The Regatta Majuro cruise ship operated by Oceania Cruises has docked at the Banjul Port, bringing 570 visitors from Miami in a fresh boost to The Gambia’s tourism sector.

Arriving at around 7:00am, the cruise liner was welcomed with vibrant traditional music and cultural dance performances, as tourism officials showcased Gambian hospitality to the visiting tourists.

Speaking at the event, Ida Jeng-Njie said the arrival of the ship demonstrates the growing strength of cruise tourism and its wide-reaching economic benefits.

She noted that almost all of the 570 passengers disembarked and travelled across different parts of the country, with only about 20 remaining on board.

According to her, tourists visited key attractions including Banjul markets and coastal communities, with some travelling as far as Tujereng, spreading spending across transport, hospitality, and small businesses.

“This signifies the importance of togetherness. It also shows that not only one sector is benefiting, but all the sectors are benefiting,” she said.

Ida Jeng-Njie stressed that cruise tourism continues to play a key role in supporting livelihoods, with ripple effects felt across multiple sectors of the economy.

She added that visitor spending on transport, food, crafts, and excursions helps to distribute economic gains beyond the capital into surrounding communities.

“When visitors come, they will spend, they will buy, they will eat, they will drink… the benefits cannot be measured,” she said.

Tourism officials said the arrival of the Regatta Majuro signals renewed confidence in The Gambia as a destination, with expectations of increased cruise ship visits in the coming season.

By Adama Makasuba