By Ibrahim S. Bangura
Freetown, January 8, 2026 – The Sierra Leone Association of Business Owners in Tourism and Hospitality (SLABOTH) has been officially launched to provide a structured framework and unified voice for operators within the country’s tourism and hospitality sector.
The launching ceremony, held at Hotel Barmoi in Freetown, attracted senior government officials, international development partners, and other distinguished guests, reflecting the growing national and international interest in Sierra Leone’s tourism industry.
Representing the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Assistant Director of Tourism Robert H. Leigh formally inaugurated the association. He described the initiative as a significant milestone for private sector operators who have long advocated for stronger coordination and representation within the industry.
Speaking at the event, Kamara, Managing Director of Hotel Barmoi, said the formation of SLABOTH underscores the recognition that tourism and hospitality are central pillars of Sierra Leone’s economic growth, job creation, cultural identity, and international image. She explained that the association brings together hotel owners, restaurateurs, guesthouse operators, tour companies, venues, and service providers who continue to build viable businesses despite challenging operating conditions.
Kamara outlined several challenges confronting the industry, including regulatory burdens, limited access to finance, skills gaps, inadequate infrastructure, and the need for consistent standards and professionalism. She stressed that no single business can tackle these systemic issues alone, hence the need for a collective platform.
She noted that SLABOTH emerged from informal conversations among industry peers, later developed into structured consultations that defined the association’s identity, values, and governance. “From the outset, we agreed that SLABOTH must be business-led but nationally minded; collaborative, not confrontational; professional, transparent, and accountable in its governance; and constructive in its engagement with government regulators and development partners,” she said.
The association’s objectives include advocating for fair and growth-oriented policies, serving as a platform for dialogue between the private and public sectors, promoting high standards and professionalism, and supporting capacity building among members. SLABOTH currently has 16 founding members, including Randa Swaid, owner of The Swiss Hotel in Freetown, and Abdul Kareem Jalloh, who serves as Public Relations Officer.
Delivering a prepared speech on behalf of Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Nabeela Tunis, Mr. Leigh congratulated the membership on the formation of SLABOTH. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to a private sector–led tourism industry, noting that this philosophy inspired the creation of the National Tourism Council under the Tourism and Cultural Federation. He welcomed SLABOTH as a timely and complementary initiative to strengthen collaboration and amplify the voices of industry actors.