The Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard) reminds all proprietors, managers and businesses in the hotel, guesthouse, lodge, rental apartment and other tourism-related sectors, operating within and outside the Tourism Development Area, to come forward and regularise their operational licence requirements.
According to a press released by the Management, Gambia Tourism Board, All of the above businesses are further reminded that continued operation without payment for these licences contravenes Part VII, Sections 32 and 33(1) and (2) of the Gambia Tourism Board Act, 2011, reproduced below:
The Gambia Tourism Board Act, 2011: Part VII, Licensing
Section 32
“32. (1) Subject to subsection (2)
(a) a hotel
(b) a nightclub
(c) a casino; or
(d) a restaurant
except with, and in accordance with, a licence granted by the Board.
(2) The Board may publish a notice exempting any premises or any class of premises from the requirements of subsection (1).”
Failure to regularise operational licences with the Board shall result in the Board invoking Section 48 of the Act, which states:
Section 48
“A person who contravenes any of the provisions of this Act commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand dalasi.”
Please note the following definitions under the Gambia Tourism Board Act, 2011 and Regulations:
Hotel: “Hotel” includes a guest house, rest house, tourist village, flat-hotel, inn, lodging house or premises used for the reception of guests or travellers, but excludes the premises listed in the First Schedule of this Act.
Restaurant: “Restaurant” means premises in which the business of selling food or beverages to the public is carried on.
Casino: “Casino” means any premises, including gaming houses, to which members of the public have access for the purpose of playing a prescribed game of chance.
Nightclub: “Nightclub” means premises open for business at night and having a bar and disco or other entertainment.
Tourist Enterprises: “Tourist enterprises” means the enterprises listed in the Second Schedule to this Act.
Tourist Guide: “Tourist guide” means a person who is employed to educate tourists about the geography, history, cultures and life of different communities in The Gambia.
Guests and tourists are advised not to lodge in any apartment, guesthouse, lodge or motel that is not registered with the Gambia Tourism Board.
