Gambia looks to Africans to revive its stricken tourism industry

One of Gambia's unique attractions is Kachikally Sacred Crocodile Pool, a site frequented by tourists and locals, where you can touch the large reptiles, including this rare albino croc. © RFI/Laura-Angela Bagnetto

In an effort to revitalise Gambia’s flagging tourism sector, which has been decimated during the Covid-19 pandemic, the West African country is looking closer to home, and even at its own, to bolster the once-vibrant industry.

Beaches normally teeming with British and Dutch sunseekers are nearly empty, hawkers of fresh juice and souvenirs standing idle at Lemon Creek beach in Bijali.