| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11756 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Mar 2008 : 14:37:57
|
Senegambia Craft Sellers Lament Slow Down Of Business
By Isatou Bittaye
The craft sellers at the Senegambia Craft Market have lamented the slow down of business in this year’s tourist season. The craft sellers made this statement in an interview with this reporter on Thursday at their craft market.
Speaking to his reporter, Amadou Njie said this year’s tourist season is bad compared to last year. He said last season was far better than this season as sales were good. It is his belief that the cause of the slow down is due to the failure of many British tourists to come to the Senegambia Beach Hotel because of the change to a new management. He said British tourists always buy their materials but this season most of the Senegambia tourists are Spanish and Norwegians. Amadou noted that tour operators always take tourists to other craft markets such as in Brikama and Banjul which has also impact negatively on their business. While acknowledging that the month of January was better in the season, she was quick to say that even that is not good enough. Also speaking, Gibou Sidibeh a vendor at the said craft market said last season was better than this season. Gibou added that this season, their business is dull and the cause of it is that the tour operators go with tourists to other craft markets. He added that tourists who used to come to the Senegambia craft market has reduced in number, and even if they do come, they don’t usually buy anything.
Agie Sainey Faye, a craft seller also said their business had slowed down this season as the number of tourists coming to the Senegambia has reduced. She thinks the cause is the lack of control of the business. She said everywhere people are selling craft materials in the markets and the tourists go to other craft markets. She said the change of management in the Senegambia Hotel also impacted on their business because this season, new tourists such as the Spanish and Italians who are come to Senegambia hardly buy craft materials.
She said she could not tell which month she got the highest sale because since the start of the season the business has not been doing well. Agie concluded that since she started selling in the craft market this season is the worst of all.
Source:Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 26/2008, 3 - 4 March, 2008
|
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
lurker
509 Posts |
Posted - 03 Mar 2008 : 15:16:54
|
is this perception or fact- that there are fewer brits this year?
I wonder if the credit crunch is now seriously affecting the lwer income brackets, who could afford gambia when things were ok, but will scrub luxuries like holidays as soon as tthe secure feeling in the housing market diminishes |
 |
|
|
jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 04 Mar 2008 : 10:03:48
|
| i think fewer first time brits, most of those going are repeat business and probably don't frequent the tourist regions that much. Also no big push or pormotion by government, they have targetted, spain and italy. |
|
|
|
molly75
United Kingdom
86 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2008 : 11:23:38
|
I can understand why many brisish tourists are not staying at the Senegambia hotel, i will not stay there anymore, due to the change of management. But i don't think this is causing the slow down. I think that maybe the exchange rate puts tourists off buying as much craft material. Also for many tourists, especially if new to the Gambia, Senegambia Craft market can be a very SCARY place! |
|
|
|
leokat
United Kingdom
123 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2008 : 12:28:33
|
quote:
Originally posted by molly75
... for many tourists, especially if new to the Gambia, Senegambia Craft market can be a very SCARY place!
I was at the Senagambia craft market three weeks ago. I'm not new to the Gambia but I have to admit I found it a very scary experience. It was my first visit to the market (previously I've avoided the place like the plague)and only went there because I wanted to buy a specific gift for my sister. I was beseiged by traders and ended up paying grossly over the odds for my gift and leaving as hastily as possible.
I also had a similar experience at the Banjul craft market.
I don't know whether I'm suffering 'compassion fatigue' but I found it much harder to tolerate the demands of traders for me to 'just come and look'. The attitude of the traders in general seemed to me to have changed from a slightly desperate hope that I might buy something nearer to a demand that I ought to buy.
It's true that recent rises in the cost of living in the UK, and the poor £/dalassi exchange rate has left me (and probably many other tourists) with less disposable income. However, the myth that everyone who lives in The West has unlimited funds appears to be as prevelent as ever in The Gambia.
|
|
|
|
jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2008 : 14:35:13
|
leokat, you have sain many of my thoughts, fatigue is setting in, I always feel "that you are suppose to buy from me" attitude really off putting, and they are well overpriced.
banju markets is very off putting and you feel claustrophbic |
|
|
|
Aku_pickin
Christmas Island
162 Posts |
Posted - 21 Mar 2008 : 16:37:31
|
| Perhaps the vendors should stop scamming and harrassing people. I simply won't buy when am harrassed and annoyed by vendors. Let me browse and list your prices. Its quite simple and staight forward. |
Justice must be served as impunity brings more repression and corruption! |
Edited by - Aku_pickin on 21 Mar 2008 16:40:48 |
|
|
|
jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 24 Mar 2008 : 11:18:35
|
| aku pickin, now really, you are being too sensible. |
|
|
|
tapalapa
United Kingdom
202 Posts |
Posted - 24 Mar 2008 : 12:57:54
|
It doesnt help in the fact that Hotels sell the same crafts direct to their clientele with no need to bargain. Everything is priced, so tourists dont need barter or move out of there plastic environment.
(Although I do appreciate many tourists come to relax after working all year to pay for the holiday)
Tapa |
|
|
|
jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 24 Mar 2008 : 14:01:58
|
| thats true taps, it never feels like a bargain when you go there, No bargains can be found outside the tourists traps. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
