Abdoulie Jobe, The Gambia’s Minister of Tourism, has commenced a four-day nationwide familiarisation tour of key tourism sites, aimed at strengthening destination development and improving project delivery across the country.
The minister, accompanied by Momodou Bamba Saho, Chairman of the Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard), and members of the governing body, began the exercise with visits to strategic locations in the North Bank Region.
On the first day of the tour, the delegation visited Barra, Jufureh, Kerewan, Jahaur Mandika, and Nyanga Bantang, where they inspected tourism facilities, engaged with local stakeholders, and assessed proposed ecolodge development sites.
Officials said the tour is designed to provide first-hand insight into the state of tourism infrastructure across the regions, while also ensuring that ongoing and planned projects receive the necessary monitoring and support.
The initiative is expected to enhance destination management, promote community involvement, and unlock new opportunities for sustainable tourism development, particularly in emerging areas outside the country’s traditional tourism hubs.
Stakeholders engaged during the visits highlighted the importance of improved infrastructure and investment in eco-friendly accommodation to attract more visitors and diversify The Gambia’s tourism offerings.
Similarly, The GTBoard Governing Body, led by Chairman Momodou Bamba Saho and accompanied by Amie Njie, Permanent Secretary at MOTAC, Director General Ida Jeng Njie, continued their nationwide familiarisation tour with visits to Janjanbureh, Kosemar Tenda, and Sotuma Samba Koi.
The team assessed key tourism sites, including Kunkiling Forest Park and several ecolodge projects, engaging local tour guides and stakeholders while evaluating opportunities and challenges across the regions.
The visit highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen tourism development, improve facilities, and unlock the rich eco-tourism potential of rural Gambia for sustainable growth and community benefit.
