A LITTLE-known island is set for billions of pounds worth of development, as part of an A-lister’s “big dream”.
Luther star Idris Elba has unveiled plans to transform the island just off the coast of Sierra Leone, the country in West Africa where his father was born.
AlamySherbro Island has plenty of places to go swimming in the sea[/caption]
AlamyIt is set for billions of pounds worth of development in the future[/caption]
AlamyIt’s home to beaches, sea turtles and mangrove forests[/caption]
Sherbro Island has miles of sandy beaches and is described online as a place to relax and slow down.
The island is one of several places with impressive stretches of shoreline in the country.
And thanks to Idris, it could soon become a hugely important destination.
Currently the only place that accommodates tourists on the island is the Bonthe Holiday Village, which offers accommodation with AC in comfortable rooms located in chalets.
Traditional Sierra Leonean meals are usually cooked and taken to the holiday village by local women, including stews, fried plantains and rice.
But Elba wants to create much more for tourists and locals to enjoy on the island.
He has said that he wants to make it an ‘afro-dynamic eco-city’ and a new urban hub for all of Africa.
Sherbro Alliance Partners (SAP), who are helping with the development has said that it will be done while protecting the island’s ‘delicate ecosystem’.
That includes mangrove forests and an important nesting site for sea turtles, which are often spotted swimming in the area.
The development scheme has not got a definitive budget but is expected to run into the billions, with SAP searching for investment from elsewhere.
Elba said it is a ‘big dream’ for him to see the island receive the funding.
He told the BBC: “Originally we went there thinking how could we bring tourism to the most incredible 19 miles of beachfront.
“It’s a dream, you know, but I work in the make-believe business.
“It’s about being self-reliant, it’s about bringing an economy that feeds itself and has growth potential. I’m very keen to reframe the way Africa is viewed… as an aid model. This opportunity is completely different.”
The World’s 50 Best Beaches
The World’s Best Beaches consulted more than 750 judges including travel journalists, influencers, and beach ambassadors to rank the beaches.
Lucky Bay, Australia
Source D’Argent, Seychelles
Hidden, Philippines
Whitehaven, Australia
One Foot, Cook Islands
Trunk, US Virgin Islands
Honopu, Hawaii
Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland
Navagio Beach, Greece
Balandra, Mexico
Cala Goloritze, Italy
Pipe Creek, Bahamas
Pink, Indonesia
Grace, Turks & Caicos
Gardner, Ecuador
Mcway, California
Turquoise, Australia
Le Morne, Mauritius
Sancho, Brazil
Seven Mile, Cayman Islands
Lanikai, Hawaii
Maya, Thailand
Moro, Spain
Kelingking, Indonesia
Meads, Anguilla
Flamenco, Puerto Rico
Arena, Dominican Republic
Little Hellfire, Australia
Lazio, Seychelles
Vaeroy, Norway
Horseshoe, Bermuda
Myrtos, Greece
Hidden, Mexico
Grand Anse, Grenada
Xpu Ha, Mexico
San Josef, Canada
Matira, French Polynesia
Capriccioli, Italy
Pasjaca, Croatia
Boulders, South Africa
Salines, Martinique
Champagne, Vanuatu
Marinha, Portugal
Balos, Greece
Achmelvich, Scotland
Kaputas, Turkey
Radhangar, India
Varadero, Cuba
Piha, New Zealand
Pink Sand, Bahamas
Elba was brought into the project by childhood friend Siaka Stevens, whose grandfather was a former Sierra Leonean president with the same name.
Stevens initially wanted to open a boutique hotel in the country, before expanding his vision.
President of the country Julius Maada Bio is excited about the project.
He said: “We believe that Sherbro Island City will be an economic engine for our country and neighbours.”
The world will have to make sure that “the character of the island hopefully will remain intact” according to Elba.
He described it as a “beautiful, green part of the world” and said he didn’t want to disturb that.
GettyIdris Elba is helping with the development project[/caption]
It’s easy to see why Sierra Leone could become a tourist destination, with the country trying to increase its capacity for tourists in recent years.
Just a year ago, a new international airport opened in Freetown, the capital city.
The country is following that up by increasing its tourism offering, with its beaches, mountains and wildlife already a big draw.
Highlights in Sierra Leone include places like Bureh Beach and the Turtle Islands.
The former is a surf haven, while every Sunday it is at its busiest with families turning up for picnics.
The latter are described by travel experts Bradt as “the stuff castaway movies are made of”.
Other popular natural attractions include Mount Bintumani, the highest peak in West Africa, with forests home to animals, like pygmy hippos, dwarf crocodiles, rufous fishing-owls and several species of primate.
Meanwhile, these incredible luxury island villas are set to be built in a paradise tourist hotspot.
And this amazing private island off the coast of the UK went on sale earlier this year.
AlamyThe project has been described as a ‘big dream’ by Idris Elba[/caption]“}]]