During the cold winter in the UK I usually go away for 3/4 months to various parts of the world and end up for a number of weeks in the Gambia.
This year has seen increase of 150% to get your passport stamped for a long stay in Gambia from 200 dalasi to 500 Dalasi. This is on top of the airport departure tax. Which im sceptible about as to the motive for this tax. They say its for airport improvements but they have not said where the improvements are going to be made At a time when the tourist figures are down is the above good business sence. For me I cant get my head round the the way gambians think
Allready Gambia is one of the most expencive places in the world to fly to. For extended 3 monh long stay at the moment costs £791. I dont know of anywhere else in the world where you get penalised for the lenth of time you stay. Yes you get your special deals like any where else. You can fly to many other destinations for less and cheaper once you get there. So for me and no dout and like many others as can be seen in the drop of tourists figures because of the above its the last nail in the coffin, it will be a long long time befor I go back to Gambia if ever COPY Minister for Tourisium Mrs Fatou Mass Jobe Njie The Quadrangle Banjul The Gambia
Bet you do snuggles ! However I agree with your thoughts for a poor country that relies heavily on the tourist trade and the "hard" currency that brings,Gambian thinking does appear to be totally geared to not value for money,but just more money, a bit of a one way street.
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
As at tdays date there has been over a 100 veiws of the thread with only one responce. I think it sad as with many other postings the lack of feed back from people who actualy live in Gambia
The problen is getting worse for tourism. As of the 6th May the only flights from the UK is Monarch for Gambia Experience on Tuesdays only. The flight is a Airbus 321 carrying 214 passagers so the low season will have very few tourists. Also it will be more difficult for Gambians travelling home. It will be interesting what flights will actually run starting in November. Some companies might be in financial trouble by then. Tom
hi there, i did not release there would only be one flight a week from may, it was bad when there were two flights, but one flight cannot bring in many people, there will be suffering all round.
Topic Locked
Posted - 23 Mar 2011 : 13:29:22
