 Vision and mission statement |
The mission of the tourism sector in The Gambia is to provide a diversified, quality product (sports and recreational facilities, eco-tourism, river cruises, etc.) and to shift emphasis from the mass charter tourism to the sale and attraction of high spending groups individual travelers, and special interest groups.
It seeks to diversify the national economic and industrial development. Consequently, the aim is to:
Maximize the financial and other allied economic contributions of tourism,
Encourage the increase of the industry's contribution to national Gross Domestic product,
Create employment and strengthen entrepreneurial out-put in the formal sector.
The principal goal of the Department of State for Tourism is to maximize the economic and social benefits that are derived from the totality of the tourism industry, by the different categories of Gambian service and skill providers. Its complementary aim to foster an organizational economic environment in which foreign investors, managers and tourism professionals can operate within a conducive framework with equitable partnership with their Gambian counterparts.
In fulfillment with the Department of State for Tourism and Culture's mandates, policy directions, strategic planning, programme monitoring and evaluation, leadership is provided in order to stir and co-ordinate both the national and foreign concerns of the industry. Human, financial and other material resources will be mobilized in adequate proportions to enhance the tourism service delivery and infrastructural development capacities of the Department of State and its affiliated institutions.
Innovative measures will be designed to diversify the scope and content of the tourism product an order to enhance its attractiveness to clients as well as its potentiality to create employment and generate revenue for accelerating national sustainable development. Concerted efforts are being exerted to strengthen the institutional framework for tourism development, In this regard appropriate linkages are being established between product development, external marketing, management, quality control and ancillary service provision. Promotional drives to identify new and more lucrative tourism source markets will be intensified overseas. The comparative advantage of The Gambia as a tourist destination will be fully exploited and harnessed, through refurbishment and expansion of the Tourism Development Area and its services.
Of vital importance to the development of the tourism sector are the traditions of multi-disciplinary co-operation with other public sector and private enterprise agencies. This mission to open dialogue and technical collaboration with other tourism-associated institutions will be maintained.
| Investment Opportunities |
 TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AS A PRIORITY |
The tourism industry in The Gambia has a great multiplier effect in terms of potential linkage with other productive areas such as the Agriculture and handicraft sectors of our national economy.
Therefore, it is envisaged that our long and medium term development policy for tourism will aim at both consolidating and transforming the country into an up-market tourist paradise and a major destination, particularly for visitors from the European and US Markets.
By prioritizing and promoting the development of Tourism, the Government of The Gambia wishes to express and demonstrate its commitment to the promotion of the industry and we hope that by so doing we will also achieve the following basic goals in our short and long term plans.
Further increase in the foreign exchange earnings from tourism to enable reinvestment in the other development sectors of the economy, such as Agriculture, Meat and Poultry Production, horticulture and Fishing.
Development and improvements in the employment and professional capacity building sector to encourage/shmulate the creahon of more skilled and qualifiedjobs for Gambians.
Increase in the contribution to the GDP by expanding the product base and at the same time improving on the quality and variety of services being offered to the tourists.
Further development of the multiplier effects of the tourism earnings and the linkage of the industry with other productive sectors of the economy.
Ensuring the long-term socio-economic and environmental sustainability of the tourism industry whilst minimizing its negative impacts and potential social hazards.
| ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS |
There are many opportunities for profitable investment in The Gambia particularly in the Tourism Sector. The country is economically and politically stable and the financial and economic policies put in place in recent years have done much to create a more favourable environment in which investment opportunities can be successfully exploited.
The strong Gambian currency and the flexibility with which foreign exchange transactions can be carried out are further advantages for investing in the country. In addition, the current tax structure is constantly being revised to make it more attractive to investors in the key sectors of our economy.
Future Government Policy will therefore continue to promote tourism activities and encourage greater private sector investment.
The measures that are planned include the consolidation of the existing Tourism Development Area and the expansion into new sites' where land will be allocated (at no cost and with minimum bureaucracy) to investors engaged in the development of 4 and 5 star hotels, and high class complementary facilities such as congress and convention centers, sports and recreational facilities, eco-tourism, river cruising, professional game fishing and waters-porting facilities.
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| ALL INCLUSIVE, A MARKET TREND |
In recognition of the dynamic nature of Tourism and the ever emerging new trends and product variations, as well as the constant demand of the international travel trade for new packages to attract other market segments, The Department of State for Tourism and Culture has decided to set aside an area of land within the Tourism Development Area for the promotion and development of high class 4 to 5 star All Inclusive Hotel facilities. This new resort located between Tujereng, Bato-kunku and Tanje will be the Gambia's ALL INCLUSIVE RESORT which is expected to bring the benefits that accrue from the all Inclusive business to The Gambia. Potentia1 investors are therefore invited to participate in the development of this resort. For further information please contact The Gambia National Tourist Office in Banjul at gntohq@gamtel.gm .
| PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT SUPPORT |
The establishment of a hotel rating or classification system based on internationally recognised standards will be introduced and the standard of our Hotel Training School will be up-graded in order to enhance vocational and management training of our people for the tourism sector.
The Government of The Gambia is committed to the development of Tourism in The Gambia and will continue to ensure that adequate infrastructural facilities (water, sewage disposal, electricity and access roads) are provided in designated tourist development areas and that appropriate security and safety measures are put in place to ensure the holiday freedom and pleasures of all visitors to The Gambia while guaranteeing the safety of the investment of our partner investors.
The Policy of the Government of The Gambia will continue to promote private sector investment in tourism development and both foreign and local investors can also benefit from generous duty and tax incentives. The Department of State is fully aware of the urgency to increase the number of hotel beds and other complementary facilities within the industry, which is brought about by the fast growth rate of the sector over the recent years.
These problems present a challenge to both the Government and the private sector. Since the Government does not run any business enterprise it has given greatest attention to the creation of a conducive investment climate that would attract investments in the country particularly in the tourism sector.
| COMPANY OR BUSINESS REGISTRATION |
It is recommended that applicants register a limited liability company in The Gambia.
The business can also be a joint venture between local and foreign investors at the private level.
Investors also need to note that all businesses in The Gambia must renew their company and business registrations at the end of each calendar year and where expatriate quota is required, this must be applied for at the Quota Board at the Office of the Vice President.
| APPLYING THROUGHTHE TOURISM AREA DEVELOPMENT BOARD (TADB) |
The Department of State for Tourism and Culture will presently only consider projects for 4 to 5 star hotels. Investors looking for 1 to 3 star hotels for example will save time and money if they have access to this policy information at the beginning of their project research.
| SUBMISSION OF LETTER OF INTENT |
Investors that cannot contact the Department of State for Tourism and Culture in person or those that have had initial discussions with officials of the Department of State for Tourism and Culture and are serious about investing are advised to submit a letter of intent introducing their company its promoters and the scope of their potential investment to the following Address:
The Secretary Toursim Area Development Board (TADB),
Department of State for Tourism and Culture,
The Quandrangle, Banjul, The Gambia
Tel: 220-224091, 229563, 227593
Fax: 220-227753
E-mail: gntohq@gamtel.gm, dostroots@qanet.gm
This should also be copied to the Director of Tourism at the above addresses. If the investor has already identified a location he thinks suitable for his project in the Tourism Development Area, this should be communicated in the form of a sketch map to the TADB together with the letter of intent through the Secretary of the Board
| FEASIBILITY STUDY |
The feasibility study is intended to give the TADB a clear idea of the proposed investors plans. The study should indicate the class or category of hotel, motel, etc. to be constructed. It should also indicate the number of beds, and other ancillary facilities. Most important of all it should indicate the amount to be invested and the source of funding The Board is very particular about the investors capability to actually start and complete the project within a given time frame (usually 24 months) after the land had been made available to him.
For this reason the board further requires all investors in the TDA to fulfill certain conditions among which is the provision of a bond from a reputable bank and that a lease on the land will not be issued until substantial completion of the project is achieved. Once the board is satisfied with the progress of the project it can instruct the bank to release the bond or deposit to enable the investor to continue with the works.
| LEASE DOCUMENT |
Land in the TDA after allocation and completion of development is leased by the State or a period of 99years. This is renewable for a further 99 years.
However as land is allocated free and because of past experience with "investors/speculators" the Board and the Local Government Authorities have decided not to issue any lease documents to any investor until they are satisfied that it has been substantially developed This is to ensure that only bona fide investors access the prime TDA land and keep away land speculators. |
