By John Turay
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Farida Tunis, on Saturday inaugurated a new hotel in the eastern district of Kenema, in what officials described as a boost to the country’s growing tourism sector.
The facility, known as Hill Side Hotel, is located in the heart of Kenema and features 25 furnished suites, including a presidential suite, as well as conference facilities, a restaurant, a gym and swimming pools for adults and children.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Leader of Government Business, Mathew Sahr Nyuma, said Kenema was steadily emerging as a hub for high-quality hospitality services and urged authorities to consider incentives to sustain private sector investment in tourism.
Tunis praised the developers, the Skaikay family, describing the project as a “world-class investment” aligned with President Julius Maada Bio’s push for a private sector-led tourism industry.
She also called on the hotel’s management to incorporate Sierra Leonean cultural elements into its design and guest experience, in line with this year’s theme of “Culture and Creativity.”
According to officials, the hotel has already created around 40 jobs for residents in the district, contributing to local economic activity.
The commissioning marks a step forward in expanding tourism infrastructure in Sierra Leone as the government seeks to diversify the economy and promote inclusive development.
