The Career Day featured presentations from GTBoard marketing staff and UTG lecturers, who highlighted The Gambia’s tourism potential and discussed career pathways within the sector. The gathering served as a platform for students to interact with industry professionals and learn about the critical role tourism plays in the country’s economic development.
Delivering a keynote address on behalf of the Director General of GTBoard, Ebrima A.K. Sanyang, Senior Officer for Research and Development at the GTBoard, emphasized that the tourism industry is a major pillar of The Gambia's economy. He noted its wide-ranging opportunities in areas such as hospitality, digital marketing, eco-tourism, and aviation.
"Today, we gather for an important event - Student Career Day focused on shaping the future workforce of our nation," said Sanyang. “Tourism is more than just a job; it is a vehicle for shaping The Gambia’s future.”
He encouraged students to explore career options in cultural preservation, sustainability, and tourism innovation, adding that GTBoard remains committed to supporting youth through internship and mentorship programs in collaboration with hotels, NGOs, and startups.
Dr. Banna Sawaneh, Dean of the School of Business and Public Administration at UTG, reflected on the history and development of the university’s Tourism Program. He praised Dr. Lamin Drammeh and the late Dr. Sajaal Taal for laying the foundation of the program, which has produced many professionals contributing to the national tourism sector.
Dr. Sawaneh warned against complacency and urged the next generation of tourism professionals to rise to the challenge of maintaining The Gambia’s image as ‘The Smiling Coast of Africa.’ He also stressed on the importance of having well-trained human resources to compete with regional tourism giants like Senegal, Nigeria, and Ghana.
“Sustaining The Gambia’s tourism industry requires critical minds and policy support. The GTBoard, UTG, and other stakeholders must work together. This is a collective responsibility,” Dr. Sawaneh stated.
He further highlighted the need to accommodate experienced industry professionals who lack formal qualifications but wish to pursue higher education in tourism and hospitality. UTG, he said, is working to expand access to these programs to increase the number of qualified professionals in the field.
The event provided an important interface between academia, industry experts, and students, with a shared commitment to strengthen and sustain tourism in The Gambia.
The Career Day concluded with students engaging with GTBoard representatives and UTG lecturers to seek and learn about scholarships, internships, and academic pathways related to tourism and hospitality.
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