The
first tourist flight with 180 holidaymakers from the Netherlands Monday landed
at Banjul International Airport.
The
tourists on board Corendor Fight were received on arrival at the airport by
officials of The Gambia Tourism Board, tourism stakeholders and tour operators.
Speaking
to journalists shortly after the landing of the aircraft, Abdoulie Hydara, director-general of the
Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard), said this year they are looking at a total of
30 flights per week.
By
the time the season advances towards November, December and January, they are
hopeful there will be more flights coming in.
The
GTB director-general further informed journalists that there are new products
on stream, as they have ensured an environment conducive for tourists. “We need
to continue what we are doing,” he said.
Also
speaking was Adama Njie, director of Marketing at GTBoard, who said this was
the first flight by Corendor with 180 passengers on board.
“It
is a signal that the season is already here, and I think we should work
together to make it happen,” he said.
This
time around they are optimistic about the season, because more flights are
expected to come from the UK market and Belgium.
Mr
Njie added that Holland is also “doing very well and are now competing with the
UK.”
Over
the years, the Dutch market might overcome the UK market, he said, adding that
this maiden flight is a signal that The Gambia is well-known in the Dutch market.
“We
did a lot of marketing and, with joint marketing with our tour operators, we
can have a good season. All the necessary marketing tools that should actually
push The Gambia to the outside world are actually in place.”
The
commander of the Tourism Security Unit, Modou Manneh, said that prior to the
beginning of the season they always ensure they prepare well, which is the case
this year.
“We
have zero tolerance for ‘bumpsing’ and harassment,” he said.
