Responsible Tourism: Safeguarding the Image of destination Gambia

The term 'Responsible Tourism' appeared to be a must-use phrase in destination marketing these days. Most tourism marketing campaign use the phrase to try and persuade today's environmentally conscious tourists to their destinations. So what is Responsible Tourism then?

According to EARTH, Responsible Tourism complies with the principles of social and economic justice, and exerts full respect towards the environment and its cultures. It recognises the centrality of the local host community and its right to act as a protagonist in developing a sustainable and responsible tourism. Responsible tourism actuates to foster a positive interaction between the tourism industry, local communities and travellers.

The 2003 Cape Town declaration agreed that responsible tourism:

• minimises negative economic, environmental, and social impacts;
• generate greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities, improves working conditions and access to the industry;
• involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances;
• makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, to the maintenance of the world's diversity;
• Provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues;
• Provides access for physically challenged people; and
• is culturally sensitive, engenders respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence.

Sustainability of the Gambia tourism industry is crucial to the country's economy, that's why the government is continuously working on improving the quality standards, broadening the tourism market, and ensuring the rational use of the Tourism Development Area (TDA).  

Unspoilt sandy beaches of Kartong, Kombo South. Photo Source: Accessgambia

Mindful of the negative impacts that comes along with mass tourism such as sex tourism, environmental degradation among others. And conscious of the fact that, the country desperately needs to re-brand its image, the government has set out a policy to combat such negative impacts on the country's image. In summary, the policy identifies objectives to achieve responsible marketing of the destination and to deal with issues of economic, social and environmental responsibility. 

We recognise that in order to achieve this objective, it is in our interest to work together with those who bring tourists and with the industry here in The Gambia. We share the aspirations of the Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism. It is the responsibility of all stakeholders to join with us to create better places for people to live in and for people to visit (Accessgambia).

Talking of sex tourism in particular, The Gambia tourism industry has frankly become a soft spot that has been preyed upon by western paedophiles mainly the very elderly targeting young men and women. Having spent my formative years in the industry, I can attest to this pathetic trend which is sad but true! However, it's worth mentioning that not all Gambian men and women are that cheap to fall victim of such indecent acts. The average Gambian is modest and religious, and is often contented with whatever s/he have.

Unfortunately, the tourism industry like any other industry globally has its own flaws. There are pockets of negative impacts especially to local cultures in any major tourism destination but the benefits of tourism certainly outweigh the negative impacts by a mile.

Enhancing local development towards poverty reduction in The Gambia

At the heart of every human experience is the desire to survive and prosper. To live without fear, hunger or suffering, to imagine how your life could be better and then have the means yourself to change it. Yet everyday, 1.2 billion people - one fifth of the world's inhabitants cannot fulfil their most basic needs, let alone attain their dreams or desires (IFAD).

With one of  the smallest population in mainland Africa, The Gambia has sparse natural resource deposits and a limited agricultural base, and relies in part on remittances from workers overseas and tourist receipts. According to the information site theodora, about three-quarters of the country's population depends on the agricultural sector for its livelihood with the sector providing for about one-fifth of GDP. 

The agricultural sector in the Gambia has a lot of untapped potential. Less than half of arable land is cultivated with farmers relying mostly on rain-fed agricultural activities. Investment in the sector is therefore a necessity as it has great potential to reduce poverty, generate investment and improve food security.

Banjul Shores, Photo Credit: gambiamonitor

A UNDP report argued that, economic growth will not reduce poverty, improve equality and produce jobs unless it is inclusive. However, the report also stressed that, globally, the number of extreme poor has dropped by 650 million in the last three decades, a level of progress humankind had never seen. But still there are more than a billion people living in extreme poverty.

The rural poverty portal of IFAD records that over 60 per cent of all Gambians are classified as poor depending on agriculture for their livelihood. At least half of the country's poor population is composed of farmers and agricultural workers. Groundnut farmers in upland areas are among the poorest. In the North Bank, Upper River and Lower River regions, about two thirds of the population is poor though pockets of poverty can be found throughout the country.

Women Fetching Water for crops irrigation. Photo Source: The Guardian

Understandably, the agricultural sector, if managed properly could significantly reduced poverty in The Gambia. But as already mentioned, no economic sector can register significant progress without the all-inclusiveness of parties concerned. The reality according to IFAD is that, many poor rural households do not generate sufficient income from their farming activities to feed themselves, maintain a decent standard of living and progress from subsistence to more productive and sustainable farming systems.

The following world bank all-inclusiveness guidelines could help booster efforts towards poverty reduction in The Gambia:

• Assessing the current status of participation, including the representativeness and accountability of governance structures. 
• Disseminating information on poverty diagnostics, policy options, and goals to facilitate participation. 
• Seeking involvement in strategy design at the national and local levels and consulting civil society and the private sector. 
• Analyzing feedback on program implementation and budget execution.

Moreover, there should be even distribution of assets and access to credit facilities to farmers to diversify farming activities. The availability of productive assets (land, machinery etc), quality and affordable seeds, and the support to market farm produce at a reasonable price could tempt more people into taking up farming and potentially reduce poverty.

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.