By Yunus S Saliu
The Gambia’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Abdoulie Jobe, on Wednesday said tourism remained a key pillar of the country’s economy, contributing significantly to economic growth, employment creation, cultural preservation, and the country’s international visibility.
He was speaking at a day-long inter-sectoral retreat held on 15 April 2026 at Kombo Beach Hotel, bringing together senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and its satellite institutions.
The meeting gathered representatives from the Gambia Tourism Board, the Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute, the National Centre for Arts and Culture, and the Tourism Diversification of The Gambia Project, along with other partners. It reviewed progress made during the third and fourth quarters of 2025, assessed institutional performance, identified challenges, and discussed strategies for improved implementation.
Jobe said the retreat was designed as a platform for reflection and dialogue rather than a routine reporting exercise.
“This retreat is not merely a reporting exercise; it is a platform for honest reflection and practical dialogue,” he said, urging participants to share achievements, challenges, and lessons learned to strengthen collective performance.
He stressed the need for timely delivery of results, stronger coordination among institutions, measurable outcomes, and sustained stakeholder engagement.
“We must also ensure that our monitoring and evaluation systems are timely, robust, and aligned with national priorities,” the minister added, noting that clear priority actions and stronger collaboration were required for the remainder of the year.
Jobe acknowledged progress achieved within the sector while emphasizing the need for continued efforts to meet national tourism development objectives.
The retreat was chaired by Amie Njie, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.