Africa-Press – Gambia. The Governing Body of the Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard) on Tuesday conducted a familiarisation tour of the Tourism Development Area (TDA) and adjoining coastal corridors to assess tourism infrastructure and land-use conditions.
Led by Chairperson Momodou Bamba Saho, the delegation included board members Amie Njie, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture; Ida Cham Njai; and Sulayman Jatta. They were accompanied by GTBoard Director General Ida Jeng Njie and technical staff.
The visit covered key tourism sites, including Bakau Cape Point Beach, Fajara Golf Course, the Bakau and Palma strips, Kotu Bridge, the BB Craft Market, and emerging tourism zones in Bijilo, Brufut, Tanji, Tujereng, Sanyang and Gunjur.
The delegation assessed ongoing developments and conditions on the ground, engaging with tourism stakeholders across the visited areas.
Particular attention was given to challenges such as land encroachment, disputed ownership, limited beach access, stalled tourism projects, sand mining activities and abandoned quarry sites in parts of the coastal corridor.
The team also reviewed beautification initiatives, including a coconut tree planting project at Bakau Cape Point Beach implemented in collaboration with the National Environment Agency and other partners.
During the visit, the delegation met tourist guides, taxi drivers and craft market vendors, who raised concerns about infrastructure gaps, cleanliness, trading conditions and visitor movement.
Officials said such engagements are important for informing policy aimed at improving visitor experience and sustaining The Gambia’s tourism sector.
The delegation further inspected tourism land allocations at various stages of development, noting that while some projects were progressing, others remained stalled or affected by encroachment and disputes.
Environmental pressures, particularly from mining and quarrying activities, were identified as threats to coastal ecosystems and the long-term sustainability of tourism development.
Speaking at the end of the tour, Chairperson Saho said the exercise provided insight into both opportunities and challenges facing the sector.
“Today’s tour has been valuable in giving the Governing Body first-hand appreciation of the opportunities and challenges across our tourism areas,” Saho said.
He said effective tourism governance must be based on on-the-ground realities, adding that the Board remains committed to orderly development, protection of tourism land and improved environmental management.
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