University of Brighton Declares Business as Usual in The Gambia

Since 2007 the University of Brighton has had a successful association with the Gambian tourism industry. Over the years we have worked with a number of local stakeholders on initiatives aimed at local capacity building and policy making for the enhancement of sustainable tourism development and management. We have collaboratively worked with local research partners to identify ways for The Gambia to become more competitive and consequently attract discerning tourists to the destination.

Dr. Marina Novelli (Reader in Tourism and International Development) and Adam Jones (Senior Lecturer in Business Strategy) from the Centre of Sport, Tourism and Leisure Studies (CoSTaLS) at the School of Sport and Service Management have just retuned from undertaking research on the impact of the Growth and Competitive Project (GCP) on the tourism sector. The GCP is a World Bank funded intervention aimed at boosting the tourism sector though marketing and skills development.

At the time of their visit the Ebola outbreak was affecting Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, with no reported cases in The Gambia, they witnessed first-hand the tragic impact it is having in the country especially on its tourism industry.

Returning from her trip Dr. Novelli said: “I am saddened to hear about booking cancellations, hotel closings and staff being laid off work as consequences of tour operators reducing their scheduled flights due to pure ignorance and panic being instigated by the media. Africa is a continent, not a country and there is absolutely no reason not to travel to other West African destinations like The Gambia.

“The tourism sector is one of the major employers within many countries in Africa and people rely upon visitors for their livelihood. The Gambia is no different.”

Adam Jones commented: “An increasing number of countries are suffering as a result of geographical ignorance about West Africa and general misinformation about the virus. Something has to be done as this is a disastrous situation for the sector and the people of The Gambia.

“Only Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia have been significantly affected by the current Ebola outbreak to date. My message is don’t let what is happening in these three countries affect your travel plans to places which are Ebola free. Ask yourself, if the Ebola virus had spread in Italy would people still travel to the UK? Probably yes…”

Dr. Novelli added: “This is the reason why we are returning as planned to The Gambia with 40 of our tourism and sport students. We are committed to running our yearly capacity building programme on sport and tourism for development and most importantly because we strongly feel that it must be business as usual.

“Whether travelers, educators or experts in aspects of development, I urge everybody to keep informed and travel to places like The Gambia because the Gambian tourism industry needs us all!”