Ten American Tourists Expected To Arrive Today

At least ten American tourists are expected to arrive in Banjul this afternoon as part of a visit to bring the two nations closer and to revisit the past history between the two nations. The aim of the visit is to provide American tourists with a first hand knowledge of The Gambia.
Speaking in an interview with this reporter yesterday, Mr. Pa Lamin Sarr, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Smiling Coast Tours, said his aim is to bring the American market closer to The Gambia by bringing American tourists, providing them with an experience of a lifetime. Mr. Sarr further explained that the Smiling Coast Tours is an international tour operating company that brings American tourists to The Gambia.
"In January, 2009, I established Smiling Coast Tours together with my wife Doris Sarr to help play our part in the social economic development of The Gambia and to give something back to the Gambian people. What makes Smiling Coast Tours different from other tour operators is that we bring tourists, not only to enjoy the beaches and hotels, but to give something to the Gambian people in all aspects of life," he stated.
In this regard, Mr. Sarr went on to say that "Smiling Coast Tour has an educational aspect, volunteering aspect and leisure aspect". The education aspect, he added, deals with partnering the University of The Gambia with American University.
The voluntary aspect deals with getting philanthropists to come to The Gambia and devote their time and resources to help Gambians, while the leisure part exposes people to Gambian culture and way of life.
The visit will start from 16 to 26 July 2009.
During the visit, the American tourists will be involved in lectures at the University of the Gambia, seminar with the disabled persons, hold one-day media training and sport jamboree at St. Peters High School in Lamin. This will include football tournament, basketball tournament and martial arts exhibition.
The tourists are also expected to visit places of interest to tourists, including the village of Juffereh in James Islands.