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Momodou
Denmark
11828 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Oct 2006 : 23:28:07
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By Sheikh Tejan Nyang
We have recently developed a sustainable tourism project under tourism master plan study which i would like to share with you:
CASE STUDY 2: THE "NINKINANKA" TRAIL
The NinkiNanka Trail concept is aimed at developing a unique eco and ethno-tourism experience with significant improvement on the livelihood of rural communities living near the Gambia River.
The project opportunities will be among others;
- Community participation and ownership in all aspects;
- Small communities owned and operated projects outside the TDA;
- Small international partnership project with considerable community involvement;
- More accommodation up-country of different size and standard to cater for the different types of clientele both local and international;
- Establish a regular river transport system with higher utilisation of the River Gambia for ethno-tourism activities;
- Improvement of quality and quantity of landing sites along the River Gambia and at Oyster Creek;
- Encouragement of Gambians to become "eco-tourists "within their own country.
The whole concept is based on diversification of the tourism product particularly the involvement of the local population on eco- and ethno-tourism strategy, which is "To develop the ecotourism sector as a national priority in a sustainable, responsible and acceptable manner. This will help to alleviate poverty in local rural communities by generating income and providing employment, increase the foreign exchange from tourism nationally, raise the social awareness of the Gambian people and improve the protection of the environment, thus contributing significantly to the quality of life of every Gambian."
The project concept is geared towards poverty alleviation through skills training and employment creation, empowerment of the local communities, linking communities already with established camps and those that have the potentials, and reduction of the rural urban drift among others.
The project would initially establish a boat-building centre that would teach students the art of boat building, which would serve as the main means of transportation of tourist and in the long run revive cargo transportation and also linking communities within the river Gambia.
Other skills and training to be introduced in the scheme would include:
- Carpentry,
- Masonry,
- Tent making,
- Outboard engine mechanics,
- Fishing,
- Agriculture and horticulture,
- Basic hospitality services among others.
The provision of these diverse skills in each of the villages identified would improve local entrepreneurship and further improve the livelihood of individuals and their communities.
This would also give guarantee to the communities that all the skills needed are available locally and revenues generated through the projects would help to build other facilities i.e. schools, day care centres, health facilities among others.
One of the main focuses of the project is to provide accommodation facilities in the villages identified for the project. The accommodation facilities will be of traditional round huts built mainly with local materials with the assistance of the appropriate technology unit under the Department of Community Development. The project would also be used to promote domestic tourism.
PROJECT DETAILS
Ten villages have been initially identified mainly because of their location with fairly good access to the main road and within an acceptable distance to travel by pirogue within approximately between 4-6 hours. This will open the gate for adventure travellers as well as tour operators to make best use of new excursions using pirogue and road transport as part of a package tour.
The villages identified shall be provided with basic accommodation facilities such as guesthouses or camps so far not in existence. The project would also provide an opportunity for tourist to learn and experience something unique and unforgettable holiday.
This unique experience is with a real cultural exchange unspoiled by mass tourism. It will also be an avenue to enjoy scenic landscape combined with typical daily life of the Gambia, thus giving the tourists the opportunity to experience village life, complimented by hospitality. The visitors will also be involved in Gambian culture, encounter friendly town and village folks and take part in another way of life. Such social interventions between the tourist and the locals will enrich cross cultural appreciation and mutual trust.
Other areas of interest would include visit to families, learn to cook Gambian cuisines, singing and dancing, African folk tales, study Gambian plants and learn about the medicinal values and traditional methods used as cure through traditional medicine.
By exposing the visitor to the above will certainly;
- Enhance the quality of holiday experience outside the 'enclave' areas of the coastal hotels.
- Creating at least one 'must see' attraction along the coast.
- Improving the standard of existing tour products and programmes; and
- Encouraging the development of additional day visitor's activities at the destination areas along the river.
IDENTIFICATION OF KEY VILLAGES
It is necessary to venture into towns and villages listed below and build the necessary infrastructure in form of landing sites, accommodation facilities and create a timetable linking existing villages that are already established as part of the sustainable planned river transport project. The villages identified are; Lamin, Tankular, Ballingo, Bambali, Jepenni, Dankunku, Kaur, Kudang, Tenda Karanfaba and Diabugu.
The villages of Albreda/Juffere, Tumani Tenda, Bintang, Kemoto, Njawara, Tendaba, Pakaliba, Banging Bureh, Lamin Koto and Basse are already existing tourist sites with basic accommodation, suitably situated along the river with the basic infrastructure in form of landing site in place.
These villages are in perfect distance from each other within easy reach by pirogue and are also within the reach of the nature reserves and historical monuments in their areas.
The proposal to establish the Ninki Nanka Trail is led by stakeholders in the sustainable tourism sector in the Gambia mainly within ASSET. The project will be developed in collaboration with, and at the request of, village communities on or adjacent to the River Gambia.
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