Thomas Cook to Restart Holidays to Gambia Following Presidential Step Down

Thomas Cook are to restart their The Gambia holiday programme, following a suspension.

The suspension came after the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office changed its travel advice to ‘advise against all travel’ to the city of Banjul, and ‘advise against all but essential travel’ to the rest of the country.

The change in advice came following political unrest in the country, after the Presidential elections at the start of December.

The previous president, Yahya Jammeh, has since stepped down from the role, and has departed the country. Mr Adama Barrow, the new President of The Gambia, is predicted to return to the country soon.

The change in advice lead to thousands of Brits being evacuated, while on holiday.

The FCDO stated that the political situation had now ‘stabilised’ and that ‘the possibility of a military intervention is no longer likely.’

Travel company, Thomas Cook, updated their latest travel updates page yesterday, stating that they would be cutting down the number of flights to The Gambia, due to the expectation of ‘lower demand’ for the rest of the winter season.

“Thomas Cook previously announced that we have cancelled flights and holidays to The Gambia up until 31 January, which remains in place.

“From 1 February, we will resume flights to The Gambia, operating a reduced programme on four flights per week instead of six, based upon an anticipation of lower demand for the remaining weeks of the winter season.

“We will reinstate our full programme to The Gambia for winter 2017/2018.”

The travel company have added additional flights to other winter destinations, including Hurghada, Egypt, so that their customers are open to a wider range of choice for the few weeks left of the winter season.

Thomas Cook customers who were scheduled to fly to The Gambia on one of the cancelled flights, can make amendments free of charge.

Don’t forget, you can get your travel insurance from Direct Travel at either www.direct-travel.co.uk or ring our friendly UK based travel team on 0330 880 3600.