These municipal Plazas will all come with hotels that will serve as hospitality hubs in regional growth corridors, strategically positioned to accommodate local and international travelers, researchers, business owners, and civil servants. In doing so, this project will not only expand tourism beyond the coastal belt but also stimulate rural economies, promote cultural exchange, and provide lasting employment opportunities to Gambians.

The Primary Goals of This Initiative Are To:

• Promote inland tourism by offering high-quality accommodations in the interior regions.
• Encourage economic decentralization and ease urban overcrowding in the Greater Banjul Area.
• Create local employment opportunities in hospitality, services, retail, maintenance, and construction.
• Establish a network of government-backed Plazas capable of hosting government events, conferences, and regional business meetings.
• Stimulate investment and small business development in underdeveloped towns.
  
  
  

Proposed Locations for the Plaza’s

The following towns have been identified as initial sites for the construction of municipal plazas due to their strategic economic and cultural importance:

• Brikama (West Coast Region)
• Kanifing, West Field and Tabokoto (urban centers in need of formal hotel infrastructure)
• Bwiam
• Jarra Soma (Lower River Region)
• Basse (Upper River Region)
• Bansang (Central River Region)
• Farafenni (North Bank Region)
• Barra (gateway to the north via ferry from Banjul)
  
  

These locations will serve as regional tourism, commerce and administration centers. The construction of plazas in these towns will create a hospitality backbone that supports regional development and travel.

Plaza Design and Features

Each municipal Plaza will be designed according to international hospitality standards, incorporating elements of modern western architecture, sustainability, and economic efficiency. Features will include:

• 3- to 5-star quality accommodations
• Conference halls and business meeting rooms
• Restaurants offering local and international cuisine
• Tourist information desks and cultural showcase Shopping outlets and food courts
• High-speed internet and modern guest amenities
• Solar power integration and sustainable water systems
• Parking and shuttle services
• Staff quarters and training facilities
  
  

Hotels will be designed to accommodate both local and international guests, with pricing models that ensure accessibility to government departments, researchers, and local tourists.

Economic and Social Impact

The project will have a multiplier effect on the local economy:

• Direct Employment: Each Plaza will employ dozens of staff in management, housekeeping, security, maintenance, culinary services, and more.
• Indirect Employment: Local businesses, suppliers (farmers, artisans, transport providers) will benefit from consistent demand.
• Infrastructure Development: Roads leading to and around the plaza areas will be paved and upgraded, benefiting the entire community.
• Small Business Growth: The presence of consistent visitors will encourage local entrepreneurship in entertainment, guided tours, crafts, and food services.
  
  
  

Governance and Management Model

NBP proposes a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Model to fund, manage, and sustain the municipal plaza network:

• The government will provide land, infrastructure, and partial capital.
• Private operators or management firms will run day-to-day operations under performance-based contracts.
• A National Municipal Hospitality Authority will be created to regulate standards, monitor performance, and coordinate regional operations.

Local municipal councils will be involved in ownership and oversight, with a percentage of profits reinvested into community development.