Tourism Development and Resilience Growth Project (TDRGP), The Gambia – World Bank
Primary Outcome
None
Client
TDRGP
Sector
TDRGP
Completion
March 2025
Service
Strategic Advisory
01. The Challenge
Tourism is one of the most important sectors in The Gambia, contributing significantly to employment, foreign exchange earnings, and national GDP. However, the sector faces multiple challenges, including climate vulnerability, coastal erosion, overdependence on limited tourism destinations, and the economic impacts of global crises such as COVID-19.
The project was established to address these structural weaknesses by:
Strengthening tourism governance and institutional capacity;
Diversifying tourism attractions beyond traditional coastal tourism;
Supporting tourism-related Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs);
Improving access to financing and technical assistance for tourism operators;
Enhancing environmental sustainability and coastal protection;
Promoting climate-resilient tourism infrastructure and destination management.
The project adopts an inclusive development approach by integrating gender-responsive policies, community participation, and private-sector engagement. It also seeks to increase the competitiveness of The Gambia as a tourism destination while protecting natural and cultural assets.
02. Strategic Intervention
The Tourism Development and Resilience Growth Project (also referred to as the Tourism Diversification and Resilience Project) is a World Bank-funded initiative designed to strengthen and diversify the tourism sector in The Gambia. The project focuses on improving tourism infrastructure, enhancing climate resilience, supporting tourism-related small businesses, and promoting sustainable economic growth. The World Bank approved approximately US$68 million in financing for the project.
03. The Result
Key expected and emerging results include:
Improved resilience of tourism infrastructure against climate-related risks;
Increased investment opportunities in tourism and hospitality sectors;
Expansion of tourism destinations beyond coastal zones;
Enhanced support for local MSMEs and community tourism enterprises;
Increased employment opportunities, especially for youth and women;
Strengthened institutional capacity for tourism planning and regulation;
Improved environmental sustainability and coastal management systems.
The project also contributes to long-term economic diversification and national resilience by reducing dependence on a narrow tourism model.