According to the Director General of The Gambia Tourism Authority, Mr.
Habib Drammeh, some 95,000 tourists are expected to visit The Gambia this
season, an increase of about 15% over last year. According to him, the
Authority is developing a strategy that could expose the country to some
200 million potential visitors and allowing tourists to book for their
hotels online.

He also disclosed that his authority has allocated land investors for the
construction of 15 hotels through “clearly spelt out procedures”. “All
allotees for hotels must deposit 5% of the total investment cost which
would be refunded as the project nears completion”. Those who cannot
successfully complete their projects risk losing their deposits.

According to the Authority’s publication, over 20 million Dollars was
spent on the refurbishment of our existing hotels. It reported that The
Kairaba hotel has spent $4 million to upgrade all its rooms, Corinthia
Atlantic $5 million, former Sunwing (now Sunbeach) $5 million, Social
Security and Housing Finance Cooperation $8.5 million on Amie’s beach (now
Sunrise), Kotu Strand (now Sunset) $1 million and Senegambia $1.1 million.

The $20 million coastal erosion project, currently being implemented, has
restored several dozen metres of sandy beach along the coast.

Finally, if you know about birds of The Gambia you might perhaps be
interested in a debate by the GTA to identify a National Bird of The
Gambia. So far two have put forward nominations. These are:

1.      Blue-bellied Roller (Coracias Cyanogaster) nominated by Clive
Barlow, Co-author of Birds of The Gambia and Senegal.

Justification
Its world range is restricted to West Africa (a West African endemic). “Of
all the West African countries that I have studied birds, The Gambia has
by far the greatest population. This view is shared by many professional
ornithologists.

It is conspicuous – visiting bird watchers will see it within minutes of
arriving in the country. It sits on the telegraph wires on the way to the
hotels. It is widespread through out the country and village communities
know it well. It is present in all protected areas. Other candidates are
either seasonal or not always easy to find – they don’t stand out and say
look at me “I am beautiful and in The Gambia”.

It is very brightly coloured, bold looking and brave – protecting its
territory against intruders.

It is a recognized bio-indicator of the Guinea Savannah biome based on the
principles of Bird Areas by Birdlife International based in Cambridge UK.

It has an interesting breeding biology worthy of a full story. I belief it
has an extended family strategy whereby several inter-related birds assist
in the rearing of the young in one nest.

It is the choice for the cover of A Field Guide to The Birds of The Gambia
and Senegal, so it is already ingrained in visitors’ minds before they
arrive. It has a great marketing potential as a logo. The real beauty in
this bird is when it opens its wings and dive bombs in a vertical – drop
like stone – display.’

2.      Spur wing Goose / Gambian Goose (Plectropterus Gambensis)
nominated by Solomon Jallow – Habitat Africa.

Justification
Widespread and abundant in the open country, frequents swamps, rice
fields, sand banks, lake and tidal estuaries.

When looked at closely, it carries the colours of The Gambia National
Flag – red, white, blue and green.

Have a good day, Gassa.

PS: The Gambia is famous for the many and diverse species of exotic birds
which inhabit this small country. Over 570 species have been sighted
earning the country the name “A Birdwatcher’s Paradise”.



--
There is a time in the life of every problem when it is big enough to see,
yet small enough to solve (Mike Leavitt)

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