09 June 2009 - The Gambia Experience - Press Office
The UK’s leading tour operator to The Gambia, with twenty two years’ experience, releases its November 2009 – October 2010 brochure this week. The Gambia Experience reports continued strong sales and wishes to highlight the following about its new programme and the year ahead:
Confidence for the Forthcoming Season despite the Current Economic Climate
The Gambia Experience is pleased to report, that, despite current economic conditions its holiday bookings for 2008/2009 were actually up on the previous year.Chris Rowles, managing director of The Gambia Experience comments:
”The Gambia has always represented great value for money and in recent months we have noticed holidaymakers making a deliberate switch from long-haul destinations and coming to us to try something ‘new’ outside of the Euro-zone.”
Strong Hotel Bookings Year on Year
The Gambia Experience hotel portfolio for 2009/2010 presents 20 properties classified within one of three categories: ‘The Luxury Collection’ (including the Mandina Lodges at Makasutu and Sandele Bay Eco Retreat); ‘Excellent Quality Hotels’ or ‘Great Value for Money Hotels’ – many of which, particularly the ‘deluxe’ / ‘eco’, are exclusive to the tour operator. The Coco Ocean Resort & Spa, which opened in December 2008, has been successful in attracting yet more ‘luxury’ clientele to Africa’s ‘smiling coast’ and in the main has been fully-booked during its first six months of operation. Eight hotels have seen an increase in bookings over the last twelve months, including the boutique, former colonial mansion, Ngala Lodge.
Widest Range of UK Flight Options to Banjul
The Gambia Experience is keen to promote The Gambia as more than just a ‘Winter Sun’ destination and thus offers twice-weekly flights from London Gatwick to Banjul year-round. The exclusive ‘Premium Class’ flight upgrade will now be available twice weekly on this service from the Christmas period to mid-February 2010, with the Friday upgrade available throughout the whole of the winter season. Extra leg room seats will be available on a Tuesday outside of the Christmas – mid-February period. Throughout the winter season, weekly regional departures are also available from Bristol, East Midlands and - new for 2009/2010 – Birmingham. This winter, Manchester regional departures will operate twice weekly on Saturdays and Mondays, meaning The Gambia Experience can also exclusively offer 9 and 12 night durations.
Success of Twin-Centres with Senegal
Since its first season of operation (Winter 08/09), sister company The Senegal Experience has added three new hotels to its programme, meaning that the specialist now offers twelve hotels in total split between the regions of Saly and La Somone (50 kilometres south of Dakar), and the Sine Saloum Delta (a further 40 kilometres south & thus closer to The Gambia). A choice of three or seven night Tours is another new feature, encouraging further exploration and covering areas north of Dakar, as well as the Sine Saloum Delta, Eastern Senegal and The Gambia. With The Senegal Experience offering scheduled flights into Dakar, twin-centres between The Gambia and Senegal can easily be arranged, and the tour operator reports that since launching, bookings have exceeded expectations, hence the addition of new hotels to meet demand.
NEW Gambia Home Cookery Courses
The Gambia Experience has always presented opportunities for its customers to discover more of authentic Gambia, usually through excursions or twin-centre options with its eco-properties. Now, for the first time, The Gambia Experience is offering its clients a chance to learn some Gambian ‘home cookery’ skills. The day’s course includes visiting the local market, preparing and cooking a traditional meal and eating ‘with the family’. There is also the added option to experience and learn local drumming skills.
Chris Packham returns to The Gambia – February 2010 Birdwatching Tours
Celebrity ornithologist Chris Packham - currently co-hosting BBC2’s Springwatch - is once again returning to The Gambia to lead four or seven day Birdwatching Tours departing in February 2010. Full itineraries are available by visiting www.gambia.co.uk/chrispackham
Responsible Tourism Update
The Gambia Experience is now accredited with 5-star AITO (Association of Independent Tour Operators) Responsible Tourism status - the highest level possible.
Accolades for The Gambia Experience over the last year include its employee, Kathryn Burrington, being crowned Winner in the AITO Achievement in Responsible Tourism Awards 2008. The Gambia Experience’s School Development Fund maintains momentum and this year will be donating 145,000 dalasi to help four Gambian schools with essential building work.
The Gambia Experience Brochure & Website www.gambia.co.uk
The Gambia Experience is continually looking to minimize its impact on the environment and this year has reduced the number of pages in its brochure. This means that certain hotels now only feature online. The Gambia Experience website also includes video footage and photo galleries, and is in general seen as a great information resource to The Gambia.
Early Booking Offers / Money off Vouchers
A number of Early Booking Offers are available, valid for holidays booked by 17 July 2009. These include free room upgrades, half board upgrades and per person discounts, resulting in savings of up to £140 per person. Once a holiday is booked, the client will receive a complimentary 156-page Gambia Experience, ‘Gambia Guide’, which includes discount vouchers, valid at restaurants and bars throughout the coastal resorts.
The Gambia Experience offers 7-night holidays from £495 per person, based on bed & breakfast accommodation at the 2-grade Hotel Palma Rima. Holidays including a hotel within the Luxury Collection start from £664 per person (based on bed & breakfast accommodation in a standard room at the 5-grade Kairaba Hotel). Both include return flights from London Gatwick, taxes and transfers. For more information, please call The Gambia Experience Reservations Dept on 0845 330 2087 or visit www.gambia.co.uk
