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Momodou
Denmark
11744 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Mar 2008 : 14:36:41
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Informal Sector Not Benefiting Much From Tourism
Says Official Tourist Guides – PRO
By Isatou Bittaye
The informal sector does not benefit much from tourism, especially this year, the Public Relations Officer of the Official Tourist Guides at the Senegambia Beach Hotel, Lamin Kinteh, opined in an interview with this reporter on Thursday. He said the informal sector comprises tourist guides, taxi drivers, craft sellers, juice pressers and hair-dressers.
He said the tourists did not have enough information about The Gambia which should be given to them by the tour operators. He added that the tour operators should make their (tourist guides) job known to the tourists. Kinteh noted that they (tourist guides) are the mediators between the tourists and the local community. He said they should be going with the tourists in the community but the tourists do not have enough information about them (tourist guides). He added that with proper and correct information going around, the tourists would not go on their own when they need guides. Kinteh noted that every business should be promoted as far as tourism is concerned in the country, noting that if there is proper dissemination of information, the whole informal sector would benefit.
One guide by the of Lamin, said the number of tourists coming to The Gambia this season is very good and that for the first time tourists from Italy have come to The Gambia and that is a result of GTA’s intervention that new markets have been found. He pointed out that the number of tourists who have been coming to The Gambia for the last 10 years (old friends) has been reduced this season but as he said new ones need to come.
Source:Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 26/2008, 3 - 4 March, 2008
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2008 : 03:16:04
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I wonder when will President Jammeh start to address the concerns of the Informal Sector for years they have been crying for a larger piece of the Tourist Pie. This is the sector that can be of benefit to the economy if given the chance to trade fairly. Where are the monopoly laws in Gambia? Why are Tour Operators holding Gambia to ransom. When will the President start to address the matter of monopoly of Tour Operators, Flights, Tour Guides and the crumbs that are left on floor for the Informal Sector workers to squabble over.
Yet again, I will not hold my breath but Jammeh you need to look into the monopoly of European Tour Operators hold on the Foreign Exchange coming into the country. By offering Tenders to other International Tour Operators so that everyone within the sector and visitors as well as Gambians at Home and aboard can have a better service than what is already on offer. People are sick and tired of being ripped of by Gambian Experience. Gambian Residents,Non Residents, and Visitors deserve a better service. This status quo from PPP days need to end. As the situation continues Gambia is losing out on being a compeditive destination. Also Resident Gambians and Non Resident are discriminated against when leaving Banjul Airport on flights living to the UK. They must get a return ticket even if they have all their legal documentation they are unable to pay for a one way ticket to Britain when they should be able to do so. Business and family travellers are losing out from the limited deals on offer from Gambia. It is much more expensive to travel from Gambia than from the UK.
Non Resident Gambians returning home expect to pack more than a swim suit and a towel. The baggage allowance is a rip off for those visting family friends or with a second home in the country. This service doesn't serve modern Gambia's needs. It is a blind spot that needs to be illuminated. Up until now, no one seems to have the will power in the position of authority to do anything about this monopoly. I wonder is it because the privilege few get a free ticket or extra baggage allowance when they want and ordinary people have to make do with a shoddy service? Jammeh you need to pick up your electric broom once again and clean up Gambian Aviation, Tourism by breaking this colonial chain that is strangling Gambia's economic Growth.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2008 : 08:18:33
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It would be great to have more flights from regional airports. Leeds/Bradford PLEASE! 
It doesn't matter WHO the airline is, if people book a package holiday very little money gets through to the local economy. It would be great if people just booked b and b and then went out locally. Or go self catering. I might try that next time. Although I am concerned for my security as a lone women these days.
Often flights that originate in one country are cheaper one way round than the other. For example with american airlines it is often cheaper to fly to the UK from USA than vice versa. This always seems very unfair!
On the subject of baggage, we all are given the information in advance about what is allowed. I was once charged over £100 by first choice for a suitcase FULL OF AID. I offered to open the case and show them. Its legalised robbery and meant my students in Gambia got less money. SO we have to stick to the rules or expect large fines. I learnt the hard way.
There is a lot of knocking of Gambia experience on here. I would say a monopoly is never a good thing, but Gambia experience offers a good service and is efficient. I also like the fact that the people working for them in Gambia are mainly Gambians. Unlike many tour operators who ship in staff from home...so say in Spain you would have an english rep. I have been with Gambia experience with a large party of students and they are always very helpful and good.
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MeMe
United Kingdom
541 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2008 : 12:14:16
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Regional airports, Bev .... try Scottish airports .... you think you've got it bad ... what about having to travel to Manchester or Gatwick from north of the border just to get on a Banjul flight?? Flights that usually leave early in the morning and arrive back around midnight - oh, look there's money to be had on not just the travel to/from the airports but also additional overnight accommodation. Then we have the good old Scottish airport surcharge if you want to book a holiday leaving from your own country ....
Sorry, but you'll get no sympathy from me on this one
(However, as I'm not planning on going to the Gambia anytime soon, I suppose this is irrelevant?!) |
It is better to die standing than to live on your knees - Ernesto Guevara de la Serna |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2008 : 12:28:34
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Me Me I'm sorry for you!  It must be terrible living in Scotland....all that rain and tartan!!!!
My daughter lives in Edinburgh with a Scottish guy by the way!
I LOVE Yorkshire and Yorkshire people. Ive lived here 30 years.
Just would like to go to Banjul from Doncaster (Robin hood?! ) airport! (Robin hood is from Nottingham, or so I always thought!) |
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toubab1020
12312 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2008 : 12:29:53
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YES but free University education free prescription for medicine free health care for the old! so you got it bad eh!
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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MeMe
United Kingdom
541 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2008 : 16:51:39
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| There's no such thing as a free lunch, T1020! Scottish university graduates do have to pay back fees after graduation and surely the whole of the UK (not just Scotland) is entitled to 'free' healthcare - it's called the NHS ... and yes I've been paying for that my whole adult working life, by the way! |
It is better to die standing than to live on your knees - Ernesto Guevara de la Serna |
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toubab1020
12312 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2008 : 16:59:55
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If you live in scotland you do not have to pay prescription charges,or is that not correct?(in england you have to pay per item!) if you are old and cannot take care of yourself and live in scotland thats free isnt it? in england its not,the old have to pay for their care if they have to go into a "home" .Free healthcare for all yes I have been paying that as well! I cannot have got everything wrong can I?
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 30 May 2008 17:01:00 |
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MeMe
United Kingdom
541 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2008 : 17:27:46
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There's already no prescription charges in Wales. This is being slowly phased in over the next 4 years in Scotland, so unless you have a chronic condition, are of pension age or on low income, you do still have to pay here too!
As for free care for elderly people, that may become a thing of the past, see article below from recent newspaper article:
"The flagship policy of free personal care for the elderly will be drastically cut because of a cash crisis in town halls across Scotland, leaked council documents have revealed.
A confidential paper handed to Scotland's 32 council leaders last month concludes that unless ministers assign "an open chequebook" to the policy, local authorities will have to systematically "limit" or "ration" the care available to over-65s.
Official auditors have estimated that councils are up to £60m a year short of being able to fund a policy which was originally intended to cost £100m a year to support.
An ageing population and increased costs amounting to hundreds of pounds a week for old people have left many councils unable to meet demand."
Swings and roundabouts,eh 
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It is better to die standing than to live on your knees - Ernesto Guevara de la Serna |
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toubab1020
12312 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2008 : 19:35:52
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Swings and roundabouts exactly my point so Scotland has less tourist air routes than England but England has to pay more for everything,a long trip to an airport from Scotland (two or three times a year if you are very lucky,and have enough money) agreed but look at the benefits some or all of the population get in Scotland  at the moment,no contest really,Scotland wins hands down,politics again,Ahhhhhhhhhh.... ......lets get back to the real world,where we are all paying through the nose for everything in the UK!
Sorry about that lets just concentrate on Gambia as WE know how to manage our economy !!!!! (??????????????????) |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 30 May 2008 19:38:56 |
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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2008 : 00:52:11
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| eh! hem !a perfect society where nothing goes wrong .Unlike what obtains in poor Gambia, T1020 you do send some biting posts I see from your last, wonderment!???????????????!!!!!!!!!! |
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toubab1020
12312 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2008 : 02:01:50
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Yes I know but feel just a little downtrodden at the moment (I was going to say something else) OK so I am a cynic.! (just 1 ! this time) |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2008 : 03:19:38
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| Cheer up mate , its okay to be so at times as humans we do get the ups and the downs so goes the cycle of living .Otherwise one may not realize that there is something worth living for. Okay then bro lets get it swinging to joy I toast you now. |
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toubab1020
12312 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2008 : 11:02:53
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Well sympathy and understanding from a fellow Bantaba member thanks, I appriciate that,Cheers kaanibaa (raises large cup of tea (with milk and sugar!) to lips and drinks! and remembers that millions of world peoples are much worse off than this poster!
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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