AFRICA'S FORGOTTEN BEACHES

"We have beautiful beaches that are very attractive for tourism" professes Minister Dauda. "You just have to see them for yourself".

Although it seems unlikely that a country like Sierra Leone would be able to develop an appealing tourism package, Governor Rogers disagrees. "In Gambia next door, tourism is driving the economy" he says, suggesting that a focused, small tourism project would work well in Sierra Leone.

Infrastructure is also an issue that is slowly being addressed to attract tourism and business travel. Air access has been opened up and "passengers from the United states can now join our flight in London to come to Freetown, which was previously unheard of" announces Ada M'Cormack, Managing Director of Sierra National Airlines. "The ability to maintain flights on a regular basis has provided a source of comfort and confidence in the government and the country". Another example is SN Brussels, who operates the only direct flight from Brussels to Freetown.