Some National Assembly Members warned that some hotels in the country could close, if the tourism sector continues its declining trend.

The law makers argued that the contribution of the tourism sector to the country’s GDP is increasingly waning.

“Honourable Speaker, if we are not careful to address the declining situation of tourism in The Gambia, believe me in the next two, three years, we will have a lot of our hotels closed,” said Honourable Kalifa Jammeh, the National Assembly Member of Bakau.

The Bakau representative observed that the contribution of the tourism sector to GDP has fallen from 18 percent to 12 percent.

He expressed concerned that Gambia now does not attract many Scandinavian tourists as it used to, saying he doubts whether flights come from the said region any more.

Hon. Mama Kandeh, the National Assembly Member of Jimara, said, “If we don’t take the necessary steps to solve the problems facing tourism, many of the hotels will close very soon.”

He pointed out that the hotel industry is suffering, because some tourists do not stay at hotels, instead they rent private houses.

He lamented that “The other point is that when 250 tourists board a flight, sometimes only 50 tourists go to the hotels. This is killing the market.”

The National Assembly Member of Kiang Central, Babanding K.K. Daffeh expressed concern over the activities of what he described as private dealers, saying their engagement is depriving hotels of much needed income.

He said he has nothing against private dealers, but they should come out and pay tax to the government.

According to the Kiang Central National Assembly Member, the high cost of utilities is forcing some hotels to close down.

“The high cost of electricity and water is making some of the hotels to close, because they cannot afford to pay members of their staff and tax to government,” the opposition United Democratic Party National Assembly Member said.

As a result of the high cost of water and electricity, he noted that some hotels lay of some of their staff.

He pointed out that it used to be the practice that during off seasons, some hotels put their staff on half salary. This, he said, is no longer the case due to the mounting cost.

The National Assembly Members made these comments on Tuesday at the National Assembly complex in Banjul, after the presentation of the Gambia Tourism Board Bill by the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Fatou Mass Jobe.

The Bill tabled before law makers for enactment is to replace the Gambia Tourism Authority Act.

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