MINSTRY OF TOURISM AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS (MTCA)

The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs is charged with the responsibility to formulate appropriate policies, legislation and regulations for the tourism industry, develop suitable plans in consultation with stakeholders, coordinate and liaise with MDAs, district councils, regional and international organisations and set up inter-ministerial and inter-sectorial committees, coordinate and liaise with the private sector including financial institutions to promote the interest of tourism stakeholders, facilitate and promote domestic, regional and international tourism development.

The Ministry currently has three divisions but has completed a Management and Functional Review that has recommended two more directorates.

Furthermore, the Ministry envisages the promotion of Sierra Leone as a major tourism destination, with unique features, in order to boost tourism numbers and enable tourism to contribute to sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction, using our natural and cultural assets as well as the creative and cultural industries as catalyst for growth and development.

Strategic objective:

To provide an overarching vision for tourism development and includes clear goals, strategies and actions for achieving sustainable and regenerative tourism development with specific attention being paid to the empowerment of women through tourism. It draws on existing plans and policies, among others including the National Strategic Tourism Plan, National Tourism Policy, the Cultural Policy, the Ecotourism Policy and Action Plan of 2017, the Marketing and Rebranding Strategy of 2022 and other International Instruments.

Vision:

By 2033 Sierra Leone is globally celebrated as a sustainably managed tourism destination, renowned for her natural beauty, cultural experiences and warm hospitality, while tourism growth consistently attains global benchmarks, contributes to economic prosperity and supports environmental and cultural conservation, with local communities actively partaking in the sector and benefitting from its proceeds.

Mission:

The mission is to create an enabling environment for tourism to thrive through adopting the appropriate policies, legislations and regulations in collaboration with key stakeholders whilst attracting vital investment in order to fully benefit from tourism development.

INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURAL ARRANGEMENT

The Minister is the Political Head of the Ministry assisted by a Deputy Minister. The Administrative Head is the Permanent Secretary. The Management and Functional Review (MFR) upgraded the professional Unit with a Chief Director supervising the Director of Tourism, Travel & Exchange Program, the Director of Culture, Creativity & Innovation, Director of Policy, Research, Monitoring & Evaluation and the Director of Private Sector & Resource Mobilisation.

The Ministry superintends the following agencies: the National Tourist Board, the Monument and Relics Commission, the National Museum, the Railway Museum, the Sierra Leone International Theatre Institute and the National Dance Troupe.

The National Tourist Board (NTB)

It serves as the main national marketing arm of the sector, promoting domestic and international tourism. The board is responsible for registration, licensing and classification of tourism establishments according to ECOWAS standards and international best practice. The board also monitors and enforces standards of service, undertakes marketing activities at home and abroad particularly in targeted markets, collates data in the industry, provides statistics and maintains up-to-date information on the sector.

Monument and Relics Commission (MRC)

The mandate of the commission is to preserve, protect and promote the scientific, ethnographic, historical and cultural heritage of the country.

Sierra Leone Museum (SLM)

The museum is responsible for the storage, preservation, and exhibition of artifacts, historical and national cultural heritage for education, research and visitation purposes.

Sierra Leone Railway Museum (SLRM)

The SLRM is responsible for preserving and exhibiting the railway heritage for posterity.

Sierra Leone International Theatre Institute (SLITI)
The SLITI coordinates and implements all theatre related activities.

The Sierra Leone National Dance Troupe

Serves as an epitome of our unity in cultural diversity by showcasing our rich, warm, diverse but unique cultural heritage through dance and music.

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