Tourism

Tourism is one of The Gambia’s fastest growing industries, contributing about 16% of GDP and constituting the largest source of formal non-farm employment. Every year tens of thousands of holidaymakers visit The Gambia from various parts of the world. 

The Gambia has excellent potential for further tourism development due to the ease with which it can be reached from the main European markets, the relatively good value for money offered by package tours to the country and its distinctive advantages. These include a favourable climate, excellent beaches, an unspoiled countryside, an agreeable ambience, and above all, a friendly and hospitable population. 

Present policy focus in the industry emphasizes the up-market approach, which seeks increased investor participation in five-star hotel projects and quality service apartments. Consolidating and refurbishing the Tourism Development Area (TDA) along the wide Atlantic coast especially reserved for top-of-the market hotel projects, continues to be a major policy thrust to develop tourism in The Gambia. The ease of transportation on the Kombo coastal road covering the entire TDA, the continuous enhancement of electricity supply and telecommunication extensions in the TDA, and the setting up of the Gambia Tourism Board as an independent body to coordinate all aspects of project implementation in, and development of the tourism industry, including, importantly, the grading and classifying of hotels and related resorts, all represent a systematic effort at improving the enabling environment for increased private sector investment in the industry.