The Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard) has issued a strong warning to encroachers and illegal developers operating within the country’s Tourism Development Area (TDA), vowing to intensify enforcement actions against unauthorized construction activities along beaches and waterfronts.
Speaking during a recent inspection tour of tourism facilities and coastal areas, the Director General of the GTBoard, Ida Jeng Njie, said individuals and businesses erecting illegal structures without proper approval would face legal consequences if they fail to comply with official directives.
According to her, the board remains committed to preserving the integrity of The Gambia’s tourism assets and ensuring that development within designated tourism zones adheres to environmental and regulatory standards.
“Developers who ignore official notices and continue construction without the required approvals risk facing legal action,” she warned.
Njie stressed that environmental protection, sanitation, and orderly development are essential to sustaining the country’s tourism industry and safeguarding its international image as the “Smiling Coast of Africa.”
She noted that illegal developments along beaches and waterfronts not only threaten the environment but also undermine efforts to create a sustainable and attractive tourism destination for visitors and investors.
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The GTBoard boss further disclosed that inspections and monitoring exercises would continue across the country as part of broader efforts to enforce compliance and promote responsible tourism development.
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The Tourism Development Area, which includes some of the country’s key tourism corridors and beachfront locations, is subject to strict planning and environmental regulations designed to preserve natural ecosystems and enhance visitor experiences.
GTBoard says it will continue collaborating with relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure that all tourism-related developments align with national standards and contribute positively to the growth of the sector.
