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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
 Posted - 01 Jun 2006 : 01:56:55
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Babbygirl You have some valid points that there is the need to control tourism and promote its development by re-investments and proper management.
The Scandinavians are very popular with Gambian tourism and were a major market from early 70s to-date. Is the word "Bumpster" English, Swedish, Denish or where is it derived from typically? Anyone to help with this word and usage as a menace in tourism Gambia? |
Edited by - kobo on 01 Jun 2006 01:58:14 |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2006 : 08:58:54
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| kobo, my point is this, if i go into a travel agency with £500.00 budget and want a two week african holiday they do not promote gambia. it is about image. The bumster situation is definately out of control, cape point is sad no resturants outside hotel, or you go to farajari near african village, |
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molly75
United Kingdom
86 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2006 : 20:15:21
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| I completely agree that the bumpsters are a big problem for tourists. I persuaded two of my friends to go on holiday to Gambia earlier this year, after telling them how wonderful it is. But both returned home vowing never to return to Gambia on holiday. When i asked why they told me that they had spent most of their holiday in the hotel because they were sick if getting 'hassled' by locals!!! One of the friends usually goes to India on holiday and said that they never get hassled there. So why is this such as big problem in Gambia? |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2006 : 20:26:31
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| Government established the Tourism Development Authority to promote torism development and curb all the setbacks inclunding the bumbster menace. |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2006 : 21:02:45
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It has been very interesting to read all the varied replies to my thread.
My own opinion is. The first thing that people look at when going abroad on holiday is what is the best value for money they can get. And Gambia Experience is just not value for money as has been pointed out you can fly to Australia for not much more money. So initialy the reson the tourist is not going to Gambia is the high charges of Gambia Experience they are killing the golden goose that lays the egg.
Thoes that do go and dont return are for reasons that have been pointed out previously. The Facilities, The Police, The Army Ect Ect However I do think wilst the bumsters can be and are a hassle to much for the countries tourist woes are laid at their door even by their own govenment to cloud over the more fundermental issues. I have found a firm but polite NO THANK YOU and the bumsters go on there way |
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babygirl
United Kingdom
89 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2006 : 23:43:33
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sorry kobo i dont know where the word is derived from. i know that ppl here get called bums if they dont work. Dont know if that has anything to do with it maybe?
the TDA needs to pull their finger out n get things sorted.
Gambia has so much potential, but is not reaching its potential at this moment. Unless money is spent and the TDA pull their finger out then i dont see things improving.
Next season sees mytravel, thompson etc all travelling from 4 UK airports. So this next season could see alot of first timers. It could see an increase in british tourists. The potential is there if its acted upon.
And finally someone get some lions back at Abuko!! i miss the lions!
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2006 : 14:03:14
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quote:
Originally posted by jambo
kobo, my point is this, if i go into a travel agency with £500.00 budget and want a two week african holiday they do not promote gambia. it is about image. The bumster situation is definately out of control, cape point is sad no resturants outside hotel, or you go to farajari near african village,
Jambo, maybe if you have a limited budget you should look for a closer destination. It is a shame that the demands of western tourists are rising up to the ceiling while their will and their abilities to pay for what they get is decreasing rapidly.
I know it is almost useless to educate people, but some of them should think if it is fair that they are demanding more and more luxury for almost nothing while at the same time people in their neighborhood are starving. Sorry, but I cannot eat as much as I could vomit about this type of tourists.
Concerning the 'bumster' problem I think we shouldn't get hysterical about them. I saw (in the winter season!) that they are not as many as is always said here. |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2006 : 13:17:01
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hi serenta, thanks for the posting, i think my problem is this. I know what to expect, but an average tourist wanting an african holiday goes into a travel agency or even online, with a budget, gambia is not the first place promoted, Kenya is, then egypt, morroco.
thepoint about bumsters is this, I can and have said no, I had an argument with one ofthem in the middle of senegambia he claimed he knew me from XXX hotel, such an original line, I shouted back no yu don't he stopped. He was gambian no fear from him. But when I stayed at cape point, 8.00am in the morning strolling on the beach two liberains came up to me and started talking, i did not answer back but walked towards my htel one stood in front and blocked my way. I turned and the other was behind very scary, i stood my ground and shouted loudly. I would do the same in the UK or anywhere I go. Thats just me. But why shuljd I have to in other countries they have taken decisiv steps to stop harrassment of tourists. Morocco, Egypt tunisia it is an offence to approach a tourist on the beach or in the street. Even turkey is taking the same steps.
I stand by what i say, from a gambian bumster he is all mouth a luond no does work, but other african nationals who are part of the gambian bumsters scene are menacing.
Secondly when i first went to gambia did the roots tour, did it on my last trip i have a family in nuimi that I visit. It is a sad trip, terribly neglected, no good roads, signpost very bad. when this trip was introduced, many thousands of americans visited that area what happened to the money I cannot see where it has been spent.
Still going in June though.
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2006 : 19:04:06
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Baby girl....I completely disagree with u about lions. What a backward step. I wont be happy until there is NOTHING in a cage at Abuko..it is so sad to see.....
WHy not promote Masakuto more? Wildlife in totally natural surroundings. It is beautiful....
Or inland to Tendaba....
Most Westerners now reject the idea of keeping animals in cages for 'entertainment' for tourists.
Large zoos such as san diego in california are fantastic, they are doing good research and trying to ensure species survive......
But something in a cage just for me to look at NO THANKS! |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2006 : 19:21:32
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Bumsters.......Who does the beach belong to? Tourists or Gambians?
It belongs to The Gambian people.... we just borrow the pleasure of it for 2 weeks or so....
Imagine in Uk if suddenly the government said in cornwall oh sorry the beach is only for londoners and if you cornish people go on the beach you will be arrested!!! 
Sometimes guys on the beach can be a bit persistent...but be polite, firm and friendly and you will not be in any harm...... |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2006 : 15:22:25
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Jambo, what happened to you was something like a raid. This can happen everywhere.
Gambiabev is right: The beach belongs to Gambians, and you can get rid of most bumsters with a few firm and polite words, a little joke... that's enough. |
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babygirl
United Kingdom
89 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2006 : 22:56:36
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i agree the beach of course belongs to the gambians. BUT let them enjoy the beach not plague tourists.
End of day bumsters arent encouraging tourists to return to gambia they are putting people off.
Even the most patient of people get sick of it. The minute you move outside the hotel u know you are going to have to go thru the same firm polite words over and over again.
I travel with my 8yr old son and as a mother i don't appreciate strangers constantly approaching my son.
I do think that the bumsters do provide a service for some people. They can be excellent guides. I am sure that more tourists would be receptable to hiring them if they could request someone when they wanted or needed someone, instead of having to constantly fight them off everytime they move.
Some people want a quiet walk on the beach with each other, they dont need a guide for that, the constant hassle just makes some people not want to leave the hotel.
I don't think the bumsters should disappear cos i do think they can provide a very good service when needed, last thing Gambia needs is everyone using organised tours so that only the tour company owners get income.
my suggestion would be that they have a little "office" outside the hotels where tourists can approach them, rather than have to fight them off constantly. So that they wait to be approached rather than do the approaching.
I'm sure this would be a great way forward.
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2006 : 14:14:30
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| This would be a nice idea, babygirl, but I fear successful advertisement is always offensive, not defensive... |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2006 : 12:27:52
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hi there, love some of the comments, i have just returned from two countries where they have put a stop to the bumsters issues. it has been a successful plan.
Serenta, you are right it could happen anywhere, but it should not be happening. Le tme clarify something, bumsters should nt harrass tourists in any country, Gambiaeve of course the beach belongs to them, but i want to enjoy the peace and quiet and not have them come near me.
Secondly, it is off putting, someone mentioned a budget, if i stay in senegambia, Kairaba or tafbel (sarges now), i still walk the same streets as other tourists and still get the same comments.
I stayed at the Palma rima, walk out of the hotel and wnet to the beach one of them follwed me all the way down. I did speak loudly and postively, but he still carried on walking and talking. That is harrassment. In any country.
When there is an important event in senegamb area, they clear the bumsters of the streets everyone benefits, people leave the hotels and come out, they stop at the restaurants go to the market. It is relaxed and enjoyable.
Not to sure where you stay in Gambia, bev but on my last trip i stayed at a lodge in manji, well off the tourist trap. still got targeted.
Two things concern me about the bumsters,
Firstly image, you walk out of your hotel to go somewhere, enjoy a drink go to the local market, if on your first step outside the hotel yu get harrassed do yu go back, a high percentage don't. The bumsters do not add anything nice to image and enjoyment of Gambia.
Secondly security, I go to Gambia because i feel safe but on the last two trips bumsters are starting to get evil. At first it was the "it is me Lamin from the hotel remeber" kind of conversation. if you ignore them they became quite rude and will swear at you and will call you a racist, who needs the hassle. I will never fear a Gambian, but who can tell the nationalities of some of the bumsters.
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