By Yunus S. Saliu
AGOS, Nigeria — The Gambia has called on Nigerian travellers, tour operators, travel agents and other tourism stakeholders to help increase the number of Nigerians visiting the country for business and leisure.
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Abdoulie Jobe made the call during an evening engagement with Nigerian tourism stakeholders in Lagos on the sidelines of the 22nd Akwaaba Travel Market.
The expo is being held at the Eko Suite Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Jobe said The Gambia and Nigeria share deep historical, cultural and people-to-people ties that extend beyond tourism.
He said tourism provided an opportunity to build on those longstanding relations through increased travel, business partnerships and shared economic opportunities.
“Gambia is ready for you. Gambia welcomes you, and we are ready to work with you,” Jobe told the gathering.
He urged Nigerian tourism stakeholders to view The Gambia not only as a holiday destination but also as a strategic tourism partner capable of creating opportunities for businesses and communities in both countries.
“We want more Nigerians to discover The Gambia, and we want you to be the bridge that makes that possible,” he said.
Jobe also called on Nigerian media practitioners and travel journalists to help promote Africa’s tourism destinations, particularly The Gambia’s hospitality, cultural heritage and tourism experiences.
He said increasing Nigerian tourist arrivals, expanding business cooperation and creating opportunities for citizens of both countries would require stronger partnerships and concrete action.
Director General of the Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard), Ida Jeng-Njie, also invited Nigerians to visit and experience Destination Gambia.
Jeng-Njie said The Gambia, despite its small geographical size, offers a variety of tourism experiences, including beaches, cultural and historical sites, nature reserves, entertainment and river-based activities.
“The Gambia is the Smiling Coast of Africa, a place where famous hospitality meets beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, rich heritage, delicious cuisine, music and unforgettable experiences,” she said.
She said Nigerian visitors could benefit from the cultural links between the two countries while experiencing new attractions.
Jeng-Njie urged Nigerian tour operators and travel agents to include The Gambia in their programmes and holiday packages.
She also invited Nigerian influencers, content creators and travel journalists to visit The Gambia and experience its attractions first-hand before sharing their experiences with their audiences.
The GTBoard Director General said tourism development required collaboration among governments, tourism authorities, private-sector operators, media organisations, content creators and other industry stakeholders.
She called for stronger cooperation between Nigeria and The Gambia to increase travel between the two countries, expand business opportunities and contribute to the development of a more competitive African tourism sector.
The Lagos engagement brought together Nigerian tourism industry stakeholders and senior Gambian government and tourism officials as part of efforts to strengthen Destination Gambia’s presence in the Nigerian market.
The 22nd Akwaaba Travel Market has attracted Gambian tourism stakeholders and other participants from across the tourism industry.
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