In this week’s edition, we bring you the profile of the Head of School-Institute of Travel and Tourism of the Gambia (ITTOG), from January 2008 to date, Sheikh Ahmet Tejan Nyang.
Mr. Nyang coordinates the day to day running of the Institute which also includes preparation of Curriculum, marketing and liaison with professional organizations and Government.
Academic and Professional History
In 2011 he acquired a Teachers Training Certificate in South Nottingham College, UK which was followed by a Certificate of attendance on Development of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Curriculum and Instructional materials in the ECOWAS Region in October of 2010.
In 2007 he acquired a Certificate on SME and International Standards from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore and in 2006, a Certificate of Professional Studies at the National Project Implementation Workshop (NPIW), African Development Bank.
In 2005 Mr. Nyang was certificated in Module on Responsible Tourism Management on Tourism and the Local Economic Development (Pro poor Tourism) at the University of Greenwich External Programme in UK.
In the year 2005 he was also certificated: Module on Responsible Tourism “Issues on Principles of Responsible Tourism from the University of Greenwich External Programme in UK.
In 2003 he a received a Certificate of attendance on Project Appraisal, Monitoring and Evaluation at the African Development Bank (ADB) and in 1979 acquired Diploma in Tourism Management, World Tourism Organization International Centre (WTOIC) for Superior Studies in Mexico.
In June 1987 from 6th -26th April, he attended Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism Policy and Development. Royal Institute of Public Administration. (RIPA) London in UK and in the year 1975 got Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Administration from Hedmark Oppland Districthogskole, Lillehammer in Norway.
In 1976 he got a certificate of Attendance in Travel Agency Sales Course at Hedmark Iris, Oslo, Norway in 1975 Certificate of Attendance in Data Processing at SAAB-Univac also in Norway.
WORK EXPERIENCE
June 2002 served as Study Coordinator Tourism Master Plan Study of The Gambia, Ministry of Tourism and Culture /African Development Bank where he Provided leadership, technical advice and supervision of both local and International consultants.
Nyang also Act as a liaison officer for both the African Development Bank (ADB) and The Gambian Government and in September 2001served as National Coordinator of the International Year of Volunteers in 2001 hosted by the UNDP and Promotion of awareness on volunteerism, blood donation and environmental degradation.
In May 1998 he served as Proprietor and Manager of Kerr Munyagen Guest House where he provided leadership and management of a six room’s family guest house.
From November 1997 to December 1998 served as General Manager of African Village Hotel in Bakau and from March 1993- November 1997 served as Rooms Division Manager, Sunwing Hotel at Cape Point also in Bakau.
He was at one time In-charge of bookings, marketing, quality control and Public Relations among other duties and in December 1990 served as Director of Tourism of the Gambia.
Served as Technical adviser to the Government of The Gambia where he gave direction to the development and promotion of The Gambia as a tourist destination.
1978-1990 rose through the ranks from Assistant Tourism Officer, Tourism Officer, Senior Tourism Officer, and Marketing Assistant to Director of Tourism providing guidance and directions to the development of Tourism.
1973-1975: Part time Receptionist, Lillehammer Tourist Hotel, Lillehammer, Norway. Responsible for checking in of guest, answering of phone calls, compilation of night audit among other duties.
1976-78: Sales Assistance and Trainee in Electronic Data Processing, Saga Tours in Oslo, Norway also served as Sales consultant link with all travel agents in Norway selling package tours to the UK and other Mediterranean destinations.
Special responsibility for Italy, Costa Del Sol and Benidorm and he made preparation of passenger manifest for airline and destination managers in the respective destinations mentioned above.
1975 September – December served as Director Assistance, Belmont Key Club, Tromso in Norway where he was responsible for Entertainment programs, Control of beverages and Food Stocks and security.
SERVICE TO PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
From May 2013 to Date, a Member of a Multi Sectoral Task Force Work on ECO-LABEL Standards the Projects funded by GTZ, African Union and UNIDO and in 2012 to Date he is the Chairman of the UNIDO/ECOWAS task force on Tourism Standards.
April to May 2013 served as Lead Training Consultant for “Association of Small Scale Enterprises for Tourism” (ASSET) and also participated in the training of 50 members of the organization on Customer Care, Sustainable Tourism and Food and Hygiene.
In May 2013 served as Lead Trainer Consultant at UNWTO, National Environment Agency & Gambia Tourism Board where he also participated in the training of fifteen tourist guides from the village of Kartong as part of pro-poor tourism opportunities for the community.
In 2012 also conducted a training programme for 25 participants drawn from the villages of Kartong, Tumani Tenda and Denton Bridge on Responsible Tourism Awareness.
From 2011 to date serve in the International Task force member of expert group formulating guidelines on African Eco-labeling standards in tourism and the African Eco-labeling mechanism (AEM) under the auspices of the African union commission with support from eight regional economic commissions.
Mr. Nyang from 2010 to date is the Chairman of ECOWAS Tourism Expert’s Committee task force charged with the task of revising the ECOWAS Hotel and Motel classification system develop a comprehensive ECOWAS tourist guide in three languages and coordinate and establish a biannual ECOWAS Tourism Fair that would rotate among member states.
In November 2010 he served as Lead consultant and Trainer for a Community base tourism project for the village of Ndemban and from 2004-2006 served as Consultant for the NEA.
In 2002 served as Lead Consultant on a study funded by Action Aid, The Gambia on Problems and Benefits of Tourism in The Gambia and in 2002 was the Secretary and Consultant in Hotel classification for the Gambia.
ORGANIZATIONS AFFILIATED WITH
In 2012 served Chairman, Committee for the Development of Sustainable Tourism Curriculum, NTA and in 2010, Chairman, and Tourism Committee for the proposed Ndemban Polo Technique under NTA.
In 2009 to date, Vice Chairman, Association of Small Scale Enterprises in Tourism (ASSET) and January 1999 a Founder member and Secretary General of Association of Small Scale Enterprises in Tourism (ASSET).
AWARDS
October 2011, was a recipient of the Balafon Award of Excellence for services to the development of tourism in West Africa, Akwaba Africa Award in Nigeria.
In 2011 he was also a recipient of RGM for outstanding service and development of Tourism in The Gambia and in 2012, recipient of an award for services to the Gambian community in Norway and in 2015 was also a recipient of an award called: Top 100 Tourism Personalities of West Africa.
By Lamin B. Darboe