European
travel agents bringing tourists and other visitors to The Gambia have confirmed
to The Point that despite Thomas Cook UK Plc and associated UK entities that
recently entered compulsory liquidation, reservations to Banjul will continue
and that is “not” affecting bookings as previously thought.
Several
interesting locations in the country such as The Gambia National Museum, Abuko
Nature Reserve, Kachikally Crocodile Pool and Bijilo Forest Park have been
revealed and identified for European travelers and tourists to experience
during their stay in The Gambia.
Certain
towns and villages such as Banjul, Brufut Beach and Wassu were branded as
“stunning places to see.” Serekunda
Market and Tanji Fish Market are also recommended for tourists.
In
a rare shift portraying the country as ‘‘dictatorship that could easily slide
into an unpredictable event’’, the European Press is currently depicting the
Gambia as a ‘‘good country to visit’, taking into consideration the current
political dispensation.
Respected
media organizations now consider the country as ‘‘friendly and attractive for
visitors’’ and further highlighted many areas of interest to visitors.
The
reputable and respectable Telegraph in the UK has revealed more than a dozen
‘‘reasons’’ for visiting The Gambia. It includes ‘‘cruising the river Gambia;
bird watching at dawn; meet some island-whooping chimps.”
The
paper also disclosed to tourists some personal areas that may be worth
experiencing such as ‘‘tracing the grim history of the slave trade and visiting
an art village.” Even ‘‘hanging out with village elders’’ was also cited to
European tourists.
Notwithstanding,
in some quarters, visitors are cautioned to be careful and suspicious during
certain dealings or movements; however, the general view is optimistic and
sanguine.
A
‘‘tourism advice’’ script seen by this correspondent also revealed that the
Gambian Ministry of Tourism and Culture had ‘averted the sudden trauma against
its industry during the event of Thomas Cook’s cessation.”
It
further revealed that Hamat N.K. Bah, Gambian Minister of Tourism and Culture
‘‘handling of the incident was remarkable.” It added that an ‘‘inclusive
meeting of all stakeholders both inside and outside of the country seeking
remedial actions yielded a very positive results.”
