Consolidating on the air arrival from Nigeria, which increased by 39 percent this year when compared with previous years, The Gambia was at Akwaaba African Travel Market in Lagos last September to further woo more Nigerians to visit.
In this interview at the foremost West African travel fair in Lagos, Ida Jeng Njie, director of Tourism International, Gambia Tourism Board, speaks to Obinna Emelike on why the country, which is aptly tagged ‘The Smiling Coast of West Africa’ is a must-visit for Africans, especially Nigerians.
What is the rationale for your participation in Akwaaba African Travel Market this year?
Well, The Gambia was at the fair last year, and I was there too last year. What we try to do with our participation is to intensify our efforts into the sub-region and Nigeria in particular, because we Gambians feel that we need the Nigerian market because we have all that it takes to carter for the Nigerian market.
Also, Nigerians are high spenders, and who do not want to attract high spenders in their country. That is top among the reasons we have re-strategized and said we need to intensify our efforts at attracting visitors within the sub-region and Nigeria in particular.
Why visit The Gambia?
There are many good reasons to visit. First, you need to visit The Gambia because we have all that it takes to make holiday successful and wonderful experience for everyone. Of course, we are very tolerant, very hospitable and nice people. Nobody wants to go to a country where there is no tolerance or where he will not be welcomed?
The Gambia is the most peaceful country in Africa. We have the products for Nigerians, Africans, Europeans and the global tourists.
However, Gambia has re-strategized to ensure that we attract not only Nigerians but Africans as a whole. But why would you not come to Gambia where you will have peace, stability, the product is right and the weather is beautiful.
How affordability and accessible is the country?
Accessibility is not an issue because there is a daily flight from Nigeria to The Gambia by Air Peace. Gambia stands out in the sense that it is value for money as compared to other West African destinations. Yes, we are all Africans, but we are unique in the sense that it is affordable. Price is affordable and that is why we are in Akwaaba African Travel Market to tell Nigerians and the world here that good things are happening in The Gambia and the offerings are pocket-friendly. As well, part of the reasons we attended the travel fair in Nigeria this year is to tell Nigerians and other people who are not aware of our potential, what Gambia has to offer, how to get there and that it is value for money experience whether vacations, corporate events, adventure trips, business travel, among others.
Recently the Gambian Tourism Board revealed that air arrival from Nigeria increased by 39 percent compared with previous years, are you working to sustain the feat?
We are trying to exceed that figure, hence the reason we are intensifying our efforts in the Nigerian market. We are not only here in Akwaaba, we will be doing other activities, especially familiarisation trips to The Gambia. We had one this year and we will be having another one in March. We are working with Akwaaba to do Banataba, which means let’s dialogue. So, we plan to get Nigerians to visit Gambia for them to come and we dialogue. We need people like the media to come to see and showcase to the world their experience. We believe that the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
We are increasing the number of awareness campaigns and familiarisation trips to encourage more people to experience our country and tell their experiences to others who will visit to also experience even more of our numerous attractions and offerings.
Beyond tourism, what are the business opportunities in The Gambia?
There are lots of business opportunities in The Gambia to the extent that we have some incentives for people that want to invest and our investment portfolio is so good that you do not have to be a Gambian to invest.
We are open to investments as long as you follow the guidelines; you can invest without a Gambian partner, and that is so unique for The Gambia within the West African region.
