July 22nd Revolution and the Tourism sector

The skeptics of the 22nd July Revolution at the time were wondering how the industry will survive, but the exceptional leadership of this Revolution proved all skeptics wrong and left them dumbfounded. Barely few months after the foundation of the Revolution was laid, the British government issued a travel advice to its citizens not to travel to the Smiling Coast. This was a big blow to our tourism industry as most of the tourists who spend holidays in The Gambia are British. As a result of this advice, 60% of the employees of the industry lost their jobs not to mention the number of affected families whose survival is banked on the tourism industry.

The Revolution’s leadership in consultation with British High Commissioner redressed the situation.  Despite the damage the travel advice had on the industry, the 22nd July Revolution could have proven yet again its worth, judging from the fact that The Gambia is one of the closest tropical destination to Europe, just under six hours flight together with the hospitable nature of Gambians, the vast coastal stripe, the peace, security and tranquility of the country. These on their own could attract a lot of independent travelers from Europe and could also open the country to other markets.

The 22nd July Revolution has indeed revolutionized the tourism industry.  In 1996, major developments took center stage. The construction of the new passenger terminal building at the Banjul International Airport to handle more check-in and check-outs, the Arch 22,  a symbol of the 22nd July Revolution also came in to give chance to tourists to have a one-stop shop in viewing Banjul and to show respect to this great revolution. The Arch 22 is blessed with a museum; it entices the tourists to relive their memories about the great history of our beloved country.

All, including the skeptics of this revolution, began wondering when suddenly the Bertil Harding Highway linking the Fajara Traffic Light to Brufut turntable in honour of Bertil, the first entrepreneur to package a tour to The Gambia in 1965 with a group of 118 tourists as records indicate.

The Bertil Harding Highway came along with an uninterrupted electricity and water supply.  This has energized investors to invest in the Tourism Development Area and the result it attracted is magnificent.

In the transportation sector, major achievements were brought by the July 22nd Revolution. The new airport passenger terminal building, ground tour companies including Discovery Tours, West African Tours, Gambia Tours, Olympia tours, Hire Companies, private car hires, plus numerous travel agencies to facilitate the travel needs of the customers of the industry.

In the accommodation sector, the July 22nd Revolution has succeeded in this area with the advent of many five star hotels and classic restaurants, inns, guest houses etc, in the likes of Sheraton Hotel International, Coco Ocean Resort and Spa Hotel, Ocean Bay Resort Hotel, Equip Gambia, Gambia is Good, Jerma Beach Hotel, just to name a few, are all fitted with a well trained staff who can render services of international standards. Significant among the developments brought by the July 22nd Revolution is the enacting by the National Assembly laws which led to the creation of Gambia Tourism Authority GTA in 2001.  The GTA is now responsible for steering the affairs of tourism in the country and over the years this institution proved worthy, credible and competent enough to man this industry, taking into consideration the fact that tourism contributes 16% of the nation's GDP.  Since its inception, the GTA is striving to attract more investors to the industry and on the ideals of more sustainable and responsible tourism initiative to meet the vision 2020 blueprint in making The Gambia a tourists’ paradise.

The achievements scored by the July 22nd Revolution can't just be summarized in this limited space but it will be unjust without mentioning the Sindola Camp, Njawara Eco-lodge, Tumani Tenda-Eco-Tourism Camp etc.

The July 22nd Revolution has equally attached prominence to training and giving room to the establishment of multiple training schools, to prepare the workforce of this vibrant industry.  Such institutions include The Gambia Hotel School, the Institute of Travel and Tourism of The Gambia, International Business College and many of these kinds across the country in pursuance of the 22nd July Revolution's Vision 2020.

The unprecedented developments brought to the travel and tourism industry since the advent of the 22nd July Revolution continue to attract major international conferences and congresses among the most prominent ones are the MBOKA Trade Fair and the just concluded 35th annual congress of the Africa Travel Association including the Miss Black USA Pageant.

NB: On the occasion of the 16th Anniversary of the 22nd July Revolution, I stand beside fellow countrymen and women in praying for the President for continuous good health, long life, peace and tranquility.