By Binta Jaiteh & Nyima Sillah
One hundred and fifty-four (154) students have recently graduated from the Institute of Travel and Tourism of The Gambia after completing their courses in various areas.
Some of the graduates completed courses in basic IT, business skills, cookery and pastry, performing arts, cabin crew, and airport operations while others completed international diploma courses in travel and tourism as well as an advanced diploma in travel and tourism.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony held at Sir DawdaKairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo, the Head of the Institute of Travel and Tourism, Sheikh Tijan Nyang, noted that the institute’s additional achievement this year is the launch of the first structured learning course on performing arts.
He explained that the mission and objectives of the school are to provide a conducive and inclusive learning environment that meets the specific needs of the local tourism industry.
“Our 16th graduation and awards ceremony will be one of the biggest in the history of the institution as we will be graduating 154 in the various fields, “he enthused.
Mr. Nyang pointed out that the institute’s journey through its 16 years of existence has not been easy.
“But we thank Allah that we have partners, who have trust in us, to give us the needed support to give back to our youths in their need of knowledge, skills, and experience,” he stated.
“Once again, we are about to witness another year of celebrating our successes and achievements for the 16th year of operation as a vocational training institute,” he acknowledged.
Mr. Nyang underlined the need for all hands to be put on deck for the recovery of the Gambia’s tourism sector like other destinations. He lamented that the recovery of the Gambia’s tourism sector from the COVID pandemic and other variables that hindered its progress has been slow.
“However, we are informed [that] this year is promising in terms of the numbers. Our country needs quality beds and highly-trained staff, which has been absent since COVID-19 mainly due to qualified Gambians leaving the Gambia for greener pastures,” the tourism and travel institute’s head said.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Adama Bah, said the main aim of the institute is to produce students whowill assist in building the Gambia’s tourism industry by taking advantage of local resources for the betterment of the industry in particular and the country, in general.
