The Gambia, a small country in West Africa known for its beautiful beaches and rich culture, heavily relies on tourism as a major source of revenue. In fact, the tourism sector contributes significantly to the country’s economy.
But just how much does Gambia earn from tourism? Let’s take a closer look.
The Importance of Tourism in The Gambia
Tourism is vital to The Gambia’s economy as it provides foreign exchange earnings, job opportunities, and income for local businesses. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), travel and tourism contributed 18.5% of the country’s GDP in 2019, which is equivalent to approximately US $1 billion. Furthermore, it employed 129,500 people or 20.3% of total employment.
Tourism Revenue
According to the Gambia Tourism Board, the country hosted 112,652 tourists in 2019 and generated approximately US $87 million from their visits. This represents an increase compared to previous years and shows that The Gambia’s tourism industry is growing steadily.
Types of Tourists
There are two types of tourists that visit The Gambia: those who come for leisure and those who come for business purposes. Leisure tourists make up the majority with about 80% of visitors coming for vacation purposes while business travelers account for about 20%. This shows that The Gambia is more of a tourist destination rather than a business destination.
Top Tourist Attractions
The Gambia has several tourist attractions that draw visitors from all over the world. Some popular tourist destinations include:
- Bijilo Forest Park
- Kachikally Crocodile Pool
- Abuko Nature Reserve
- Arch 22 Monument
- Serekunda Market
Challenges Facing The Gambia’s Tourism Industry
The Gambia’s tourism industry faces a few challenges that may impact its growth in the future. These include:
- Seasonality – The tourism industry in The Gambia is highly seasonal, with the peak season being from November to April. This means that businesses have to make most of their revenue during this time.
- Infrastructure – Although there have been improvements in recent years, some aspects of infrastructure such as roads and electricity still need improvement.
- Competition – The Gambia faces competition from other African countries such as Senegal, Kenya, and Tanzania which also offer beautiful beaches and wildlife.
Conclusion
Tourism is an important sector for The Gambia’s economy. It contributes significantly to the country’s GDP and employment opportunities.
Although there are challenges facing the industry, it is still growing steadily and has a lot of potential for further development. With more investment in infrastructure and promotion of the country’s tourist attractions, The Gambia can continue to attract visitors from all over the world.
10 Related Question Answers Found
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