A visit to Jufureh village to meet the Kunta Kinteh family (made famous through Alex Haley's book ‘Roots') is a highlight for many holidaymakers.
Since the village did not receive an entrance fee from visitors, the community relied on the sale of souvenirs and donations. Consequently, the desire to generate income led to tourists feeling hassled and complaints were common.
The excursion has been redeveloped to bring more direct, sustainable benefits to the villages involved.
A new ticketing scheme, delivering the part of the tour fee straight to a community fund, has given the community a sense of security.
So far, the fund has generated just over £22k which, among other things, has enabled the villagers to open a children's centre with a teacher...and it's now so popular, a rota system has been introduced!
With thanks to tourist donations, and the sale of crafts made by the children, in November 2011 the children's centre was presented with new equipment, including books and stationary. Since then, the children's centre has been handed over to the National Council for Arts and Crafts, who have taken on the day to day management, to ensure the centre remains to be a positive place for children to learn new skills.
Sixteen local people are now trained as guides and paid from the fund, bringing economic support but also creating a more enjoyable, less-hassled experience for consumers. Since the tour was redeveloped in 2008, over 5000 tourists have visited the community.
After 30 years of tours to the villages, the local people are finally receiving the income and getting benefit from tourism.
Joanne Baddeley, Sustainable Destinations Manager, Thomas Cook UK & Ireland said...
‘This project is already helping people who live in the communities visited by the Roots tour by bringing new opportunities for them to earn vital income. It’s also important to visitors, as it’s helping to improve the quality of the tour and the experience for tourists. Roots is one of the most popular excursions for Thomas Cook customers and helps them to really appreciate the traditions and cultures of the country. It is important to us to continue to work together with the Travel Foundation in support of the Roots project to ensure that the local people receive the income they deserve through tourism.’
16 local guides have been trained in Jufureh village. Almost 22,000 tourists have visited the villages, generating just over £22k.
Like so many in Jufureh village, Lamin Trawally had no choice but to try and earn a living by hassling tourists to buy souvenirs. But now, thanks to a fair ticketing scheme and establishment of a community fund, Lamin is a trained tourist guide. It’s changed his life, and he is now able to support his family thanks to a regular income…which has increased by 80%!