Flight No FCA 346 from the United Kingdom, landed last Thursday night, at the Banjul International Airport with 233 tourists on board, courtesy of the First Choice Tour Operator in the UK.

This is the first flight of the year.

They were received on arrival, by Ms Angella Colley, Secretary of State for Tourism and Culture, Mr Nuha Touray, Permanent Secretary Department of State for Tourism and Culture, Mr Kaliba Senghore, Director- General of the Gambia Tourism Authority, Samba MB Fye Director-General of the Gamtours, Kursat Kahyaoglu, Manager of First Choice Tour Operator in The Gambia, MS Sarah Knowles, Administrator for First Choice in The Gambia, among other government senior officials and the private sector.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the arrival of the tourists, Ms Angella Colley, Secretary of State for Tourism and Culture, said the arrival of the first tourist flight is a sign of hope for booming tourist season. She added: “It is a sign of improvement in The Gambia’s tourism sector. Gambian people are the best products that the country has. The peaceful nature of The Gambia, made the whole difference in exhibiting the country as an excellent tourist destination in Africa and the world, in particular.”

She further declared that her slogan is ‘come once to The Gambia and always feel to come back again’, noting that the tourists themselves want to start the season by now which, according to her, is a good sign of the country’s prospects in the sector. She also expressed delight, as the first arrival clearly indicates that there will be a positive turn-out in the winter season of 2007 / 2008.

For his part, Kaliba Senghore, Director- General of the Gambia Tourism Authority revealed that “out of the total number of 233 tourist arrivals, 188 will be lodged in hotels and the rest are going either to their old friends or lodge in motels”. He added that at least one flight is expected every Thursday throughout the month of October. He then described “the first flight of the tourist arrivals to The Gambia by First Choice as a trial, which when successful, will be repeated in the next seasons”.

Mr Senghore described First Choice as one of the biggest tour operators in the UK. He gave analysis of 2006 Winter and further expressed an increase in the number of visitors to The Gambia for this winter season.

Mr Samba MB Fye, Director-General of Gamtours, who also doubles as the agent for First Choice Tour Operator in The Gambia , expressed delight over the arrival of the tourist flight. According to him, this arrival of tourists will be followed by 4 to 5 flights, especially during the Christmas season. Other speakers included Kursat Kahyaoglu, Area Manager of First Choice and Sarah knowles, Administrator of the Tour Operator in The Gambia.