By Binta Jaiteh
The Gambia Tourism Board (GTB) Thursday held a consultative forum with key stakeholders in the tourism industry.
The move was aimed at strengthening collaboration, addressing sector challenges and identifying strategies to enhance the country’s tourism development.
The meeting brought together representatives from the public and private sectors to discuss opportunities, challenges and ways of improving the performance and sustainability of the tourism sector.
Speaking at the forum, GTB Director General Ida Njie said the participation of stakeholders demonstrated a shared commitment towards the growth, resilience and success of the industry.
“We gather at a critical moment when our industry is navigating both significant opportunities and complex challenges. We cannot achieve our ambitions and goals in isolation. Sustainable development and effective service delivery demand robust multi-stakeholder partnership and participation,” she said.
Njie says the board considers industry stakeholders and leaders as essential development partners, adding that their experiences, feedback and insights are valuable in shaping policies and improving operations.
She explained that the forum was designed to promote open dialogue, exchange best practices and develop practical strategies for advancing the sector.
The GTB Director General encouraged participants to share their views openly and provide recommendations that would contribute to strengthening destination marketing, improving the country’s tourism image and enriching visitor experiences.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the GTB Governing Body, Bamba Saho thanks stakeholders for their continued partnership, noting that tourism goes beyond beaches to include culture, heritage, skills and the people of The Gambia.
He said the board’s responsibility was to provide strategic direction and ensure that tourism development was managed responsibly, transparently and in the public interest.
“This is a consultative meeting, and we have not come here to congratulate ourselves. We have come to have honest conversations about the season and prepare together for the season ahead,” Saho said.
He expressed optimism that recommendations from the forum would help shape strategies, policies and planning for a successful 2026/2027 tourism season.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Amie Njie, said the engagement was organised to strategize measures to ensure a successful tourism season.
She said the ministry considered it necessary to engage the private sector and other stakeholders to share perspectives on how to advance tourism development amid global challenges and geopolitical uncertainties.
“This inclusive approach is in line with best international practices in tourism destination management,” she said.
Njie said the ministry would continue supporting the GTB to fulfil its mandate in developing the tourism sector, while urging the board to consider and act on key recommendations raised during the forum.
She notes that tourism requires effective partnerships between public and private sector institutions to deliver quality experiences for visitors.
According to her, strong leadership and collaboration among stakeholders remain critical elements for the success of any tourism destination.
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