By Andrew Chokpeleh
Freetown, 28th September, 2026 – 159 tourists from different parts of the world have arrived in Freetown as part of efforts by Visit Sierra Leone to showcase the country’s rich history, culture and tourism potential to an international audience.
The visitors were taken on a tour of several historic and cultural sites across the capital, with the trip aimed at giving them a firsthand experience of Sierra Leone’s heritage while promoting the country as an attractive destination for international tourists.
The tourists visited a number of important sites, including the Sierra Leone Railway Museum, the old Fourah Bay College Building in Cline Town, the Monuments and Peace Museum, the National Museum and the Peace Museum at the Special Court. They also visited Big Market before ending their tour at the Ballanta Music Academy, where they were treated to a series of cultural performances showcasing Sierra Leone’s music, traditions and artistic heritage. The tour provided the visitors with an opportunity to experience both the historical landmarks and contemporary cultural expressions that make Sierra Leone unique.
According to Peter Maada Bassie, one of the tour guides working with Visit Sierra Leone, sated the visit was deliberately planned to introduce international visitors to the country beyond the narratives they may have previously heard about Sierra Leone. He explained that the tour was designed to allow the visitors to see for themselves the country’s rich culture, history and heritage, while also exposing them to some of the many places of historical and cultural importance across Freetown. Bassie said such experiences are important in helping international visitors develop a deeper appreciation of Sierra Leone and encouraging them to share their experiences with others when they return to their respective countries.
He added that ending the tour with cultural performances at the Ballanta Music Academy also gave the tourists a chance to experience Sierra Leone through its music, creativity and traditional expressions. Bassie said the initiative is not only about bringing tourists into the country, but also about creating memorable experiences that could encourage them to speak positively about Sierra Leone, share what they have seen with people in their respective countries and potentially inspire more international visitors to explore the country.
Chief Operating Officer of Visit Sierra Leone, Muctaru Rogers, said the company has been working for some time to make it easier for people from other countries to visit Sierra Leone and access its historic and monumental sites.
He explained that the latest trip forms part of their broader effort to change perceptions and narratives about Sierra Leone by taking the country’s cultural and historical stories directly to international audiences. Rogers said Visit Sierra Leone intends to continue creating opportunities for foreigners to experience the country firsthand, arguing that personal experiences of Sierra Leone’s heritage can help visitors better understand the country and its people.
Rogers said the latest visit by the 159 tourists forms part of Visit Sierra Leone’s continued efforts to change the narratives and perceptions that people in other countries may have about Sierra Leone. According to him, the organisation believes that one of the most effective ways to change those perceptions is to bring people into the country so they can see and experience Sierra Leone for themselves, rather than relying solely on information they may have received from elsewhere. He said the tourists’ visits to historical, cultural and monumental sites provide an opportunity to tell Sierra Leone’s story directly to an international audience.
He further explained that Visit Sierra Leone is focused on promoting the country’s cultural and historical stories beyond its borders, using tourism as a means of introducing the world to Sierra Leone’s heritage, traditions, music and historical landmarks. Rogers said the organisation will continue to develop and facilitate similar tours, with the aim of attracting more international visitors and giving them opportunities to discover different parts of the country. He added that the latest tour should not be viewed as an isolated activity, but as part of an ongoing effort to establish Sierra Leone as a destination where people can come to learn, explore, experience its culture and appreciate its historical significance.
The tour, therefore, forms part of Visit Sierra Leone’s wider efforts to position the country as a compelling tourism destination, while complementing ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs to encourage Sierra Leoneans to showcase the country to the world. With plans to facilitate more visits by international tourists, the initiative is expected to create further opportunities for visitors to discover Sierra Leone’s historic landmarks, cultural traditions, music and communities, while contributing to a broader international appreciation of the country’s tourism potential.
