Tourism Development: Does The Gambia really need new five star hotels?

Many years ago, we were taught in college that; Tourism is the sum total of phenomena arising from the travel and stay of non-residents to a particular destination, in so far as their activities do not lead to permanent residency and are not connected to any earning activities. Based on the above definition, it's then clear that tourism constitutes more than just a place to stay. There are other activities, infrastructures and superstructures that can attract visitors to a particular destination.

upon hearing a statement from the Qatari ambassador to The Gambia that the two countries have agreed to build two five star hotels in the Gambia makes me ponder, is this what the struggling Gambia Tourism Industry really needs. And prior to this statement, an MoU between the Gambia government and Katara Hospitality was signed in 2012 to build a 200 bedroom property due for completion in 2016. The Access Gambia website has a directory of more than 150 accommodation service providers in the form of hotels, lodges and guest houses many of which struggle to fill up even during high season.

An MoU between the Gambia Government and Katara Hospitality

Tourism in the Gambia is mainly seasonal operating between the months of October and April with January to April considered as peak season. Almost 90% of accommodation providers are forced to shut down during off-season and those who manage to continue their operation will have to lay off most of their employees. This is therefore a clear manifestation that what the industry need right now is a clear and robust marketing strategy to attract visitors all year round, and not additional ghost structures that will remain close for the best part of six months in a year.

Surely, there are a lots of areas that needs investment which can complement tourism growth and development in The Gambia. Coming back to the issue of 'travel and stay' which are the two main component of tourism if you like. As far as the industry is concern, travelling from one's destination to a host destination is one thing, but travelling within the host destination itself is another thing. And this is where Gambia tourism still faces enormous challenges. Transportation is a vital infrastructure for any development program, not least tourism development.

Political Map of The Gambia. Source: ezilon

Therefore, I challenge the Qatari government and other international investors to try and venture into the transport industry in The Gambia thereby building a solid foundation for any future development program. Call me a dreamer but how about investing in a rail network? This is surely what Gambia Tourism and The Gambia in general needs. A train line from Kartong to Koina via Basse and From Koina to Barra via Jangjangburreh, will do development in all sectors of the Gambian economy a world of Good.

Migration Crisis: Risking it all only to end up in inhumane conditions

Hardly a day goes by without the topic of migration not being on the news these days. The issue has become so complexed and dare I say, overwhelming for many European countries. Due to their geographical location, Italy and Greece had been the most affected of all countries but most of the migrants landing on these shores aim to end up in Western Europe with Germany and UK being the number one target for many. 

According to a UNHCR report, more than 207,000 people have crossed the Mediterranean in the year 2014 with 3,419 people been reported death at the same time. The UN reported that the number of international migrants worldwide reached 232 million in 2013, up from 175 million in 2000 and 154 million in 1990 [UN Population Facts; September, 2013].

Boat Carrying Migrants in the Mediterranean, Source: telesurtv

The UNHCR claimed that, factors that have contributed to the scale of international migration include globalization and growing disparities in living conditions, both within and between countries. Among the people on the move today, many are seeking employment and or educational opportunities, others want to reunite with family members and still more are fleeing persecution, conflict or blind violence in their countries.

Am not disputing the above claim in anyway but the fact of the matter is; migration has been in existence since the beginning of time and will continue to be as long as the human race continue to exist. Politicians can talk all they like about bringing a stop to it but people will continue to move from one place to another either in search of safety or better living conditions. It is true that, there has never been anything like the magnitude of the current migration situation, but the real cause of this trend that you would never hear from any western politician is simply due to the crisis in the Middle East and the instability of Libya.

The So-called Jungle Camp, Calais, Northern France. Source: Sputniknews

Obviously the situation in Calais (France) and Kos (Greece) is way out of order but surely it doesn't warrant politicians to brand human beings as 'swamps' or 'marauders'. There is no place like home and and am quite sure that, if these people had they wishes, they wouldn't leave their own countries for what ever reason. Moreover the whole migration situation seem to be blown out of proportion or exaggerated especially by the British tabloid who often term such desperate people as 'economic migrants'.

According to the guardian newspaper, 62% of those who reach Europe by boat this year are from Syria, Eritrea and Afghanistan - countries torn apart by war, dictatorial oppression and religious extremism. And among all the hype and hysteria, the amount of migrants constitutes a meagre amount of 0.027% of Europe's 740 million population. Compare that to a country like Lebanon which houses 1.2 million Syrian refugees within a total population of roughly 4.5 million.

The bottom line is; this is a man-made problem. Western super powers mainly US and her European allies are partially responsible for the instability in the Middle East and North Africa. Thereby rendering some countries totally ungovernable and opening a gateway for this deadly and inhumane episode.

Tourism by the Numbers: Focus on Sub-Saharan Africa

Over the decades, tourism has experienced continued growth and deepening ‎diversification to become one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world. ‎Modern tourism is closely linked to development and encompasses a growing number ‎of new destinations. These dynamics have turned tourism into a key driver for socio-‎economic progress (UNWTO).

In 2014, international tourism generated US$ 1.5 trillion in export earnings, and International tourist arrivals grew by 4.3 % in 2014 to 1.133 billion. The UNWTO forecasts a growth in international tourist arrivals of between 3% and 4% in 2015. An ever increasing number of destinations have opened up, and invested in tourism, turning it into a key driver of socio-economic progress through the creation of jobs and enterprises, export revenues and infrastructure development.

Over the past six decades, tourism has experienced continued expansion and diversification, to become one of the largest and fastest growing economic sectors in the world. Many new destinations have emerged in addition to the traditional favourites of Europe and North America (UNWTO Tourism Highlight 2015). Despite occasional shocks according to the report, tourism has shown virtually uninterrupted growth. International tourist arrivals have increased from 25 million globally in 1950, to 278 million in 1980, 527 million in 1995, and 1133 million in 2014.

International tourist arrivals in Africa are estimated to have increase by 2% in 2014. In absolute terms, the region welcomed a total of 56 million international tourists.. International tourism receipts up 3% reaching $36 billion. However, the UNWTO warned that these figures should be interpreted with caution, as results are still based on the comparatively limited data available so far.

According to a World Bank publication (Tourism for Africa: Harnessing Tourism for Growth and Improved Livelihoods), this more than any other time is the moment for pursuing tourism as a dynamic development option in Sub-Sahara Africa. The article argued that; although Africa was badly hit by  the global crisis, the continent avoided an even worse growth shortfall in 2009, thanks to prudent macroeconomic policies by government and financial support from multilateral agencies, and rebounded in 2010.

Tourism is one of the key industries driving Africa's current economic growth and if managed sustainably, it can easily become the leading industry throughout the entire region. The UNWTO argues that; today, the business volume of tourism equals or even surpasses that of oil exports, ‎food products or automobiles. Considering the fact that Sub-Saharan Africa received only 6.7 million international visitors in 1990 compared to over 33 million in 2012, the above argument could easily be justified.

However, for Sub-Saharan Africa to fully achieve and harness its tourism potential, several existing constraints have to be overcome notable among them, security and safety concern. The continent should be able to win the confidence of travellers by guaranteeing their security and safety during their visits. Improve infrastructure and skilful tourism experts to march or even challenge those of establish destinations. And finally, a variety of readily available tourism products and services in line with technology advancement could provide a vital breakthrough.

African Development Issues: Has President Obama tell us anything new?

It is not a hidden fact that Africa as a continent is full of natural resources and potentials to become an economic powerhouse but sadly we seem to be the architects of our own misfortunes. When President Barak Obama took to the podium for his historic speech as the first sitting US President to address the African Union, he made a series of remarks as to the continent’s growth potential and what is holding us back. Below we analyse if President Obama indeed tell us anything we did not already know and if the African leaders will listen to him at all.

On Dignity: President Obama reminded the leaders that every person has a worth and every person matters. Therefore every person has to be treated with dignity and respect. He stressed that the basic idea that by virtue of our common humanity, no matter where we come from or who we are or what we look like, we are all born equal, touched by the grace of God. President Obama also took a swipe at the evil of slavery and colonialism which he claimed skewed Africa's economy and robbed people of their capacity to shape their own destiny.

President Barak Obama addressing the African Union, Source: AU

The US President went further to mention that, throughout much of history, dignity was seen as virtue reserved to those of rank or privilege, kings and elders. According to him, it took a revolution of the spirit, over many centuries, to open our eyes to the dignity of every person. And around the world, generations have struggled to put this idea into practice in laws and institution. Obama, being ever diplomatic went on to remark: So too here in Africa.

I understood the diplomacy in his speech trying not to offend his hosts but  I would rather had him hit the nail on the head by saying exactly that, 'unfortunately this is still the case in most parts of Africa' where dignity is reserve to only those in power. 

However, Mr. Obama was more direct on the issue of corruption and leaders wanting to stay in power forever stressing that no one should be president for life. This is a very important point giving the fact that we have many countries in Africa whose incumbent presidents have been in power for the best parts of three decades. The issue of term limits for president was recommended by ECOWAS recently but this was apparently blocked by two member countries in the region.

On the issue of corruption, President Obama echoed that 'nothing will unlock Africa's economic potential more than ending the cancer of corruption. He appeared a bit patronising though by stating that, 'this is not unique to Africa - corruption exist all over the world including the United States'. That corruption exist all over the world is no news really but it is safe to say that it's rife and more rampant in Africa. He however rightly mentioned that corruption drains billions of dollars from African economies - money that could be used to create jobs, build hospitals and schools.

In a nutshell, President Obama did not tell the African leaders nothing new, rather he simply reminded them things they are very well aware of. It's about time for these leaders to step up the mark and take their responsibilities seriously bearing in mind that they are servants of the people they represent and they will be accountable for their actions in office.