lodges • Food and beverage facilities • Facilities and services for sport fishing • Hiking, adventure trails • Camp sites • Boating • Rest stops with facilities for parking, wash rooms, etc.

11. Other opportunities for investment • More than 90% of international visitors to Sierra Leone arrive by Air. • Facilities required for the transfer of visitors by land, air, water, are: LAND AIR WATER • Open air tour buses and luxury coaches from Freetown to the provinces • Stopover motels, guesthouses, restaurants, information shops, toilet facilities • Expansion of existing airport and rehabilitating of runaway at Lungi International Airport to cater for long haul flights • Rehabilitating regional air fields • Operation of an airline plying between Freetown and London. • Boats for small groups excursions and coastal excursions • Cruise boats for international and regional visitors • Marina • Water park facilities • Jetties • Theme park

12. The Ministry’s support to the tourism sector • Facilitate the removal of financial constraints on tourism businesses such as multiple levies, taxes and charges applied by other institutions • Facilitate the provision of attractive incentives for start-ups including not just hotels but also other tourist establishments such as guest houses, restaurants, night clubs, tour operators, travel agencies, etc. to make the sector more attractive to invest in • Encourage joint partnership ventures with foreign investors in funding tourism projects • Promote foreign and local tourism investments that adopt sustainable tourism practices; invest in less developed rural areas; provide quality products and services; care for the welfare and career development of their employees and create opportunities for indigenes

13. Investment project: Establishment of a model leisure, business and entertainment destination Amenities, facilities and services required: • Accommodation: 3-5 star hotels and eco-lodges/resorts • Entertainment: pubs, discos, bars, casinos, arena • Leisure and recreational activities: amusement parks, water parks, marina, shopping malls, golf course • Business: multipurpose convention, conference and exhibition centres, international tour operating companies, long haul flights from China • Transfer: jetties, free shuttle connecting attractions and an airfield • Possible locations: • Turtle Island • Sherbro Island • Banana island

14. GoSL is providing an enabling environment for investment in tourism • Sierra Leone is open for business • Government is committed and supportive • The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs is ever prepared to assist in the development of any specific tourism projects you may wish to undertake wither now or in the near future INCENTIVES • Incentives in the development of tourism falls under the general incentives for trade • The review of the Development of Tourism Act is in process and will consider the provisions of incentives for both local and international investments in the sector • Meanwhile the Tourism Minister in consultation with the Minister of Finance may grant further tax relief to new tourism investment ventures

15. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION