The celebration was attended by students, hospitality lecturers, officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, chefs as well as tourism and tour writers.
The objective of the celebration of the International Hospitality Day initiated on 24th April 2016 worldwide is to dedicate one day in the year to the hospitality industry to celebrate, promote and educate in hospitality.
Students and lecturers showcased their professional prowess in the hospitality industry as part of the celebration.
Speaking on behalf of the director general of GTHI, Dawda Baldeh, registrar of GTHI said the selected theme ‘Going Local is a Game Changer in Today’s Hospitality Sector’ by GTHI research department really goes with the celebration. “It is the best we can do in Africa as we are having a lot of recipes that are underutilized,” he added.
Peter Mendy, Head of Research Department at GTHI made dilated on the theme and also gave a brief background of International Hospitality Day celebration.
He said this year is the second year The Gambia is celebrating the day.
“This day is meant to celebrate, promote and share all moments of hospitality with everyone as the hospitality profession is concerned,” he said.
“Hospitality is a phenomenon industry and very important looking at The Gambia as a destination where tourism generates a lot of revenue to our economy,” he added.
He described them theme as apt, saying: “as Gambians, we have to embrace our local produce”.
Chef Saikou Bojang, president of The Gambia Chefs Association thanked GTHI for coming up with the initiative to join the world hospitality industry to celebrate the day in The Gambia.
According to him, as professional chefs “we believe in eat food as your medicine, if you do not, you will eat medicine as your food.” This he said means one has to eat healthy food for your body to tell you to go back to who you are. “By going local we will take the lead of our health.”
