By: Yunus S. Saliu
The Governing Body of the Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard), led by its Chairman Momodou Bamba Saho, has concluded a nationwide familiarisation tour of tourism facilities aimed at assessing the country’s tourism potential and strengthening destination development.
The tour, which ended on Wednesday, followed an earlier inspection of tourism facilities and corridors within the Tourism Development Area (TDA), covering parts of the Greater Banjul Area and the West Coast Region. The exercise was conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture as part of the Board’s oversight mandate in monitoring tourism development, destination management, and land-use practices within key tourism zones.
According to officials, the familiarisation tour provided board members with first-hand exposure to the current state of the tourism sector. It enabled them to assess ongoing developments, identify operational challenges, and engage directly with stakeholders across the industry.
Beyond its oversight function, the exercise is also aimed at promoting domestic tourism and broadening The Gambia’s tourism product beyond the coastal belt. It is expected to highlight eco-tourism, wildlife tourism, and hospitality ventures in rural communities, thereby encouraging investment, job creation, and increased visitor flows to lesser-known destinations.
On the third day of the tour, Chairman Saho was accompanied by board members, including Ida Cham Njie, Director General Ida Jeng Njie, and technical staff. The delegation visited Pakaliba Hunting Camp to assess its operations and explore its potential in wildlife tourism. The team later proceeded to the Bridge Hotel in Soma for further inspection of its facilities and services.
The four-day exercise concluded with visits to Tendaba Camp in Kiang, where the delegation reviewed its contribution to the national tourism product, and Abca’s Creek Lodge in Kasagni, Foni, as part of efforts to evaluate the readiness and potential of tourism establishments in rural Gambia.
Officials say the tour forms part of broader efforts to strengthen destination management, improve service delivery standards, and ensure balanced tourism development across the country.
The Gambia’s tourism sector remains one of the key pillars of the national economy, contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings, employment, and community development, particularly along the coastal and emerging inland tourism corridors.