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snuggels
960 Posts |
 Posted - 29 May 2006 : 16:41:40
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There has been a year on year drop in the amount of tourists going to or returning to The Gambia Why?
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2006 : 18:15:08
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| Maybe a better way of putting it would be "drop in the number of tourists" after all amount implies a quantity of sugar ,money etc.Just a thought! |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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babygirl
United Kingdom
89 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2006 : 20:28:15
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Has there really been a drop tho?
The UK has more planes than ever going to Gambia, esp during the Season. I dont know about other parts of Europe?
I think part of the problem is other expenses make it quite an expensive holiday location, such as malaria medication, Malarone is over £100 for 2 people for 2 weeks. Some Drs recommend a whole host of injections which again cost money.
Another part is that Gambia isnt very child friendly, there isn't an awful lot for kids to do. My son is 8 and loves it because he loves being in the pool and for him that is enough but I know that wouldnt be enough for alot of his friends.
Some of the beaches arent safe because of the strong current, Also in April i was shocked at the jellyfish problem.
Then you have the bumsters.... Some people do get intimidated, it ends up ruining their holidays, some stay inside the hotel for the whole duration of their holiday cos they cant face the constant hassle. Even the most patient tourists get fed up with it on occasions.
I think that Gambia needs to do something to get a decent market of tourists.
Gambia has got the reputation of being a place for older ladies to find "love" with a younger man and older men to find "love" with a younger lady( please dont roast me, but it is fact)
If Gambia wants a different type of tourist then it has to be able to offer something that will encourage that different tourist to come to Gambia.
Personnally i dont think Gambia has the "nightlife" to make it a youngsters place, not that that would be a good thing! The young brigade have spoiled enough places.
I think families would be a good market for the Gambia?? But you have to spend money to make money. At this moment in time Gambia isnt reccommended for families.
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toubab
Gambia
92 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2006 : 20:38:15
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| Could it be the price of a holiday/flights here? You can go to virtually anywhere else in the world cheaper! Could it be the inordinate amount of unwanted attention the holidaymaker has to endure (yes I know they are only trying to earn a living, but to the unsuspecting tourist it can be very wearing).Could it be the lack of entertainment in the evenings, the lack of decent restauants, many down the Senegambia area where the majority of tourists are, are overpriced for the quality .The roads are abysmal, a journey to Tendaba in a tourist taxi can make you lose the will to live!! I personally would like to know where all the tourist induced revenue goes - Anyone been to Katchically lately!, it certainly hasn't been invested there as promised many years ago. Tourists here either love it or hate it, and it seems only the dedicated few are returning each year. The Government and Tourist authority need to pull their proverbial fingers out! Cape Verde, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Guinea are now vying for the West African tourist trade, and it doesn't look good for the beautiful Gambia. |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2006 : 20:48:21
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babygirl, you named some problems that are really existent, but I don't know if the number of tourists really decreased. The German airline Condor, for example, restarted the destination Banjul in 2004/2005 - just for the season. Meanwhile, they fly to Banjul all around the year. They wouldn't do it if it didn't pay.
But of course I don't know if the Condor passengers are mainly tourists; when I went with Condor this winter, there were many Gambian and Senegali passengers. |
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babygirl
United Kingdom
89 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2006 : 21:09:08
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I agree about the cost of flights/holidays!! I'm hoping to go in August and have been having a nosey at prices, its ridiculous, i can basically get an all inclusive package almost anywhere for the price of a flight only to Gambia.
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2006 : 03:27:48
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Yes the number of tourists going to the Gambia has slumped.
Below is an extract from the BBC News web page
The economy too has come under considerable strain. The slump in the numbers of tourists from Britain and other European counties and the fall in the price of groundnut crop, a major foreign exchange earner, are having an impact.
The tourist figures have not quite recovered from the ban, even though lifted, that was placed on travel to the Gambia following Mr Jammeh's coup.
Inflation is rising and two weeks ago a higher currency note, 100 dalais, was put into circulation.
Mr Jammeh's period in office, the opposition says, has seen the security agents becoming arrogant and unaccountable. quote:
Originally posted by babygirl
Has there really been a drop tho?
The UK has more planes than ever going to Gambia, esp during the Season. I dont know about other parts of Europe?
I think part of the problem is other expenses make it quite an expensive holiday location, such as malaria medication, Malarone is over £100 for 2 people for 2 weeks. Some Drs recommend a whole host of injections which again cost money.
Another part is that Gambia isnt very child friendly, there isn't an awful lot for kids to do. My son is 8 and loves it because he loves being in the pool and for him that is enough but I know that wouldnt be enough for alot of his friends.
Some of the beaches arent safe because of the strong current, Also in April i was shocked at the jellyfish problem.
Then you have the bumsters.... Some people do get intimidated, it ends up ruining their holidays, some stay inside the hotel for the whole duration of their holiday cos they cant face the constant hassle. Even the most patient tourists get fed up with it on occasions.
I think that Gambia needs to do something to get a decent market of tourists.
Gambia has got the reputation of being a place for older ladies to find "love" with a younger man and older men to find "love" with a younger lady( please dont roast me, but it is fact)
If Gambia wants a different type of tourist then it has to be able to offer something that will encourage that different tourist to come to Gambia.
Personnally i dont think Gambia has the "nightlife" to make it a youngsters place, not that that would be a good thing! The young brigade have spoiled enough places.
I think families would be a good market for the Gambia?? But you have to spend money to make money. At this moment in time Gambia isnt reccommended for families.
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2006 : 03:42:06
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Just found these tourist figures which may be of interest
The Gambia, tiny annual international arrival figures of. 70 000 – that’s less than 200 tourists a day – are significant. and tourism contributes 10.1% ...
www.odi.org.uk/publications/ opinions/60_tourism_africa_nov05.pdf |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2006 : 15:03:58
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babygirl, i am going in June, and keep checking web pages, my flight is £525.00 and package is £499.00 crazy. it would be nice if they dropped the prices during the summer. Gambia during June, July, Agust as a sunny african destination has to contend with Kenya, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco for package holiday makers.
If I walk into a travel agent on the high street they would not push gambia to me, they would push, kenya, first as African destination.
For me the problem with holidays to Gambia is knowledge and attitude.
Attitude of tour opearators, I was horrified on one visit to be told by my guide not to go out of the hotel until we had our welcome meeting because it was not safe. Online trying booking a last minute holiday to africa and see what comes up.
Also there are no specials for gambia, ie children half price, free transfers, half board for bb prices, they are mentioned but for gambia are hard to find. Also no single supplements, the hotels never offer direct bookings.
the bumsters that is the problem for gambia to deal with, it is very off putting, I have not felt threatened by a Gambian bumsters just annoyed and deal with them accordingly but why should i have to. My problem is the non-gambian bumsters, from Senegal, liberia or sierra leone, they are more persistent, and would pick pockets in a minute.
Toubab1020 defintely agree about Cape Verde being he next in place to, check out the Gambia Experience web site, they offer Cape Verde holidays.
The drop in tourists is probably due to competition.
When are you going next, i am seriously thinking about going via amsterdam, travelpoort looks good.
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2006 : 22:44:46
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| Hi Jambo,there are 2 of us "toubab" and me "toubab1020" sorry about that,my little bit on this topic was the 2nd posting, and this one of course! |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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babygirl
United Kingdom
89 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2006 : 13:55:30
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The reason i spend my time in Gambia is that i have some extremely special friends who are very important in my life.
If it wasnt for the people that i love, i would not keep returning to Gambia.
Why?
Like most holidaymakers..i like to find the best deal so i get the most out of my holiday for the least cost. I think everyone loves a bargain. I have to admit to not particularly minding where i go.
im just ur average holidaymaker with no special needs.
what do i look for when booking my holiday?....
1. The Cost- Gambia is expensive compared even to the caribbean. So many other locations offer much cheaper deals.
2. The Weather-Gambia has beautiful weather, I even love the "rainy season" when the pools are beautiful and warm.
3. Which Airport-During the "season" you have a choice of 4 airports but out of season only 2. Most people like to fly from local airports instead of travelling to Gatwick/Manchester.
4. FlyingTime- 6hours. Thats wonderful during our Winter season for garanteed sunshine. well worth it! But during our Summertime there are alot more places closer to home with shorter flying times with the weather i am looking for.
5. Medication. This can be an extra expense which i would avoid if possible.
6. Hotel amenities. Gambias hotels are basic with basic entertainment and very few amenities.
7. Resort amenities. Gambia tourist areas are basic and full of hassle.
So out of the 7 things i look for when booking a holiday Gambia only scores on the weather, the flying time and airport in winter months.
It really isnt going to appeal to most tourists cos of the above points, that is just a few of the things that need to be addressed.
most people when booking a holiday dont consider the people, the country, the culture.
Gambia has alot to offer but it is falling behind when it should be miles ahead because its had a huge headstart compared to most places in West Africa.
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2006 : 14:47:07
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sorry toubabs
babygirl, i agree with you, if i was not involved in my projects and enjoyed spending time with the villagers i would not goas often. during the summer months the costs are too high. still planning on going in june, 2 weeks flights £450.00, cheaper to get a package. but i could go to australia for that price. |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2006 : 17:54:14
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| Attention Babygirl and Jambo On prices they appear to be based on the inflation rates and the nature of the global economy. Gambia is not cheap nowadays. There are exorbitant prices and inflation, exchange rates are high! For tour operators to share the profits from tourism they are bound to do their costings properly as everybody benefits including services, airlines, fuel & oil, hotels plus other overheads. |
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toubab
Gambia
92 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2006 : 21:46:38
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| Hi Jambo, I live here so am aware of the problems for tourists and the Gambian people. It is so expensive here now, although of late the exchange rate has been 50 dls to the £. The weather is perfect at this time of year, though the humidity level is slowing rising, but lovely cool breezes in the evening,anyone looking for an early summer hol, look no further - but the prices are still to high!! Travelpoort were doing cheap returns from Amsterdam for June. The Barcelona-Banjul flights are through Orbit travel Agency, I can check the prices out for you if you wish next time I'm up Kairaba Ave. |
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babygirl
United Kingdom
89 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2006 : 22:36:10
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kobo, global economy effects everyone everywhere.
The same expenses apply for all tourist destinations.
Gambia is outpricing itself and due to the lack of amentities at the hotels and resort areas and the constant hassle. Tourists are not returning as they used too.
Ten years ago you'd walk from leybato all the way to Senegambia and yes you'd get approached a couple of times.
Now you just walk from Senegambia to Kotu along the beach and you are non stop plagued, as you get rid of one person you're approached by another.
Gambia needs to decrease the number of bumsters and lessen the hassle and they need to put in some money into the resort. Hotels need to put some of their profits back into the hotels. Palma Rima for instance hasnt changed in 15years. This applies to many of the hotels.
Gambia has great potential but money needs to be spent to encourage return visitors as well as first time visitors.
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babygirl
United Kingdom
89 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2006 : 22:42:43
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toubab i agree about the weather. the "rainy season" was always my favourite time of year. i love a warm pool lol.
Thanks so much for the Orbit Travel Agency info.... i will look into that for my trip in August. |
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