Arch Tours

WHO IS ARCH TOURS
ARCH-Tours was founded in the year 2004 by Mr. Abdul Rahman Conteh in collaboration with some prominent Gambian personalities with the sole aim of providing first class customer service that would be equal to none bearing in mind the importance of tourism in our national economy.
The word ARCH -Tours represents, AFRICAN REAL CULTURAL and HISTORICAL Tours.
Arch tours are a locally based tour company operating in The Gambia and internationally recognized. Our guides and drivers have all received training in tourism and hospitality. They are all self motivated, highly responsible and dedicated in ensuring that customer’s needs are met.
What arch-tours offer you?
Well organized and hassle free tours throughout the Gambia and Senegal.
Lunch and soft drinks.{water and beer included]
Traveling in small groups 4 – 12 persons maximum.
An informative, reliable and safe way to travel around the Gambia and Senegal.
Each driver is an experienced safari driver and mechanic.
We travel in open top 109 land rovers or air conditioned buses when necessary.
What arch-tours is doing for THE GAMBIA?
Conservation.
Conservation may be practiced in many different ways. Habitat preservation is one of the principal forms of conservation. this can be done by establishing private reserves, supporting established national parks and reserves, or funding native tree reforestation projects. Though protected areas may be visited by tourist, it is important to recognize that their purpose is preservation. Whenever visiting a protected area, Arch-tours ensure that your visit will be made with minimal impact.
Minimal environmental impact
Minimal environmental impact is the fundamental goal of every eco-operator. How anyone manages its impact will tell you immediately if it is truly ecological minded. Ecologically responsible businesses recycle, conserve water and energy, manage waste properly, and allow guest to choose whether or not to change linens or towels daily. Arch tours believe that these simple efforts make a huge difference in the long term environmental impact tourism has in The Gambia.
Sustainable Tourism Development
Arch Tours believes that sustainability is vital to the long-term success of Gambia Tourism. The majority of products consumed at an eco-resort should be locally produced. Furthermore, construction should be done using local materials and methods, and local organic gardens should be the source of the majority of the food served. Ultimately, sustainability means a lifestyle that is in balance and that can be maintained indefinitely without depleting local resources.
Meaningful Community Involvement
Community Involvement is a crucial aspect of Arch Tours brand of ecotourism. Arch Tours believes that tourism should generate revenue for the local Gambian economy. Ideally, the local Gambian community should own the establishment and employ local labor. Moreover, in addition to generating revenue and providing employment, Arch Tours encourages and sponsors community development projects.
Environmental Education
Environmental education teaches others to be ecologically responsible. Arch Tours aims to ensure that every guest leaves our tour having learned something about environmental preservation and cultural sensitivity. This will ensure the continued growth of environmental and cultural awareness in The Gambia.
The Director and founder of ARCH Tours and Chief Guide as well Mr. Abdul Raman Conteh is a 48 years old Gambian national. After graduation from high school, he first served as a teacher in the Gambia covering history and English language in a junior Sec. School. When he left the teaching field, he served the medical research council (MRC) in the Gambia collecting data and information on malaria. Later, he joined the Gambian army and was a DRILL instructor for six years, Trained by the British Army. Resigning from the army in 1992, he started his private career as a tourist guide at the Senegambia hotel area. In 1994, he established the Gambia Adventure Safari which was popularly known as Abdul’s SAFARI or “THE BOYS IN RED”. In October 2002, he was appointed as tour supervisor for African Adventure Tours which was then the agent for the Olympia International in Holland.
In 2004, he founded ARCH-Tours. With his number of years experience in conducting excursions in the Gambia and working experience, the Director strongly feels that there is a lot to be done to upgrade standards. He believes “the only way to successfully upgrade standards in excursions in the Gambia is to set up your own safari company where you have all the powers to use your initiative as much as possible to set the visions that others would follow.
METHODS AND STRATEGIES
v Prioritize customer satisfaction.
v Small high quality tours in open top 4 wheel vehicles or mini buses with a maximum of 12 people.
v Providing training and workshops for staff on tourism, hospitality and management.
v We take radical steps to bring hassling to a halt and replacing this style of life with creativity; hard work and self discipline.
v Broad based employment on merit and great chances given to females in order to promote gender equality.