Gambia

Nigerians want comfort, value for money —Aimjnkie, Discovery Tours in The Gambia boss

Written by AUSTIN JACOBSON

Tuesday, 15 February 2011 14:52

Nigeria has the largest market and potential in tourism in the West African region and because of this many other countries, not only in the sub-region, but also across board, are coming to the country to tap these resources. AUSTIN JACOBSON spoke with Farma Njie, the proprietor and manager of Discovery Tours in The Gambia and she spoke on the moves to capture the Nigerian market among other issues. Excerpts: Tell us about Discovery Tours and the way it will benefit Nigerian market? After many years of representing the European tour market in The Gambia by organizing tours and representing local tour operators, we felt it was time to go into the Nigerian market. We have been in the European market for a long time which is seasonal and that is why we felt it is time for us to harness the Nigerian market. We also service other multi-national companies both in Nigeria and Europe and the market is improving every day. With the support of the authority we are doing well. Talking about selling The Gambia, new destination and development, can you tell us about the tourist sites been developed? It is time we look for new destinations like ecotourism, we have been going to Makasuku and Sintanuku camps using executive cruise. We have been going there for over 30 years and I think it is time to create something new. When we talk about Nigeria market, we know they are looking for comfort and you have to give them value for their money. Is your organization selling community tourism? If you are talking about Omakan, yes. It is a new concept and it needs to be encouraged, it is not everybody that likes to go to the beach. How do you intend to sell these destinations? We are going to be selling all year round, we need to enlighten people more and we should go on television and sell to locals. We should include in the school curriculum the importance of tourism and that we need a collective action to keep things going. Has business been profitable? Yes it has been but not too encouraging, we are into new products and intend to give the best of services and by the time you do this they will come back again.