GAMBIA: Sand Beach Hotel And Resort Making Mark In Gambia tourism

With Gambia Tourism Board, (GTB), tourism industry in the Smiling Coast of Africa has witnessed many a major boost in terms of product development at resort level. One among the resort developments is Sand Beach Hotel and Resort (SBHR), located in the serenity of Point Zone Kotu.

Sand Beach Hotel and Resort is a brand new exquisite facility that proudly joined the stock of emerging new and trendy resort facilities already hitting a mark in the tourism sector, since fully joining the market this season.

This cute, trendy and exquisite resort facility is the home-grown and brainchild of Farimang Max Mane, a dynamic Gambian entrepreneur with vast experience in the hospitality industry. He’s a proprietor and CEO who has earned a name for himself as a leading travel specialist in the dynamic Scandinavian travel scene, and a savvy tourism entrepreneur.

Set on its own private beach and nestled within the pristine surroundings of Kotu tourism cluster, just a stone’s throw from the Palma Rima Junction, Sand Beach Hotel and Resort offers guests luxury accommodation, fine food and wine; while also providing access to the latest in spa technology, and an extensive range of holistic therapies and entertainment at the Galaxy- a mega entertainment complex located on the main Senegambia Highway.

Sand Beach Hotel and Resort has all it takes to satisfy the appetite of the most discerning and active tourists, as well as the laidback sun craver, given the range of cosy facilities available in the hotel and on the vast expanse of the unspoilt beach. It is therefore no surprise to see delightful holiday makers frolicking leisurely around the beach front and near the pool side, which serves as a magnet for those who just want to chill out in the Gambian sun.

The design and decor of the hotel has put on board the latest imagination in hospitality with 30 spacious villas and 20 comfortable air-conditioned rooms, a functional swimming pool, including the African inspired “Bantaba” restaurant, all designed to suit the taste, and budget of all categories of guests from the trendy holidaymakers, discerning tourists to the savvy businessmen yearning for a break.

Among the villas are Dolphin, Monkey, Kingfisher, and Crocodile. Among the faciltities in Sand Beach Hotel and Resort is a mini market, clinic with doctors, gym, and full wifi. All these and more make it a convenient place for your different activities. Apart from relaxation it is a place for hosting events such as conference/seminar, birthday party, reception, shooting of movies with panoramic stage.

“Tourists are becoming more discerning”, thus the felt need to craft a more imaginative product that suits the taste and needs of all category of tourists and other visitors to the Smiling Coast says, Farimang Mane, General Manager of the resort.

This is all the more reason “the Galaxy – a major entertainment and spa complex has also been developed alongside the resort, managed by Musa Mane, who is also a partner in this family venture. The motivation for this investment is purely because “tourists and related clientele are beginning to realize the need to invest more in themselves.

They want their holidays to have a purpose to relax, to eat well, to have fun and to unwind the body and soul. When it comes to hospitality; we are second to none and we strive hard to exceed guests’ expectations by providing not only high quality service, but service with a smile, recognising that guests from diverse socio-cultural orientations come to the resort with different objectives and we focus on achieving them, whatever they may be.” the general manager was quoted as saying.

“This and more reasons we are making a foray into Halal tourism, which has recently become an increasingly popular niche within the travel and holiday industry. The product is tailored around the needs of Muslim tourists and travellers, which has become a lucrative tourism niche.

In this regard we want to take a cue from Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh, who has exhorted us all to be in-ward looking and value our heritage. This is our inspiration and we are ready to develop Halal Tourism as an emerging niche to complement our already existing tourism products and services with a view to making The Gambia a world class tourism and business centre.” He revealed.

Accordingly, Mane fondly called Max further disclosed that a brand new company, Al- Baraka Halal Hotels and Resorts Gambia Ltd has been launched to develop and promote halal hotel concept, and already plans are in the pipeline to attend the 4th Conference on Halal Tourism slated to take place from the 16th – 18th January 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey with a view to networking with the global private sector Halal and Islamic Tourism stakeholders and investors.

In that regard, The Embassy of the Republic of Turkey has been very supportive in terms of providing the necessary contacts and information about Halal Tourism, given that Turkey is one of the foremost destinations for Islamic friendly tourism.”

Mane further emphasised that the brand value and essence of Sand Beach Hotel and Resort Ltd and Al-Baraka Halal Hotel Group is premised on innovative service delivery “The travelling market is tired of going for a beach holiday, they want more and we should recognise this and provide a holiday with a purpose”.