OUR MISSION
Success through learning: Increasing the skills and employability of individuals.
OUR TEAM
Dr. Adama Bah –
Founder and Chairman of the Board
Dr. Adama Bah worked in the hospitality industry for over 25 years to the position of a Manager.
He founded the International Centre for Responsible Tourism-West Africa. It was established as a network of tourism professionals and regional training centre in West Africa to help the training of a significant number of Gambian and West Africans on issues of Responsible Tourism. Since it was established about 23 West African acquired their MSc on Responsible Tourism from Leeds Beckett University through a Commonwealth Scholarship. For 5 years from 2005, Adama was the Travel Foundation Project Manager for the Gambia.
Adama co-founded the Institute of Travel and Tourism of Gambia (ITTOG) and since it was founded in 2008, has been the Chairman on the board of directors.
In November 2004 Adama Bah won an international award as the person who made The Greatest Contribution to Responsible Tourism at the prestigious Responsible Tourism Award Ceremony at the World Travel Market in London.
Adama holds MSc in Responsible Tourism Management from Leeds Beckett University, the University that also awarded him a Doctorate Degree.
Sheikh Tejan Nyang –
Founder and Principal
Principal and founding member of The Institute of Travel and Tourism of The Gambia (ITTOG) is a recipient of the Ballafong Award for his contribution to tourism development in West Africa in 2011 and in 2014 was awarded as one of the 100 most influential personalities in West Africa.
Tejan worked with one of Norway’s biggest Tour Operator Saga Tours as a sales consultant prior to his entrance to The Gambian Civil service in 1978. He started his civil service as Tourism Assistance and rose to the rank of Director of Tourism in 1990. Tejan took voluntary retirement in 1993 to work in the private sector in one of the leading top 3 star hotels Sunwing as Rooms Divisions Manager.
He moved on to become General Manager of African Village Hotel in 1996 for a short period before joining the United Nations as National Coordinator of The International Year of Volunteers for 2 years before returning to Government once more to Coordinate The Gambia Tourism Master Plan Studies.
Tejan is the current Chairman of the ECOWAS Tourism Committee on hotel classification, the UNIDO/ECOWAS Tourism standards and a Member of the Eco-label Committee among others.
Tejan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Administration from Hedmark/ Oppland Regional University, Lillehammer, Norway and holds various Diplomas and Post Graduate Diplomas from Center for Superior Studies in Mexico and Royal Institute of Public Administration U.K among other.
Helen Wilcockson –
UK link and Member of the Board
Helen was the link between South Nottingham College (SNC) and ITTOG. In 2004, whilst on a visit to The Gambia with some English students Helen met with the Principal of South Nottingham College – Malcolm Cowgill where the two agreed to develop a scholarship programme between ITTOG and South Nottingham College.
This was to allow two Gambian students every year the opportunity to study Travel and Tourism at South Nottingham College. The students upon arriving at South Nottingham College also undertook the teacher training qualifications so they can return to the Gambia upon completion to teach at ITTOG. These teachers formed the first professional lecturers of ITTOG.
In 2008 ITTOG was founded with the support of South Nottingham College (now Central Nottingham College) and Helen became one of the board members.
Though no more with SNC Halen maintained the link with ITTOG and continues to bring British students to The Gambia. Helen holds MSc in Tourism studies. She has worked in Education for over 20 years and recently became the Head of the Department for Catering, Hospitality, Tourism, Animal Care, and Foundation Studies at West Notts College, UK.
Courses Offered and Entry Requirement
All the courses are accredited by the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA).
Certificate in Tourism and Hospitality Management:
This course is designed by the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA) to develop skills for working in the hospitality industry.
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Level 2 Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality Management:
This course is also designed by the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA) for those wanting to progress from the certificate in Tourism and Hospitality Management. The course comprises of 6 units which leads to a level two tourism and hospitality qualification. Students with this qualification are expected to work under minimum supervision.
Intermediate Diploma in Travel and Tourism:
This course is equivalent to an O’ level and designed for students who completed their GCSE or WASSCE and want to take up travel and tourism as a field of study. It gives the students a start to a career in travel and tourism and through this course they gain experience of working with other people, handling customer complaints, acquiring marketing skills and meeting deadlines. They can also use information technology and develop a good understanding of customer service. The course also enables students to progress onto the Advance Diploma in Travel and Tourism
Advanced Diploma in
Travel and Tourism
This course enable students to gain employment in the travel and tourism industry or continue onto a HPD in travel and tourism. Assessments for this course are done through assignments, project works and activities. Students also go on national and international study visits as well as work placements in the travel and tourism industry..
Certificate in Air Cabin Crew and Airline Operations
This is the first of its kind in the Gambia and is designed to prepare students for a career in Air Cabin Crew and Airline operations. It gives students the ability to understand the nature of the aviation industry.
Amadeus
Booking System:
This course is designed for those intending to work in the Airline, Travel agency, car rental, cruise line and hotel industries. It enables students the opportunity of employment in a wide range of areas especially in the travel agency industry. Those already working in these industries can also use this course to develop their professional career
Specialised Courses
Include:
- Customer Service
- Tour Operations and Tour Guiding
- Marketing
- Management studies
- Hotel Front Office Operations
- Holiday Representatives
- Eco-tourism Management
- Community Based Tourism
- Entrepreneurship
- Community Based Tourism
- Tailor-made Professional Course for Cooperate Institutions
New Courses/ Projects
- Event Planning and Management – ITC Funded
- Cookery, Pastry and Human Rights – “No woman left behind” project funded by the Catalonian Government
ITTOG Consultancy
Projects
- National Environment Agency –UNIDO Coastal project for Kartong Village – training of Tourist Guides and community awareness.
- Gambia Tourism Board – Community based Tourism and Tourism awareness program for security forces.
- Gambia Ports Authority – customer care training.
- ICEY Wonderland Company – food safety and hygiene and costumer care.
- Abuja Tourism Board, Nigeria – Tourism administration.
- Oyo State Tourism Board, Nigeria – Community Based Tourism.
- Youth Empowerment Project – Training of tour guides in George Town.
- Gambian National Petroleum Company –Customer Care for pump attendants.
Air Cabin Crew & Airport Operations
This is the first of its kind in The Gambia. These two courses are bolted together not only to train people as air cabin crew but to study and understand the full extent of the aviation industry. This gives prospective students the ability to succeed in a job which is one of the most sought out careers in the world.