The principal goal of the Department of State for Tourism and Culture is to maximise the economic and social benefits that the tourism industry has to offer. Its complementary aim is to foster an organised and conducive economic environment in which foreign investors, managers, as well as tourists can operate within a framework of equitable partnership with their Gambian counterparts, with a view to ensuring that tourism contributes meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the country.

For the department of tourism to fully achieve this goal, 'responsible' tourism should be their topmost priority.

Responsible tourism, in short, is to link the industry in all other sectors of life, endeavour to minimise the negative impacts with a corresponding maximisation of the positive impact, as well as allowing the full participation of locals in the industry. Therefore, The Gambia has a long way to go in attaining sustainable tourism development.

In the accommodation sector, for instance, foreigners are purposefully building compounds for renting to tourists during the season, depriving hotels of the much needed guests.

The majority of Gambian service providers in the industry do not have any meaningful qualification in tourism and hotel management studies, yet the young ones with such qualifications are denied the chance to serve in the industry. We seem to disregard the fact that without considering the human resource available, we can hardly achieve our goal.

Another point is that we need to understand that some of the 'bumsters' can guide better than some official guides. Therefore, there is an ardent need for them to be incorporated into the system, rather than continue to perceive them as common criminals.

Finally, the way forward is that recommendations should be realistic. Focus must be given to not just what is desirable but what is also achievable.

Pursuing plans that are not compatible with the demands of the reality on the ground may result in building castles in the air.

What is of strategic importance is to map out a course of action that could be translated into achievable goals, and there is supposed to be effective utilisation of resources to make The Gambia a sustainable tourism destination if its development is to speak the language of realism.

The author is a student at the

International Business College (IBC)

Fajara