By: Sulayman Waan
The Ministry of Tourism and Culture (MOTC) has inaugurated new board members to steer the affairs of the Tourism Sector in consultation with the Minister, which was held on January 17, at the Quadrangle, Banjul.
The board members were nominated by the President in consultation with the MOTC after the expiry term of the former board members. The three tourism experts that were nominated include Alh. Abdoulie M Touray, who has been nominated as the Chairman of the Board; Babucarr Suwareh and Malleh Sallah are members in addition to certain stakeholders in the Tourism Institutions.
In his inaugural ceremony statement, Hamat Bah, the Minister of MOTC described the ceremony as milestone in the Tourism Sector as the Ministry has chosen experts to manage the Affairs of the Tourism Industry, saying that he received hundreds of applicants but he ended up with the identification of the right people to drive new Tourism Policy in advancing the Tourism Sector.
“President Barrow being passionate and knowing very well that Tourism is the engine that drives poverty out of the society and also generates jobs opportunities and revenue that is needed to develop the country, did not hesitate to take Tourism as a priority sector in National Development Plan (NDP). Therefore, it is important that we have to look for people who are capable to accomplish the objectives we setup in NDP,” he said.
He enjoined the Tourism Officials to bring innovative ideas so as to make the Tourism Sector the most vibrant quarter in the country, saying that the state have confident on the new board members to make positive changes in the Tourism Industry.
Alh. Abdoulie M Touray, the new chairman for the MOTC commended the Adama Barrow-led Administration for the trust they have on his team, saying that the board will take the responsibility seriously, patriotically and selflessly to ensure that they execute their duties to the expectation of the Gambia populace.
According to him, he was highly impressed when he visited the Hotel Industry including the Tamala, Balafo and the Princess Hotels because all these hotels are setup and managed by Gambian people, adding that they [the proprietors] would not have operated such hotels if the atmosphere is not conducive for investors.
“He then said for him being identified by the honorable Minister of Tourism and Culture, and endorsed by the President of the country when the environment was the recommendation of the Director General of The Gambia Tourism Board (GTB) and also the Permanent Secretary of MOTC is not an accident,” he said.
Mr. Touray stated that his team is coming to complement the efforts of the Tourism Officials, adding that they will deliver to the best of their ability. He also noted that his team wants to be resourceful and entrepreneurial to ensure the advancement of the country’s Tourism Sector.
Abdoulie Hydra, the Director General of GTB thanked the Ministry of Tourism and Culture for their efforts in the Tourism Industry as well as constituting new board members. He noted that the Ministry had made critical thinking in nominating competent people in the Management of the Board.
“I’m hopeful that the board members will enable the GTB to attain its sustainable development goals,” he added.
