At least 164 British tourists arrived on Friday and 20 more chartered flights are expected in the country every week.
Tourism in The Gambia is the highest earner of foreign exchange after groundnut and also creates hundreds of job opportunities for Gambians in the industry.
To ensure a successful season, your government should ensure that security needs for the country is upheld. Your government, through the Ministry of Tourism and Culture should also identify factors which hinder the success of the tourism sector to avoid any lapses this year. With a good tourist season, the economy will be boosted.
Mr. President, the stakeholders involved in the tourism sector now have a good relationship with the government. The Gambia government’s efforts in restructuring and reorienting satellite agencies of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture were not easy but it was worth it. We have seen roads being built in the TDA which remained underdeveloped since the 1970s. The swift actions taken by government in restoring confidence in “Destination Gambia” is a great achievement.
The challenge of keeping tourism safe and correcting the 40-dollar problem and other related problems at the airport can’t wait. The government must act quickly.
You must always have it at the back of your mind that every government is competing in the same market. We therefore cannot make costly and wrong decisions. We hope people would be working in the industry and the issue of foreign exchange will soon be resolved and the economy moving again.
The 68 million dollar World Bank project is a clear testimony of the commitment of government in this sector and we should all pray for a hitch free and successful tourism season.
Mr. President, it is gratifying to note that your government agreed with oil marketing companies to solve their demands. Your government should provide sufficient US dollars to enable their banks to issue them with letters of credit. Your government should also reduce the pricing structures on them to enable them remain in business.
Finally, Mr. President, your government should instruct the legal department to sue and claim for millions of dollars which could be used to compensate the families of the contaminated syrup and paracetamol imported to the country from India. Your government should take action on the importers of fake medicines and expired food to ensure that they comply with the standards expected with public demands.
Good day!