January
2020 makes another day in the history of The Gambia. It is a day on which
another robbin is cut off, and this time around it’s the USD$ 50 million
China-funded Gambia International Conference Center. The development of the
Gambia International Conference Center is appraised by many pro-environment
citizens of The Gambia of posing a great environmental and ecological threats
to this Bijilo Monkey Park in which the conference center is housed. The Bijilo
Monkey Park is home to a wider number of bird species, colorful insects, green
monkeys, patas monkeys, red colobus monkeys, butterflies, fire ants, rainbow
& monitor lizard among other wonderful ecological species.
Environmentalists of The Gambia both far and wide have raised their voices
against the construction of the Gambia International Conference Center in the
heart of an ecologically sensitive zone like Bijilo Monkey Park.
In
response to the inauguration of the Gambia International Conference Center, we
should now start promoting the meeting industry in the country with the right
footing. The meeting industry otherwise called MICE Industry. MICE which stands
for Meetings, Incentive, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry.
Promoting the meeting industry in The Gambia will not only bring economic
growth through hosting of professional gathering in the country, but it will
also enable us not to entirely depend on seasonal tourism. In advancing the
MICE industry in The Gambia, it can further help the country in having a more
stable tourism industry which can help in bringing in investment opportunities
into the country.
The
way forward for the realization of the MICE industry in the Gambia can be
greatly achieved by the presence of Gambia International Conference Center,
back by the government developing a “MICE Industry Development Plan” for this
infant industry in our country. The MICE Industry Development Plan can cover
strategic policies such as 1) Promoting and raising the image of Gambia
internationally for MICE industry enthusiasts, 2) Cultivating and certifying
young professionals to run the industry, 3) Establish a robust Management team
who can work with international meeting industry networks such as International
Congress and Convention Association and other organizations, for them to
promote and as well host events in The Gambia. 4) Establish a Research and
Development Unit which shall be purposely responsible to study the trends of
the meeting industry and provide policy recommendations. All of this cannot be
achieved without the proper support of the Gambia government.
In
so saying, the government can support the meeting industry by offering flexible
immigration entry and smooth visa application process for MICE participants. It
can also offer incentives and subsidies to event organizers, all of which will
help boost the image of Gambia’s MICE Industry among its regional competitors.
The MICE industry also relies on heavily human resources like any other sector
of the tourism industry. People working in the MICE industry need to get the
relevant professional and knowledge training, get the skills and expertise to
work in various programs of the industry. In so adhering to those needs; the
government through both the national and private institutions shall offer a
training program for the Gambia International Conference Center and The
Gambia’s meeting industry human resource need.
University of The Gambia (UTG), Gambia Tourism & Hospitality
Institute (GTHI), Institute of Travel & Tourism of The Gambia (ITTOG) can all assist in providing training
and certification programs for MICE industry professionals.
On
a final note, the government of The Gambia in partnership with Ministry of
Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources (MECCNAR), Department of
Parks & Wildlife Management (DPWM), National Environment Agency (NEA), and
the Department of Forestry (DOF) should consider plan of relocating the monkey
population of Bijilo Monkey Park to national parks across the country, which
offer them a favorably habit condition. In conclusion, said government
institute may also consider drafting a Green MICE Industry policy that shall
ensure the conference center adhere to it’s carrying capacity. In addition, the
policy should also put in place strategies for a proper waste management
system, efficient energy, and water consumption system for the venue. The government
through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources
(MECCNAR) can also consider doing a carbon offsets program by supporting tree
planting programs in the country, for the number of trees that are bulldozed
during the construction of the Gambia International Conference Center.
