The coastal community of Bureh Town has unanimously agreed to a private sector management model for new tourism facilities at Bureh Beach. This decision, reached during a meeting organised by Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, is part of the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project (SLEDP).
The SLEDP aims to enhance tourism in key locations including Bureh Beach, Leicester Peak, and Tacugama. Developments at Bureh Beach will include a boardwalk, market stalls, surf club, restaurant, jetty, showers, and improved infrastructure.
Prince Gaima, Tourism Specialist for SLEDP, explained that the community supported private management for the first five years, after which responsibilities would transfer to local hands. Mohamed Jalloh, Director of the Tourism, Travel, and Exchange Programme emphasised that the facilities would boost local employment and improve livelihoods.
Head-woman’s delegate Pa Tucker confirmed the community’s agreement to this management model. The project aligns with the government’s vision to transform Bureh Beach into a premier tourist destination, marking a significant step in developing sustainable tourism in Sierra Leone and potentially positioning the country as an emerging player in West African tourism.
