By Yunus S Saliu
Recognizing the vital role tourism plays in regional economic development and integration, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in collaboration with the Institute of Travel and Tourism of The Gambia (ITTOG) under its International Centre for Responsible Tourism West Africa-ICRT – WA, on Monday, 17th March, kicked start a weeklong training workshop supporting the implementation of the tourism regional tourism policy (ECOTOUR 9-29) for stakeholders in The Gambia.
The workshop at the Bakadaji Hotel, Kololi, started on March 17th and will end on March 21st, 2025. It is meant to enhance the capacity of tourism officials on ECOWAS legal instruments/regulations and foster a collaborative environment among stakeholders.
Understanding the background of training, tourism as a tool for development is acknowledged in the development agenda of both developing and developed parts of the world. This multifaceted industry heavily makes use of nature, culture, society, heritage, and environment for its growth and development. With a high linkage effect, tourism cuts across the economy, society, and environment creating both positive and negative impacts.
Responsible Tourism (RT) initiated in the 1990s is widely accepted as an effective tool for ensuring sustainable development in tourism.
In his introductory remarks, Dr. Tony Elumelu, Director of the Private Sector, on behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Alieu Omar Touray, gave a detailed background of the workshop of the private sector forum on Intra-Regional Tourism: ECOTOUR 19-29.
Also, he highlighted the objectives and expected outcomes which included improved compliance with ECOWAS tourism regulations and policies, enhanced cooperation among member states in promoting regional tourism, development of strategic partnerships between stakeholders, recommendations for policy reforms and implementation strategies, and capacity building to implement the ECOTOUR 19-29 Action Plan.
Dr. Tony applauded destination Gambia on its laurel in tourism saying “Tourism is a, very, critical component of our integration agenda, and The Gambia plays a critical role, and when it comes to tourism in Africa, you cannot talk about it without mentioning The Gambia. So, I congratulate you on this very loud achievement.”
He expressed that ECOWAS, on its own, has adopted legal instruments to enhance members’ activities, adding that “tourism goes beyond the state level. It goes beyond the regional level. It is a global market, and to ensure that you play your role very well, we’ve also adopted programs to make sure that you harmonize processes. One of those is the ecotour.”
He explained that the ECOTOUR is a regional policy, a document to work with. More so, he added that they have also adopted tourism classification to harmonize processes.
Again, he congratulated The Gambia for putting in place the ECOWAS national biometric ID card, which is focused on enhancing mobility in the region.
Sheikh Tijan Nyang, Chairman of THC6 ECOWAS welcomed participants to the session before his presentation on the introduction to the ECOWAS Policy (ECOTOUR 19-29).
Over the years, he said they have been working with the ECOWAS team to build capacity in hotel classification, which he described as a key in any country wishing to develop tourism.
On the other hand, he said the ongoing forum is meant to ensure that member countries are familiar with the ECOWAS Tourism Policy.
However, in this five-day workshop, participants will be exposed to different topics.
Among others present at the training included officials from the ECOWAS National Office in The Gambia at the Ministry of Trade Regional Integration and Employment (MOTIE).
