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)
Contents Page
1 Introduction .............................................................................. 7
1.1 Purpose of the Study.......................................................... 7
1.2 Research Methods .............................................................. 7
1.3 Definitions & Conceptual Approaches...................................... 7
1.4 Brief Socio-Economic overview.............................................. 8
2 Tourism and Poverty................................................................. 10
2.1 The Economic Significance of Tourism .................................. 10
2.2 Tourism and Development.................................................. 11
2.3 A Framework for Analysing Pro-Poor Tourism ......................... 12
2.2.1 Strengthening Linkages with the Local Economy ......................13
2.2.2 Expand the tourist sector..................................................13
3 Overview of Tourism in The Gambia ............................................. 14
3.1 Supply.......................................................................... 14
3.1.1 Supply Pipeline ..............................................................16
3.1.2 Viability of the Accommodation Sector .................................18
3.2 Demand......................................................................... 20
4 Mapping the Tourism Value Chain and Benefits to the Poor ................ 24
4.1 International Tour Operators .............................................. 24
4.2 Value Chain Analysis ......................................................... 26
5 Strengthening Pro-Poor Impacts of Tourism ..................................... 33
5.1 Accommodation............................................................... 33
5.2 Agricultural Supplies for Food and Beverages.......................... 36
5.3 Retail............................................................................ 39
5.4 Excursions and local Transportation ..................................... 40
6 Expand the Tourism Sector......................................................... 42
6.1 Malaria .......................................................................... 42
6.2 Poor and unreliable infrastructure ....................................... 43
6.3 Lack of choice in accommodation ........................................ 44
6.4 Lack of marketing support ................................................. 47
6.5 Seasonality of demand ...................................................... 51
6.6 Accessibility ................................................................... 51
6.7 Training......................................................................... 52
6.8 Policy-making and Governance............................................ 52
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