By Yunus S Saliu
Launching the final dissemination of the final report for the demand destination assessment of Tourism Sites throughout the country, the Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC) has noted that the investment totals for the potential ten shortlisted sites for development and enhancement in the final in-depth report launched will cost US$47 million.
Hounourale Minister Abdoullahi Jobe delivering his address at the launch of the final report for the demand and destination assessment of tourism sites throughout the country shouldered by the Project Implementation Unit of the Tourism Diversification and Resilience in The Gambia Project, a World Bank-funded project under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture affirmed that the assessment of tourism sites is one of the deliverables of the project that falls under Component 2 on infrastructure support for the tourism sector.
In that regard, the Minister affirmed that “This final in-depth report will give us the policymakers, and the tourism sector stakeholders a product that has provided a comprehensive assessment of over 60 tourism sites countrywide, ranked by importance, income generating potential and social sustainability.”
He continued “The report also provides designs, investment proposals, and cost estimates for each of the sites, with a global sum of over US$47 million for the development and enhancement of the ten shortlisted sites.”
As noted by Minister Jobe, the report was one of the first activities launched at the start of the Tourism Diversification and Resilience (TDR) project, whilst preliminary studies were done before to map tourism sites in the country, no comprehensive assessment of all tourism sites was ever undertaken.
The consultants, KEIOS, the Tourism Minister explained, were tasked to come up with a comprehensive assessment of tourism sites that will help strengthen the branding of the destination and diversify the Gambia’s tourism products; “This forms a wider strategy by the government to support the tourism diversification efforts of the country as well as the planned strategic rebranding that the TDR project intends to undertake through other key activities.”
This important milestone in the tourism journey of the country has been achieved “The Demand and Destination Assessment of Tourism Sites throughout the country that culminated in the report of 10 prioritized sites” disseminated with fully costed investment packages.
However, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture in collaboration with the World Bank through the TDR Project has delivered this remarkable report to all to serve as an impetus for the development of tourism in the country, “Now the onus is on us to roll our sleeves and take this forward in ensuring that each of the investment packages is realized, he tasked everyone.
Anpa Aryal Pant, Deputy Task Team Leader, Tourism Diversification and Resilience in The Gambia Project, World Bank expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, The Tourism Project Implementation Unit, and KEIOS Development Consulting.
She informed that the World Bank has been working closely with the MOTAC in the context of the Tourism Diversification and Resilience Project, which aims to diversify tourism products and markets by strengthening institutional framework, improving linkages between local suppliers and large tourism businesses, and building resilience through infrastructure support.
The tourism sector, she emphasized, is a significant contributor to GDP and employment, “Tourism is also a major source of foreign direct investment, having attracted over US$45 million over the past five years, the sector is recovering after the pandemic, and international tourist arrivals recorded a 13% increase this year.”
Despite the strong recovery, she stated, first, tourist arrivals remain below pre-pandemic levels, second, tourism activity remains in a relatively confined area on the coast near Banjul and, third, most of the consumption in the tourism sector is imported rather than locally grown.
Meanwhile, she highlighted the importance of this in-depth report saying it is a missed for local economic development, for ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach local communities, especially women and youth. Also, it is a missed opportunity to showcase Gambia’s unique cultural heritage, natural beauty, and biodiversity. And also, a missed opportunity to attract high-value tourists to maximize economic benefits.
However, the potential shortlisted sites and estimated delivery cost are Albreda, Juffureh, and Associated Sites – $4,468,161.00, Basse – $1,063,403. Bintang Bolong – $5,684,449.00, Denton Bridge – D1,843,020.00, historic Georgetown/Janjanbureh and surroundings – $2,659,233.00, Kenye Kenye Jamango Mosque – $1,608,770.00, Kiang West National Park and Bao BolongWetland Reserve – $10,282,350.00, Kotu Beach Craft Market $1,508,599.00, Niumi National Park and Jinack Island $3,207,484.00, and Wassu Stone Circles – D1,817,556.00.
