The Gambia government has unveiled plans to transform Kanilai, the home village of former president Yahya Jammeh, into a major tourism destination.

The move aims to boost the country’s tourism sector, which has faced significant challenges in recent years.

Kanilai, located in the southern part of the country near the border with Senegal, is set to become a key focal point for the government’s efforts to rejuvenate the struggling tourism industry.

With a population of approximately 2.7 million, The Gambia heavily depends on tourism and agriculture for economic growth.

However, these sectors have faced setbacks due to a lack of innovative policies and global disruptions.

Tourism, which contributes around 20% of the nation’s GDP, has particularly struggled. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the sector’s contribution to the economy fell by 41% in 2021, following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, the Gambia’s tourism industry lost an estimated $108 million, while tax revenue from the sector dropped by $57.9 million. The COVID-19 pandemic was followed by the economic fallout from the war in Ukraine, both of which severely impacted global travel patterns.

The latest statistics from The Gambia Tourism Board (GTB) show a 41% decline in tourist arrivals in 2021 compared to pre-pandemic levels. This has resulted in reduced income from key tourism hubs, leading to a shift in focus towards domestic tourism and new initiatives, such as the development of Kanilai.

Hamat Bah, who served as Minister of Tourism and Culture before transitioning to the Ministry of Lands, reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming Kanilai into a prime tourism destination.

“We want to make this village a key tourism site,” Bah said. “The Ministry of Arts and Culture will ensure these facilities become major attractions, generating substantial revenue for both the community and the government,” he added.

The government’s proposal to develop Kanilai into a tourism hotspot comes as part of broader efforts to boost revenue and create jobs in the wake of the sector’s decline.

By Adama Makasuba