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snuggels
960 Posts |
 Posted - 12 Jul 2008 : 22:42:11
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Is Gambia one of the most expensive places in the world to fly to now? A 2 month fexi ticket with Gambia Experience costs £710. A 4 month flexi ticket costs £875. You can fly to South America, Australia America Any where in Asia and South Africa cheaper.
Even a basic ticket if you want to change the date will cost you an additional £120 Most other airlines £50 or less Its a rip off
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2008 : 14:44:28
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to change the date £120, is a rip off, is there a covering body regarding charges. |
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Dr Thomas
Gambia
95 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jul 2008 : 11:18:32
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I am going to senegambia this week sometime. I am going to ask Gambia Experience a question.
My son just phoned. He is coming for a visit in November
T/cook he had a choice of flights
Tues 4th Monarch 1 week return £319
wed 5th T/cook 1 week return £340
Gambia Experience
Tues 4th Monarch 1 week return £489
Same flight why the difference, What a rip off
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sab
United Kingdom
912 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jul 2008 : 13:07:54
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Hi, & Thomas Cook one month return from 12th Nov to 12th Dec (that includes Tobaski) £297 including fuel tax surcharge, ticket in my hand.
Or, Gambia Exp. £579.
Let us know your reply... |
The world would be a poorer place if it was peopled by children whose parents risked nothing in the cause of social justice, for fear of personal loss. (Joe Slovo - African revolutionary) |
Edited by - sab on 15 Jul 2008 18:28:22 |
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tintinto
United Kingdom
105 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jul 2008 : 14:02:25
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Because i was advised there was no other option, i used Gambia Experience 3 weeks ago to bring my Wife and 8 month daughter over to me in UK. Told them that i have been a customer of there's for around 16 years, and have also encouraged over that time several other family and friends to book with them. so was hopefully looking for a good "Long Loyal Customer" Quote?? Instead got there "Captive" customer rip off price!!. £375 for my Wife and £50 for the baby! ONE WAY!!!
When we all go back to Gambia in November, because i have a choice then, Surprise...... I will not trouble G.E. with a phone call!! |
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Hiz Princess
United Kingdom
464 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jul 2008 : 15:15:21
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I don't think anything will change with GE in terms of pricing they have the summer monopoly for direct flights from the UK.
Any travellers I met during late July/ August last year where people working in the Education sector that have limited choice as to holiday dates.
What find absolutely amazing is despite competition from First choice Thomas cook etc (all of which im assuming are a lot cheaper from what ive seen) people still choose GE so far for the month of December they have 7699 sales and counting.
Ive used GE a few times out of season (luckily I don't pay ) and I can honestly say I cannot see what the attraction is.
Unless customers use their purchase power during the season to show their protest over these ridiculous hikes why would GE revise their pricing? |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2008 : 13:53:26
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quote:
Originally posted by snuggels
Is Gambia one of the most expensive places in the world to fly to now? A 2 month fexi ticket with Gambia Experience costs £710. A 4 month flexi ticket costs £875. You can fly to South America, Australia America Any where in Asia and South Africa cheaper.
Even a basic ticket if you want to change the date will cost you an additional £120 Most other airlines £50 or less Its a rip off
I posted the above to as many forums and web sotes I could think of.
Also to Gambia Experience. No comment as yet
Here is a reply I got from the Gambia Tourist Authority.
Dear sir
We recieved your email dated 12th July 2008, the concern raised is well noted by the Management of The Gambia Tourism Authority.
As at now, we have raised the issue with Gambia Experience, any
development we will surely get back to you.
Best Regards
Gambia Tourism Authority
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Dr Thomas
Gambia
95 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2008 : 18:22:57
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Snuggels
I found out something interesting this morning.I had a call from my son in the UK and told me to check out the following web site.
www.charterflights.monarch.co.uk
Monarch are about to start doing their own Holidays and flights, I checked a few dates and they are a lot cheaper than Gambia Experience, they are also going to run year round.
T/cook, Olympic, are also using the same flight. It looks like Gambia Experience are losing the strangle hold. Rumour has it that Gambia Experience are looking to get their own Aircraft.
Monarch are using 15 different hotels. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2008 : 19:28:42
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| tried this website, does not seem to be much good,last time i spoke to monarch you could not book direct to banjul, you had to go through Gambia experience as they had blocked all flights to gambia i do hope things have changed. |
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Hiz Princess
United Kingdom
464 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2008 : 21:52:55
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Snuggles, it might be an idea to post your message on the travel forums especially the ones used by UK travellers, as these seem to be the ones that get any kind of response from GE.
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Hiz Princess
United Kingdom
464 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2008 : 21:54:27
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Hpefully this link might work http://holidays.monarch.co.uk/
They are offering flights and packages although unless im mistaken these seem to be in high season |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2008 : 00:56:36
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Hiz Princess
Yes it was also posted on varioues travel sites and also Social networking sites |
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Hiz Princess
United Kingdom
464 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2008 : 11:55:32
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Hi Snuggles
Ok sorry I looked on a couple of the UK travel forums and never saw it.
Keep us posted as to whether you get a response. Hmmmmm I wonder if theres a way to get GE's MDs e mail address that might be a more direct route. |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jul 2008 : 22:18:05
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I have now had a reply from Gambia Experience from which you can draw your own conclusions. See below. But for me at the end of the day its money that talks and to sum up Gambia Experience, to change the date on a basic ticket is not now £120 but £150. What a rip off so finaly their words mean nothing.
Dear Sir
>
> Thank you for your feedback sent to my colleague, Heidi, regarding the prices of our holidays.
>
> I was disappointed to learn that you felt that our costs were expensive. As with any Tour Operator, prices do fluctuate according to the time of season our passengers wish to travel and also how far in advance the ticket is booked. We regularly have special offers or late deals, which our Sales Department would be more than happy to discuss with you, should this be of interest. We do not use low-cost airlines to fly to The Gambia, which is another factor in our higher prices, along with the fact that we are indeed a specialist Tour Operator. We do try to remain competitive on service and have many repeat customers who take advantage of our position.
>
> You will, no doubt, be aware of the increasing price of fuel and the cost of living, which we must also take into consideration when setting our prices. Our Fair Trading Charter explains that amendments to a booking are at a fee of £150.00 and I am sorry if you find this excessive. We do of course take the price of the holiday into consideration as well as the number of days prior to travel, as these will have a bearing on the amendment fee. Some companies have a 'non-negotiable' policy and others do not charge, but we do feel the fees we have set are reasonable.
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> I very much hope that I have been able to answer your queries and I would like to thank you for taking the time to write to us with your comments, which will be passed to our Commercial Department for their consideration.
>
> Yours sincerely
>
> Debbie Challen
> Customer Relations Executive
>
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jul 2008 : 13:20:53
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| take this to watchdog, gmtv, and other tv programmes, write to hoiday journalists in the newspapers, bring it to the wider attention. £150.00 is not acceptable. |
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