By Yunus S Saliu
The Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard) in collaboration with the Institute of Travel and Tourism of The Gambia (ITTOG), and Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) Monday launched its much awaited Ninki Nanka Trail (NNT).
This product, Ninki Nanka Trail, is a contrast to ‘sun, sand and sea’ packaged tourism builds on the untapped potential of the River Gambia. It aimed largely at the adventure traveler and special interest groups.
Among other feature, NNT provides a well-rounded visitor experience through combination of river-based and overland excursions. Also, the trail offers immersive and meaningful interaction with local people in particular through community-based tourism initiative, and it will enable visitors to discover the variety of Gambian natural and culture heritage while experiencing the important oral legend of the Ninki Nanka dragon.
Giving the oral legend of the Ninki Nanka dragon, it is a mythical dragon said to reside in the creeks of the River Gambia, with stories providing accounts of both a benevolent dragon bringing great fortune a malevolent dragon bringing danger and even death.
Notwithstanding, the trail is a responsible product that aims to disperse economic benefit to rural areas, and to create opportunities for tourism to continue into the shoulder ‘Green’/Tropical Season.’
In addition the product aims to take an innovative approach to engaging the private sector in tourism development and poverty reduction in accordance with the concept of shared values and the principles of responsible tourism, creating better places to live and therefore better places to visit.
Meanwhile, since 2017, the Gambia Tourism Board in partnership with the International Trade Centre through the EU-funded Youth Empowerment Project has provided support in product development and linkages, marketing and skills training in hospitality, responsible tourism and community-based tourism to bring the trail into operation and continuously improve on local ownership, sustainability, quality, safety, and management.
Abdoulie Hydara, Director General of Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard) on behalf of Hamat NK Bah, Minister of Tourism and Culture launched the new Ninki Nanka Trail, while Dr Adama Bah Consultant for NNT made a statement on the role of ITTOG in the development of Ninki Nanka Trail product, Daouda Niang, Director General of GTHI delivered a statement on the role of GTHI in the development of the Ninki Nanka Trail. Also, Sainey Ceesay, Marketing Manager at NCAC on behalf of Hassoum Ceesay, Director General of NCAC gave a speech on the role of NCAC in the development of the NNT while Ngoneh Panneh, Adviser Tourism and Creative Industries at Youth Empowerment Project delivered a note on behalf of Fatou Mbenga Jallow, YEP Project Coordinator and Lamin Fatty, Director of Product Development Investment and Culture gave a statement on the role of GTBoard in the development of NNT.
Meanwhile Binta Kassama product development officer, GTBoard made an opening remarks and Presentation on the Ninki Nanka Trail was done by Lamin Bojang, Senior Product Development Officer, GTBoard.
