Tourism to Reduce Development Gap Case Study — The Gambia

Question 1

Location

Answer 1

West Africa;
On Atlantic Ocean;
Border with Senegal;
Gambia River runs through entire country;
13ºN, 15ºW;
Tourism — 2nd biggest industry

Question 2

Tourism Description

Answer 2

12% of Gambian GDP;
Tropical climate (beaches, rainforest);
Cultural diversity (dance, art, music, food);
Wildlife variety;
Outdoor activities (skydiving, golf, fishing —> Gambia River);
Employs over 35,000 people;
Modern, luxurious, eco-friendly hotels;
3.8% tourism growth every year;
Target: increase to around 35,000 jobs by 2020

Question 3

How Reduces Development Gap

Answer 3

35,000 employed;
Jobs in hotels, etc. —> receive more income to pay taxes which get invested in healthcare, education, modern transport basic necessities;
Supply of local food, excursions, handicrafts, etc. —> less leakage;
Tourism generates demand for natural resources and culture, which poor have access to;
Helps repay debt which is 40-50% of National GDP

Question 4

Problems

Answer 4

Social: more congestion, more noise, feel the culture is becoming artificial with large companies setting up

Economic: less than 50% of income goes towards economy, lots of leakage as lots of money goes to traveling organizations and not local economy;

Environmental: tourists may litter, tours upset natural wildlife, environmentally unfriendly methods of transport like cars and buses create air pollution