The declaration came during a stakeholder sensitisation workshop organised by the Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard) on Monday at the Senegambia Beach Hotel. The forum brought together government officials, traditional leaders, security services, local authorities, tourism operators, geologists and community representatives to strengthen understanding of the legal framework governing the Tourism Development Area.
Addressing participants, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Abdoulie Jobe, stressed that the workshop was convened to clarify the legal status of the TDA and reinforce the responsibilities of institutions involved in its administration.
He explained that the Tourism Development Area was established under the government of the late President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara as a strategic investment zone to drive tourism, create employment, attract investment and contribute to national economic development.
“The Tourism Development Area was legally designated under title deeds SR No. 18 of 1974 for Kombo North and SR No. P-714 of 1974 for Kombo South, covering the coastal belt from Kotu to Kartong for a period of 99 years,” Minister Jobe said.
The minister made it clear that the land within the TDA belongs to the Government of The Gambia and not the Gambia Tourism Board.
He explained that the GTBoard’s role, as provided under the Gambia Tourism Board Act 2011 and the Tourism Regulations 2011, is to administer and manage the area on behalf of government.
Expressing concern over reports of encroachment and unauthorised land transactions within the tourism zone, Minister Jobe warned that protecting the TDA is essential to preserving a national asset that supports thousands of livelihoods and contributes significantly to the country’s economy.
“It is important that we work together to protect what belongs to the Gambian people and preserve the Tourism Development Area for national development,” he urged.
He further called for stronger coordination among the Ministry responsible for Lands, the Department of Lands and Surveys, the Department of Physical Planning and Housing, the Geological Department, local government authorities, district chiefs, alkalolu and other stakeholders to ensure sound land governance and sustainable tourism development.
Also speaking at the workshop, the Director General of the Gambia Tourism Board, Ida Jeng Njie, described the Tourism Development Area as the backbone of the country’s tourism industry.
She noted that the zone hosts the majority of The Gambia’s hotels, tourism establishments, recreational facilities and supporting infrastructure, making its proper planning and management critical to maintaining the country’s competitiveness as a leading tourist destination.
According to her, the workshop was designed to improve understanding of the laws governing the TDA, clarify institutional mandates, strengthen inter-agency collaboration and ensure that all developments comply with national planning standards.
She urged government agencies, investors, tourism operators, landowners and community leaders to work together in protecting the integrity of the Tourism Development Area while fostering an environment that encourages responsible investment.
The GTBoard Director General reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to promoting transparency, reducing land-related conflicts and strengthening governance within the tourism sector.
Participants described the workshop as long overdue, noting that it was the first time in more than two decades that all key stakeholders responsible for the management of the Tourism Development Area had gathered to discuss its legal framework and future protection.
The sensitisation forms part of GTBoard’s broader efforts to reinforce the administration of the Tourism Development Area and ensure that the country’s premier tourism corridor remains protected for sustainable economic growth and future generations.
