Angela Colley, Secretary of State for Tourism and Culture, accompanied by officials from The Gambia Holiday Apartments Hotel Association (GHAHA), Gambia Tourism Authority (GTA), Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) recently returned from a day-working visit to Senegal.

The purpose of the visit was meant to promote regional tourism, initiated by the Gambia Hotel Association-sub committee in order to market the country as a year-round tourist destination.

Speaking in Dakar, SoS Colley, said that The Gambia has a great tourism potential with unique qualities. She then reiterated her department's commitment to the development of regional tourism, saying "Together with our brothers and sisters in this beautiful country of Senegal, we can collaborate in various areas of tourism development, which is in line with the resolutions passed at the last AU summit in The Gambia"

For his part, Kaliba Senghore, Director-General of The Gambia Tourism Authority (GTA) dilated on the role of his institution which, he said, is responsible for the marketing and promotion of The Gambia as a tourism destination. He added that GTA is also responsible for the provisions of quality control system, standards, investment and security, which forms a crucial role in the activities of the agency.

Mr Senghore, also harped on the cultural heritage of The Gambia which, he added, comprises a high degree of ethnic diversity.

Gibril Joof,The Gambia's HighCommissioner to Senegal delivered the vote of thanks.