The West Africa Ecotourism Community (WAEN) on Tuesday ended its two-day Annual Summit in Banjul.
The maiden summit of the community commenced on 6 and ended on 7 Might at Bakadaji Lodge in Kotu with a dinner for all at Tamala Resort.
Presiding over the Annual Summit, Honourable Abdoulie Jobe, the Gambia Minister for Tourism and Tradition (MOTC), welcomed all of the esteemed members of the West African Ecotourism Community to The Gambia, the Smiling Coast of Africa.
“On behalf of His Excellency, President Adama Barrow, the federal government and the folks of The Gambia, I wish to, initially, welcome all of you, the esteemed delegates and individuals to this convergence and to The Gambia the Smiling Coast of Africa. Think about the Gambia, as a house away from house as you discover the ecotourism in West Africa,” he stated.
He famous that the event was convened to deliberate an important theme of ecotourism designed to avail individuals of the golden alternative to attend informative grasp courses and community with like-minded tourism stakeholders from throughout the continent with a view to cross-fertilise concepts and views for the event of ecotourism.
He, due to this fact, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all of the organisers for selecting the Gambia, amongst many deserving international locations to host this magnificent Summit, whereas noting that the discussion board couldn’t have been convened at a extra applicable time on condition that it was approaching the heels of one other milestone worldwide convergence “which is the fifteenth version of the OIC Summit that has simply been efficiently hosted in The Smiling Coast of Africa”.
Similar to the delegates to this summit, Minister Jobe kindly implored all individuals, notably the worldwide company, to style the pleasant sights and sounds of the smiling coast to find Africa’s real appeal, and heat and vibrant hospitality in a tranquil setting.
Introducing ecotourism within the product want, he stated, would require all to undertake progressive approaches to the creation of an applicable tourism eco-system when it comes to capability constructing, essential expertise equivalent to buyer care hospitality, primary advertising and marketing, e-business cultural range coaching, entrepreneurship, and most significantly monetary assist to undertake sustainable tourism improvement.
Additionally, the Minister dilated on completely different areas which included sustainable, accountable tourism and diversification tourism in addition to community-based and regional tourism and different pertinent tourism points.
On a remaining word, the Honourable Minister thanked WAEN for his or her foresight and for giving a serving to hand in direction of the profitable rolling out of this summit, whereas urging them to proceed to work collectively as a unit to attempt to develop and propel ecotourism within the area.
Ma’am Ola Wright, Founding father of West African Ecotourism Community (WAEN), expressed enjoyment of seeing most of the delegates and passionate people gathered on the summit with a shared dedication to the preservation and celebration of the planet’s unimaginable pure wonders.
She stated that in a world the place the fragile stability of ecosystems is consistently threatened, the significance of ecotourism can’t be overstated.
“It isn’t merely about exploring unique locations; it is about doing so responsibly, with a profound respect for the setting and native communities,” she acknowledged whereas reminding the gathering of the immense magnificence and variety that surrounds folks – from lush rainforests to pristine coastlines, from majestic mountains to vibrant coral reefs, because the planet provides countless alternatives for exploration and discovery.
“With this privilege comes a accountability – a accountability to guard and protect these treasures for generations to come back,” she acknowledged, including: “We come collectively to rejoice those that are main the way in which in sustainable journey and ecotourism initiatives. We applaud the efforts of people, organisations, and companies that prioritise environmental conservation, neighborhood engagement, and cultural preservation of their endeavors.”
Ma’am Loiuse Twining-Ward from the World Financial institution gave an up to date presentation of the West Africa Ecotourism Community, with a lot of presentation from completely different presenters and in addition via the webinar.
The 2-day Annual Summit was organised by the West Africa Ecotourism Community and supported by the World Financial institution, PPIAF, WACA, PROBLUE and WATO.
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