The economy of The Gambia
The Gambia has a diverse economy in which tourism, agriculture, trade and services all play important roles.
For visitors, that means the money spent on hotels, restaurants, taxis, excursions, markets and locally produced goods can reach far beyond the immediate tourism industry.
Understanding a little about how people earn a living can also add useful context to what you see when travelling beyond the main resort areas.
Markets and small businesses play an important role in everyday Gambian life.
Tourism
Tourism is one of The Gambia's important service industries and supports employment across hotels, restaurants, transport, excursions and other local businesses.
Its impact also extends beyond businesses that visitors deal with directly. Hotels and restaurants buy food and services locally, taxi drivers and guides depend on visitor demand, and tourism supports a wider network of suppliers and small businesses.
This is one reason we encourage visitors to experience more than just their hotel.
Agriculture
Agriculture remains important to many Gambian communities and livelihoods.
Crops include groundnuts, rice, fruit and vegetables, with farming ranging from small family plots to larger commercial activity.
Groundnuts have historically been one of The Gambia's best-known agricultural products and continue to form part of the country's agricultural economy.
Travel outside the main resort areas and you'll quickly see just how closely farming and rural life remain connected.
Fishing
Fishing is another important source of food and income, particularly in coastal communities.
Visit somewhere such as Tanji and you can see colourful fishing boats arriving on the beach, catches being unloaded and fish moving quickly into local markets and processing areas.
That daily activity is also one of the reasons seafood features so prominently on restaurant menus.
Read our food and restaurants guide for more about Gambian food and eating locally.
Markets and small businesses
Small businesses and informal trade are visible everywhere in The Gambia.
Markets bring together traders selling food, clothing, crafts and household goods, while independent restaurants, shops, taxi drivers, guides, tailors and craftspeople all form part of the everyday economy.
For visitors, choosing where to spend can therefore make a difference.
Buying locally made products, eating in independent restaurants and using local services are straightforward ways to spread the economic benefit of tourism more widely.
Read our guide to shopping in The Gambia ›
Make your holiday spending count
Tourism has the greatest local benefit when visitor spending reaches businesses and communities outside the hotel gates too.
Try a local restaurant, buy directly from craftspeople, visit a market or join an excursion that uses Gambian guides and suppliers.
Read about responsible tourism ›
Tourism and local communities
Tourism brings economic opportunities, but it's also important that development respects local communities, culture and the environment.
Our approach to sustainable tourism includes supporting local employment and suppliers where possible, encouraging responsible visitor behaviour and contributing to community initiatives.
The Gambia Experience has also supported community projects over many years through initiatives that have included education, solar lighting and other locally focused development projects.
Find out about our Community Development Fund ›
How visitors can support the local economy
- Eat locally as well as at your hotel.
- Buy locally made crafts where possible.
- Use local guides and services through reputable providers.
- Visit markets and communities respectfully.
- Avoid aggressive bargaining over relatively small amounts.
- Choose experiences that benefit local communities rather than simply observing them from a distance.
Seeing the economy beyond the resorts
One of the best ways to understand The Gambia is simply to get out and explore.
Fishing communities, markets, farms, villages and towns reveal a side of the destination that isn't always visible from a beachfront hotel.
Our excursions and experiences can help you see more of everyday Gambian life during your holiday.
Experience more of The Gambia
Markets, local businesses, food and communities are all part of the destination. Spend some time exploring and your holiday can contribute more widely too.
Explore things to do
Sustainable tourism
Frequently asked questions
What are The Gambia's main industries?
Tourism, agriculture, trade and other services all contribute to the Gambian economy. Fishing also supports livelihoods and food supply in many coastal communities.
How important is tourism to The Gambia?
Tourism is an important source of employment and economic activity, supporting hotels, restaurants, transport providers, guides, suppliers and many other businesses.
How can tourists support local communities?
Eating in local restaurants, purchasing locally made goods and using local businesses and guides can help spread visitor spending beyond the hotel sector.
