By Lamin Njie
The governing body of the Gambia Tourism Board on Monday continued its nationwide familiarisation tour with visits to the Central River Region and Upper River Regions.
The delegation, led by Chairman Momodou Bamba Saho, included Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Amie Njie, Director General Ida Jeng Njie, and a technical team.
The tour forms part of efforts to assess tourism facilities across the country, identify challenges, and explore opportunities for sustainable tourism development.
During the second day of the exercise, the team visited several eco-lodges and project sites in Janjanbureh and Sotuma Samba Koi.
In Janjanbureh, the delegation embarked on a boat excursion to assess the tourism potential and natural environment surrounding Kunkiling Forest Park. The team also inspected the stalled Kunkiling Ecolodge project, where discussions focused on factors hindering its completion and possible strategies for its revival.
The delegation later proceeded to Kosemar Tenda to inspect the EbA Project Ecolodge and assess its operational condition and contribution to community-based eco-tourism initiatives.
The final stop of the day was in Sotuma Samba Koi, where the governing body assessed a completed eco-lodge facility and its potential to attract visitors to the region.
Tour guides in Janjanbureh also engaged the Director General in discussions on key challenges and opportunities affecting the local tourism sector.
The tour exposed both the opportunities and constraints facing up-country tourism development. Among the key concerns highlighted were environmental management, poor visibility of tourism sites, and the need for increased investment in tourism infrastructure.
Officials said addressing these challenges is essential to unlocking the full potential of rural and domestic tourism, diversifying The Gambia’s tourism offerings, and ensuring inclusive economic benefits for local communities.
