By Yunus S Saliu
The five-day training of accommodation providers in OIC Member Countries on Muslim Friendly Tourism (MFT) Standard and Quality Service Provision last Friday come to an end.
The Muslim Friendly Tourism training for accommodation providers in OIC Member Countries organized by the Gambia Tourism Board was sponsored by COMCEC Project Funding with key objective – to help the country as a destination to comprehend the concept of MFT, its various components and to facilitate and exchange ideas on the opportunities and challenges in developing and marketing MFT.
The training was attended by different participants from Nigeria, Senegal the host country, The Gambia and trainers and moderators were from Malaysia and Gambia.
In his closing remarks Abdoulie Hydara, Director General GTBoard stated that Muslim Friendly Tourism is an integral part of the continued growth deepening and diversification of more than tourism. According to UNWTO GDP of OIC member countries, he said it is protected to go higher rate by 24% than the rest of the world which is 3.6%. Therefore, he added, making provision of increasing number of Muslim tourists is a considerable advantage for any tourism destination particularly where it is combined with quality services.
DG Hydara outlined the importance of the training which he said cannot be over emphasized as the training is in line with his board project development aspiration. He however conveyed his board appreciation to the sponsored and as well appreciated the university of The Gambia who had provided the local trainers and also the Islamic Center in Malaysia for facilitated the traveling arrangement of the international trainers from Malaysia to The Gambia.
One of the dignitaries to grace the training is the Turkish ambassador to The Gambia Ambassador Ismail Sefa Yuceer highlighted the importance of the training and advised participants from the OIC Member Countries and other stakeholders to work together for further improvement of Muslim Friendly Tourism in the member countries.
