Michael Scales On Predatory Tourists!!!

Dear Mr. Editor,

 It was noticed that the "predatory tourist" was on the increase in The Gambia last time I was there. Tasked with the enquiries through "Trade Partners" for people wanting assistance with "Doing Business in The Gambia". Their were at time some very strange and peculiar interests from all walks of life. These ranged from dubious business people wanting to leave the U.K. because of a hidden agenda or from single sex partners. mainly women wishing to escape their social surroundings to further their relationship in some obscurity. Of course Jumping from the" flame into the fire "sprang to mind on several occasions. The difficulty is the difference in Law and culture between the U.K. and The Gambia and how each society views the mix. When offering any advice, I was always aware of the liability of "discrimination" so it required the wisdom of Solomon to find the advice that was politically correct without offending our Laws involving discrimination. I think in general I would advise against The Gambia for their own good, but was reluctant to go into great detail because of the risk of discrimination. The Gambian interest, especially for those committing to a business venture, especially in Agriculture was always encouraging.

But after accompanying one Night club owner to The Gambia, who wanted to sell second hand tyres..only to find him arrested by Inland Revenue officers at our home airport upon our return to the U.K>for alleged tax evasion....I learned to do extensive credit/personal checks on those I was standing for. Another U.K./Indian gentleman was proceeding rapidly into The Gambia. until I found out that in fact ..he had no less than 22 county court Judgments against him here in the U.K. for bad debt.Nevertheless..The Gambian Government, even after I had informed them of this fact...still wanted the business venture to proceed. I found it amusing. that they insisted " they would take care of him "...Of course I also advised the unfortunate "dishonest "gentleman. that I wanted no further part. ..".Your on your own son "!!!

Why should I risk my reputation for some scoundrel?     

The scourge of The Gambia is The culture of the Bumsters...which does not only persist in the streets of Banjul....but I found it endemic much higher up the ladder. The last time I was in Banjul in April 2006..I had brought a very influential executive from a National Youth Enterprise Trust to gather market research for franchising the Youth of Britain to the Youth of The Gambia. Walking from The Atlantic Hotel to The Mayor of Banjul’s Chambers is only a short walk....yet we were persistently harassed and bitten by the" stick like glue " Bumsters.

The lady found it intimidating and frightening as she grabbed my hand for comfort. In the end I employed my usual remedy of throwing small change from my pocket in the air.. to create a distraction and then moving rapidly away as they chased the coins rolling along the street.

The ambiance within the hotel was increasingly distracted by The European tourist bringing the occasional young girl into the hotel from the street. These little girls were nervous and sometimes frightened as they were bought soft drinks on route to the secrecy of the "gentlemen" bedroom. My Gambian friends, who consisted of the hotel staff, were disturbed by this trade. On the one hand they had to serve them and be polite and on the other hand you could see the concealed anger which very often manifested itself in a twitch on the face of the offended. They used to look at me sometimes for help...as a trusted friend.

Very often I would wait in the corridor for these guys and confront them. But most didn't speak English so the conversation tended to get a bit steamy as they scurried away

insulted..like rats.{laugh}

The problem isn't only to the blame of the predator.....I have seen young children asking hotel guests for their room number. It is heart breaking and doesn’t speak well for some of their parents. who I know encourage this. This is an emerging consequence of the richer tourist offering the poor, cash for favours..that exploits the condition of those who are desperate for the money .....against those who have no bloody morals.

  I remain Michael..U.K.