The Sierra Leone Association of Hotels has commenced a five-day professional training program for hotel and restaurant workers at Wusum Hotel in Makeni, as part of efforts to strengthen service delivery and professionalize the country’s hospitality sector.
More than 50 participants from hotels, guest houses, bars and restaurants across the Northern Region are taking part in the training. The program is targeting key areas of hospitality operations, including front desk management, kitchen services and housekeeping.
The training is being facilitated by Jean Paul Hubert, a hospitality professional from France with more than 50 years of experience in the industry across different continents. He was brought in by the Hotels Association to share international expertise and practical knowledge with hospitality workers in Sierra Leone.
Although the initial session is being held in Makeni, the broader training programme will run for one month, with staff from the North East, South and Western Area also expected to benefit.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, John Shallop, President of the Sierra Leone Association of Hotels, said the initiative is aimed at building the capacity of hospitality workers and bringing service delivery in Sierra Leone closer to international standards and best practices.
He urged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity, stressing the importance of transferring the knowledge and skills gained during the training to other workers, particularly younger staff entering the hospitality industry.
According to Shallop, strengthening professional skills in areas such as reception services, food preparation, customer relations and housekeeping is critical to addressing some of the challenges facing Sierra Leone’s hospitality sector.
The Association believes that better-trained personnel will contribute to improved customer experiences, stronger business performance and greater competitiveness within the tourism and hospitality industry.
Participants who successfully complete the programme will receive certificates, with the official closing ceremony scheduled for Friday, September 4, 2026, at Wusum Hotel in Makeni.
The initiative forms part of the Sierra Leone Association of Hotels’ broader efforts to improve professionalism and service standards across the hospitality industry.
By bringing international expertise directly to local hospitality workers, the Association hopes to equip employees with practical skills that can be applied in their respective workplaces and contribute to the development of a more competitive and professional hospitality sector nationwide.
