Honourable Abdoulie Jobe, Minister of Tourism and Culture on Monday, 22nd April 2024 held a day-long meeting with the senior management of The Gambia Tourism Board at their head office in Kotu. The meeting was meant for the new Minister to have an understanding of the mandate, vision, and mission of the GT-Board, as well as the challenges they are facing as an institution, and to brainstorm on the remedies of those challenges.
Speaking during the meeting, Minister Jobe called on the staff of the institution to continue doing the good work they are doing for the country, in promoting and marketing destination Gambia to the outside world.
He described tourism as a vital economic player in the country that is creating a lot of job opportunities for many Gambians, especially women and the youth.
The Minister assured the management of the GT Board that his office will support and provide guidance for them at all times.
“We can make this sector very vibrant and more efficient. I and my team will be here for you for any assistance,” he reassured.
During the meeting, the Minister made a PowerPoint presentation on some of the tourism areas he visited recently; such as Denton Bridge, and the craft markets within Banjul and Bakau. He urged the GT Board management to look into the conditions of these places, describing them as deplorable.
“Some of these structures here are very old and pose a health risk not only to the tourists but also the people selling here. See how best you can revamp these structures and make them look better,” he instructed.
He also called on the management of the GT-Board to collaborate with partners such as NaWEC to have street solar lights on the beaches and the possibility of employing some youths to clean the beach frequently.
“This sector needs flexibility. We are competing with so many players including our neighbor. We can learn from them to do better. In this way, we will be able to bring in more tourists into the country,” Mr. Jobe suggested.
Abubacarr Camara, Director General of The Gambia Tourism Board, assured the Minister and team that his office will continue to do its utmost best for the development of the tourism sector.
He also presented to the Minister and team the Tourism Policy and Strategy Plan 2022 to 2031, which explained in detail their functions and roles as an institution, the challenges they face, and the way forward.
Director General Camara finally thanked the Minister and team for visiting their new head office for the first time since Mr. Jobe’s appointment as Minister of Tourism and Culture.
Mrs. Cordu L. Jabang-Senghore, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, together with other staff of the Ministry attended the meeting.
By Lamin Njie
Information Officer
Ministry of Tourism and Culture