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snuggels
960 Posts |
 Posted - 30 Apr 2011 : 22:22:39
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The following was extracted from a review by the tourist information office which was duly compiled from tourist visitors cards handed in at the airport.
This covers the years 2005 to 2009 it would appear 2010/11 are not available yet?
Based on the trends as a significant growth level was registered for the previous years. 2005 registered 19.8%, 2006 15.7% and 2007 14.2%.
2008 registered 2.9% over 2007, it did not follow the high percentage trend
January to April 2008 has registered a significant increase of tourist’s arrivals (86,791) which is 27.4 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2007 (68,107). For the remaining period of the year, the growth rates were negative.
The summer period for 2008 has been regarded as one of the worst summer periods in The Gambia with regards to tourist arrivals. (From what one hears in Gambia the years 2010/11 are worse)
The industry registered a 2.9% growth in 2008(146,759) of tourist arrivals compared to 2007(142,626).
Regarding tourists arrivals by nationality, the British accounted for the highest proportion with 42.3 %, followed by the Scandinavians (i.e. tourists from the Nordic States) with 16.4 %. The Dutch with all year round flight accounted for 12.89 % of tourist arrivals.
The Average length of stay for the tourists in The Gambia is 7 days as most of the tourists (53.8%) have stayed in the Gambia for a week.
There are 192 countries in the world and Gambia comes in at number 168 as a tourist destination the remaining 24 countries I would think are either inaccessible or have extreme environments so one can see Gambia comes pretty close if not the bottom as a tourist destination.
On previous threads from countries I have visited I have reported back though bantaba not just what other countries but also towns are doing to increase their tourist figures and also asked babtaba members what they thought would make Gambia a more interesting place to visit. The feed back was duly passed on to the Minister for Tourism in Gambia by hand
I can not find anything on what Gambia's master plan is to increase tourism to tap this multi billion dollar market
FOOTNOTE
On a nice summers day here in the UK places like Blackpool Brighton and Bournemouth attract a 100'000 visitors in single a day
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Edited by - snuggels on 30 Apr 2011 22:25:37 |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2011 : 00:09:06
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The slower paced increase from 2007 to 2008 is not a big surprise, because, this was when recession started in western world. And it still recession. So this year and next year, the numbers will not increase similar to from 2005 to 2007.
But why is Gambia being 168th big surprise. Gambia can not be top tourist destination. No historical sites like Egypt, Mexico, Turkey, Greece, Italy, China; not spectacular beaches like Caribbean, Australia, Eastern Africa, Mediterranean; No big cities like London, Paris, New York, Istanbul, Rio, Amsterdam; No big business cities like Hongkong, New York, Dubai, Bangkok. And no wild life like Tanzania, Kenya, Brazil. The only advantage would be quick/close short term getaway from winter months for Europeans for sun, love and culture.
Gambia should focus on the areas for tourism where they have strengths and promises.
1. NGO/School Trips/volunteer-ism. I see lots of potential for this.
2. Particularly, retirement destination for older Europeans.
If right infrastructure, conference tourism for Europeans.
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diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2011 : 00:18:50
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I agree with all you say Turk. But as for a retirement destination for me there are cheaper and more interesting places to retire to.
Its all down to what the indivdual wants |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2011 : 01:35:56
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Gambia can be option if, maybe not the best option but things can be done.
I suggest Gambian government to contact with EU governments to work together about retirement tourism. EU is having difficulty for aging population. EU could do investment in health care, aged care so that Gambia can be an alternative for retirement destination. Everything from manufacturing to IT support things are going off-shore, why not aged care. |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2011 : 03:14:15
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| Woooe hold on Turk I know the health service in the Uk leaves a lot to be desired but I would sooner be hospitalised in the Uk than in a third world country like Gambia in my old age. But its a thought so heres another one send all the old age pensiones on cruises cos its cheaper than keeping them in retirement homes. |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2011 : 04:18:33
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That is what I was proposing when I say 'work together'. EU government will make investment for health care/aged care in Gambia for Europeans. It will be much cheaper operational coast while they can still have quality services due to capital investment. Basically Europe will export the high coast of social/health expenses to Gambia where Gambia could benefit. Staff of 24 hours nursing, aged carer, maid could be much cheaper i.e. 10,000 dalasi. Can you imagine how much it would coast same in UK? EU would reduce the social/health coast for non-productive people, and Gambia would love the funds these people bring. That is already happening in Gambia.
Germany has already similar systems for Turkish retired residents. They pay if Turkish residents in Germany go back to Turkey. It is much cheaper for Germany to take care of them in Turkey than Germany. Besides, they like them to leave Germany anyway.
There is a similar system in Turkey. More Turkish retired people going to black sea region where there is nice weather, forest, mountain. They sell their house in Istanbul let us say 100,000 pounds. They can easily buy an house less than one third of that money and use the rest for good life.
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diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2011 : 13:19:16
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| Very interesting Turk So why not write to the Tourist minister and see what responce you get ? |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2011 : 14:43:03
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| Maybe I will... |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2011 : 12:11:56
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I had considered Gambia as a winter retirement home say form November to Easter to get away from English winters when I am older.
But the insecurity of making a transaction for land/house and whether you actually own it put me off. Most people don't have money to waste on getting that wrong. Most OAP's in UK are 'risk adverse', which makes Gambia as a retirement destination unlikely for most older people.
Also the problem of illness when you are older in a developing country is worry, especially Malaria. Then there is the cost of Malaria medications and the effect of long term use on your health.
The main thing Gambia can sell is the sunshine and the friendly people. It is important in todays climate that Gambia continues to be seen as a SAFE place to go. It need to be careful not to increase prices too much. There is lots of choice of where to go for a weeks winter sun and this is very price sensitive at the moment.
I think the eco lodge type holiday and retreats of different kinds, eg drumming, dancing, traditional cooking etc
The History of Gambia, such as Wassu, could be built into a tour. More camps like Tendaba around the country would be good. Also families in villages could make money from taking a guest into their home for a night or two and sharing the Gambian way of life with them. |
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