A one-day forum, organized to brief tour operators about the Gambia’s tourism industry, was held on Wednesday at the Ocean Bay Hotel in Cape Point, Bakau.

Speaking on the occasion, Mrs. Angela Colley, the Secretary of State for Tourism and Culture, said the event is an annual program being one of the initiatives of the responsible tourism partnership.

According to her, The Gambia is a world-renowned leader in the field of responsible tourism and has indeed won accolades and awards in this field in various international forums.

She said that The Gambia is fully committed, by way of policy, to implement responsible tourism project. “Responsible tourism will become the key guiding principle for tourism development in The Gambia,” she added.

Ms. Colley called on all stakeholders to support the Responsible Tourism partnership both morally and financially.

Speaking earlier, Mr. Kaliba Senghore, Director General of Gambia Tourism Authority, GTA, described the gathering as ‘very’ important.

Mr. Charbel Hobika from Tourism and Travel Association of the Gambia, TTAG, expressed his members ’ commitment to the promotion of the welfare of their clients, adding that the security of their client would not be compromised.

He called on the GTA to organize awareness programmes for young people to make them know about the value of tourism to The Gambia.

2nd Lt. Ousman Bah from the Tourism Security Unit dilated on the significant achievements registered by his unit.

Other speakers on the occasion included Mr. Adama Bah, Representative of Travel Foundation and Mr. Alieu Secka, Chairman of Gambia Hotel Association.