Beach bars and restaurants operating without authorisation in The Gambia’s main tourism belt have been ordered to regularise their status or face possible closure.

The warning was issued by the Gambia Tourism Board, which has begun serving notices on operators occupying land and conducting business without approval within the Tourism Development Area (TDA).

The Tourism Development Area stretches from Kotu to Kartong, covering land up to 800 metres inland from the high-water mark.

In the notice, the Tourism Board reminded operators that all land within the TDA falls under its jurisdiction and is reserved exclusively for regulated tourism development.

“Any occupation or operation within the Tourism Development Area without proper authorisation from the Board constitutes unlawful activity and undermines the Board’s efforts to maintain standards within the tourism sector,” the notice stated.

The Board has instructed all affected beach bar and restaurant operators to immediately contact the regulator to regularise their occupation status and obtain the necessary tourism operating licences.

It further warned that failure to comply could attract enforcement action.

“Failure to comply may result in administrative and legal enforcement measures, including potential closure of operations,” the Board said.

The Tourism Board said the exercise forms part of its efforts to ensure orderly development and maintain quality standards in the country’s tourism industry.

“This enforcement action reflects the GT Board’s commitment to ensuring orderly development and maintaining quality standards within The Gambia’s tourism sector,” the notice added.

Authorities have encouraged operators seeking to regularise their businesses to submit the required documents and applications to the Board as soon as possible.

By Adama Makasuba