By Ramatoulie Jawo
During his State of the Nation address, His Excellency President Adama Barrow announced a 13% increase in tourism arrivals in The Gambia, totaling 206,836 visitors.
He noted that the tourism sector has shown remarkable resilience, with tourist arrivals growing over the past three years, significantly contributing to The Gambia’s economic development.
“In 2023, there was a thirteen percent increase in tourist arrivals, totalling two hundred and six thousand, eight hundred and thirty-six (206,836), compared to one hundred and eighty-two thousand, seven hundred and ninety-five (182,795) in 2022,” he said.
President Barrow highlighted that this increase in arrivals led to a revenue rise from $168.19 million in 2022 to $333.12 million in 2023, reflecting robust recovery and growth in the sector.
Given the importance of the tourism sector, President Barrow committed to enhancing promotion strategies, infrastructure, products, and services to improve access to major hotels along the Tourism Development Area.
“Therefore, three road projects are nearing completion. Other plans include further promoting community-based ecotourism and domestic tourism. In the cultural sector, the Ministry of Tourism established the National Endowment Fund for Arts and Culture in 2023. Following Cabinet endorsement, the fund will be operational in 2024 to provide a steady source of support for Gambian arts and cultural programmes,” he said.
He also mentioned that The Gambia has ratified two major UNESCO Conventions: the 2001 Convention on the Protection of Underwater Heritage and the 1970 Convention against the Illicit Transfer of Cultural Goods, both of which became effective on February 10, 2024.
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