Growing tourism in The Gambia by Sharing on Maps

Google Maps contribution stories
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I love to travel, I love to take photos, I love to educate and I love Google Maps. The best of it is, that being a Local Guide allows me to combine all of the above! My first experience with The Gambia was in January, 2015, when I went there on vacation with my wife. Staring at an almost empty Google Maps as a Local Guide, I immediately realized that tourism in this smallest country of Africa could hugely benefit from adding local businesses on the map. And so it all started…

I remember well adding my first Gambian business, which was Kunta Kinteh Beach Bar Restaurant & Apartments, the place we enjoyed relaxing during the day and having dinner at night. I also posted the first review on their Google Business listing. When I came back in October 2015 and checked the listing, about 12 more people had also posted reviews for Kunta Kinteh. And now, little over four years later, the place has acquired 140 reviews with an astonishing average of 4.2 out of 5!

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Over time, I added more and more businesses each time I came to The Gambia, until one evening when I met Gambian LG @AlphaSays while having dinner at Gaya Art Cafe.

@Alffiiy turned out to be working for the GCCI (Gambian Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and he was one a few (back then maybe even: THE ONE) Local Guides in the country. We started exchanging experiences and ideas on how to improve tourism as a Local Guide. It was late, when I returned to my hotel with my head full ideas.

@Alffiiy introduced me to a few other young guys and gals, who were all eager to learn more about the Local Guides program and about photography! Being a professional photographer for more than 25 years, I organized a few hands-on workshops in photography as well as LG meetups. And thanks to the fact that I am also a Trusted Photographer, I taught some people how to make virtual tours themselves.

Last month, I conducted another LG meetup where I had 13 people attending. This time the topic was Google My Business… I explained the attendees all about the possibilities for business owners, varying from setting “Opening Soon” dates, special opening hours for national holidays, adding posts, products, services, photos, menus and so on.

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Knowing I am a Trusted Verifier for Africa, the Local Guides also took me to befriended local business owners to have me verify their GMB listings. This is very useful in Africa, since most countries lack a regular postal service, which could deliver the postcard with the PIN to verify the business.

The Gambian Local Guides have been extremely busy, because nowadays 100’s of local businesses at the touristic coastal area can be found on Maps. I am very proud of this active crew, lead by @Alffiiy on the ground. Keep up the good work, guys!

Thanks to the Local Guides Program, I now have a bunch of (LG) friends in The Gambia!

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Hi @EduarddeBoer

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Thanks a lot @ErmesT !

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@EduarddeBoer We need to get you a Gambian passport right @vitamin ? :blush:. It always refreshing to learn more about your journey as a local guide and how you have helped grow our little Gambia on Google Maps & Google Street View. I am so glad I met you at Gaya Art Cafe unless I would have never gone this far as a Local Guide without you, thank you so much Eduard. You have supported and inspired us so much and we will always be grateful.

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