The official signing ceremony, which was held at Tamala Hotel, was attended by the minister of Tourism and Culture along with other government ministers, tour operators and bankers among others.
Speaking at the official signing ceremony, Hamat N.K. Bah, the minister for Tourism and Culture, thanked all those who attended the ceremony, adding the signing is a boost for tourism development in The Gambia.
He revealed that TUI is the biggest Tour Operator in the world.
“We all know that when there are more tourists, a lot of money goes to our government coffers,” Minister Bah said, adding most of “our revenue goes to the payment of electricity bills and water.”
He thus appealed to the minister for Energy to consider the high cost of electricity tariff in the country.
In the area of security, the Tourism Minister called on the support of the minister for Interior to make sure that there is peace and stability in the country. According to him, this would encourage more investments in the country.
“So that’s why some years ago, I ordered the GTBoard to buy some pick-ups and hand it over to the Interior Ministry in order to be able to do their work effectively,” Bah added.
“For TUE, I can assure them that we are ready to welcome them, and with our World Bank Project, we are going to increase our products.”
Malleh Sallah, the managing director of International Tourism Investment Limited, said TUI is the biggest Tour Operator in the world.
Abdou Jobe, the minister for Energy, said as a government, they would continue to do what is right in the sector to sustain and make sure that there is consistent supply of electricity in the country.
Siaka Sonko, the minister for Interior, thanked Tourism Minister Bah and his entire team for coming with such an “important investment” for the country. According to him, The Gambia is called Smiling Coast not only because it smiles, but very peaceful. “I assure you that the security is here to enhancing peace and stability.”
“Though we cannot do it alone, however, we do as much as we can to make sure that this place remains peaceful,” the Interior minister assured.
