Turkey, Gambia Sign Tourism Cooperation Agreement

The Gambian and Turkish governments represented by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture (MoTC) and the ambassador of Turkey to The Gambia respectively, Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of tourism, at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Kololi. The agreement seeks to recognise the importance of tourism as a factor of economic development as well as a means for further cultivating the ties and understanding between the peoples of the two countries.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the minister of Tourism and Culture, Fatou Mass Jobe-Njie, noted that the collaboration with Turkey in the field of tourism is expected to improve product and human resource developments as well as tourism investment in The Gambia. "This will in turn lead to enhancement of visitor experience and a surge in tourist arrivals," she added.

She further noted that Turkey has witnessed rapid growth over the past years, as illustrated by the accelerated growth of the number of visitors and nights spent, as well as other economic indicators related to hotel capacity and tourism investment. Since Turkish tourism is focused largely on a variety of historical sites and seaside resorts, the minister said, there is certain degree of similarity in the tourism product of both The Gambia and Turkey, adding that in term of benefits, "there is great disparity".

Momodou Joof, permanent secretary at MoTC, described the signing of the MoU as yet another historic moment in Turkey-Gambia relations.He said Turkey is a long time friend of The Gambia, also acknowledging that the latter has been providing assistance in the area of health and education to The Gambia. He also noted that the two countries share a lot in common when it comes to tourism as they actually market their countries as a tourism destination due to their culture and seaside resorts. "Therefore this MOU will provide the two countries opportunity to share experiences, knowledge and information in the area of tourism. The country is standing a chance to benefit in the area of product development, hotel gratification among other things in the field of tourism," he added.