The Association of small Scale Enterprises in Tourism (ASSET) was established in April 2000 in order to bring together, advocate for, and promote a large number of small enterprises that were active in the tourism industry in The Gambia.

These businesses include craft market vendors, tourist taxi drivers, official tourist guides, juice pressers and fruit sellers as well as a number of  small hotels, guest houses and ground tour operators etc.

Within five years ASSET has attracted more than eighty organisations into membership, has hosted an international conference on Fair Trade in Tourism, has been recognised by the Gambia Tourism Authority (GTA) as an important voice for the previously voiceless and has become a leading player in the Gambian Responsible Tourism Partnership programme that is being led by the GTA. 

This programme brings together the principal stakeholders in the tourism industry (government, tour operators, ground handlers, hoteliers and small scale businesses) in order to ensure that the adverse impacts of tourism are minimised and that maximum benefits are gained by local people and their communities.

ASSET's future goals include the training of large numbers of personnel working in tourism, the development and implementation of industry wide standards and the marketing of the diverse and excellent services that are provided by ASSET members.

Featured Member

Solar Project Tiloo

"Cook with the power of the sun – save money & firewood“. The solar project Tiloo is situated at Kanifing in the Combo Area and has a carpentry workshop, bakery and restaurant.

The goals of the project are:

•  Leading an information centre promoting and increasing the understanding of the solar energy

•  Increase awareness of environment issues such as protection of the climate

•  Distribution of solar cookers, solar food and other solar products

•  Increasing of health

•  Lead local people to self-help, especially the women