By Yunus S Saliu
The Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard), in partnership with Bakadaji Hotel, on Tuesday hosted a meet-and-greet breakfast for Gambian social media influencers as part of efforts to promote domestic tourism and position The Gambia as a year-round tourism destination.
The event, held at Bakadaji Hotel in Kololi, provided a platform for engaging influencers to support the Board’s domestic tourism campaign, first launched in 2023.
Participants sampled a range of local and international cuisine, beverages and traditional Gambian attaya during the programme.
Speaking at the event, GTBoard Director of Marketing Adama Njie said the initiative forms part of the Board’s strategy to showcase tourism products and services across the country while encouraging Gambians to explore local destinations.
He said promoting domestic tourism is essential to building a sustainable tourism industry, noting that no destination can depend solely on international visitors.
Njie also commended the growth of Gambian investment in the tourism sector, describing Bakadaji Hotel as an example of locally owned enterprises creating employment opportunities.
He urged Gambians to support local tourism businesses, particularly during the Green Season, adding that GTBoard plans to organise similar promotional visits to other tourism establishments across the country.
The marketing director further disclosed that the Board is planning promotional activities in neighbouring Senegal as well as Nigeria, Ghana and other West African countries to boost regional tourism.
He also highlighted the role of traditional and digital media in promoting Destination Gambia, saying social media influencers and bloggers have become important partners in reaching wider audiences.
Bakadaji Hotel Sales and Marketing Manager Fatou Banja thanked GTBoard and the participating influencers for supporting the initiative.
She said tourism promotion should focus not only on attracting international visitors but also on encouraging Gambians to discover attractions within their own country.
Banja announced that the hotel would introduce affordable Green Season packages aimed at encouraging more Gambian families to enjoy local staycations.
Human Resource Manager Aji Mariam Senghore also called on Gambians to take the lead in experiencing the country’s tourism products, saying domestic tourism plays an important role in supporting the growth of the sector.
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