The Honourable Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of The Gambia, Abdoulie Jobe led a weekend tour of the Colonie de Vacances programme, bringing together the Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard), the Gambia Hotel Association (GHA), tourism stakeholders, participating students and hotel management teams in a coordinated celebration of tourism, hospitality, culture and youth engagement.
The tour commenced at Senegambia Beach Hotel, where the delegation had the opportunity to interact with participating students and experience the hospitality services and facilities provided by the hotel. The delegation subsequently proceeded to Kairaba Beach Hotel, continuing the engagement with young participants and management while highlighting the important role of hotels and tourism establishments in creating meaningful experiences for the younger generation.
The tour continued to Bakadaji Hotel, where the Minister and members of the delegation further explored the facilities and activities available under the programme. The visit provided another opportunity to connect the participating young people with the country’s hospitality industry while demonstrating how tourism establishments can contribute to learning, recreation and cultural exposure. The programme concluded at Kalimba Beach Resort, bringing to a close a comprehensive tour that connected four hospitality properties and highlighted the broader objectives of the Colonie de Vacances initiative.
At each stop, the Minister engaged directly with the participating students and host hotel management, underscoring the importance of creating opportunities through which young people can discover and appreciate The Gambia’s tourism, culture and hospitality offerings. The engagements also reinforced the GTBoard’s commitment to educational tourism and meaningful experiences for young people, while strengthening collaboration among government, tourism institutions, hotels and other industry stakeholders.
Beyond providing recreation, the Colonie de Vacances programme continues to demonstrate the potential of tourism as a platform for education, cultural exchange and youth development. By exposing young people to different hospitality establishments and tourism experiences, the initiative helps foster a deeper appreciation of the country’s tourism assets and the opportunities available within the sector.
The weekend tour therefore served not only as an inspection and engagement exercise, but also as a practical demonstration of the collective role of government and private-sector stakeholders in nurturing the next generation of tourism ambassadors and industry participants in The Gambia.
