|
Momodou
Denmark
11759 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Mar 2008 : 17:54:14
|
Hoteliers Association Express Concern
By Isatou Bittaye
The Gambia Hoteliers Association has expressed concern over lack of air lines which limit the number of tourists coming to the Gambia.
In an interview with this paper, the president of the Gambia Hotelliers Association, Mr. Alieu Secka, said the lack of air access to bring in tourists to the Gambia is the main problem that they encounter in the hotel business. He added that the business is generally led by the tour operators who bring in their air planes during the high season. Mr. Secka noted that the tour operators take away their planes and they (the hoteliers) do not have planes. He said that other planes do come in the summer but lack of possible airlines limits the tourists.
The Hotel Association president said that this year’s tourist season started with high expectations in November but slowed down in December up to February. He added that it gains stability in March and they are praying that it will continue to stabilize until April. He said that growth is needed in these months to gain or compensate the lost. He said a mechanism is put in place by the association to work with partner tour operators in order to get access to airlines. He said more tour operators in Europe are coming to The Gambia and that they are working as a group.
He noted that the benefit is more when tour operators work as a group than individuals but was quick to say that a more powerful force is also gained.
He said they will continue to strategise to see how they can partner with their traditional tour operators in a different format and continue the good relations for both parties to benefit.
Also commenting on the issue, the chairman of the Association, Mr. Ardy Sarge, said the bumster menace also contributes to their problems.
He said there is also need for a market in the face of competition and marketing by other destinations. Mr. Sarge buttressed the point that there is a contiuous need for a market and that the support of all Gambians is needed.
He said their doors are open to partners, in terms of marketing, such as institutions like banks, insurance companies and the media.
On their plans, the president, Mr. Secka said the season ends in April and is always difficult for the hotels to operate normally after that and one of their problems is the seasonality of staff as well as economic activities during the low season in the Gambia.
He said they are planning to overcome some of these challenges by introducing measures like promoting local tourism experiences. He said that many Gambians are not aware of the services at the hotels and opportunities for holidays. Mr. Secka noted that the Gambia Hoteliers Association is promoting a special package to encourage Gambians to experience what so many other guests come regularly for. He said all employees in the Gambia should take break from time to time and should utilize the facilities of the hotels available in the Gambia.
He said the Association is working with the Gambia Tourism Authority and they plan to promote regional tourism. Mr. Secka added that they are also working with stakeholders to promote visitors from the regions, especially during the summer. He said they recognized the partnership they have with GTA, ASSET, TTAJ, banks and local institutions.
He concluded that they are also working with airlines to start new routes, especially from Nigeria, which has a big potential both in leisure and corporate travel.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 33/2008, 19 – 20 March 2008
|
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
Topic Locked
