2. Tourism and In-Dependence
1965- self rule from Empire-
“Independence”
1965- Investor in tourism 300
tourists
1970 Republican status
1972-White paper on tourism
Tourism seen as the “black
gold”
40 Km of beach
3. Impact?
Increased debt
burden-infrastructure
Women rice and
vegetable growers
affected
Fisherpersons affected
Communities not
compensated for lost
of community land
Cluster development
“Bendula” Meeting
concept
Informal sector
businesses created
Women participation
in cash trade-
Traditional Craft -cast
system
4. 1980s Financial Crises!
Poverty increased;
inflation accelerated;
real per capita income declined;
agricultural production failed;
shortages of basic commodities
(fuel, rice, etc)
creditworthiness declined -
donors suspended all aid except
for humanitarian assistance.
5. 1985- ERP
Workers in the public sector
made redundant
Foreign currency float – no
fixed rate
Agricultural subsidies
cancelled
Government divestiture
programme started with
more redundancy
RESULT
More
dependence
onTourism
6. Tourism Movements
1994 Military take over
Travel advice
Sustainability ofTourism an issue
1996- campaigned on fairer
tourism mainly targeting
consumers andTour operators
1999- Inspiration from CSD7 on
tourism and sustainability
2000- ASSET Formed
2000-2003 Informal sector
project- market access
2002- CapeTown inspiration
7. Agenda for Change
2000 informal sector
project….
Conflicts of interests?
How can the poor better
access the market?
How can linkages be
improved?
Training/licensing/insurance
requirements
Formal sector participation
Informal/small enterprises
respect
8. Inspiration: Cape Town Declaration 2002
GTA Directors attended and got Inspired
Minimises negative environmental,social and cultural impacts;
Generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the wellbeing of
host communities,by improving working conditions and access to the industry;
involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances.
makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage and
to the maintenance of the world’s diversity;
provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful
connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural and
environmental issues;
provides access for physically challenged people;
and is culturally sensitive and engenders respect between tourists and hosts.
9. 2004 BLUE PRINT: Creating
Responsible Tourism Policy
What we wanted to achieve….
Demonstrate stakeholder responsible behavior – by assuring
compliance and sustainability.
Comply with ethical business principles, national laws and
international norms.
Commit to human rights, employee rights, environmental
protection, community involvement, stakeholder rights, right to
access etc. and monitoring.
Implement Stakeholder Responsibility on 3’ple bottom lines:
environmentally sound, socially just and economically viable for a
better future.
Market for a better unique destination not just for the numbers
10. Communities as genuine stakeholders
Contributions towards making tourism possible
Tourism as an investment to make development possible for
people
Development plans and external debt burden
Economic: Direct and indirect taxes impact on people’s
poverty
Cultural: Sell people’s cultural attributes
Environment: For people to protect the environment provide
alternatives in tourism
Therefore not for charity but positive development
11. Taking Responsibility…….
What it means to us?
Beyond “greenwashing” to measurable positive CHANGE
Take Responsibility: NO outsourcing
Not small vs. big- Everyone takes responsibility
Commitment to ethical principles ie addressing social issues
and poverty seriously not just for the money or the
environment.
Should include the right to say “Yes” or “No” to tourism-
consultation
Commitment for creating consumer awareness
Making available resources to implement RT projects;
Staff training (capacity building);
Consultation /Collaboration between stakeholders;
Social and Environmental monitoring and evaluation to
determine progress.
12. Responsibility: Benefit communities and SMEs
Gambian Situation…
ASSET – training, product design &
development, marketing etc..
Government: 2011Tourism
Regulations ratified.
Government legislated the fruit
vendors, local guides, juice pressers,
craft market vendors and tourists taxi
drivers as formal businesses.
Government- Schedule B ground
operational license introduced for
small operators
Tour operators, Hotels –Travel
Foundation
13. RT Projects
2000-2003 Informal
sector access to market.
2005- GiG project
Linking local vegetable
production to hotels
2010-2012- Roots
Community excursions-
gate fees, employment,
community development
“Switch Off and Save Big”
2011- “Guaranteed
Gambian” craft project
15. RT Project implementation…
Achievements Challenges
Motivated and dedicated
individuals can make it happen
Participation of government and
tour operators
Stakeholder’s support
Mass tourism can make bigger
impacts in terms of economic
returns-proper linkages
Use of Bottom up and top down
approaches
Awareness of RT Issues
Changing dynamics of tourism
Traditions vs Entrepreneurship
drive
Access to market for the poor
Government regulations slow
Constant monitoring
Provide subsidies “in transition” –
for the poor
Short term nature of projects-
cultural shift of beneficiaries not
taken into consideration.
Exit strategy – who takes over
when beneficiaries are “not ready”
16. RT Project Implementation: Relevance and
Evidence based
Process
Consult to establish
relevance
Research to establish
evidence
What “Barriers”?
Dialogue
Build Consensus
Implement
Monitor
17. RT Lessons…
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
PARTNERSHIP
Not just a worthy cause but
good business!
POLICY
Influence from CapeTown
RT Conference and
declaration in 2002
RT Policy of the Gambia
done and presented at the
WorldTravel Market in
2004
18. Capacity Building
ICRT Msc Students sharing
with Gambian Senior
Executives, Managers,ASSET
members etc..
13 +10 Students on
Commonwealth Scholarships
to Gambians andW/African
Helped to build Capacity
Spread word on RT practices
“ThinkTank” for Gambian
tourism development
19. Irresponsible Tourism:
Take Action!
:- RTP/ASSET/GTA worked with Child Protection Alliance-CPA -to train stakeholderCode of C on Child Sex Tourism signed and dispmany
hoteIssued by GTA
ASSET/GTB worked with Child Protection
Alliance-CPA -to train stakeholders
Code of Conduct on Child SexTourism
signed and displayed by many hotels
Tourism offensesAct (2003)
Electronic signboard mounted at the Banjul
International Airport.
Child SexTourism is an Issue
20. Consultation and collaboration
all the way
ASSET
• Represent the voiceless: SMEs and
Informal sector
• Build credible institution
• Dialogue… building trust…
and fair play…
• Collaborate not aggressive
competition
• Work with Government and
private operators
• The destination first
• Share and replicate where
possible