By: Fatou Krubally
Senegambia Craft Market, a popular tourist destination in The Gambia, is facing challenges in sales this year despite an influx of tourists.
Mahmoud Jallow, vice president of the market, expressed concerns over the lackluster sales at the new location, attributing it to the market not being as visible as it was at the previous site.
“We were moved to this new location by the GT board, but it’s not attracting as many customers as before,” Jallow explained. “Tourists do come, but they are mostly repeat customers who already have similar items at home. It’s a struggle to convince them to make a purchase.”
Fatou Saine, a seasoned craft market vendor, echoed Jallow’s sentiments, noting that reaching the market has become a challenge for tourists. “This year has been particularly tough for us.
Despite the inflow of tourists, sales have been poor,” Saine shared. “Customers often haggle for steep discounts, making it difficult for us to make a profit.”
In a surprising twist, a tourist from Germany, Hans Müller, who has visited The Gambia for the third time, shared his perspective on the situation. “I frequent the craft markets during my visits, but I haven’t been buying as much this year. I already have similar items at home from previous trips,” Müller explained.
The market vendors are hopeful that efforts to improve visibility, such as the installation of signboards, will help attract more customers and enhance sales. However, the challenges of convincing repeat customers to make purchases continue to hinder the market’s success during the peak tourist season.
The struggle of Senegambia Craft Market highlights the complexities of balancing traditional craftsmanship with the demands of a competitive market. As vendors continue to adapt to changing consumer preferences, the future of the market remains uncertain. There is a need for new and innovative strategies to attract repeat tourism and ensure sustained success in the ever-changing tourism landscape.
