Sierra Leone modifies its tourist visa upon arrival and prepares an e-Visa

Wishing to intensify the promotion of tourism and facilitate travellers’ visits, the country is preparing to change its visa policy. Taking advantage of the reception of the famous ethologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall, whose visit to Sierra Leone was to celebrate the anniversary of a trip to the country 27 years ago, a new tourist program was unveiled by the government a few days ago in Freetown.

Highlighting sustainable tourism and the success of efforts made over the past few years to conserve local fauna and flora, particularly with chimpanzees, recently inducted as « national animals », the Sierra Leonean authorities want to welcome more travellers from all over the world, who are increasingly intrigued by destinations dedicated to conservation and sustainability. Although these values are at the heart of Goodall’s visit, the country also hopes to reposition itself in the minds of travellers and overcome a troubled past.

« We are working on the development of infrastructure to declare Sierra Leone a visa-free country, which means that we want a large number of travellers from all over the world to be able to simply board a plane and obtain their visa upon arrival in the country, » Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Vice-President of Sierra Leone, told the media present at the event.

The vice-president says that « this country does not have many foreign missions around the world, so the best way to encourage tourists, businessmen and investors to come here is to make it easier for them to complete the formalities. To this end, we are also considering the implementation of an e-Visa system. We are currently investing in this infrastructure so that you can apply for your visa electronically from home before coming to Sierra Leone.

According to Jalloh, tourism is very important for the future of Sierra Leone, which wants to evolve its brand and send a strong signal to the world as a destination open to tourism and business. The tourism sector is a vector that can stimulate local growth in order to create a stable economic base.