By Tabora Bojang
The Director General of Gambia Tourism Board has disclosed that an unprecedented 200,000 tourists are expected in The Gambia this season.
Abdoulie Hydara who was speaking on Friday at the Banjul Airport as longtime tour operators, Gambia Experience, began its season with their first flight of 183 tourists.
“This is a season that will be witnessing the laying of a foundation stone for new projects in the tourism industry and we are very hopeful and want to encourage all Gambians to partake in the development of Tourism as it is the cornerstone of the development of Gambian economy,” said Hydara.
He confirmed that from this week to the beginning of November, a number of maiden flights are expected to land and three new flights from the sub region will also commence services this week, totaling 49 including both chartered and schedule flights.
“The season will be witnessing lot of arrivals from all source markets including non-traditional markets,” he said.
The Gambia Tourism board according to him is not only interested in the number of tourist arrivals but also emphasizing on quality and excellence of services available at the much-needed facilities in hotels.
Hydara thanked the new government and the Tourism Minister for the support accorded to the GTB as the implementing body of Tourism to take ownership of their responsibilities and to implement the tourism strategies as agreed with the government.
