By Sainabou Gassama
Stakeholders in tourism sector has claimed that the just started winter tourism season in destination Gambia turnout of tourists is very low due to a new wave of COVID-19 pandemic in some parts of the European countries.
For almost two season tourist is not coming which resulted to a huge lost. Therefore, the tourism sector is expecting to recover this year but stakeholders are still afraid that a similar lost may occur as many tourists are not coming to the country.
Siaka Saidy a member of Gambia Tourism Guide Association committee in an interview told this medium that he is afraid that this year’s tourist season might not be fruitful compared to previous years because of COVID-19 new wave in some European countries.
He added that this might as well cause low turnout of tourist to the country more so “Gambia doesn’t have its own flight; we depend on foreign flights, likes Air France, Gambia Experience and others.”
Mr Saidy affirmed that the new Air France that joined destination Gambia route this season is bringing tourists from different destination while Gambia Experience is coming up too.
He noted that because of COVID-19 flights that supposed to come from Holland to destination Gambia were cancelled as the country is about to embark on lockdown again.
However, he said The Gambia is currently almost a COVID-19 free destination and tourists coming in are coming with PCR while confirmed that over 80% of the tourist guides already vaccinated and as well adhering to covid-19 rules.