| Abstract: |
Abstract The recent infrastructural development and industrial actions around
tourism development areas has increased which led to the degradation of
coastal sites and protected areas in the Gambia, posing a threat to
biodiversity loss and ecotourism. Thus, the research investigated the impact
of biodiversity on tourism in The Gambia using the ARDL model between the
periods of 1995-2020. The analysis has shown that biodiversity promotes
tourism both in the short and long term. Similarly, economic growth has a
positive impact on tourism. One of the policy implications is that, since
tourism industry depends on the existence of biodiversity, therefore,
biodiversity preservation should be a major interest for business
sustainability by allocating resources for its preservation, in order to
increase the viability of the sector. |