Wakanow: Africa's leading travel agency launches Gambia office

Wakanow carries out travel services ranging from flights to hotels, visa assistance, travel insurance and other means of travelling,

The travel company operates in many countries in West Africa and has continued to grow and expand its footprint to serve its customers and be a game changer in the travel industry. 

Speaking to The Point, the company’s Group Chief Executive Officer Adebayo Adedeji said Wakanow was established in 2008, when it was hard to find out how much a flight was and see booking options.

Thus, the founders started the company as a way to democratise flight and hotel access by giving customers the power to choose, he said, adding that since 2008, the company has continued to expand from Nigeria and has pitched tents in such countries as Ghana, Sierra Leone, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and The Gambia.

CEO Adedeji reiterated Wakanow’s services and offers, saying they include flight tickets, hotel accommodation, rides, visa assistance, travel insurance, and event ticketing.

In their quest to support customers and be transparent in every process, Wakanow has launched its online portal geared towards giving their customers the ability to be able to see the price that they are paying and not get cheated.  

Adedeji further stated that Wakanow operates in a way that customers validate what the agent tells them, see exactly what the agent sees and gives the customer the opportunity to also do it online. He vowed that his company has created democratic access to flight and hotel bookings. 

Dwelling on how Wakanow will contribute to the socio-economic development of The Gambia, he said: "We have been here for months and we pay the landlord rent, have employed five Gambians and we will create employment for more than 200 people through teaching people how to sell travel tickets and more. We have made serious investment because we will buy billboards and pay for radio, television and other types of services. That means The Gambia has been able to attract us to come and invest." 

Still on the front of his company’s contribution to the economy, CEO Adedeji said Wakanow at present works with Tamala Hotel to bring in customers from Nigeria into The Gambia. By coming here, he said, those customers will pay for flights, hotels, and local transportation while visiting local clubs, and SPA to spend monies. He highlighted that the economic impact of their presence would add value to the locals and spread the benefits across the country's economy.

Wakanow has also introduced a service called Pay Small Small (PSS) to give their customers the opportunity to book a ticket in the future and also avail them of the opportunity to pay small in their travel future.  

"We believe that is the way to expand the market and encourage people,” he affirmed the pleasant offer, saying: “We know that a lot of people don't have the possible income at once and that they have to save. We will be helping them to save small for their future travels."

CEO Adedeji also said Wakanow is one of the few companies that operate both online and offline, adding that they have the ability to understand the African customer. 

"It's time for customers to come and try our services because we offer better services,” he assures. “Our people are always available and we have multiple offers that they need to enjoy. Anywhere in Africa, Wakanow has a partner to take care of you physically and you are never stranded anywhere in the world because our call Centres operate at all times and days."

Wakanow is located at the Oasis Apartment Complex, Bertil Harding Highway in Kololi, Senegambia. The office can be reached also by phone on +220 2888640 or at wakanow.com