By Lamin Njie
In a bid to promote destination Gambia, the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies is currently on a working visit to the Smiling Coast of West Africa, The Gambia. During their stay in the country, the group is expected to hold discussions and meetings with key stakeholders in the Gambia’s tourism sector.
Mrs Amie Njie, Permanent Secretary (PS) at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, officially welcomed the team at Tamala Resort on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. She noted that this development marks a significant milestone in the history of Gambian tourism sector.
“This auspicious occasion is being organised to launch the much-anticipated NANTA milestone event in the Smiling Coast. This occasion is therefore the culmination of a process that has started since the successful rolling out of the first ever FAM Trip from Nigeria, preceded by a high-profile outreach mission to your great country- the Federal Republic of Nigeria, under the aegis of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture,” she stated.
PS Njie said tourism in destination Gambia is all about people interacting with visitors, sharing their heritage, hospitality, and their culinary delights with visitors.
“As such, I wish to seize this opportunity to encourage you to venture out to experience the great hospitality of the Gambian people, and enjoy the delights, sights, and sounds of the Smiling Coast,” she enthused.
The Permanent Secretary informed the visitors that apart from the immaculate and trendy stock of hospitality facilities, the Smiling Coast boasts of a number of world heritage sites such as the Kunta Kinteh Island and the WASSU Stone Circles.
“These wonderful sites are yours to discover, not to mention the Gambian version of Jollof Rice known locally as Benechin. The rich and delicious DOMODA as well as the succulent fruits such as mangoes, which are currently in season and abundance,” she added.
Madam Njie, however, called on tourism stakeholders at various levels to assess the situation and to put out a strategy for the next steps to make tourism more responsive to new trends and challenges, as well as reposition the sector on a competitive path.
I want to point out that despite all the changes, the role of travel agencies continues to be pivotal in the tourism ecosystem. This convergence brings together eminent and notable travel agents from across the Federal Republic of Nigeria to network and refresh their skills to deliver even better results,” she concluded.
