The Gambia and Nigeria are set to improve collaboration in tourism with a view to bolstering tourist arrivals in both countries. The two countries on Tuesday agreed to strengthen bilateral tourism agreement, according to Mrs. Angela Colley-Iheme, the Gambia High Commissioner to Nigeria, at the ongoing 8th edition of “Akwaaba African Travel Market” in Lagos.
She said that strengthening the bilateral agreement would deepen tourism relations between both countries. “I am married to a Nigerian and that is why we are interested in the brotherhood relationship. We have been doing tourism for 65 years. Our Gambia Tourism Board is in Nigeria to promote tourism and also they (the Board) are here to tap the tourism potential of Nigeria,” she said.
According to her, the visit by the Board was to exchange ideas on how both countries could market their tourism potential as preferred tourist destinations among African countries. “Gambia’s relations with Nigeria is one of deep friendship, a strong partnership and a united determination to grow tourist arrivals not only to the two destinations but to the entire African region,” she said.
Iheme disclosed that the Gambia government had concluded plans to establish an airline called Gambia Bird that would fly into Nigeria. She called for the promotion of regional tourism in Africa, saying that this would help strengthen tourism in the continent.
Iheme canvassed for patronage of recreational centres, saying that visiting such places was a source of natural therapy. “Visiting beaches, parks, and other recreation centres is a source of natural therapy,” she said.
