Gambia: Abdouli Jobe Speaks About Best Minister Award and Tourism

Gambian Minister of Tourism and Culture, Abdouli Jobe

Gambian Minister of Tourism and Culture Receives Best Minister Award at the World Government Summit in Dubai

Gambian Minister of Tourism and Culture, Abdouli Jobe, received the Best Minister Award at the World Government Summit held in Dubai, an honor he described as "a personal honor for him and his country." Jobe expressed his delight at the award, emphasizing that it was unexpected but reflects clear criteria subject to rigorous scrutiny.

According to Jobe, the primary criteria used to select the best minister centered on "leadership, performance, and achievement." The minister stated that "what distinguished him was his leadership skills, along with his commitment to collaborative work with various stakeholders, both in the private and public sectors, to improve overall performance and achieve the set goals."

He added that 10 ministers were shortlisted before PwC's final analysis revealed his selection as the best minister of the year, which he considered "a major achievement that will elevate The Gambia's standing globally."

Tourism is a cornerstone of the economy.

The Gambian Minister of Tourism and Culture spoke about the pivotal role of tourism in his country's economy, explaining that it contributes between 15 and 20 percent of the GDP.

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He emphasized that this achievement would not have been possible without the stability, security, and high quality of services offered by The Gambia, which encourage visitors. 

Jobe noted that his country enjoys high levels of security, a key factor that has contributed to the flourishing of the tourism sector, along with the ambition to increase national revenues from this vital industry.

Diversifying the Strategy and Attracting Investments

As part of the development plans, the Minister explained that the Gambian government is working to diversify the economy and tourism strategies, not relying on a single model or market. He emphasized the importance of attracting new investors, not only in tourism but also in other sectors, to contribute to creating an attractive and sustainable market.

He noted that some African countries have larger numbers of tourists, stressing the importance of communication between African nations, exchanging expertise, and learning from successful experiences.