The minister of Tourism and Culture has clarified on conflicting reports about the contribution of the tourism sector to the Gambia’s economy.

Speaking during a press conference on Thursday at Cocoa Ocean Hotel, Hamat Bah described the reports as “misconceptions, misunderstanding about the contribution of the tourism sector to the country’s economy”.

“Some documents indicate 30% or 35% tourism contribution in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). We belief that the tourism industry will contribute nothing less than 30% of the GDP,” he said.

Mr. Bah said some documents also indicate 15%, 18%, 20% or 25% of tourism contribution to the state’s economy, adding “these conflicting figures on the tourism contribution to the country’s economy enable my ministry to accelerate the process for working on the tourism satellites account.”

“I’m sure by the end of next year; we will be able to have the real statistics of tourism contribution to the economy of the Gambia. Tourism gets to every community in the country and almost every person is benefitting from it,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism is holding a two day national seminar aim at supporting the Gambia’s drive to have a full market both nationally and internationally.

The seminar is also expected to avail the tourism officials to get the real statistics that is needed by the ministry for policy formulation.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba