The Minister of Tourism and Culture, Abdoulie Jobe, has revealed that plans are afoot to attract Scandinavian tourists (Sweden and Demark), to destination Gambia once again, following a considerable spell of dwindling presence.
Scandinavian tourists ‘discovered’ the Gambia and constituted the bulk of tourist arrivals in the early years of tourism development.
Minister Jobe made this announcement last week when he led senior officials of his Ministry, and that of The Gambia Tourism Board on unannounced visits to tourist craft markets in Banjul, Bakau, Cape Point/Fajara, Kotu, Palma River, and Senegambia.
The main purpose of the Minister’s visit was to have first-hand information about these places in terms of how their businesses are going, what are the issues they are facing daily and what is the way forward to bring back the good old days of the tourism sector.
The visit allowed the Minister to have face-to-face interaction with the craft market vendors for the first time since his appointment as the new Minister for Tourism and Culture.
The Minister reassured the vendors of his office’s readiness to work hand-in-glove with them, affirming that their participation in the tourism sector is crucial.
Minister Jobe reminded the vendors of the importance of tourism in the economy of the Gambia and the opportunities it brings along in terms of employment creation, especially for the youth and women. He also called on them to unite and work together as a family.
The vendors at all the visited craft markets expressed the need for renovation of their buildings, provision of running water for their toilet facilities, space constraints, and the issue of some unauthorized people selling tourist materials on the beaches.
In response, the Minister told them their concerns were noted and that his technicians at the Ministry and the Gambia Tourism Board would work with them to see how best their plights could be addressed.
The Minister and team are expected to visit other craft markets later.
