Coral Travel decided not to cancel charters to Gambia

Coral Travel tour operator has resumed its charter program to Gambia. Information about this began to spread among travel agencies in the evening of November 8. According to the information of travel agencies, they began to receive the proposals from Coral Travel to restore previously canceled applications for Gambia. The tours to this West African country appeared in the booking system. The head of public relations department of Coral Travel, Marina Makarkova confirmed the resumption of the program in full volume - on the boards of Royal Flight airline three times a month until March 28, 2019. “We removed Gambia from the booking system, and it turned out that the demand is more than we expected. In addition, we received information that the aviation authorities of the country, after negotiations with airlines, including European, are ready to cancel the airport tax,” said Makarkova. Experts do not exclude that the tour operator will still correct the declared program, since the demand is not formed yet. “For an unknown destination like the Gambia, a vigorous advertising program is needed. This has not been done. Most tourists do not know in which part of Africa it is located, and the majority of travel agents - what is there to see,” says Alexan Mkrtchyan. In his opinion, at least $ 1 million must be spent for promotion program in Moscow alone. This is enough sum for 50-70 billboards, and for several broadcasts on federal channels. However, the prices offered by the tour operator may be the best advertising. For example, a 10-day tour with a departure on November 13 and accommodation at Golden Beach hotel on BB basis can be bought for only 25 thousand Rubles (330 Euros), for two persons - for 42 thousand Rubles (555 Euros). The information about cancellation of the program appeared on November 7. Experts connected it with the resort’s low popularity and unjustified expectations, but the company itself explained this by the decision of local authorities to get additionally $ 40 per person of airport’s fee since January, after which it would be unprofitable to fly to this African country.