Business Events Research in Gambia
The country is investing in research to better understand the spending and travel behaviors of business event delegates.
From the key highlights you mentioned, it appears that international delegates attending events in Gambia tend to spend more than domestic delegates, with overseas delegates from inside and outside of the EU showing growing interest. This information can help local businesses and organizations to better tailor their offerings and services to meet the needs and preferences of international delegates, potentially increasing their spending and contributing to the growth of the local economy.
It’s also interesting to note that the research looked at the behavior of delegates who extended their trips for leisure, potentially indicating a growing trend toward combining business and leisure travel. This can have positive implications for the local tourism industry, as these delegates may return to Gambia in the future for leisure purposes, contributing to sustainable tourism growth.
Nonprofits are organizing more events. Non-profit organizations play a critical role in promoting social and humanitarian causes, and events can be an effective way for these organizations to raise awareness, engage with stakeholders, and generate funds to support their mission.
Here are some potential reasons why non-profits may be organizing more events:
- Increased competition for donor funds: With many non-profits competing for limited donor funds, events can be a way to stand out and attract attention to their cause.
- Advances in event technology: As event technology has become more sophisticated and affordable, it has become easier for non-profits to organize and manage events of all sizes.
- Changing donor preferences: Donors may be looking for more engagement and interaction with the causes they support, and events can provide a platform for these interactions.
- Increased awareness of the impact of events: Non-profits may be recognizing the potential impact of events in terms of raising awareness, building community, and generating funds, and investing more resources in this area.
Overall, it’s great to see non-profits organizing more events, as this can help these organizations to achieve their mission, engage with their stakeholders, and make a positive impact in their communities.
Gambia’s status as the “Gateway to West Africa” can also be leveraged to attract and host international events in the region. The country’s strategic location, stable political environment, and growing economy make it an attractive destination for business events, conferences, and trade shows.
Hosting events in the Gambia can provide a gateway to the West African market, allowing attendees to network with local businesses and organizations, explore potential opportunities for investment, and gain a deeper understanding of the region’s culture and business practices.
In addition, Gambia’s unique location at the crossroads of Africa and Europe can be leveraged to attract attendees from both continents, providing a platform for cross-cultural exchange and collaboration.
To support the growth of the events industry in Gambia, the country has established initiatives like the Business Events Growth Program, which provides support to organizations looking to host international business events in the country. This program can help to provide planning support, candidate city bid support, international delegate growth support, and government advocacy, making it easier for businesses and organizations to plan and execute successful events in the country.
Overall, Gambia’s status as the “Gateway to West Africa” presents a significant opportunity for the events industry, providing a platform for international collaboration, business development, and cultural exchange.
The finding that business delegates who extended their trip for leisure purposes would spend double the amount of money than if they traveled home immediately after the event is significant for the events industry in the Gambia. This suggests that there is potential to increase the economic impact of events in the country by encouraging delegates to extend their trips and explore the local area.
The report also highlights that the destination of the event itself is not a major factor in the delegate’s decision to extend their trip for leisure. This means that while it is important to choose an attractive and appropriate location for an event, other factors such as ease of travel, flight timings, and accommodation should also be considered when planning events in Gambia.
Overall, these findings suggest that there is significant potential to increase the economic impact of business events in Gambia by encouraging delegates to extend their trips and explore the local area. By providing easy access to high-quality accommodation, transportation, and tourism activities, Gambia can create a more attractive and compelling destination for business events, driving economic growth and development in the country.