By Kebba Ansu
Sheikh Tijan Nyang, former director of Gambia Tourism Authority (now GTBoard) has stated that hotels and allied services of the tourism industry of The Gambia will find it very difficult to survive after Covid-19
He said that most hotels and other tourism businesses are currently entangled in a state of indebtedness amidst tough travel restrictions.
Nyang currently, Principal of Institute for Travel and Tourism of The Gambia (ITTOG), made this statement as expectations for revival of the travel and tourism industry grows among travelers after many nations across the world started rolling out Covid-19 vaccines.
“The Gambia’s tourism industry is at a critical stage with most hotels and other allied services are so indebted that their survival is questionable even if the industry opens tomorrow.
We must also be mindful that insurance, ticket costs and handling charges also are factors to be taken into consideration,” Sheikh Tijan Nyang observed.
According to him, the situations of the tourism industry is not yet over, arguing that restrictions are still attached to travel couple with long quarantine periods and increased cost of travel.
“With the Gambian situation, bringing back the controversial arrival and departure tax at an appropriate time is killing our industry without doubt. Our situation is critical as it is controlled by external force who decides on our faith,” Nyang emphasized.
He added: “They decide on the price of a room, time to come to our destination and time to depart from our destination. That is why it’s necessary to find an alternative to package tours.”
The former Director of GTA observed that the survival of the tourism industry at this stage will depends on the regional market, adding that Gambia’s tourism authorities must sought out for serious investor to ply the regional routes and return back the efficient services that Gambia Bird was providing.
He said the country must also work towards a post Covid-19 training that will prepare stakeholders, adding that promotion of the state of the earth OIC Conference Center in the sub region should be intensify.
About the Author
