The Gambian Tourist Value Chain and Prospects for Pro-Poor Tourism

Tourism in The Gambia: International ‘Best Practice’ in Poverty Reduction & Pro-Poor Growth Through Tourism
Draft Report (Friday 22 nd December 2006)
Figure 3:
Quality of bed stock in major hotels
Number of
Rooms
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
2 2+ 3 3+ 4 5
Hotel Quality
Sources:
Visit The Gambia for the experience of a lifetime Gambia Tourism Authority (2001?) and The Gambia
Tourism Development Master Plan (2005)
An important positive development is not captured in this snapshot. There are a number of
small deluxe establishments that are of a much higher standard – such as Ngala Lodge,
Coconut Residence and Mandina Lodges. Whilst small, these hotels are demonstrating that
there is a market for high quality accommodation in The Gambia, if it is available.
Coconut Residence, one of the small deluxe establishments © Jonathan Mitchell
3.1.1 Supply Pipeline
The Gambia has an abundant supply of relatively low quality accommodation. This has the
impact of dampening occupancy rates and placing hotel owners in a weak position vis-à-vis
international tour operators when negotiating room rates. As will be demonstrated later,
both these factors constrain the share of the package tourism value chain enjoyed locally.
In this context, the rationale for the development control record of the public authorities in
recent years is not entirely clear. Table 4, below, summarises the current hotel
accommodation pipeline.
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