By Mariatou Ngum
The Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute (GTHI) recently commemorated the International Hospitality Day at the GTHI hall in Kanifing.
This year’s theme is: “Going local is a game changer in today’s hospitality sector”. The day is meant to celebrate, promote and educate the public about hospitality.
Mr. Dawda Baldeh, the Registrar, deputising for the Director General of GTHI, intimated that the event is celebrated on April 24th annually but that due to the Ramadan, it was rescheduled to May.
He described this year’s theme as apt and best for Africa; saying there are lots of local recipes that are underutilized. He observed that most of them find it difficult to process local recipes into healthy food for healthy eating. He therefore commended the research team of GTHI for the theme.
Mr. Peter Mendy, Head of Research and Consultancy Department at GTHI, disclosed that the International Hospitality Day is an initiative of the International Hospitality Council and the council is an initiative of the International Institute of Tourism Management (IITM) in India.
He explained that GTHI is celebrating this day due to its participation in the International Young Chefs Olympia in 2020, which was a virtual event due to COVID-19. He said they had engaged the IITM and thought it worthwhile to have a special celebration of the day. This year, he said, is the 2nd consecutive time the GTHI is celebrating the day.
Hospitality, he said is an important industry as it makes The Gambia a tourist destination and thereby generate revenue to the economy.
“As the theme stated, we are trying to embrace our locally made products, the raw materials and food and everything that we have. It is time The Gambia started promoting its local products if it has to remain competitive in this industry,” he stated.
Chef Saikou Bojang, president of The Gambia Chefs Association and young entrepreneur, urged all to go local especially with the food we consume; in order to promote healthy living.