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Nyancho
Switzerland
22 Posts |
 Posted - 12 Dec 2005 : 10:40:09
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| Apart from Adama Bah and Sheik tijan Nyang,i`ve never met any who potrait the situation of tourism and some of it`s relatedly issues as you two.Drammeh,i however would like to see your book on tourism in the Gambia,anything less than that,would be a big waste.The problem about the lack of prosperous tourism in the Gambia may be due to wrong policies,today there are a whole lot of Gambians trained in the field of Hospitality industry but the problem most often lies with not putting at places they deserved.Another Drammeh brother of yours Lamin,upon completion of his Masters in the hospitality studies,returned home last year,after a few month, due to frustrations from the ministry,he too like so many before him left the country again. |
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dave
Ireland
89 Posts |
Posted - 12 Dec 2005 : 18:41:33
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| I agree with most of your really informative views Sister Omega. But I would like to quote you an interesting statistic I learned on my last trip to Gambia. It appears that 80% of tourists are repeat visitors, 20% say they will never go back (principally due to hassle from bumsters etc). Most repeat visitors come back mainly due to the inate friendliness and warmth of the people. You will find that repeat visitors are curious to get out and see the real gambia, meet local people and develope true friendships. Do you really think these tourists are of no benefit to Gambia??. I would really like to see a breakdown of the tourist numbers by hotel, guest house, eco lodges and guesthouses but I guess staistics such as this are not available. I agree there are huge opportunties to develope sustainable eco tourism. Tax incentives are the key |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 12 Dec 2005 : 20:32:27
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Hi Dave, Of course I agree  with you that repeat tourists are of benefit to Gambia just like thet are everywhere else. I take your point about Tax incentives but they should also go hand with proper sustainable development regulations such as polluters pay.
Peace
Sister Omega. |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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dave
Ireland
89 Posts |
Posted - 13 Dec 2005 : 01:49:03
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I agree Sis....Strict planning laws need to be put in place first...But I have a feeling that the biggest problem (in my opinion)would be corruption......Why do I believe that...sigh |
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Drammehkangi
Sweden
40 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2005 : 01:22:34
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Years of unregulated mass tourism market are taking a toll. The promotion of mass tourism in The Gambia has led to a substantial increases in tourist numbers but drastic falls in per capita tourist expenditure, length of stay, hotel occupancy, hotel room rates, and service quality. Therefore, The Gambia cannot rely upon that 80% repeat customers as a sustainable source of revenue, as carrying capacity limits of many tourism resources appears to be even at risk. The concept of tourism development would then suggest a measurement of the success of a destination by the number of visitors through a demand generated explanation of the "destination life cycle" (a term borrowed from prodcut life circle in marketing). A conceptual link between carrying capacity and the tourist area life-cycle is then suggested. This examines the different stages of the life-cycle, to continually re-assess the optimum capacities, as these high percentage of repeat is one of the signs a declining destination. Butler (1990)discusses this in what he terms the "critical range of elements of capacity", and identifies environmental and social limits having been exceeded.“We can visualise a destination moving across the spectrum, however gradually or slowly, but far too often inexorably towards potentials of its own demise" (Plog). Destination areas carry with them the potential seeds of their own destruction, as they allow themselves to become more commercialized and lose their qualities which originally attracted tourists. So, what this 80% repeat customers really tells in view of the destination life circle concept in the words of Cooper, Fletcher, Gilbert, Shepherd, and Wanhill, is a decline stage (these outstanding researchers and writers in the field of tourism). They illustrate the following features for destinations in decline:
• a demoralised tourism industry
• a low-spending, down market clienteles of both staying and day visitors
• a high percentage of repeat customers
• environmental problems
• high seasonal unemployment in the off peak season
• a poor competitive position
• acute seasonality, and shortage of marketing research
Ofcourse, repeat customers can be of great benefit to The Gambia, but they appear to be less spenders; not afluent type of tourists. Decline is however, not inevitable and might be avoided by more appropriate marketing, defining the needs of each market segment and translating them into elements of a touristic experience.
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dave
Ireland
89 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2005 : 12:13:41
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The promotion of mass tourism in The Gambia has led to a substantial increases in tourist numbers but drastic falls in per capita tourist expenditure, length of stay, hotel occupancy, hotel room rates, and service quality.
Drammeh....Im curious....Where do you get this information from????? |
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Drammehkangi
Sweden
40 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2005 : 14:02:27
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Dave, thanks for your concern. You must read researches done by Dieke, Goodwin and Bah, and some of my own little imputes concerning the industry in The Gambia. If you have doubts concerning the credibility of my writings, please don't hesitate to contact The Gambia Tourism Authority, Ministry of tourism or anyone you know, who directly conected to the industry in The Gambia.
I am in direct contact on the realities on the ground at home, with no subjective views. I recently spent 2 weeks in The Gambia with eight travel journalists from Scandinavia, with the aim of promoting the industry for better, also with efforts to change the image purported about our country . For the past 3 and half years, I have seriously dedicated my time and resources in working to promote The Gambia in major travel and tourism trade fairs around Europe, as well also in major travel and tourism professional bodies. This is through my own initiatives as a concern Gambian, a researcher and professional in the industry. ¨"The substantial increases in tourist numbers", ofcource, you will agree with me, the 80% repeat customers as a factor, that you have rightly elaborated in your first piece is nothing to argue about. That would be the consequence of the promotion of mass tourism. The "drastic falls in per capita tourist expenditure", reapeat customers, are less afluent type of tourist, that is they dont spent much. Added to that fact, most of these tourist travel all inclusive.Common knowledge dictates the hard realities with what all inclusive is all about. Contact Adama Bah to provide you with a copy of his research on "ProPoor tourism in The Gambia". The "length of stay, hotel occupancy, hotel room rates, and service quality", you will agree with me that, prices are rocket high in The Gambia, and they varies a lot between hotels too. Please contact GTA for more information. |
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dave
Ireland
89 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2005 : 12:28:15
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| I dont doubt your credibility for a moment Drammeh. I have very much enjoyed reading your interesting comments, most of which make good sense. However Im not sure I agree with your assertion that per capita tourist expenditure has fallen substantially, in fact I would argue the opposite may have occurred. Thus I ask where the information has arisen from. I have been visiting The Gambia 2/3 times a year for many years so I regard myself as a "repeat customer". I think we are all agreed with the 80% repeat business theory but I have to say that,in my experience "repeat customers" look for more than the cosy packages provided by Tour operators. Repeat customers, in my opinion (which is based on anecdotal evidence), become "independent tourists" through choice. Most people who come to The Gambia for the first time are glad of the protection of the hotels for reasons that have been stated here many times. Repeat tourists, however, tend to graduate to self catering appartments, lodges etc in order to get a sense of the real Gambia.Indeed this is the very reason why repeat customers come back to your wonderful country. There is little doubt that independent tourists leave more money in the hands of locals, what I find hard to accept is that per capita tourist expenditure has fallen. Is this a GTA statistic and how has it been measured? Is it based on information obtained from the hotels???. If so perhaps its a reflection that more tourists are going solo and therefore numbers in the hotels are falling??. If this is the case then I dont see that being a negative for your country. Im just curious. Peace |
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Drammehkangi
Sweden
40 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2005 : 14:57:24
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Dave, the reason am saying that per capita tourist expenditure has fallen substantially in The is through analysis of different reports presented about The Gambia. That was why I ask you to do some reading about the situations on the ground, and dont judge on subjective views. The way you are seeing things is the same way I see them, but in reality, thats not case. I have a travel agency, deal with travel agents, tour operators, and hoteliers and I know very well that this is the case in reality, per capita toutist expenditure has fallen substentially in The Gambia.
Now, how you measure that will take many different forms, depending on analytical and research background. if you understand the leakage, and all other factors that comes to play, you will see why tourist per capita expenditure has fallen. Find your self copies of research articles bout The Gambia, and analyse them. We are trying to accept the problems on the ground to find a solution to solve them. |
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dave
Ireland
89 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2005 : 17:06:50
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| Can you advise me where I can find the research article???....By the way Im a former economist/stockbroker.....maybe that explains my interest in this issue |
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Drammehkangi
Sweden
40 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2005 : 17:40:56
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Tour Operators and Complementary Products.
"Over half (55.2%) of visitors interviewed, stated that if they chose to come back to The Gambia, they would book a package, whilst a further 34.7% would book a flight and hotel together, less than 10% would book a flight only and almost nobody choose to stay with a friend" (Bah and Godwin). |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 20 Dec 2005 : 17:34:49
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good afternoon, i am new to the forum but would like to add my views on tourism in Gambia. I have read the discussions with interest but would like to address some issue that i think people might like to comment on.
After I have arrived in Gambia!!, travel within the country is expensive, i have been going for the past 18months and each time i want to go on a long trip it costs a fortune. Consider a local ground tour operator in Senegambia, will charge £40.00 per person to go to Senegal another country, but to go to Basse within Gambia a six hour trip £120.00. these are Gambian owned companies.
I have already landed in the country why do gambians make it impossible to travel within. A green tourist taxi official rates 4,000 dls to Somaa three hour journey. I understand that there is petrol to pay but I do think they need to make it easier, nicer and cheaper to get around the country. I have a degree in tourism and it does not take rocket science to understand look after the customer and they will look after you.
I afree the monopoly of gambian experience needs to be broken but who will break it.
next year is the roots 2006 festival in June, only gambian experience travel there, SN brussels but that is epxensive, who decide that the festival should be out of season.
Can anyone advise how to get to Georgetown Jagjenbureh and Wassa stones by public transport, to cheap taxi.
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 20 Dec 2005 : 19:43:17
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Hi Jambo,
Gambian Experience is the main carrier for the Roots Festival and I agree with you that their monopoly should be broken. However I think the only way this monopoly will be broken is by British tourists and others complaining to the official ABTA bodies or other watchdogs governing tourism in Britain. Unless this state of affairs is highlighted in the British press Gambian Experience will continue to act like shell used to in Nigeria. This also needs to be done in tandem by placing your concerns to the GTA to make them aware of travellers' disatisfaction about the service you are getting from this carrier.
What visitors can do to break Gambian Experience's Monopoly.
Also you could also complain to the Managing Directors of both the GTA and Gambian Experience about the quality of service provided by the company. It wouldn't surprise me if even the monopoly's and mergers commission would be interested in Gambian Experiences activities, and the African Commission in Britain.
The more letters of complaints which are received about Gambian Experience the quicker this untennable situation will be resolved because it seems that this company is even more powerful than the GTA itself and this a disturbing situation for any country to be placed in when a foreign company controls its aerospace. It is about time Gambian Experience was brought to heel.
Visitors can also write letters of enquiry to other airlines asking them if they could fly to Gambia. If they see there is a demand then they will it as an opportunity to venture into the market. With the Roots Festival the Roots Organisers had no other alternative but to identify Gambian Experience as the official carrier because they are the only tour operator flying off peak.
Jambo the reason why the Roots Festival takes place in June is to encourage off peak tourism development to attract more visitors at this time of the year before the rainy season sets in.
Peace
Sister Omega.
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Peace
Sister Omega |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 20 Dec 2005 : 20:32:45
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| hello, thank you for your reply, but the first question was not answered why is it so expensive to travel within gambia |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 20 Dec 2005 : 21:11:00
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THE BEACH
As an English person who has been coming to The Gambia for 2 years i am VERY concerned about the human rights of local Gambian people at the beach.
I stayed at Palm Beach in December and the increased and heavy handed security distressed me. Local people were being intimidated from going to the beach. They werent allowed to walk on the beach or bathe.
It is making life very difficult for people who are already poor and struggling. One Gambia was taken away by security guards for 2 days. He was beaten up and starved. His crime? Coming to my hotel to meet me to go for a walk on the beach. He wsnt taken to court and wasnt charged with any crime. If The Gambia wants to be a democracy this has got to stop!
The BEST thing about the Gambia is the lovely, friendly people. I have been very fortunate to have been invited into peoples' villages and compounds. I have been treated like part of the family. This has made my visit to The Gambia 100% more rewarding and interesting. SO much more than just a beach holiday. I dont want to be imprisoned in my hotel. only able to spend money in my hotel. I want to go to local bars and restaurants. I want to shop in local supermarkets and markets. I want to buy things in village shops. I want to get out into the community and the countryside.
In order to do all that you need to meet local people to be your guide. How do you do that if they arent allowed to talk to you???
IF a bumster is a nuisance that pesters too much or steals then that should become a police issue and they should be charged in a court. BUT please dont punish ALL locals at the beach because a few are bad!
I am REALLY interested to know what local people think. |
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