Why Visit The Gambia

Responsible Tourism

With the increasing media attention on aviation surrounding climate change there has never been a more important time for us to understand it and do our bit to help. We at The Gambia Experience have always had a strong commitment to responsible tourism and supported local communities for many years now.

We decided to set up our own carbon offset scheme – Opt In and Offset. Not only does this reduce carbon emissions but also benefits the local communities.

We mustn’t forget that tourism has bought a wealth of benefits to The Gambia and strive to work positively towards protecting the natural beauty, wildlife and culture of The Gambia so that future generations can continue residing in and visiting the country.

We have been awarded 3 star Responsible Tourism status, the highest level possible, by the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO).

What you can do

• Take the time to read our information on The Gambia prior to your departure
• Consider following our guidelines whilst you are there
• Refer to the information in our brochure and our pre-departure information containing comprehensive information on The Gambia

Help the Schools

Primary school education is often free but parent have to provide pens, paper, books and even desks and chairs. If you would like to help the following things are always welcome:

• Pens, pencils, chalk
• Unwanted children’s clothes & shoes
• Children’s toys

Please remember these items need to fit in your suitcase and be within your luggage allowance.

Our resort staff will advise you on distribution.

Please do not hand out sweets, pens etc to local children as it encourages begging and non-attendance at school and is strongly disapproved of by the children’s parents.

Book Bed & Breakfast

The Gambia has an excellent selection of good quality restaurants. By booking your holiday on a bed & breakfast basis and eating in local restaurants you are ensuring your visit to The Gambia benefits the wider community.

Spend your money wisely

Make sure your money benefits the Gambian people by buying local products and services.

Preserve energy

Save energy and the environment so please turn off lights, air-conditioning and electrical items when not needed.

Preserve water

Water is extremely precious in developing countries so please help preserve supplies by:

• Only leaving dirty towels and laundry on the floor for washing
• Turn off dripping taps
• Using a basin of water with a plug rather than a running tap
• Having a shower instead of bathing in a full tub
• Reporting any leaks immediately

Dispose of litter carefully

Discard of rubbish as wrappers, bottles and plastic bags in the bins provided. Litter not only looks unpleasant but attracts vermin and can potentially be very dangerous to wildlife and people.

Respect other people

The Gambia is a Muslim country, therefore we ask you to dress modestly when you are away from the resort areas. Please always ask permission when taking photographs. Respect other guests and locals by keeping noise levels to a minimum at night.

Do not support illegal trading

Shopping in The Gambia is a great experience, however to ensure animals and plants are able to thrive in their natural environment please refrain from buying items made from ivory, reptile skin, fur or tortoise/turtle shell.

We commit to:

• Employ local staff wherever possible, provide training and give fair terms of employment to ensure their long-term security
• Encourage clients to spend their money wisely by buying local products and services
• Provide clients excellent background information on all aspects of The Gambia and for responsible tourism to continue to be a serious consideration in our pre-departure advice
• Consider responsible tourism in managerial decisions and throughout the business
• For all staff to be committed to the development of long-term responsible tourism and to be regularly informed on our progress
• contribute to the long-term stable development of The Gambia and its economy
• Work with the Gambian Tourist Authority and UK government and non government organisations to progress responsible tourism initiatives in The Gambia
• Contribute towards improvements in the Gambian tourist infrastructure
• Work with local businesses to ensure local communities receive a fair share of the benefits of tourism
• Employ local staff, wherever possible, and to provide training
• Fair terms of employment for our Gambian staff and to ensure their long-term security
• Work positively towards protecting the natural beauty, wildlife and culture of The Gambia so that future generations can continue to enjoy residing in and visiting the country
• Contribute financially to charity projects which will have an impact upon The Gambia's long-term development
• Keep our clients well informed of our commitment to responsible tourism
• Provide our clients with excellent background information on all aspects of The Gambia and for responsible tourism to continue to be a serious consideration in our pre-departure advice
• Promote respect and understanding for The Gambia and the Gambian people
• Encourage our clients to contribute to our charity programme
• Run our UK and resort offices in the most energy efficient manner as possible
• Use Fair Trade and environmentally friendly products in our UK and resort offices, wherever possible

AITO's Responsible Tourism Guide

As members of AITO we recognise that in carrying out our work as Tour Operators, we have a responsibility to respect other people's places and ways of life. We acknowledge that wherever a Tour Operator does business or sends clients it has the potential to do both good and harm. All tourism potentially has an environmental, social and economic impact on the destination involved. We accept, therefore, that we as Tour Operators should aim to be responsible in all our dealings on each of these three levels. To help us to do so AITO have proposed a set of guidelines intended to help companies, customers and local suppliers recognise their common responsibilities to:

• Protect the environment - its flora, fauna and landscapes
• Respect local cultures - traditions, religions and heritage
• Benefit local communities - both economically and socially
• Conserve natural resources - from office to destination
• Minimise pollution - through noise, waste disposal and congestion

AITO is an Association of individual, independent companies, each with their own distinctive style and field of operation. As such, we each have our own ways of fulfilling the details of these responsibilities by:

• Establishing our own policies and involving our staff
• Informing our clients about responsible tourism and, where appropriate, encouraging them to participate
• Working with our suppliers and partners to achieve responsible goals and practices
• Publicising good practice to encourage and spread responsible tourism