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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
 Posted - 15 Dec 2005 : 03:41:11
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Greetings Everyone,
Hi Drammehkangi, I agree with your opening statement that "mass tourism is taking its toll..."( and your conclusion)"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."
By taking all these factors into consideration gives a realistic picture situation of the health of Gambia's tourism model today. There has been some attempts over the years to attract a richer clientel. Nevetheless a new vision of the country's product still needs greater clarity because mass tourism model concentrated at the beach front is not a solution to neither the hosts or the visitors with its adverse social cutural and environmental impacts.
I think it would be a positive step for Gambia to build up its off peak seasonal activities, to create greater seasonal equilibrium within the local job market now this is a challenge which requires some imagination, and some intensive market research.
 With this challenge in mind : How can Gambia realistically encourage tourism during off- peak season? Can eco-tourism really be sustained during rainy season? How can off-peak be a turn-on  rather than a turn-off  ? Is rainy season holiday breaks a viable options or a hot saturated mosquitoe infested mess?  What activities are there to do in Gambia during the rains and how can these events be improved on?
I look forward to hearing your contributions.
Peace
Sister Omega
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Peace
Sister Omega |
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dave
Ireland
89 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2005 : 12:16:44
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| One way, Sister, is to develope angling as a tourist industry. The best fishing (for sport as opposed to for the table) occurs between June and early October. As soon as the water starts cooling the sought after species leave for warmer water. I know dozens of guys who would be interested in fishing holidays in the off season in Gambia. Peace |
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Drammehkangi
Sweden
40 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2005 : 02:55:10
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Seasonality is a nightmare for our industry. 'Blessed are destinations with a second season'. However, in the majority of tourist destionations the demand for tourism is markedly seasonal. Factors such as institutionalised holiday periods, un-utilised products, and climate conditions between generating areas and destinations give rise to peak and off seasons. Generally, it is agreed that global climate change has the potential to alter tourism distribution with implications for demand and travel patterns. It has considerable implications for long-term profitability and competitiveness, and this is why all efforts should be made to combart it.
To "realistically encourage tourism during "off-peak season" is the dream of the industry in The Gambia, one of the major challenges of the GTA; to change the image of the country from a seasonality destination, hence the idea “the sun and the sea”, and promote the it to an all year round destination. It must be noted that The Gambia is very vulnerable to any down turn in the demand for sun, sand and sea tourism in its originating markets, a major reason of seasonality in The Gambia. This form of tourism is very competitive, with new destinations developed, just like The Gambia as a winter destination. The imporatnce of encouraging tourism during the off peak- peak season inorder to attend all year round is noble course.
Tourism industry is highly competitive and operators are under increasing pressure to differentiate their products. Therefore, all year round tourism is a possibility, because The Gambia has more than just sun. Research suggests that once the main criteria for a holiday are satisfied (location, facilities, cost and availability), consumers will make choices based on what has been provided (Tearfund, 2001. Therefore, the ability for tourists to express their demands depends upon their awareness of the facilities available, particularly attractions that are a key component of leisure tourism. Thus, to operate off-peak season, we must deffrenciate the product, moving from sun to more cultural and nature based tourism. Crompton (1996) provided a framework for understanding tourist behaviour. He explained that tourism decisions are made through a complex process of evaluating and eliminating various choices. While there are numerous choice sets a tourist may select from, the initial consideration set and the late consideration set often provide conflicting marketing implications. Therefore, by defining market segments according to choice set patterns, through market intelligence, this conflict can be overcome. The pattern can be furhter explain with increasing demand for active holidays, in contrast to sun, sand and sea beach holiday, encouraging more sporting activities, river cruising, bird watching and culture tourism. Strategies for differentiation in marketing and promotional campaigns should therefore include the branding of the destination name “The Gambia”, incorporating features such as the hospitality of the people and their cultures, historical remains, festivals, gastronomy, the river Gambia, and the rural life. GTA has a good frase for it "Your haven in Africa". We must use this when approaching the generating markets. It is clair, there is a all-year round tourism product available in The Gambia, just that it is not exploited at fullo. Marketers are now moving away from traditional features-and-benefits marketing toward creating experiences for their customers (Schmitt 1999).
In an attempt to survive in an increasingly competitive tourism market, operators (especially the small independent ones), are continuously looking for niche markets to exploit, where there is little or no competition (Meyer, 2003). The development of tourist products along the River Gambia would create the opportunity for tourists to enjoy the sun, sail the mighty River Gambia, which also provide opportunity for fishing, bird watching, and experience of the rural life in the country. For instance, birding in The Gambia is an all year round activity, depending on which birds you want to see. Nine months of unbroken sunshine gives way to brief but awesome thunderstorms in the rainy season (June to September) and during this time the countryside is fresh green with many birds in their summer plumage (Thomson).
The growing popularity for recreational fishing is an opportunity for The Gambia to become one of the most exciting fishing holiday destinations in the world. Recreational fishing is showing an increase interest in Europe. For example in Sweden, about 3.4 million, or 55 per cent, of the population expressed some interest in fishing (Fiskeriverket, 2004). The coastal region of The Gambia is made up of numerous inshore reefs and sandbanks, deep channels and rocky outcrops. These features provide an excellent marine environment for a number of tropical local species, is a destination for the travelling Sport Fisherman (World Sport Fishing, 2004). The tiger fish is acclaimed as one of the most voracious fresh water sport fish in the world. Recently a 21Lb tiger fish (2Lb off the world record) was caught in The Gambia. Utilising the River Gambia could further help in luring tourists to the inland areas, which could help in stabilising the conflicting interests of local ground operators and International tour operators, another cause of seasonality. In addition, there is 250 acre nature reserve offering a taste of paradise for nature lovers. The nature, fauna and flora is part of the tourist experience, which will also make The Gambia an ideal holiday destination. For instance, total forest area in The Gambia covers 500,000 ha of forest, about 43 per cent of the total land area of the country, which a large part of it is waiting to be developed with sustainable development strategies (Department of Forestry). The annual “Roots Homecoming” festival, which is now gainig recognition as an international carnival around the world should be given maximum attention. The festival has become a much anticipated event for Gambians, and several groups of people from all over the world. Another important area is on- the destination campaigns involving food festivals around the country, TV programs about rural life, Gambian dishes, and cultural shows, to be shown in all hotel rooms in The Gambia. United Nations( 2003) also point out some proactive measures by host countries in their efforts including the protection of the environment, and preservation of local culture and historic sites. The promotion of heritage is one avenue for attracting tourists to both urban and rural areas, which can also serve the purpose for a all year round tourist season. More attention should be given to James Island, Wassu stone Circles and other living museums around the country. To realise these realistically, we must come to terms with the competing factors, for example tour international operators.
International tour operators have their own tours and excursions in The Gambia, and organises welcome meetings with their customers where they give information about the destination, gealously guarding their interests. There remains concern about what is said by tour operator representatives at these meetings. Towards the end of 2002 tourist season local guides were excluded from welcome meetings because they were seen as competing with tour businesses (Bah and Goodwin, 2003). Good governance in investment promotion includes the efforts to the involvement of the local community. They have the expertise and local knowledge of the destination. To help "turn-on the off-peak season", strategies should not only be to attract investors, but also to differentiate the country as a specific palace; a resource that could be best found by involving the local producers and their products. The involvement of international tour operators in the industry is not unique to The Gambia. However, the position they play, with the wholesale idea (all inclusive), does not match the country’s interest stipulated in The National Tourism Policy, as well as the efforts for poverty reduction. Even more complicated, it does not harmonise all year round season. Government should therefore install policies that enhance a beneficial working relationship between local operators and international tour operators, if there should be a break through of the seasonal problem. For most of the time, it is the local operators that shows the real Gambia, something international operators will not hestitate to have a reservation on if it contracts their interests.
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2005 : 03:44:41
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Greetings Drammehkangi,
Thanks for an excellent piece,
Yes I agree with your point on heritage tourism and like the concept of the living museum, cultural tourism is an exciting way forward on so many different levels Gambia and the subregions have so much to offer the world.I think it is also important for ECOWAS countries to work more co-operatively in this area. For example for the conservation and perservation of stone circle communities bilateral co-operation is fundamental for Wassau Stone Circles and Nagayenne stone circles.By establishing stone circles community support groups for the sustanable development of eco-tourism. The same goes for closer links between James Island and Goree.
The Angling tourist attraction and more leisure activities i.e sport Nawatten games, marathon, volleyball, tennis, boatracing etc all go to enrich the Gambian Product.
It seems to be a commom trait amongst Africans l to give more credence to foreign enterprises than our own we are too generous. It's about time government looks into more ways of creating a level playing field for local tour operators by promoting their services further a field, in other word fly the flag by giving official recognition by showing appreciation for the essential services local tour operators offer and by contributing to the industry in general, and awarding with incentives of retaining foreign exchange within the country.
Hi Dave I think you should go ahead and book that June fishing trip with your Guys But remember to throw back the fish in the River Gambia for future trips. Happy fishing!!
Peace
Sister Omega
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Peace
Sister Omega |
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dave
Ireland
89 Posts |
Posted - 19 Dec 2005 : 13:22:26
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Hi Sis,
we ALWAYS put fish back. Rarely do we kill them. Remember the piece about sustainable tourism!!!!
In actual fact during my last visit (4 weeks ago) I visited a site on behalf of a local businessman who believes it is suitable for developing an eco lodge based on tourist angling. He has now acquired the site and I think he is on to a winner. I hope to revisit during my next trip next month!!... |
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Drammehkangi
Sweden
40 Posts |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 24 Feb 2006 : 19:17:35
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| Dave..did he get the lodge of the ground? Is it a going concern now? |
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Squeak
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Posted - 28 Mar 2006 : 19:47:40
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| It is not for Gambia to sell, they have done that,I have just returned from gambia, I had a great time and want to return end of may or beginning of june. This I am finding hard as tour companies in uk don't cater for such needs. My only choice is The Gambia Experience which have high prices in comparison with what I got my march trip for. If these tour operators did some good deals for the summer, more people would travel there and would not be put off by "the rainy season" once they hed tried it. Also if anyone has any ways to help me with my search for flights/accom. then I would be pleased to hear from you. |
Edited by - Squeak on 28 Mar 2006 19:48:30 |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 28 Mar 2006 : 23:23:41
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Squeak Winter Sun destination is nothing new just like yourself I just returned from Gambia. As the title of this thread indicates how to attract tourist during the rainy season, Gambia at the present time only has one major Tour operator offering a all year round service and that is Gambian Experience.Until this monopoly is broken I'm afaird that Tourists choices will remain limited. You could also checkout SN Brussels.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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molly75
United Kingdom
86 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2006 : 15:49:26
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| I agree that the monopoly that the Gambia Experience has during the rainy season needs to be broken to allow cheaper travel from the UK. Im sure that if other companies were to fly to the Gambia during rainy season and the prices were lower than the Gambia Experience, many people would travel there during rainy season. I am travelling to the Gambia at the end of April/May, so have had to book with the Gambia Experience. It cost me 400 pounds just for the flight, when i went with Thomas Cook in December it cost only 270 pounds for flight and half board at the Senegambia. So no doubt the price is what puts people off in the rainy season, not particularly the weather. |
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inez
279 Posts |
Posted - 02 Apr 2006 : 00:21:53
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hi,
Travelpoort has trips from Amsterdam even during the rainseason. Check their site for special offers. From England to Amsterdam is easy to get cheap flights and travelpoort has their office in senegambia. |
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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 02 Apr 2006 : 01:16:52
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Hi,
Well you people should all be holding good positions in Banjul for you have very wounderful ideas down there.
Tourism need new ideas Many tourist as you rightly said are repeaters and they keep seing the same things.Like for instance here in the Uk,you have a lot of museums and historical sites which are kept in constant renovation for tourists.If the Gambia with its diverse culture and history could do the same,and do everything to sell it abroad,I am sure we will make a difference even during the rainy season.Must tourist would definately like to go to the Gambia but because they are scared of mosquitoes,stagnant water which can cause diseases and most importantly no new arrears to explore.If fishing could be mordernised and exoanded into the tourism sector and many provincial towns and villages could have rest houses with generators and fans(if no airconditions could be afforded) and during the rainy season Goods roads and cultural activities coould be organised for tourist to watch(I know people have to go to their farms)but if the tourist office could do like certain villages have each days of the weeks off and organise programmes where tourist could come and watch,the season we called in the Gambia off season would be no more off season but on season.
Thank you
Mankajang Janyanfara |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 02 Apr 2006 : 16:39:09
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| Please see my Posting under the heading GENERAL (whats wrong with Gambia) |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 02 Apr 2006 : 17:17:31
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sell the rainy season, some of the hotels could reduce their prices that would be astart. people who go to Gambia in the rainy season know what to expect, but it could be priced better. i agree in November £250 a ticket, May-septembe £350=500 a ticket. i want to go back in June for one month, i know it will rain but I have things to do and schools to visit. For the roots festival one week £400 for flight and hotel, plus £160.00 for the package £560.00 this is on a bed and breakfast basis, go figure, they want tourists but GTA rips them off.
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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 02 Apr 2006 : 23:32:22
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Snuggles,
Are you intending to scare people from the Gambia?If so you will never succeed as some people fell in love with this beautiful simling coast.Yours if true is a very very rare incident so did you read my reply?I know anyone who reads my reply to your posting would not take you seriously and secondly your fellow Europeans have proven you very very wrong.
peace |
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kisley
United Kingdom
214 Posts |
Posted - 03 Apr 2006 : 18:35:26
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| I LOVE GAMBIA. Snuggles sure seems very unlucky, My husband and I never experienced anything like this. (Im not saying it dosent go on. ) Everyone we met were so friendly, even the bumsters were lovable. One rastafaerian youth(hope I spelt that right) explained that the army had held him overnight for opperating on the beach without an up to date permit. "Look" he said, taking off his hat "they have cut off my dreads, and they were getting a good length as well, plus I am aching all over". "Did they beat you up" we asked horrified, "no" he replied "they made me do exercises." :) |
Edited by - kisley on 03 Apr 2006 18:36:42 |
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