Tourism Diversification & Resilience in The Gambia Project

🌍 Capacity building in action! 🚀

We're excited to share an important milestone in our collaboration with The Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute (GTHI). With support from the Tourism Diversification and Resilience in The Gambia Project, we've moved from needs assessment and curriculum development to the delivery of hands-on capacity-building activities for GTHI's academic and administrative staff.

📚 The ongoing training led by a consortium of experts from Ho Technical University (HTU), Ghana covers:
✅ High Impact Tourism Training (HITT) Pedagogical Skills
✅ Digital Skills & Academic Management
✅ Technical Refreshers & Orientation to New Courses

💡 Our focus on practical coaching and Training of Trainers (TOT) ensures that the knowledge, skills, and systems established will continue to benefit GTHI long after the project ends.

Together, we are building a more resilient and diversified tourism future for The Gambia. 🇬🇲

Our GBV engagement moves upcountry!

We have touched down at Mansawally Lodge, Jenoi (LRR) for the commencement of our Orientation Workshop on the Updated Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Medical Reporting Form.

This session brings together key frontline stakeholders to strengthen reporting systems, ensure consistency in how GBV cases are documented across regions, and reinforce survivor-centered approaches that prioritize dignity, confidentiality, and care.

From the coast to the provinces, no survivor should be left without proper support or a standardized system that works for them.

🚨 DAY 1: STRENGTHENING SAFETY IN GAMBIA’S TOURISM SECTOR 🚨

We are live and fully engaged! 🎤

Today marks Day 1 of the Orientation Workshop on the Updated Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Medical Reporting Form.

Bringing together key stakeholders from across the industry, this workshop is about more than just paperwork, it is about people. Our mission is clear:

✅ Strengthen reporting mechanisms
✅ Ensure consistency in medical documentation
✅ Promote survivor-centered approaches that prioritize dignity and care

A resilient tourism industry is a safe tourism industry. When we protect the most vulnerable, we build a stronger, more welcoming Gambia for all. 🇬🇲

Stay tuned for more updates from the workshop! 👇

🤝 Strengthening Partnerships to Address GBV in Tourism
Today, the Tourism Diversification and Resilience in The Gambia Project (TDRGP) met with staff from UNFPA and ITC to explore strategic entry points for collaboration on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response within the tourism sector.
Discussions focused on practical areas for partnership, including:
• Joint awareness initiatives in tourism zones
• Alignment of safeguarding standards
• Technical collaboration on training and messaging
• Knowledge sharing on SEA/SH risk management
• Policy and institutional strengthening
The meeting highlighted the importance of coordinated action to ensure that tourism development remains safe, inclusive, and responsive to GBV risks affecting workers, communities, and visitors.
Together, partners are working toward a safer and more resilient tourism sector in The Gambia. 🇬🇲

🎭 Culture as a Driver of Tourism Diversification
Today, the Director of Literature, Performing and Fine Arts from the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) visited the Tourism Diversification and Resilience in The Gambia Project (TDRGP) to explore collaboration on promoting intangible cultural heritage as part of The Gambia’s tourism diversification agenda.

The discussion highlighted the powerful role of intangible cultural heritage such as music, dance, literature, and traditional performance in enriching the visitor experience and expanding tourism beyond the country’s traditional “sun, sand and sea” model.

The Gambia’s rich cultural heritage—preserved through the work of NCAC—offers immense potential to develop authentic cultural experiences, support local creative industries, and create new opportunities for communities and MSMEs linked to tourism.

By linking culture, heritage, and tourism, this collaboration strengthens The Gambia’s efforts to build a more diverse, resilient, and inclusive tourism sector—one that celebrates our identity while creating sustainable economic opportunities.

📍 Happening Now – West Coast Beaches Design Consultation
Stakeholders are currently gathered at African Princess Beach, Kololi, for a consultative meeting on the Draft Detailed Engineering Design for the West Coast Coastal Protection works under the Tourism Diversification and Resilience in The Gambia Project (TDRGP).
The session, led by design consultant Royal HaskoningDHV, presents the proposed coastal protection designs to stakeholders, providing an opportunity for final comments and feedback before moving forward.
This engagement marks an important step toward safeguarding the West Coast Beaches and strengthening the resilience of The Gambia’s tourism coastline. 🌊🇬🇲

📍 Strengthening GBV Response Through Institutional Engagement
Yesterday, the Tourism Diversification and Resilience in The Gambia Project (TDRGP), through its SEA/SH Compliance Team (SSCT), conducted advocacy visits to the Office of the Inspector General of Police and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare as part of ongoing institutional engagements.
The meetings focused on fostering collective ownership and coordinated adoption of the updated GBV Medical Reporting Form, revised to enhance survivor-centred documentation and strengthen coordination across the health, social welfare, police, and justice sectors.
These engagements are aligned with TDRGP’s GBV/SEA/SH risk mitigation measures and contribute to strengthening national systems for a more effective and integrated GBV response.
Together, we continue to advance institutional collaboration to ensure survivors receive ethical, timely, and coordinated support. 🇬🇲

🌍 Strengthening Partnerships for Climate-Resilient Tourism in The Gambia
Today, the Tourism Diversification and Resilience in The Gambia Project (TDRGP) held a strategic engagement meeting with the ActionAid International The Gambia's Team, including the Executive Director, Board Chair, Partnership and Grant Specialist, Local Rights Programme 9 Manager, and technical staff, to explore collaboration opportunities on climate change interventions under Component 2 of the Project.
The discussions focused on aligning ActionAid’s impactful work on climate change resilience, community empowerment, and sustainable development with TDRGP’s Project Development Objective — to strengthen the diversification and climate resilience of The Gambia’s tourism sector at selected destinations.
As climate change continues to affect coastal zones, livelihoods, and tourism assets, partnerships like this are essential to promote sustainable infrastructure, protect vulnerable communities, and build long-term resilience across the tourism value chain.
Together, we are working toward a greener, more inclusive, and climate-resilient future for The Gambia’s tourism sector. 🇬🇲🌱

On Monday, 16th February, we will host the Graduation Ceremony and the unveiling of a new cohort under the Tourism Diversification & Resilience in The Gambia Project(TDRGP)

Venue: Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center
Time: 10:00 AM

https://yokute.gm/programs/celebrating-excellence-in-the-gambia/

Ministry of Tourism and Culture The Gambia
Gambia Tourism Board
World Bank Group