The Gambia is a very popular destination with UK holidaymakers. The majority of tourists visit for winter sun and beaches, bird watching and excursions, as well as the nightlife around the tourist resorts.
Building on work initiated by the UK government, the Foundation’s programme in the Gambia is focused on increasing income generating opportunities for small suppliers and producers. Our initial project sought to assist local suppliers, such as unofficial guides, craftsmen, fruit sellers, stallholders and local taxi drivers, to sell their products and services to holiday-makers and to better engage in the wider tourism industry.
Responsible Tourism Partnership
A Responsible Tourism Partnership was set up, bringing together UK tour operators, ground agents, hoteliers and tourism authorities and these suppliers. Through this partnership an action plan was created to help suppliers gain better access to tourism income - and improve the choice and quality of products and services on offer to visitors. The plan focused on training and development to improve communications,product quality and marketing & promotion.
Responsible Tourism Policy for Gambia...
A Responsible Tourism Policy for the Gambia has now been developed, together with codes of practice to regulate the quality of services. There are new codes for Official Tourist Guides, Taxi Drivers, the Senegambia Craft Market and Juice Pressers. These have been further reinforced and strengthened by a comprehensive training programme that began in May 2004. Holidaymakers and local suppliers are now much better informed through a variety of media. Notice boards in hotels have been given a new lease of life and local suppliers are kept informed of opportunities via local press and radio.
Changing Lives...
Beach vendors have been encouraged to put up stalls to sell fruit, rather than approaching tourists. As a result, visitors feel more comfortable about buying fruit on the beach and vendors have seen their income double, enabling many to send their children to school for the first time.
"Responsible tourism has been very important to us as the door has been opened for us to have access to tourists to market our products. We were being blocked from having our stalls outside 2 of the big hotels and now we are allowed to be there. It will help to enhance our lives as we can now help our families. People rely on you when you go to work and if you come back with nothing it is no good for any of us."
Omar Sawaneh, Vice President of Juice Pressers Association
“First Choice is delighted to be involved in this project, which will benefit the local community as well as our customers”
Jane Ashton, Sustainable Tourism Manager, First Choice
Local farming...
From 2006, the Travel Foundation’s focus has been local farming. A demonstration farm has been set up and links have been created with hotels and restaurants to purchase fresh, locally grown vegetables.
In December 2006 the farm was opened to visitors and a tour has now commenced, enabling holidaymakers to see the vegetables being grown and harvested, helping them to learn more about the benefits of the project, and giving them the opportunity to sample a range of jams and juices produced on-site. Click on the leaflet to the left for more details.
A “Train a Farmer” programme has also been established to encourage young people to grow vegetables for the tourism market, providing them with a means to generate an income while remaining in their villages, rather than having to move to the city to find employment. Farmers are taught how to grow different kinds of crops as well as new production methods, including organic farming.
In other villages the youths have all left to try and find money in the city. Here this does not happen any more. They can see that it is possible to earn good money and stay with their families.”
Ebrima Jawara, GIG ‘Train a Farmer’ programme participant
Helping local Beach Boys...
Work has also commenced on a new project to help local beach boys find alternative means of employment – reducing the amount of ‘hassle’ experienced by tourists and providing a more long term means of income generation for the local young men.
The project began with a ‘needs assessment’ to better understand the situation from the perspective of the beach boys. A training and skills development plan is now under development, to be implemented later this year.
“The work carried out has been both a lesson for the MyTravel team and a tool which we used to improve our customers’ holiday experience in The Gambia.” Deelia Fermin, MyTravel
Making a difference:
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Better communications between tour operators and local suppliers
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Improved quality of local goods and services – meeting British standards
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Increased income through tourism for small local suppliers – helping to improve quality of life for destination communities
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Reducing the level of imports – and promoting local produce
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Increasing livelihoods options for young people
- A more enriching holiday experience for tourists
