By Patrick Wisdom
Driven by a shared passion for tourism promotion and regional collaboration, ValueJet Airline held a strategic meetings with key tourism stakeholders in The Gambia to strengthen tourism ties between Nigeria and The Gambia and further promote the Nigeria–Gambia route.
The meeting brought together airline executives, tourism authorities, hotel partners, and travel professionals with the common goal of positioning The Gambia as a more visible and accessible tourism destination within West Africa. The initiative also aims to use tourism as a tool for economic growth and stronger bilateral relations between both countries.
As part of the engagement, the delegation held meetings with the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority and Gambia International Airlines to address bottlenecks affecting both the aviation and tourism industries. Discussions focused heavily on the high cost of regional air travel in West Africa, currently regarded as one of the most expensive regions globally for flight connectivity.
According to stakeholders, improving airline partnerships, creating more direct routes, and strengthening tourism collaborations could significantly improve passenger movement and tourism growth across the region.
Present at the meetings were Capt. Omololu Majekodunmi, Capt. Kehinde Smith -Director of Operations Valuejet Airline, Mr Anthony Ukut, Constance Emuze-MD Travel Fast tours and logistics Ltd, and Patrick Wisdom from Akwaaba African Travel Market and other senior officials from ValueJet Airlines.
The Gambian delegation included the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture The Gambia – Hon. Abdoulie Jobe; Ida Jeng Njie- DG Gambia tourism board; Mrs Amie Njie-Joof – Perm Secretary, Ministry of tourism, Art and culture Gambia.
As a travel brand that organizes tour packages, Constance Emuze – MD Travel Fast tours and logistics Ltd explained that partnering with ValueJet is strategic because the airline operates direct flights to The Gambia, offering travelers a shorter and more convenient route. In collaboration with the Gambia Tourism Board, future tour packages are expected to combine flights, accommodation, and tourism experiences into a seamless offering for travelers.
The delegation also embarked on facility tours to identify and promote tourism sites in The Gambia. Locations visited included Coco ocean beach resort in Bijilo, African Princess Resort in Serekunda, Kombo Beach resort in Kotu Gambia, Crocodile pool in Kachikally and Bakadaji Hotel.
Stakeholders noted that many travelers currently avoid long flight connections into The Gambia, creating opportunities for airlines to provide faster routes, improved services, and better travel experiences. The country’s strategic location also places it closer to Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean, making it a strong potential hub for regional tourism growth.
The discussions also referenced successful African airline collaborations such as the partnership between ASKY Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines, which has improved connectivity to global destinations including Washington D.C.. Stakeholders believe similar partnerships could help strengthen The Gambia’s tourism and aviation sectors while boosting regional connectivity across West Africa.
