By Edgard MFOUBA
Entrepreneur, Expert in economic modeling of projects
“Gabon is a country rich in natural and cultural resources, endowed with a vast natural heritage, exceptional biodiversity and vibrant cultural traditions. National parks, such as Lopé and Ivindo, white sandy beaches, lush landscapes, and local customs offer immense potential to attract tourists from around the world. However, despite these assets, the tourism sector in Gabon faces significant challenges that limit its growth.
The lack of suitable tourist infrastructure, difficult access to certain sites, and insufficient promotion of the country internationally are among the obstacles that hinder the development of tourism. In addition, the training of professionals in the sector and the lack of qualified tourist guides are elements that require particular attention.
In this context, the initiative of the Gabonese government to carry out a national tour to identify tourist sites and launch a national tourism epic next July is beneficial. However, to maximize the impact of this initiative and guarantee sustainable development of tourism, it is crucial to promote the status of tourist guide as close as possible to the sites.
In this context, the Gabonese government adopted Law No. 034/2020 of March 22, 2021, regulating the tourism sector, which aims to provide an institutional, regulatory, economic, environmental and social framework for the exercise of any tourist activity. in Gabon. As part of this law, a draft decree was adopted to set the conditions for exercising the activity of tourist guide, including the issuance of a professional card. Which fills a legal gap and establishes clear standards for the professionalization of tourist guides.
The tour guide plays a central role in the visitor experience. He is not only a guide, but an ambassador of Gabon’s heritage. Their expertise, local knowledge, ability to share local stories and traditions, and commitment to a quality tourism experience are essential to attracting and retaining visitors.
By establishing an official status of tourist guide, the government wants to create a framework for the training, certification and professionalism of these key tourism players. But first, facilitate access and discovery of its tourist treasures.
Thus, this will offer several advantages such as:
* Quality of tourist experience: Trained and certified guides ensure a positive experience for tourists, which encourages positive word of mouth and repeat visits.
* Promoting heritage: Tourist guides contribute to the preservation and promotion of the culture and natural sites of Gabon.
* Job creation: An official status encourages the professionalization of the sector and creates employment opportunities for young people and members of local communities.
* Promotion of sustainable tourism: Trained tourist guides can educate tourists about the importance of preserving the environment and local traditions.
In this context, the Ministry of Tourism should prioritize the referencing and deployment of tourist guides.
He could do this:
* Census and Call for Applications: Launch a national census campaign to identify potential candidates. Use calls for applications to recruit guides based on their status, whether national, local or site guides.
* Training and Certification Program: Set up a training program adapted to the type of guide. The issuance of certified professional cards guarantees the quality of the guides.
* Strategic Guide Deployment: Assign national guides to tours covering the country, local guides to specific regions, and site guides to specific tourist locations.
* Supervision and Monitoring: Establish supervision mechanisms to ensure compliance with standards by guides and encourage their continued training.
In short, the development of tourism in Gabon requires coordinated and strategic efforts. The implementation and deployment of tourist guide status at the heart of the country’s tourism policy, in accordance with the law, would be an important step towards a stronger, sustainable and prosperous sector. This will strengthen the attractiveness of Gabon, promote its unique assets, and create opportunities for a promising tourism future.”
Similar articles
2024-05-01 08:00:21