By Lamin Njie
The Minister of Tourism and Culture, Abdoulie Jobe, has revealed that plans are afoot to attract the Scandinavian tourists (Sweden and Denmark) to destination Gambia once again, following a considerable spell of dwindling presence. Scandinavian tourists ‘discovered’ The Gambia and constituted the bulk of tourist arrivals in the early years of tourism development.
Minister Jobe made this announcement last week, when he led senior officials of his Ministry, and those of The Gambia Tourism Board, on unannounced visits to tourist craft markets in Banjul, Bakau, Cape Point/Fajara, Kotu, Palma River and Senegambia.
The main purpose of the Minister’s visit was to enable him have first-hand information about these places in terms of how their businesses are going, the issues they are faced with daily and the way forward towards bringing back the good old days of the tourism sector.
The visit afforded the Minister the opportunity to have face-to-face interaction with the craft market vendors for the first time since his appointment as Minister of Tourism and Culture.
The Minister reassured the vendors of his office’s readiness to work hand-in-glove with them, affirming that their participation in the tourism sector is crucial.
He reminded the vendors of the importance of tourism to the country’s economy including the opportunities it brings along in terms of employment creation, especially for the youth and women.
He also called on them to unite and work together as a family.
The vendors at all the visited craft markets expressed the need for renovation of their buildings, provision of running water for their toilet facilities, space constraints, and the issue of some unauthorised people selling tourist materials on the beaches.
In response, the Minister told them their concerns were noted and that technicians at the Ministry and the Gambia Tourism Board would work with them to see how best their plights could be addressed.
The Minister and team are expected to visit other craft markets later.
