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snuggels
960 Posts |
 Posted - 15 Mar 2010 : 16:15:52
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From my recent travels it is interesting to note that many places are going out of their way to increase tourism being a great revenue earner and major employer
For instance in Thailand the Tourist and sports minister (Does Gambia have such a person) is looking to increase tourism from 14 million to 16 million 5 million of which visit Pataya each year. One of the things i understand is they have recently done is to scrap the charge for the 1 month visa
Also in New Zealand where towns via between each other to attract tourists to there location. I quote from a local news paper by the editor
"It is absolutely vital that Queenstown continues to develop more tourist opportunities within the town. If not Queenstiown will not remain on the international tourist trail long term and we all lose out. If we are serious about holding a reasonable market share then we must not take our eye of the ball because I don't want to see the wow factor disappear and with it one of Queenstown largest industries and revenue earners.
The same logic I think should also apply to Gambia whilst not competing against other towns in Gambia they are competing not only against neighbouring countries but internationaly and people will go else where
Gambia is an expencive place to visit compared with other destination
At the end of the day its ones budget and value for our money we are looking for.
So it money that talks
I think for a start is improve the existing facilities for tourists.
Lamin Lodge is a beautiful place which could be revamped and improved. For instance the elevated restaurant with night time lighting to light up the surrounding river for romantic evening dinners and yes the river trips by boat I'm sure if this was improved all the hotels would would put it on a must see tour.
The Zoo with its nice meandering walks through the woods doesn't have many animals could be improved and more animals imported if necessary.
The crocodile pool again could be improved and made more interesting for the tourist in so much as set times for feeding the crock's. Similar To Steve Evin's crockdile farm and sanctuary in Australia also the one in Thialand where hotels lay on coaches to see the spectacle at feeding times.
I cant see much can be done with the monkey park though. (Any ideas?)
The beach which is Gambias Jewel in the crown could have jet ski,s ,Motor boats for Para gliding and so on
So while we all have our preferences likes and dislike what we are talking about here is things in Gambia to possible cater for as many different tastes as practically possible
All of which would cost money so how to pay for additional facilities or revamps.
Maybe a percentage of Gambia's national tax revenues could be put asside for such tourist projects. Less favourable and maybe less pratical than the money comming from a goverment cental fund but looking at the long term a levy on all tourist businesses or every tourist visiting Gambia. Short term pain for long term gain
A Simular scheme was intrduced when the Berlin wall came down. A percentage of income tax was set aside to rebuild East Germany which now is part a vibrant modern city.
So what can be done to attract and make Gambia a more interesting and attractive place to visit for the tourist. What do you think could improve tourism in Gambia with additional facilities and/or improvments
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molly75
United Kingdom
86 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2010 : 06:21:19
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| I think the Gambia is wonderful just how it is, rough around the edges!!! But i can see why many tourists who visit don't return. I think one of the main things Gambia can do to improve things is to stop the HASSLE tourists get in some areas by bumsters. This is one of the main concerns of new visitors to the country. |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 23 Mar 2010 : 05:21:24
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HI Molly
As at today’s date there has been nealy 200 views to this thread and only one reply from you so it appears the lack of response, the general consensus agree with you and do nothing and leave things as they are. Or is the lack of response the usual apathy of Gambians
I agree the bumsters can be a problem but I feel that too much is laid at there feet for the problems in the tourist industry and non return of tourists I think there are other reasons as well such as things to see and do some of which noted in my thread
However as was pointed out in my thread that many countries recognize the importance of increasing there tourist figures as a substantial money earner for the country and as a major employer of its people. For that very reason things must change and move forward to attract more tourists for Gambia and its people
So come on guys what do you think can be improved to get the tourists back or to get more to come to the Gambia. Keep it to facilities and improvements not politics ok
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Edited by - snuggels on 23 Mar 2010 08:05:16 |
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Jack
Belgium
384 Posts |
Posted - 23 Mar 2010 : 15:21:06
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There is no hope and no improvement for the Gambia with the current leader(s). There is no policy at all, neither in economy, nor in agriculture, infrastructure, social, tourism, energy, healthcare, education etc. Alle decisions are made ad hoc. And if there is some improvement its mainly because of the tremendous work of the hundreds of ngo's who try to improve the life of the ordinary Gambians.
Moreover the big man finds himself superman and enjoys blaming those who are sponsoring him the most : the UK and the EU. In fact he's cutting the branch where he is sitting on. 50 years after independance he is still blaming the colonial period for the failures of the last decades.
As long as there is no press freedom, no freedom of speech, no political freedom and a dictorial regime, touristic organisations are not interested in organising and promoting the Gambia as a touristic destination. The political tension is increasing day by day.
Everyone knows this and thats why you dont get any responses.
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 23 Mar 2010 : 15:57:20
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Thanks for the input Jack and I hear what you say and a lot I agree with.
However my point was I was interested in what people personably thought would inprove the tourist sector with improvements and facilities. No polotics that can be debated elseware
So guys please keep to the main point of the thread. |
Edited by - snuggels on 23 Mar 2010 16:01:03 |
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Jack
Belgium
384 Posts |
Posted - 23 Mar 2010 : 16:29:05
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| Thats the point Snuggels. If the policical situation is not stabil or correct no improvement in touristic accomodation or facilities what so ever will lead to a florishing touristic industry. |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 23 Mar 2010 : 17:27:26
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I dont necessarily agree with that Jack but point taken.
As I said my point was I was interested in what people personably thought would inprove the tourist sector with improvements and facilities. No polotics that can be debated elseware
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 23 Mar 2010 : 18:44:38
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I wouldnt want to see a zoo. Zoo's are old fashioned and poor countries really can't afford to keep them as they should be kept.
The monkey park is fine as it is for the monkeys. I think the other animals should be moved from there. They arent kept well.
I see the expansion of the eco tourist market as a route the Gambian tourist board could go down. The individual projects are very good, but perhaps they could be marketed together.
Wassu and George town could be marketed.
Bird watching, fishing, walking, boating ...outdoors stuff.
ALso there is a growing trend for people to want to take a holiday that helps a project in some way. How about 2 weeks in Gambia...a few days at the coast then a week in a village project then a few days to relax at the coast.
Obviously people would have to be police checked in their country of origin. They could stay with a family and have a real Gambian experience.
Also it might be possible to build a short tour based around music. There were fantastic musicians at Tanje musuem when I went there. Alo Ive heard a brilliant Kora player, and in Kolior amazing drummers. People would be interested in this Im sure.
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 23 Mar 2010 : 19:23:20
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| Good points Bev |
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anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 23 Mar 2010 : 23:00:53
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Snuggels, i still think money is the main problem. As you rightly said, the Gambia is an expensive destination. Now that people have less to spend, they want better value for money. Other holiday destinations offer better accommodation, restaurants etc. for far less money. This simply has to do with the fact that not many airlines choose to fly to Banjul. From Schiphol only two companies fly there, one of them not even all year round. So most of the pain is in the airfares.
Would the number of tourists increase if facilities were better? Perhaps. Buth then the Gambian government has to do some investing. Did i hear you say 'short term pain for long term gain'? That doesn't sound very Gambian, alas. On the other hand, there is no guarantee for them that more tourists will visit. But if that would be the case, more airliners would put Gambia in their program, which would make for more competition and consequently, lower flightprices. It is a circle. Maybe the Gambia should start with a better PR machine and more professional promotion. |
When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 24 Mar 2010 : 00:53:12
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Lack of money to invest.
Let us face it we are talking about Gambia that has a budget 5.474 Billion Dalasi it is about 150 Million Euro. A small town budget in Europe. That means government has to spend 100 Euro per a Gambian citizen per year. 8 euro per month. 2 euro per week.(1.5 Million population) That would include loan payment, health, education, security, infrastructure and tourism. It is difficult task.
p.s. Oh, maybe they will have a new president and they can change this overnight.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200912211420.html
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diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
Edited by - turk on 24 Mar 2010 01:11:03 |
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molly75
United Kingdom
86 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2010 : 05:22:07
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I agree that having lower flight & holiday prices could increase the number of tourists to the Gambia. I've just paid 450 GBP for 2 weeks B&B at Badala Park at Easter, when i could have gone to a nicer hotel in Kenya for 345GBP half board!!!! Unfortunately Gambia doesn't have the animals that draws tourists to Kenya, yet still it appears to be more expensive.
As Gambia is a very small country, people cannot expect it to live up to much larger tourist places. I agree a zoo would not be a good idea, like many tourist attractions in Gambia it would end up run down and poorly managed. Something like a water park would be great for children and may encourage more families to visit. But then there are the safety implications, would such a place be safe? The Dream park was opened with families in mind, but this place never seems to be open. I think encouraging more families to visit Gambia would be great, but any other ideas of how to do this? |
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Momodou
Denmark
11714 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2010 : 11:04:46
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Although there is boom in travel business according to reports here in Denmark, I have been told that Spies/My Travel that has been taken over by Thomas Cook the last years will no longer send flights to the Gambia next season. This is no good sign for the future of Gambias Tourism sector. I am not sure if it is going to be the same for the rest of the Scandinavian countries.
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Boom times in travel business
18. mar. 2010 09.30 English
It's busy times in the travel business. Travel agency Århus Charter have sold twice the number of trips that they had same time last year. The agency has had to hire extra staff to cope with the demand
Århus Charter is surprised by the large sales. Given the financial crisis, the agency had expected lower sales numbers. However, several hotels in the summer destinations are already fully booked.
Translated by Martin Lamberth
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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rassimian
United Kingdom
168 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2010 : 12:37:57
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I have just returned from 2 weeks in the Gambia. Some changes which are not for the good for Gambia. First of all,this time too much army/police presence all over the place. Too many road blocks, everyone is complaining. Army with guns at Senegambia strip is not a good idea for promotion of tourism. Tourists are bound to have seen this going on and wondered what it is all about.Unofficial explanation is that this is about stopping bumsters but this is not the way to do it. As has been discussed before,this bumster situation can only be resolved by providing meaningful employment to the youth.
Secondly, everyone saying that tourist numbers are down. Beach sellers are constantly being harassed,moved off the beaches and being arrested.My Gambian friend who works in a Kotu hotel and has up to date I.D. card was refused admission to the area. Many ordinary Gambian's now feeling the brunt of what seems to be a ' repressive police state'. Now even tourist safety is being compromised. On Sunday 21 March at 6pm,in broad daylight an elderly British couple were violently robbed at knifepoint in their appartment at Senegambia Beach Hotel.What about security for tourists then who are spending lots of money for their holiday. Bet this incident was not widely reported in Gambia but the people who suffered this attack will no doubt be saying something back in the UK.
Momodou,my neighbours where I stayed in Manjai also told me that no more flights from Copenhagen to the Gambia, even though these planes were Thomas Cook and full. |
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kiwi
Sweden
662 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2010 : 13:57:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Momodou
Although there is boom in travel business according to reports here in Denmark, I have been told that Spies/My Travel that has been taken over by Thomas Cook the last years will no longer send flights to the Gambia next season. This is no good sign for the future of Gambias Tourism sector. I am not sure if it is going to be the same for the rest of the Scandinavian countries.
The only Swedish tour operator Ving/Thomas Cook say that they will continue their trips to Gambia also next winter. Theyare already foor booking. |
kiwi |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2010 : 11:34:50
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| A zoo may be old fashiond but thay have stood the test of time as a place of interest and tourist attraction How ever on reflection a zoo may not be a good idea as has been pointed out it would be poorly maintainened and end up run down. I think a water park an excelant idear to attract the family tourist but would that end up the same. |
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