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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Jun 2011 : 23:50:03
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If this happens,then there will be a big hole in hard cash available,here again VALUE is not offered by many Gambian Hotels,you pay over the odds for everything,travellers are getting fed up by being overcharged by the hotels,unless you have no regard for money why pay £1 GBP for a soft drink when you can get the identical product by shopping locally for D10,!
http://www.foroyaa.gm/modules/news/article.php?storyid=7222
Snippet:
“Honourable Speaker, if we are not careful to address the declining situation of tourism in The Gambia, believe me in the next two, three years, we will have a lot of our hotels closed,” said Honourable Kalifa Jammeh, the National Assembly Member of Bakau.
NAMs Warn Of Hotel Closures
By Musa Barrow on 27-06-11
Some National Assembly Members warned that some hotels in the country could close, if the tourism sector continues its declining trend.
The law makers argued that the contribution of the tourism sector to the country’s GDP is increasingly waning.
“Honourable Speaker, if we are not careful to address the declining situation of tourism in The Gambia, believe me in the next two, three years, we will have a lot of our hotels closed,” said Honourable Kalifa Jammeh, the National Assembly Member of Bakau.
The Bakau representative observed that the contribution of the tourism sector to GDP has fallen from 18 percent to 12 percent.
He expressed concerned that Gambia now does not attract many Scandinavian tourists as it used to, saying he doubts whether flights come from the said region any more.
Hon. Mama Kandeh, the National Assembly Member of Jimara, said, “If we don’t take the necessary steps to solve the problems facing tourism, many of the hotels will close very soon.”
He pointed out that the hotel industry is suffering, because some tourists do not stay at hotels, instead they rent private houses.
He lamented that “The other point is that when 250 tourists board a flight, sometimes only 50 tourists go to the hotels. This is killing the market.”
The National Assembly Member of Kiang Central, Babanding K.K. Daffeh expressed concern over the activities of what he described as private dealers, saying their engagement is depriving hotels of much needed income.
He said he has nothing against private dealers, but they should come out and pay tax to the government.
According to the Kiang Central National Assembly Member, the high cost of utilities is forcing some hotels to close down.
“The high cost of electricity and water is making some of the hotels to close, because they cannot afford to pay members of their staff and tax to government,” the opposition United Democratic Party National Assembly Member said.
As a result of the high cost of water and electricity, he noted that some hotels lay of some of their staff.
He pointed out that it used to be the practice that during off seasons, some hotels put their staff on half salary. This, he said, is no longer the case due to the mounting cost.
The National Assembly Members made these comments on Tuesday at the National Assembly complex in Banjul, after the presentation of the Gambia Tourism Board Bill by the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Fatou Mass Jobe.
The Bill tabled before law makers for enactment is to replace the Gambia Tourism Authority Act.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 15:14:18
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Yes exactly tourists are getting sick and tired of getting ripped off by the Hotels. traders are also sick and tired of being squeezed out of the Tourist Trade and if Hotels are facing closures then basically the chickens have come home to roost. After so many years of deterring visitors from socializing in the local communities by spreading fear amongst Tourist by persuading them to stay within the package. Tourists have seen the light and are opting out of the hotels circus.
For the sustainability of Tourism in Gambia its far better to have the framework for tourist to access different types of accommodation and spend their money locally in the community. Than to spend it all in the hotels. If high costs are being incurred for utilities i.e electricity then hotels should invested their money more wisely by investing in solar energy. Thereby producing their own electricity and investing in the national grid. NAM's need to start thinking outside of the box, and as for the Gambian Tourist Board Bill. Let's hope this time around when the Gambian Tourism Board pays Consultants to work with them rather than stealing their ideas and pretending that they are there own. Nepotism was the major stumbling block in their Armoury not to mention Yankaba Touray Tourism funds as his personal bank account. Also when I gave Susan Waffo Oggo the blueprint for Sustainable Tourism her department ran with the idea in November 1999. Guess what they never consulted with me once about it. It's ironic how things go pear shape.
Let's hope this time around the Gambia Tourism Board has some real teeth and aren't under the thumbs of the tour operators and airlines. What's called for is some proper shadowing of successful destinations not just a name change. After all there is no point washing your body and putting back on dirty clothes.
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Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 29 Jul 2011 15:14:57 |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 15:34:17
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There should be combination of tourism services and big hotels are necessary but I think Gambia would benefit great with Bed&Breakfast, Boutique, Mid-Size, Self-Service apartments than the hotels. So I agree with Sista. Gambia should also try to explore Aged Care industry, retirement villages and make things easier for expats/volunteer tourism.
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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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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 21:07:45
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Is that you turk ?,sensible practical suggestions,thanks.It is a fact that for people to invest in such ventures they have to be allowed to make some money out of the venture,to make a viable small business in the Gambia at present is just not possible,instead of the level wealth status of the average Gambian and the consequent jelousy ,if he makes a success out of an enterprise others relish the thought of bringing the enterprise down so that the investor ends up losing his business and having nothing again, reverting to the level of the average Gambian,this is seen as pleasure and a good result of their jelous nature.
quote:
Originally posted by turk
There should be combination of tourism services and big hotels are necessary but I think Gambia would benefit great with Bed&Breakfast, Boutique, Mid-Size, Self-Service apartments than the hotels. So I agree with Sista. Gambia should also try to explore Aged Care industry, retirement villages and make things easier for expats/volunteer tourism.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 21:28:41
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toubab - I am very sensible and fair with good ideas and discussion. I provide very good information and suggestion you can not even imagine in your whole life. But, it is not my fault that dummy posts, usually by you and snuggles deserve a reaction.
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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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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 22:30:25
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"But, it is not my fault that dummy posts, usually by you and snuggles deserve a reaction."
turk I read your words and I am aware of the position that you find yourself in when you make MOST of your postings on Bantaba in Cyberspace.
Read my signature  |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 29 Jul 2011 22:30:43 |
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