The Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard), in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, has concluded a high-level consultative meeting at Banjul International Airport on Thursday, 1st October 2026. The engagement formed part of ongoing stakeholder consultations in preparation for the upcoming tourism season.
The meeting convened representatives from tourism, aviation, hospitality, security, customs, immigration, and airport services to deliberate on strategies for ensuring a smooth, efficient, and welcoming experience for visitors to The Gambia. It provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange views, identify challenges, and strengthen coordination across institutions critical to the tourism and aviation sectors.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Amie Njie, underscored the importance of the airport as both the first and last impression for visitors.
“We are here at the right place to assess progress, identify challenges, and explore solutions to make The Gambia the leading tourist destination in the sub-region,” she said.
Mrs. Njie reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening tourism as a driver of socio-economic development, noting its vital role in national growth.
GTBoard Director General, Mrs. Ida Jeng Njie, emphasized the need for a more coordinated and measurable approach to tackling sectoral challenges.
“We recommend establishing or strengthening a permanent tourism stakeholder coordination mechanism. This platform should not only discuss problems but also monitor agreed actions and timelines,” she stated.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Mr. Momodou Bamba Saho, Chairman of the GTBoard Governing Body, and Mr. Sulayman Jatta, Deputy Director General of the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority.
Representatives from the Travel and Tourism Association of The Gambia (TTAG), Gambia Customs, Immigration, the Gambia Hotel Association, and other airport operators also contributed perspectives on preparations for the season.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from all participating institutions and industry stakeholders to enhance collaboration and ensure a successful tourism season. It follows a series of similar engagements held across the regions last week.
By Lamin Njie
Communications Officer
Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture
