His
Excellency,
The
President of The Republic of The Gambia,
State
House, FAJARA.
5th. July 2017
Your
Excellency,
THE
BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF TOURISM TO THE GAMBIA
I
wish to take this opportunity once more to send my warmest congratulations to
you and your family on your appointment to the highest office of our beloved
country, The Gambia. We pray to Allah to continue to guide and protect you and
see your dreams for the country come through with peace, progress and
prosperity.
I
did intimate to you during our last meeting and my address to you and your
delegation at the AbubacakSidiq Mosque on 23rd June 2017, the expectation of
the country and its people base on the three Wolof words: Dolleh, Daraja ak
Derem.
You’re
Excellency, my livelihood and that of many Gambians depend on the tourism
industry which is referred to as the backbone of the country. The industry
contributes over 20% of our GDP, it offers gainful employment both directly and
indirectly, it provides much needed foreign exchange earnings and also
contributes towards our yearly balance of payment.
Your
Excellency, The Gambia has been a leading tourist destination in the sub-region
with good policies and practices but over the years we lacked behind in many
ways due to lack of commitment and political will.
Sir,
it is this political will and commitment that we now seek from your government
in which, we entrust our hopes to salvage our dear industry that provides us
our livelihood and our survival for that matter.
In
this vain, I kindly request that Tourism be accorded a strategic sector in the
development agenda of your government.
It
is regrettable that in two of your government’s statements references were made
on Agriculture, Health, Energy and lately Education has been added as priority
areas, thus omitting Tourism which is key in our nation’s development.
I
have been assured by the Hon. Minister of Tourism and Culture that it was an
oversight that Tourism was omitted and it will be rectified as a matter of
priority. Since this rectification has not been forthcoming, I felt obliged to
seek your urgent intervention on the issue.
Sir,
I have managed to compile key benefits and challenges of the sector for you and
your Cabinet to know how much Tourism and Culture contributes towards our
economy and the key challenges that the sector faces for your consideration in
addressing the key areas of priority of your government.
Your
Excellency, Be rest assured of my continued support at all times for the
development of the tourism industry of “The Smiling Coast “.
Yours
Sincerely,
Sheikh
Tejan Nyang,
Head
of School ITTOG
CC:
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism & Culture,
Director
General Gambia Tourism Board.
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