Andrew Iro Okungbowa
The Gambia Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Abdoulie Jobe has commended the members of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) for choosing The Gambia for their training and expedition for this year, describing the tour as ‘deserving home coming.’
‘‘We are delighted to host this eminent gathering of notable travel agents, and we bestow high regards to your presence in the smiling coast of Africa,” he said.
The highly elated Minister, who spoke at the official flag-off ceremony of NANTA’s the training and tourism market exposure, disclosed that destination management ecosystem must consistently respond to fast changing dynamics geared towards addressing the needs of various stakeholders, the industry and host communities, noting that travel agents must continue to play pivotal roles in finding solutions to those changes in the tourism ecosystem.
According to him, ‘‘it is imperative for tourism stakeholders at various levels to take stock and strategise on the next steps to make tourism responsive to these trends and challenges to reposition our coveted industry on a competitive trajectory.”
The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Amie Njie, further explained that the presence of Nigeria travel trade professionals in The Gambia was an intentional high-level engagement by the Ministry to market Gambia to Nigeria. He urged the Nigerian influential trade group to have a taste of The Gambia jollof, known locally as Benechin.
While in his welcome remark, the Nigeria High Commissioner to The Gambia, Mallam Mohammad Mainasara commended NANTA for choosing The Gambia for their training programme. He charged them to take full advantage of their presence to generate viable mutual trade opportunities between Nigeria and The Gambia.
Abubakar Camara and Sheriff Conteh Director General and Deputy Director General of The Gambia Tourism Board, respectively, shared binding cultural tourism relationships with Nigeria, while the Managing Director of Djeliba Leisure Group, a frontline partner of NANTA on the training and trade exposure expedition, revealed that Nigerians are close relations to the people of The Gambia.
On his part, the President of NANTA, Yinka Folami pledged the commitment of NANTA to changing the travel narrative by ensuring the country’s tourist traffic is boosted through its members.
“We believe in inter African trade and tourism exchange, and we as an Association started the campaign over five years ago. We love The Gambia, and that’s why we chose to be here for our training instead of going elsewhere. We brought our best to The Gambia, and soon, the tourism trade traffic narratives would change, and we have the capacity to do so,” assured Folami.
Presenting NANTA’s plaque to The Gambia First Lady and the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Folami disclosed that NANTA would also expect The Gambia people and their trade community to reciprocate the love that Nigerians showered on them by visiting and trading more with Nigeria since Nigeria foremost carrier, Air peace operates in the country.
Folami commended NANTA’s training faculty led by the Association First Deputy President, Mrs Chinyere Umeasiegbu; the immediate past President, Mrs Susan Akporiaye and Mrs Ibiwari Uloma Kemabonta, for always pushing NANTA to the zenith of success and global presence, adding that it is a blessing to be supported and assisted by selfless women.
