| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
 Posted - 15 Nov 2006 : 23:41:01
|
Finally it has filtered through to Minister Angela Colley that it is time Gambia overhauls its image and gets to grip with what Responsible Ethical Tourism means. A shake up of the industry is long overdue, and it is a positive step to see that she is contacting new potential Tour Operators instead of relying on the old ones to deliver good quality products for visitors wanting to travel to Gambia.
Let's hope a new broom will sweep up the old cobwebs of outdated neocolonialistic tourism model and start to deliver an ecotourism model which benefit's the Gambia's socio-economic and environmental infrastructure.
It looks like complacent workers will be kept on their toes.
Peace
Sister Omega
http://www.observer.gm/enews/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6353&Itemid=33
|
Peace
Sister Omega |
|
|
Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2006 : 14:22:23
|
quote:
Originally posted by Sister Omega
Finally it has filtered through to Minister Angela Colley that it is time Gambia overhauls its image and gets to grip with what Responsible Ethical Tourism means. A shake up of the industry is long overdue, and it is a positive step to see that she is contacting new potential Tour Operators instead of relying on the old ones to deliver good quality products for visitors wanting to travel to Gambia.
Let's hope a new broom will sweep up the old cobwebs of outdated neocolonialistic tourism model and start to deliver an ecotourism model which benefit's the Gambia's socio-economic and environmental infrastructure.
It looks like complacent workers will be kept on their toes.
Peace
Sister Omega
http://www.observer.gm/enews/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6353&Itemid=33
The real broom is the electric sweeping broom; that took the likes of harry sambou; first a fire, and then to mile two
Jammeh will soon fire them, and take them to mile two. Set the clocl, and start counting.....1,2,3....... |
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
|
 |
|
|
serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2006 : 16:53:54
|
I checked Angela Bernadette Colley's birthdates. A Scorpio, born in the (chinese) year of the Dragon. This, I think, is not at all a weak one. I wish her good success; may her dragon fire burn for the best of Gambia's tourism industry.  |
|
|
|
kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 16 Nov 2006 : 17:45:52
|
| She should walk slowly and easily. Its a complex web out there for her and the sooner she knows that the better. The best principle is to jump when asked to do so. Dont ask why you should jump. Good luck top her. |
|
|
|
jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 18 Nov 2006 : 15:21:08
|
| she was at the world tourism market in london, she seems nice, but as an educated person she knows what lies ahead, all i ask is that she tackles gambia experience monopoly on the airways as a priority. |
|
|
|
serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 21 Nov 2006 : 18:37:46
|
Among (German) low and medium budget tourists the terrible all inclusive tours are becoming more and more popular. Big German tour providers expanded their all inclusive-offers for the summer season 2007.
This was the bad news. Maybe a slightly better one is that meanwhile there are concepts for a so-called 'Ultra all inclusive', which means that local restaurants, bars, museums etc. are included in the programs.
For very good reasons Gambia does not allow all inclusive-tourism. But one could consider if the moderate form of all inclusive is worth being tested. I am not sure if it is really a good idea, or if in the end only the same old (foreign) noses profit from this concept, while Gambia has the trouble with all inclusive-drunkards.  |
|
|
|
Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 21 Nov 2006 : 23:16:58
|
Serenata, the banning of all-inclusive tours was suppose to encourage inclusion of the local community as you've identified quote:
local restaurants, bars, museums etc.
The problems seems to have been that although the program of eco-tourism was implemented it wasn't properly understood. There is a fundamental flaw when it comes to policy making in Gambia the root of it stems from plagarism. It's ok to take other peoples ideas and run with them but it's far more difficult to tweak them if you are not aware with the principles on which they are built on.
This is why I think it is important for the minister to make sure that GTA staff undergo regular training to keep updated with tourist trends and keep up to date with what's going on internationally and gauge what is going on locally bearing in mind the framework of 2020. The inclusive approach should include the local community more and reflect their views into a policy framework which supports sustainable livelihoods of the local communities working within the industry.
What we are witnessing at the moment is a outdated practice which has had adverse impacts on the social infrastructure where more money is being generated through sex tourism rather than sustainable tourism with high social costs.
A call for more airlines flying to Gambia from the UK and Europe are needed to give tourist and Gambian nationals more choices is needed. More transparency by the authorities on both sides of the Atlantic in regards to aviation sharp practices there is no plausible reason why elites can benefit from generous baggage allowances as sweetens for airlines to keep on monopolising Gambian aerospace at the expense of travellers who are not getting a satisfactory service through limited choices. This alone is stifling the GNP of Gambia. Once the Tourist Minister finds more airlines willing to fly to Gambia from the UK and other destinations the better it will be for the country. In fact I've often wonder why Gambia has no monopoly and mergers Commission to stop unfair practices occurring stifling consumer's rights. If gambia wishes to increase Tourist numbers they would be wise to address this problem and enpower themselves because at present it seems as though Gambian Experience and Monarch airlines is Gambia's Tourist Industry and it's they who call the shots.
Peace
Sister Omega
|
Peace
Sister Omega |
|
|
|
Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 21 Nov 2006 : 23:43:25
|
Kons, why do you think colley should jump when she is asked to do so? Isn't it about time that those in Senior positions start using their initiative and get some results. My advice to her is to be bold. Get to know the diffrent aspects of tourism and tighten up the leakages within the industry. Which is costing Gambia too much through the loss of foreign exchange make sure that all food stuffs which can be sourced in Gambia are purchased from there with Global Warming being rising to the top of international agenda carbon offsetting can easily justify more home grown produce. Angela it's time to be bold and help to uplift the country and support tourist industry workers to get off of their knees, off their backs and be able to earn a honest living. |
Peace
Sister Omega |
|
|
|
serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2006 : 14:40:25
|
You are right, Sister.
A monopoly and mergers Commission would quickly make an end to the Gambia Experience monopoly. But it looks as if nobody has a real interest in such a commission...
Until things are getting better, concerned tourists could try to boycot GE and undermine their monopoly. The German line Condor, for example, goes Frankfurt-Banjul during the whole year at reasonable prices, and they always have special offers (e.g. 99 € one way). Condor is connected with Thomas Cook. But I am sure there are also other airlines going to Banjul from Europe during summer. Flights inside the EU meanwhile are incredibly cheap (lately my sister went to Austria for - believe it or not - 4 Euro!), so it is no problem to book a direct flight from Germany, The Netherlands or Belgium and get from UK to Frankfurt, Amsterdam or Brussels with Ryan Air, Air Berlin, HLX etc. |
Edited by - serenata on 22 Nov 2006 14:46:48 |
|
|
|
Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2006 : 17:46:42
|
Serenata I hope your sister enjoyed her trip to Austria. There are some good deals out there but they aren't all what they seem. Yesterday the BBC hightlighted the need for more consumer protection when it came to some of the dubious tactics used by airlines and Tour Operators advertising deals.
I agree with you about customers choicing to fly Banjul should try to make alternative arrangements other than using GE and Monarch as a way forward. However most people prefer direct flights that's why I think the Minister should concentrate efforts into offering incentives for other airlines flying from UK to Banjul. I'm sure if she'd investigate this avenue then they would find out whether or not other Tour Operators and airlines are being discouraged from flying to Gambia by existing Tour Operators and airlines. As these existing companies are all UK based then the Gambian Authorities could take its case to the Monopoly and Mergers Commission in the UK instead.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
|
|
|
serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2006 : 19:00:17
|
If this is possible, they should do it! I am surprised that the other airlines don't fight this monopoly as Gambia is a popular destination for Britains. Even a German charter carrier like Condor goes all-year - are they sleeping?
|
|
|
|
Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 24 Nov 2006 : 17:26:28
|
Senenta how do German Tour Operators promote Gambia?
|
Peace
Sister Omega |
|
|
|
serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 27 Nov 2006 : 14:16:15
|
SisterO, thank you, my sister enjoyed herself very much in Austria - like always. I also like Austria; it is beautiful. But it is one of the countries you'll surely leave fatter than you entered it. The food is very tasty - and rich in calories... 
The big German tour operators don't promote Gambia as much as e.g. Kenya, and it is sold mainly as an affordable 'exotic' (last minute) sun & beach destination with sports facilities and some night-life. Some special operators promote Gambia as the ideal place for bird watching, while the market leader in study trips, Studiosus Reisen, doesn't offer tours to Gambia. In Germany, Gambia is more or less a cheap destination, and a lot more PR for quality tourism would be needed. It goes without saying that 'quality tourism' does not mean cheap luxury for toubabs, but tourism which provides relaxing and informative holidays and thus can make people from different worlds understand each other a little bit better. |
|
|
|
njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 27 Nov 2006 : 15:46:09
|
quote:
Originally posted by serenata
You are right, Sister.
A monopoly and mergers Commission would quickly make an end to the Gambia Experience monopoly. But it looks as if nobody has a real interest in such a commission...
Until things are getting better, concerned tourists could try to boycot GE and undermine their monopoly. The German line Condor, for example, goes Frankfurt-Banjul during the whole year at reasonable prices, and they always have special offers (e.g. 99 € one way). Condor is connected with Thomas Cook. But I am sure there are also other airlines going to Banjul from Europe during summer. Flights inside the EU meanwhile are incredibly cheap (lately my sister went to Austria for - believe it or not - 4 Euro!), so it is no problem to book a direct flight from Germany, The Netherlands or Belgium and get from UK to Frankfurt, Amsterdam or Brussels with Ryan Air, Air Berlin, HLX etc.
good point SO & Serenata.
i think there is a PURA which is a regulatory authority but tourism is not within there sphere. The GTA is supposed to regulate the industry.
but i think regarding cheap flights within Europe what the Gambia can do is to link up with one of the cheap/low cost airlines like Ryanair and a hub like Amsterdam of Frankfurt so that Ryanair would act as a feeder. hence people can book cheaply through Ryanair for 5 Euro to Amsterdam and then board a flight 30mins later to banjul.
it would be expensive for gambia to have a national airline now, but we must/can have a national travel agency just sellign tickets!!!!
|
|
|
|
serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 27 Nov 2006 : 16:46:39
|
| Good points, njucks! A national travel agency would be important for Gambia. |
|
|
|
kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 27 Nov 2006 : 18:02:38
|
quote:
Originally posted by Sister Omega
Kons, why do you think colley should jump when she is asked to do so? Isn't it about time that those in Senior positions start using their initiative and get some results. My advice to her is to be bold. Get to know the diffrent aspects of tourism and tighten up the leakages within the industry. Which is costing Gambia too much through the loss of foreign exchange make sure that all food stuffs which can be sourced in Gambia are purchased from there with Global Warming being rising to the top of international agenda carbon offsetting can easily justify more home grown produce. Angela it's time to be bold and help to uplift the country and support tourist industry workers to get off of their knees, off their backs and be able to earn a honest living.
Well history tells us that those who survived never asked why they should jump. Well as a former Civil Servant she knows this better than any one. I dont intend to preach to the choir. |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
