By: Haruna Kuyateh
Foundation Kalilu Jammeh in partnership with the Institute of Travel and Tourism of The Gambia (ITTOG) recently wrapped up three-week training on Sustainable and Responsible Tourism for 10 youth, all females.
The was held in Girom, Upper Badibou in the North Bank Region, and the training module covered planning before guest arrival, catering, reception operation, gender, and human rights.
Addressing the trained youth, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kalilu Jammeh Foundation, Mr. Kalilu Jammeh described the training as important in building and harnessing human resources for young ladies.
He said it would contribute to ensuring proper services are provided to guests while noting that the training will also empower youths with requisite skills in getting employment through Eco-Tourism Camps across the region.
He, therefore, used the moment to thank ITTOG for their commitment to supporting and promoting Eco-Tourism, with the view to strengthen the capacity of local operators to provide better service.
He urged the government to support Eco-Tourism to enable investors to invest heavily in the sector while ascertaining that Eco-Tourism can contribute to creating employment opportunities for youths and by extension address irregular migration.
Dr. Adama Bah Director of ITTOG described the partnership with Foundation Kalilu Jammeh as cordial, noting that community-based tourism or Eco-tourism is crucial in reaching out to communities and helping tourists to learn more about culture and hospitality.
He reassured them of his institution partnering with institutions to promote community-based tourism and challenged participants to be goodwill ambassadors of Foundation KaliluJammeh and ITTOG.
Commenting on Sustainable Responsible Tourism, he said it would promote cultural value and create more employment opportunities.
Aminata Sidibeh a beneficiary of Yallal Tankonjala on behalf of the participants thanked ITTOG and the Foundation for their support in transferring knowledge and skills to beneficiaries. She noted that the training has informed them of their human rights and how to present their culture to visiting tourists.
Participants were presented certificates for the completion of three weeks of training on Sustainable and Responsible Tourism.
Participants were drawn from Illiasa, Jajari, Kerr Ndongo, YallalTankonjala Girom of Upper Baddibou, and Kerr Galo of Lower Nuimi of the North Bank Region.