By Yunus S Saliu
The Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard) has strongly condemned recent attacks involving tourists and visitors within the Tourism Development Area (TDA), warning beach touts, commonly referred to as “bumsters”, and others found violating the law that they will face appropriate action.
The warning was issued on Monday, September 28, 2026, during a press briefing held at the GTBoard Plaza in Kololi, following the circulation of several videos and messages concerning incidents involving tourists and visitors in the TDA.
Addressing members of the tourism and travel writers’ community, the media and tourism stakeholders, Ida Jeng-Njie, Director General of the GTBoard, said the Board and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) were deeply concerned about the recent incidents and their implications for the safety and security of tourists, visitors, residents and other stakeholders within the TDA.
She said the GTBoard strongly condemned any act or behaviour that threatens the safety, security, dignity or peaceful enjoyment of the country’s tourism environment.
“The Gambia remains committed to providing a safe, welcoming and secure destination for all visitors, and incidents that undermine this commitment will not be tolerated,” she said.
DG Jeng-Njie assured the public, tourists, visitors, tourism operators and other stakeholders that the GTBoard, in collaboration with the Tourism Security Unit (TSU), was treating the matter seriously.
She said appropriate measures were being undertaken to establish the facts surrounding the incidents, identify those responsible and ensure that appropriate action was taken.
The GTBoard Director General warned that any individual or group found to have violated the law or breached the standards and regulations governing the TDA would face severe and appropriate action in accordance with the laws of The Gambia.
She also called on tourism stakeholders, businesses, residents and members of the public to cooperate with the relevant authorities by reporting suspicious, unlawful or threatening behaviour through the appropriate channels.
According to her, protecting the safety and security of visitors is a shared responsibility, with everyone having a role to play in safeguarding the integrity and reputation of The Gambia’s tourism industry.
“The security and safety of our visitors is a shared responsibility, and everyone has a role to play in protecting the integrity and reputation of The Gambia’s tourism industry,” she said.
The GTBoard and MOTAC, she added, remain committed to working closely with the Tourism Security Unit and other relevant security agencies to strengthen security within the TDA.
The objective, she said, is to ensure that tourists and visitors can continue to enjoy The Gambia in a safe, peaceful and welcoming environment.
The GTBoard Boss, however, urged the public and tourism stakeholders to remain calm and responsible while the relevant authorities continue their investigations into the reported incidents.
The GTBoard reiterated its zero-tolerance position towards acts that compromise the safety and security of tourists, visitors and the wider tourism community.