By Makutu Manneh
The Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Abdoulie Jobe, has said The Gambia is seeking to replicate Cape Verde’s success in the tourism sector, with a particular focus on leveraging diaspora investment.
Speaking at the Ninth Stake in the Nation Forum (SNF9), Minister Jobe noted that one of Cape Verde’s key strategies has been the active involvement of its diaspora in tourism development—a model The Gambia intends to adopt.
“One of the things Cape Verde has done is to use its diaspora to invest in the sector, and this is what we are aiming to do as well,” he said.
The minister observed that while Cape Verde once visited The Gambia to study its tourism industry, it now records tourist arrivals in the millions. He questioned why The Gambia has not achieved similar results, noting that gaps in strategy and implementation must be addressed. “But Cape Verde is doing arrival numbers in the millions, and why not us?. There is something we are not doing right, and we have to do it right.”
Minister Jobe emphasized that tourism is a shared national responsibility, urging all Gambians to play an active role in promoting the country as a destination. He stressed that every citizen should serve as an ambassador by projecting a positive image of the country and fostering an environment that encourages visitors.
Reaffirming his commitment to stakeholder engagement, the minister said the government would continue to work closely with the private sector to grow the industry, describing the ministry’s role as that of an enabler rather than an enforcer.
He also outlined plans to strengthen engagement with the Gambian diaspora through initiatives aimed at increasing their participation in tourism development, including the creation of a dedicated diaspora tourism and investment platform.
“Through meaningful engagements, we can position The Gambia as a premium homecoming destination, a hub for heritage and cultural tourism, and a welcoming space for investment, innovation, and creativity,” Minister Jobe said.
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