Speaking in an interview during the tour, Diallo said the delegation was invited by the GTBoard to explore The Gambia’s tourism attractions and facilities and identify destinations and experiences they could recommend to their clients.
“Our first impression is very good because we received a very warm welcome on arrival and this continues,” he said.
The delegation visited the Katchikally Crocodile Sacred Pool, Yabouy Home Cooking, the Tanji Fishing Village and Monkey Park, where they were introduced to some of The Gambia’s cultural, culinary and nature-based tourism attractions.
Diallo described every place interesting while noting that the bird-watching experience, as particularly interesting. He said the guide provided detailed information about the different bird species, their habitats and the various bird-watching sites available across the country.
He said bird-watching offers significant opportunities for attracting European tourists, many of whom have a strong interest in nature and wildlife experiences.
“As Senegalese tourism professionals, we are here to learn how to attract tourists who are very interested in bird-watching,” he explained.
He also praised Monkey Park for its contribution to wildlife conservation and nature-based tourism, describing it as an important attraction for visitors seeking eco-friendly experiences.
“Monkey Park is very interesting because it helps protect the animals living here. It is also very important for tourism because nature is part of tourism,” Diallo said.
He stressed the need for tourism operators to promote environmentally friendly experiences, noting that The Gambia has considerable potential to develop its eco-tourism sector.
“We have to focus mainly on this to promote eco-tourism and eco-friendly visits, and The Gambia is a country that is ready for this,” he said.
The familiarisation tour is part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the GTBoard to strengthen tourism cooperation between The Gambia and Senegal and promote cross-border tourism.
The programme continued with a business-to-business (B2B) networking session between the Senegalese delegation and Gambian tourism stakeholders on Thursday.
The delegation is also scheduled to visit the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre and ABCas Creek Lodge before concluding its visit to The Gambia.
