The Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard) recently commenced a stakeholders' meeting in Kerewan, North Bank Region, as part of a nationwide engagement running through September 25th ahead of the new tourism season. The forum at Dembo Fula Hall aims to unite key players to review sector performance and chart inclusive growth beyond the traditional coastal tourism zones. This initiative seeks to promote community-based tourism and strengthen partnerships as The Gambia seeks to diversify its tourism pathways.
GTBoard Director General Ida Jeng-Njie emphasized that tourism benefits should not be measured solely by the number of visitors arriving in the country. Instead, she noted that visitor spending and its impact on local communities matter more. Domestic and regional tourists, whose numbers often go unrecorded, contribute significantly by buying local goods and engaging with attractions. This perspective highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to evaluating tourism's impact.
Board Chairperson Momodou Bamba Saho stressed that tourism development must translate into tangible benefits for communities. He highlighted the North Bank's rich cultural and historical heritage, including Kunta Kinteh Island, and called for sustainable practices that preserve sites while enhancing community participation and ownership in tourism planning. This approach aims to ensure that local communities reap the rewards of tourism development.
Yusupha Keita, Country Representative for ITC-Gambia, outlined an EU-supported programme to boost tourism and the creative industries through product development, skills training, and destination promotion. The initiative seeks to turn community assets into competitive tourism offerings. Keita urged stakeholders to voice their needs and priorities, stressing collaboration as key to growth and development in the sector.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Amie Njie, reinforced the call for sustainable inland tourism that protects natural and cultural resources while supporting livelihoods. She urged stakeholders to jointly create viable tourism products that attract visitors and deliver economic returns to local communities. This approach aims to balance economic growth with environmental and cultural preservation.
The Kerewan meeting forms part of GTBoard's nationwide consultations to address sector challenges, identify opportunities, promote community-based tourism, and strengthen partnerships. These consultations aim to spread benefits beyond traditional zones and promote inclusive growth. By engaging with local stakeholders, GTBoard seeks to develop a more nuanced understanding of the sector's needs and opportunities.
The stakeholders' meeting in Kerewan is a crucial step towards promoting community-based tourism and sustainable practices in The Gambia's tourism sector. Key players are working together to unlock the North Bank's potential, preserve cultural and natural resources, and ensure that tourism development benefits local communities. The nationwide consultations will continue until September 25th, aiming to chart a more inclusive and sustainable path for The Gambia's tourism industry.
Key points
- GTBoard Director General Ida Jeng-Njie emphasizes the importance of measuring tourism benefits beyond visitor arrivals.
- The EU-supported programme aims to boost tourism and the creative industries through product development, skills training, and destination promotion.
- Stakeholders stress the need for sustainable practices that preserve sites while enhancing community participation and ownership in tourism planning.
