By: Kebba Ansu Manneh
The former Gambian Director of Tourism and Principal of the Institute of Travel and Tourism of The Gambia (ITToG) has vehemently criticized the proposed increase in Airport Departure and Arrival Tax at Banjul International Airport, labeling the move as detrimental to the nation’s tourism sector.
The tourism expert’s remarks follow increasing worries from industry stakeholders, who have criticized the suggested increase when The Gambian tourism sector is nearing recovery from the severe effects of COVID-19 and the supply chain disruptions caused by the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.
“I cannot stop raising my voice as both an investor and activist in the tourism sector on actions that derail the industry’s progress that benefits all of us,” Shiekh Tijan Nyang protested against the increment.
He added, “This proposal has raised shock waves in the sector, which warrants me to ask, “If the Government of The Gambia wants to kill the goose that lays the golden egg,” no doubt they have held back with the proposed increase until further notice.”
Nyang, also serving as the Chairman of the Association of Small Scale Enterprises in Responsible Tourism (ASSERT), revealed that a letter sent to operators on May 13, 2024, proposed an increase in the departure and arrival tax from $20 to $25 at Banjul International Airport.
According to him, a recent study on the tourism industry in Gambia has revealed that lack of destination recognition and attractiveness, dwindling product quality, and undiversified products and source markets are identified as among the host of challenges facing Gambian destination, adding these challenges also includes limited air access, over-reliance on International Tour Operators (ITOs), climate change and environmental degradation affecting the country product and weak statistical base to inform policymakers among others.
He noted that the outcry of stakeholders over the past five years has been the poor performance of the sector, which has been seriously affected by the withdrawal of Thomas Cook, the advent of COVID-19 19, and the controversial introduction of the airport arrival and departure tax which has virtually paralyzed the sector recently, stressing that the sector has been grappling with serious challenges of QUALITY BEDS that are attractive to the clientele due mainly to lack of funds.
“Let’s remember that most of the hotel operators affected are cash-strapped to undertake the necessary renovation to upgrade their standards, and the seasonality of the industry with short seasons is another impediment. It was suggested before the OIC that the investment in the 419 so-called Radisson Blue 5-star Hotel would have taken care of necessary renovation to meet the quality beds needed for the conference,” the veteran tourism expert argued.
“However, this expectation fell through, and the rest is a sad history. The sorry indebtedness of most of our hotels does not stop with the commercial banks but also concerns the Municipalities. At one point, a couple of hotels were placed under the hammer at the behest of the KMC for default in settlement of rates:”
Nyang continues to state that he intends to demonstrate that all is not well with the tourism sector and that the sector should not be regarded as a milking cow with no palliatives and actions put in place to promote this essential activity, arguing that the Government, therefore, should not kill the goose that lays the golden egg, adding that ‘if we consider the tourism sector and its contribution in the overall economy of the country both in employment, revenue generation, foreign exchange earnings and above all the linkages with the agricultural sector, the contributions are enormous and should be taken seriously.
“This present article highlights the key sometimes self-inflicted harm that the Government is causing to the industry. The “Maatey” policies “in raising taxes randomly without due consultation with other associated Ministries and sector partners, does not help; on the contrary, it will kill the sector,” Nyang observed.
The Veteran tourism expert also revealed that the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority’s (GCAA), dated 13th May 2024, letter of instructions addressed to the Operators was not discussed or copied to the appropriate Ministry, adding that the Ministry of Tourism and Culture was not written to nor was it communicated or The Gambia Tourism Board as a rule of procedure.
“We wonder whether the Civil Aviation Authority operating under the Ministry of Works and (championing the increase) is working for the same Government? It seems the left does not know what the right hand is doing in the case of this bombshell. It is sad to see this happening, in which proper administrative procedures, analysis, and consultations precede ultimate decision-making before the actions are taken,” Shiekh Tijan Nyang further protested the increment.
He added: “The institution of the payment of the $20 was still controversial and has led to the withdrawal of many tour operators, especially the Nordic group, which is one of the most loyal and constant operators who pay well, and the group was one of the bigger operators remaining in our destination,” Nyang further revealed impact of the $20 increment.
He added: “The stakeholders’ standpoint is that they are not against an increase, but the timing is wrong. It should come when the sector has recovered or recovering. The guidelines of IATA and ICAO spelled out what needs to be done regarding plans to increase taxes.”
The veteran tourism expert highlighted several arguments in his letter addressed to the Government, including copies of letters from the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) SN Brussels Airlines, IATA, and ICAO, warning against any increment that can further detail the sector’s recovery amidst ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.
