As the Gambia’s relentless strive to carve a giant niche in tourism continues to show no sign of slowing down, a 40-year-old British-born financial analyst and investment consultant has expressed his company’s resolve to build 500 luxury holiday homes in The Gambia within a space of two to five years.

Mr. Steve Bailey Vaughan, the Chief Executive Officer and co-founders of DGI Gambia Ltd, an international finance company and property developer, told The Point in an exclusive interview that his company is currently building holiday homes in Gunjur, Kombo South, adding that the first phase of the project will be ready before the coming tourist season.

“Our objective is to put the Gambia on the world map through building luxury villas that are environmentally-friendly. We want The Gambia to lead the way in tourism trade,” Mr. Vaughan asserted.

For Mr. Vaughan, his company considers The Gambia to be very special, saying that they wish to develop their project in a manner that would truly make the Gambia a special holiday destination.

“We have constructed property portfolios for hundreds of clients throughout the UK, and we are now considering the Gambia to be a luxury tourist location and investment opportunity for clients worldwide,” he noted.

“My wife did a lot of research into immerging property markets for sustainability, stableness and friendliness.  The Gambia is considered to be one of the best markets available for investors. Our aim is to develop up to 500 luxury villas in The Gambia and that each villa is being developed and built with environment in mind. We called them sustainable and environmentally aware properties, all running on solar power. Every property has the opportunity to have its own private swimming pool.”

He revealed that DGI Gambia Ltd has already provided jobs for 150 Gambians indirectly. “The day to day running of our company is handled on the ground [in the country] through our general manager, Mr. Modou Jaiteh, in consultation with our partner Mr. Lamin Barrow,” he said.

Asked whether there are plans to venture into other areas of business, the CEO said: “There is a second company coming called the Heaven of Africa which will manage the properties upon completion. This company will heavily reinvest a large percentage of its profit directly into the community. For instance, it will sponsor children to go to high school. It will sponsor the attainment of professional qualification in the areas of   travel and marketing. It will also make funds available to support the President’s development projects.”

“We consider it very important that the large percentage of our profits stay with the community because we believe that the more the community benefits, the more the projects succeed.”

Meanwhile, DGI Gambia Ltd, which is the brainchild of Mr. Steve & Mrs. Lorraie Bailey-Vaughan along with Gambia Partner Mr. Lamin Barrow from Gunjur, has been invited between June 27 and 30 this year to represent The Gambia and their development projects at Olympia which is a luxury travel fair.