As the 2025-2026 winter season gets underway, more and more tourists are shuttling into Banjul from renowned destinations across the globe.
Recent arrivals from key destinations such as Brussels, Belgium, Amsterdam and Warsaw, Poland and now the Estonian market, according to officials, would significantly help boost the country's arrival numbers and cement its position as a leader in the industry.
The Gambia Tourism Board officials were on hand to accord the visiting guests a befitting welcome at the airport lounge.
These arrivals signal the growing trend of the season, as international carriers continue to increase services bringing visitors eager to experience The Gambia's hospitality and attractions.
Giving an account of the new arrivals, Ebrima A.K. Sanyang, Senior Officer, Research and Development at Gambia Tourism Board, said the first flight came from TUI, a maiden flight from TUI-Belgium; the second came from Corendon, also a maiden flight from Amsterdam, Netherlands.
He noted that the last flight of the day is from Enter Air, coming from Warsaw in Poland, through Rainbow Tours.
"Today, from morning till now, passengers in all the three flights combined is 287," he said. Currently, he revealed that they have 53 frequencies, like all the planes that they expect for a week right now.
He also spoke about their new emerging market, which is the Estonian market, and that they expect to have flights this year coming from Estonia.
That market, he revealed, has not been part of their marketing project, and that it is an add-on.
"Also, this year we received a Value Jet from Nigeria. We are expecting another flight from Nigeria to boost the regional market," he said.
With these developments, Sanyang spoke highly of the arrival numbers, promising that this year will surpass the total projected arrivals they expected for the 2025-2026 tourism season.
He also hinted that they have a robust marketing strategy and that based on that, they are highly hopeful for this year's season.
"If you calculate those numbers, you will actually realize that certain markets are increasing, certain markets are going down," he said.
Kemo Jammeh, a ground handler from Alkamaba Travel and Tours, revealed his expectation of more tourist flights, adding that they are expecting three flights a week directly from Warsaw, Poland and from different destinations.
"As usual, the season is getting better for us," he said. He also spoke about the country's peacefulness, attributing it to the fact that "we have a peaceful country and a nice country, as far as tourism is concerned here. We have minimal challenges actually."
Saikou Kassama, head guide of Alkamaba Travel and Tours, also expressed similar sentiments.
"So we are looking forward to receiving about 600 tourists every week. So every Friday, three flights will arrive," he said.
According to him, they are expecting more flights in the coming weeks, likely in the middle of November.
He also spoke about the boom nature of the sector, adding that they are expanding to Mauritania and Sierra Leone, and Cape Verde Islands to boost the regional market.
