In preparation for the 3rd UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa, scheduled for 2-4 December 2026, Chloe Bougeard, Project Specialist of Market Intelligence, Policies and Competitiveness at UN Tourism, and Aldo Busin, Senior Project Specialist of the Regional Department for Africa at UN Tourism, conducted a comprehensive site visit to key hospitality and conference facilities in Sierra Leone.
The delegation inspected the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Center, Lungi Gateway Hotel, Lungi International AirPort Hotel, and Tariq’s Resort, assessing their readiness to host one of Africa’s most significant tourism gatherings. Leading the team were the General Manager of the National Tourist Board; Madam Fatmata Mida Carew, the Director of Tourism and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, with participation from ministry staff, the National Tourist Board, and representatives from private sector partners.
Throughout the tour, the General Manager, Director of Tourism, and Permanent Secretary ensured that the UN Tourism team fully understood why every detail put in place so far makes sense; from venue selection and infrastructure readiness to hospitality standards and logistical arrangements-and the UN Tourism officials acknowledged and appreciated this clarity, expressing their understanding and satisfaction with the preparations.
The importance of this visit extends far beyond logistical verification. The presence of senior UN Tourism officials on Sierra Leonean soil signals international confidence in the nation’s capacity to host high-level continental events; a critical validation for a destination working to redefine its global image.
The General Manager-NTB, Permanent Secretary and Director of Tourism at the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs all ensured that Bougeard and Busin experienced firsthand what Sierra Leone has in place as a destination, demonstrating that the ambience is set to welcome UN Tourism and the hundreds of delegates expected in December 2026.
This visit represents a pivotal moment in Sierra Leone’s tourism trajectory, showcasing the country’s upgraded infrastructure, hospitality standards, and organizational readiness to the international community.
For Destination Sierra Leone, successfully hosting the 2026 forum would deliver transformative benefits: positioning the nation as a premier conference destination in West Africa, attracting global media attention, stimulating investment in hospitality and culinary industries, and creating economic opportunities for local communities.
The site visit underscored Sierra Leone’s commitment to meeting international standards and its determination to leverage gastronomy tourism as a driver of sustainable development, cultural pride, and economic diversification. As the countdown to December 2026 begins, this inspection marks a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s journey toward claiming its place on Africa’s tourism stage.
