Gambia News: Informal Sector Not Benefiting Much From Tourism

Mar 04,2008 by

The informal sector does not benefit much from tourism, especially this year, the Public Relations Officer of the Official Tourist Guides at the Senegambia Beach Hotel, Lamin Kinteh, opined in an interview with this reporter on Thursday. He said the informal sector comprises tourist guides, taxi drivers, craft sellers, juice pressers and hair-dressers.

He said the tourists did not have enough information about The Gambia which should be given to them by the tour operators. He added that the tour operators should make their (tourist guides) job known to the tourists. Kinteh noted that they (tourist guides) are the mediators between the tourists and the local community. He said they should be going with the tourists in the community but the tourists do not have enough information about them (tourist guides). He added that with proper and correct information going around, the tourists would not go on their own when they need guides. Kinteh noted that every business should be promoted as far as tourism is concerned in the country, noting that if there is proper dissemination of information, the whole informal sector would benefit.

One guide by the of Lamin, said the number of tourists coming to The Gambia this season is very good and that for the first time tourists from Italy have come to The Gambia and that is a result of GTA's intervention that new markets have been found. He pointed out that the number of tourists who have been coming to The Gambia for the last 10 years (old friends) has been reduced this season but as he said new ones need to come.

Comment on This Gambia News (1 posted) 398 times read

Well I don't think that it is the Tourism industry that should seek local service providers for information on there businesses. Gambian small business owners need to understand that there is plenty of business to go all around. there seems to be a fear of working together. Strength is in numbers. For instance taxi drivers and companies (if there is such) should move to uniting and establish a union, where they can discuss, routes, fares, practices, common issues, solutions etc. but beyond that have a common unifying voice so that they can approach the tourism industry with not only complaints but practical solutions and information. Organization is the key to success. the people need to promote themselves and their business, if there isnt a place for them at the table demand one. Education is really whats at the forefront of this problem not the lack of inclusion.
(Posted on March 5, 2008, 12:04 AM Sulayman Konte)

Gambia News: Informal Sector Not Benefiting Much From Tourism

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