The Daily Observer (Banjul)
Yunus Saliu
18 June 2008
In this recent times Eco-travel - it isn't just about the destination or hotels washing less towels and sheets anymore as more and more tourists are thinking outside of the box when it comes to place to do their shopping for new items or what they will need with eco-friendly initiatives when they are on holiday to any destination.
Hence tourism is one of the most dynamic and competitive industries that require the ability to constantly adapt to customers' changing needs and desires, as the customer's satisfaction, safety and enjoyment are particularly the focus of tourism businesses with nearby place or places to get their needs, Kairaba Avenue is one of the environment that meets this criteria as one of the most fast develop and business flourish arena in the Greater Banjul Area.
Either you are an outbound tourist or inbound tourist, a visit to this commercial center, Kairaba Avenue, will surely convince you about the development and transformation that is happening in the circle of this small tourist heaven, the Smiling Coast of Africa, The Gambia.
As inbound tourist, have you ever been to Kairaba Avenue? If your answer is no, you are missing a lot of goodies. And should there be a serious business corporate environment that worth visit, then it should be this elongation avenue. It starts from the round about that links Serrekunda market and the traffic light in the Banjul to Brikama Highway
Kairaba Avenue worth talking about since it's taking a new dimension and rapid development, most foreign investors are scrambling to have site they can name after their business. This long existing avenue that is witnessing new renovations daily harbors numerous important offices both public and private like banks; different school of learning/training institutes; embassies; restaurants and bars; traveling agencies; radio stations; telecommunication houses. And some more like police station; numerous supermarkets; shopping malls; modern electronics stores; petrol station and some other offices.
The first traffic lights in the Gambia so far was situated in the half way of this avenue which links Berthil Harding road that through to Banjul and which means Kairaba Avenue intercepted it and links with Fajara, resurrected the avenue from the slumber while the gigantic architecture designed building on Fajara side, the Emporium braced it up. In spite of some of these attractive nice buildings in existence, the Emporium paved the way for most of all the new buildings hence some of the old bungalows are demolishing daily for new modern architectural design while those that got not enough money or with not too old buildings are carrying out renovation day-in-day-out to meet up with the demand of the various subscribers to the area. And the empty spaces are developing at a faster rate.
For those that have been to Las Vegas in America, London, where the bridge opens and closes. Awwal -September in Libya. Victoria Island in Lagos, Kumasi in Accra, Cocody in Ivory Coast (before the fracas) and see how busy and beautiful they are will surely know that development has come to stay in Kairaba Avenue. Though it might not match with the exact standard of those cities where you will see numerous visitors or tourists but worth rivalry with them, because ours is ours.
At night, it is difficult to know is late because of the illumination that always makes every place in the street to looks brighter and attractive. At sunset till day break is always a gyration time, the ladies will dress to arrest the heart of the young men that have the gut and what it takes to challenge hot babes. While some of the office workers will retire to some of the fast joint or restaurants to fill their stomachs. Tourists take a walk in group and enjoy the peace and fresh air in the environment while some will enter among the available bars and restaurants for enjoyment.
Kairaba Avenue is one of the major areas you will not see group of boys or people gathering outside to brew attaya-local tea, not because of civilization but of business like area. The restaurants and bars are modern and all operating almost 24 hours daily to satisfy their valuable customers while the local entertainers goes round to entertain people and this added little weight to their pockets. Through the summer it is like everyday Christmas in this popular avenue.
Like you can see and hear in other parts of the Greater Banjul area the hustle and bustle with noise and all day hearing of beating and hammering one or two things either at the mechanic workshops or at a gathering in this area it is only the blare as cars sound their horn at other motorists that break abruptly and refuse the sound of others that can disturb you. Traffic never ceases at night. Children are always at the roadside to feed their eyes, while some adult that have nothing special doing in the house will be in the street to catch the fun.
Thanks to some of the electronic stores who often put on their display giant plasma television set every night. From a distant you will see some children focusing the glass door watching the bold and colorful image appearing on the screen.
So also, as you are strolling round with friends, you will see some new tourists mostly 'Toubabs', in the tourist vehicles waving, looking, and admiring what they see. The 'Toubabs' are major patronizer of some of the groceries sellers that have their stalls around. As well, it is Kairaba Avenue you will see about 70 per cent of the houses to be storey buildings and 90 per cent offices. It is an area that commands business respect and maintain peaceful atmosphere despite the fact that it houses a stadium in which you will go through the road will lead you to Banjul road.
No how, Kairaba Avenue needs more to make it worthwhile, because it lack drainage system This often make this an elongation street to be flooded when it rain and the vehicles to splash water on the pedestrians who still enjoy the fun especially the children at night. To rescue the environ from dirt and match up with its commercial activities, it is necessary to employ some street cleaners who will sweep along the road so that it will be free of some litters that are eyesore when you are driving or strolling along the road. Not only that, some dust bins should be stationed on the road side to avoid dumping of papers, nylon, ice containers and others everywhere. Though a fly-over was at Kairaba Avenue before, but has removed on the reason best know to the council.
This spectacular Avenue, accommodated mosques and churches for the religious. When it is Friday prayer you will see some alms receivers spread their mats in front of the mosques with their bowls begging and praying for their sympathizers while both men and women young and old distribute charity to them. While on Sunday, it is praise the Lord! Almost all the banks in the country have branches in the avenue this makes cash and change of money from any currency easier for both inbound and outbound tourists and everyone that come for shopping at Kairaba Avenue.
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