By Yunus S Saliu
Sheik Tejan Nyang, the Head of School at the Institute of Travel and Tourism of The Gambia (ITTOG) and Chairperson of the Technical Harmonization Committees (THCs 6) led an insightful discussion on harmonization standards during the recently concluded ECOWAS workshop on the Private Sector’s Role in Developing Tourism Standards.
The event took place at the Continental Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria, from November 25 to 27, 2024, and brought together tourism stakeholders from across West Africa.
The three-day workshop, in collaboration with the Directorate of Industry in Lagos, focused on promoting regional cooperation and standardization in the tourism sector. Nyang’s presentation highlighted key principles and procedures for developing and adopting harmonized standards, emphasizing the importance of consistent criteria for tourism services, including hotel grading, food service establishments, and drinking venues.
Nyang delved into the mechanisms by which ECOWAS Technical Harmonization Committees (THCs), the ECOWAS Commission, and Member States are working together to harmonize standards within the region. He outlined the responsibilities of the ECOWAS Commission, which include liaising with National Standardization Bodies (NSBs) and Member States, providing logistical support for standards harmonization projects, and ensuring compliance with the World Trade Organization’s Technical Barriers to Trade (WTO TBT) Agreement.
In his presentation, Nyang highlighted the benefits of harmonized standards, such as enabling access to regional and international markets, fostering a Common Market within ECOWAS, and reducing technical barriers to trade among Member States. He emphasized that these standards not only facilitate the free movement of goods but also promote regional integration, boost intra- and international trade, and support industrial growth within ECOWAS countries.
The ECOWAS workshop, a flagship initiative aimed at enhancing regional cooperation in the tourism sector, was hosted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and private-sector stakeholders to discuss strategies for standardizing tourism practices across West Africa.
