Department of Tourism

 

The following are the functions of the Department of Tourism Promotion and Development: -

 

  • Developing regulatory and policy instruments for the protection and preservation of tourism sites of Somaliland
  • Operating historic and heritage sites, tourism information centers, security escort services for foreigners, etc.
  • Building strategic product development in the tourism sector, and marketing of Somaliland as a destination for foreign tourists aspiring to visit Somaliland
  • The provision for the development of the tourism sector through research, opportunity identification, and strategy development
  • Development, management, and coordination of the implementation of compatible tourism policies and strategies that facilitate the activities of the various players in the tourism sector and enable the industry to gain foreign exchange and generate employment opportunities
  • Undertake integrated planning and development of tourism and related activities
  • Formulation and analysis of policy framework in the development, product quality, promotion, diversification, and marketing of tourism industry
  • Implementation of incentives and the provision of material and other conditions for the promotion of tourism development
  • Coordination of tourism market research and the development of the tourist information system
  • Review of existing and development of new legislation on tourism in collaboration with the stakeholders
  • Facilitate, promote and coordinate research on the utilization of wildlife, natural and cultural heritage for tourism purposes
  • Promote and coordinate bilateral and multilateral cooperation, projects, and treaties in tourism to promote Somaliland's interests and meet international obligations
  • Plan, implement, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate tourism sector programs and projects to ensure the development of the tourism sector
  • Promote investment in tourism to contribute to employment creation, poverty alleviation, rural development, and micro, small and medium scale tourism enterprise promotion
  • Facilitate the rehabilitation of existing and construction of new tourism infrastructure to promote tourism development
  • Regulate the development, conduct, and management of the tourism sector to ensure that all activities performed and implemented by the sector players comply with legislation
  • Preparation and implementation of the five (5) year strategic plan and budget for the department.
  • Preparation and implementation of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system and tools for the Department
  • Preparation and implementation of the capacity development for all staff based on the needs assessment and in-line with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) guidelines and requirements.
  • Preparation of the annual financial estimates in consultation with the heads of sections
  • Coordinating the formulation of the department’s risk management framework, risk profiling, risk reporting, and monitoring

The department is divided into two sections which include the Tourism Promotion and Hospitality Development Sections.

Tourism promotion section

 
  • Developing regulatory and policy instruments for the protection and preservation of tourism sites of Somaliland
  • Operating historic and heritage sites, tourism information centers, security escort services for foreigners, etc.
  • Building strategic product development in the tourism sector, and marketing of Somaliland as a destination for foreign tourists aspiring to visit Somaliland
  • The provision for the development of the tourism sector through research, opportunity identification, and strategy development.
  • Supporting and managing the design, development, and implementation of tourism programs, plans, projects, and research activities in the tourism
  • Contributing to and implementing the policy framework for the development, product quality, promotion, diversification, and marketing of the tourism industry
  • Implementing incentives and providing materials and other conditions for the promotion of tourism development
  • Conducting tourism market research and the developing tourist information system
  • Operating historic and heritage sites
  • Promoting and leading bilateral and multilateral cooperation, projects and treaties in tourism to promote Somaliland's interests and meet international obligations
  • Developing, proclaiming, and sustaining use of tourist destinations in Somaliland
  • Undertake micro, small and medium scale tourism enterprise to contribute to the creation of employment, poverty alleviation, and rural development
  • Regulating and monitoring the conditions and the performance of activities by travel agencies
  • Improving the value and competitiveness of tourism products, building strategic product development in the tourism sector, and marketing Somaliland as a destination for foreign tourists aspiring to visit Somaliland
  • Promoting tourism in Somaliland and abroad
  • Developing regulatory and policy instruments for the protection and preservation of tourism sites of Somaliland
  • Monitoring the implementation of tourism promotion and development policies, procedures, guidelines, legislation, and regulations in line with the mandate of the Ministry
  • Implementation of the five (5) year strategic plan and budget in the Tourism Promotion Section
  • Formulation of the Section’s risk management framework, risk profiling, risk reporting, and monitoring

Hospitality Development section

 
  • Welcoming foreign visitors to Somaliland.
  • Provision for the development of the tourism sector through research, opportunity identification, and strategy development
  • Review and propose policies, procedures, guidelines, legislation, and regulations for supporting tourism hospitality in Somaliland
  • Preparation of framework and programs for management of tourism hospitality in Somaliland
  • Implementation of tourism hospitality management framework and programs
  • Formulating and setting minimum standard requirements of the tourism sector
  • Monitoring adherence to tourism sector standards to facilitate the provision of quality tourism service
  • Regulating the development, conduct, and management of the tourism sector to ensure that all activities performed and implemented by the sector players comply with legislation
  • Issuing licenses for tourism projects and initiatives that have been appraised and approved
  • Undertaking the rehabilitation of existing and construction of new tourism infrastructure to promote tourism development in Somaliland
  • Inspecting hospitality facilities and planning, maintenance, equipment, and services in spas, theme parks, and public beaches
  • Providing services in the tourism sector including catering activities, tourism information centers, security escort services for foreigners, etc.
  • Collecting taxes, fees, and penalties in tourism
  • Monitoring the implementation of tourism hospitality management policies, procedures, guidelines, legislation, and regulations in line with the mandate of the Ministry
  • Implementation of the five (5) year strategic plan and budget in the Hospitality Section
  • Formulation of the Section’s risk management framework, risk profiling, risk reporting, and monitoring