As the tourist season continues to turn in more tourists this year than last year, more hotels and tourist-related outfits in the country are reaping the dividends.
One of them is Safari Garden Hotel, which has so far this year registered fifty percent increase in tourist bookings than last year.
The Point Tourism and Entertainment writer on Wednesday visited the hotel to speak to its General Manager Sarra Baldeh.
“This year’s tourism is much better than that of last year,” Mr Baldeh said.
Most of his hotel guests/ tourists have been coming from the UK and other parts of Europe, he said, adding that most of them came for educational purposes.
Mr Baldeh also said his hotel offers courses such as responsible tourism.
Some of the tourists are university and college students who also came to The Gambia to do some research.
In terms of tourism products, the General Manager explained: “We [The Gambia] are nowhere; our products are very poor compared to other countries, such as India, where their products are very attractive, and tourism is all about attraction.”
The Gambia as a tourism destination is dubbed the smiling coast but not products attraction.
“Gambians are very friendly people,” Mr Baldeh responded, saying that Safari Garden Hotel is a two-star hotel with a swimming pool and restaurant.
“At Safari Garden Hotel we give customers what they want. Food and drinks are served to the fullest and the hotel operates both in the off-season and tourist-season,” the experienced hotel manager said.
