By Tabora Bojang
The maiden tourist flight from tour operators, TUI Belgium, arrived in Banjul over the weekend with 69 visitors.
Receiving the flight at the airport Abdoulie Hydara, the director general of the Gambia Tourism Board, said: “We are very happy and grateful that our efforts are now yielding dividends and we are now hopeful that this would be a sustained development leading us to our wish for an all year round tourism.” This is quite significant because it is the first chartered flight from Belgium.”
According to DG Hydara, this year’s season started earlier than usual, as October does not traditionally mark the beginning of a high season. This he said is a welcome sight that the new season will reach a high hit of visitors with new market destinations coming and high infrastructural upgrades in the industry.
He said Gambia has now registered itself among the highest ideal tourism destinations in Africa, adding that the GTB is pursuing innovative means and policies in making the Gambia a year round tourist hub.
Adama Njie, director of marketing at the GTB, said TUI Belgium is expected to fly twice a week to Banjul in addition to the frequency of seven flights per week from Brussels Airlines from Belgium.
Tourism officials forecast over 52 flights a week will be bringing tourists to The Gambia from new places around Europe this season.
