By Yunus S Saliu
The announcement made by the UK Civil Aviation Authority that “Thomas Cook Group has ceased trading with immediate effect with all flights and holidays cancelled” has developed to a nightmare among the tourism stakeholders across the country.
The news as announced was like a blow under the belt especially now that the destination for the first time tourist air arrivals hit 209,135 in the last season while stakeholders are warming up for a better season and Gambia Tourism Board’s plan is to supersede the figure in the about to commence winter season.
This number of tourist arrivals in the destination was recently described as a ‘tremendous success’ by President Adama Barrow during his address at the State Opening of the 2019 Legislative Year last Thursday.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority’s announcement is frightening and loomed up ahead of the season because Thomas Cook Group is the country’s leading tour operator that has been flying chunk of total air tourist arrivals to destination Gambia every year without break for more than two decades.
For the first time, in 2018, Thomas Cook Group increased its weekly frequency flights from UK and Holland to nine and this hugely added to 209,135 number of tourist arrivals by air to the destination in the last season.
Since the Gambia is not exempted as per the UK Civil Aviation Authority announcement, it will cause a big blow in this expected winter season which is at the corner as many employees might face redundancy.
The CEO and Managing Director of Gambia Tours, Charbel Hobeika, also an agent of Thomas Cook in The Gambia responsible for transportation of guests from and to airport and hotels declined commenting on the issue, citing contractual agreement between Thomas Cook Group and Gambia Tours.
He however referred this reporter to the Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard) and Ministry of Tourism and Culture for better comment.
The director of the GTBoard cannot be reached to comment on this latest development as at the time of going to press hence they were on an Emergency Risks Assessment meeting in the afternoon to ascertain the level of damage this latest development will cost the sector.
Meanwhile, Peter Fankhauser, chief executive of Thomas Cook apologized to millions of their customers and thousands of their employees worldwide saying the tour operator’s collapse was a “matter of profound regret.” And the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps said “all customers currently abroad with Thomas Cook who are booked to return to the UK over the next two weeks will be brought home as close as possible to their booked return date,” while asking for patience from travelers as the returns were sorted out.