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| toubab1020 |
Posted - 15 Oct 2018 : 18:15:12
This is a very concerning development if implemented as it would mean an increase in air fares for passengers,how can this make sense to have a thriving tourism sector in the struggling Gambian economy,why do I think this, VERY Simple tourists can choose from many other destinations to have their holiday in the sun than coming to Gambia.
As usual it's ALL ABOUT MONEY and families on lower incomes will think twice about having a holiday in the sun in Gambia, and making friends when they are here and giving the much needed "help" to the majority of the Gambian population.LOSING VISITORS To Gambia from wherever is NOT something that will enhance the development of The NEW GAMBIA.
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Monday, October 15, 2018
The minister of Tourism and Culture has affirmed that the security tax at the airport that was officially confirmed through a letter issued by GCCA that from the 15th of January 2019, a security tax of $20 per person from any arriving and departing passenger (will be levied) is not a threat to the tourism sector.
Hamat Bah answering questions from reporters immediately after wrapping up his one day tour to some hotels located at Kotu on Wednesday, saying “government is looking into it. We will deal with it and nothing threatening in the industry.”
He went further to say that the government is concerned to make sure that the industry is never affected “so we are working on it as at now and when we are ready it will be communicated to the general public for everybody to know.”
He noted that social media “will always talk” but they (the government) will always do what they have to do in the best interest of the country as they (government) are more concerned than anybody else with matters regarding the industry and the welfare of Gambians or other investors that have interest in the tourism sector. “So we would not do anything that will jeopardise the interest and the stability of the industry,” Hamat added.
On the issue of hunting in the The Gambia, the Tourism minister said authorities would not allow people to carry gun and destroy the country, saying “we are here to preserve the flora and fauna of the country. We would not allowed people to carry gun to kill our birds and destroy this country because we have policies and programmes to implement.”
Kodou Jabang, permanent secretary at Ministry of Tourism and Culture described the visit to the hotels as successful. She said the ministry was positive that the few hotels under construction will be ready before November’s end and get ready for operations in December 2018.
She said both MoTC and GTBoard are not compromising when it comes to hotel standard and this was already made clear to all proprietors during inspections of their places.
Abdoullahi Hydara, director general of GTBoard whose office is mandated to bring more tourists to the country disclosed that the just started season will witness more number of arrivals. He admitted the possibility of having beds is challenge for the future as number of tourist arrival in the next three years will be enormous.
To avert such situation he said there is need to build more hotels and upgrade the two, three star hotels to four and five star hotels.
Author: Yunus S Saliu
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/security-tax-at-airport-not-a-threat-tourism-minister |
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