Are tourists turning their backs on our favourite holiday hot spots?
by Leah Wood
British tourists are being deterred from more and more holiday destinations as terror threats and political instability cause them to think twice before they travel.
The Gambia’s tourist industry is the most recent casualty to be affected by its countries civil unrest and growing political tension.
The announcement of a 90-day state of emergency in the west-African country prompted the evacuation of thousands of winter-sun seeking Brits over the last two days.
The foreign office is advising against all but essential travel to The Gambia, sadly meaning tourism in the area is likely to decline in a similar pattern to countries such as Turkey, Tunisia and Egypt, all whom have been subject to similar troubles.
Travel agent Toni Ball, 45, knows first-hand how such factors as political can directly impact tourism.
She said: “As the Foreign Office has issued a statement saying no travel to Gambia I would imagine it’s going to have a devastating effect on their tourism industry…certainly from UK.
“I think it will depend on how long the restriction is in place, but people still aren’t prepared to travel to Turkey despite travel being considered safe now.”
Mrs Ball has noticed a change in the places that her customers want to visit on their summer holidays, she said: “I find the political unrest and terror threat has had a huge influence on where most people are prepared to travel.
“I have noticed a huge increase in people asking for ‘so called’ safe places like Spain and Portugal and families with children especially are not prepared to travel to Turkey or indeed Egypt or Tunisia.”
“There are some fantastic deals to be had by the hardier traveller but for the most part families would rather look elsewhere.”
The Gambia now joins the list of countries subject to uncertainty and unpredictability- not attractive qualities for tourists, and it seems there is an ever-decreasing list of places people feel safe enough to relax and enjoy their holiday.
Egypt was once a booming tourists’ destination that attracted over 900,000 British holiday makers each year, however since the start of the Egyptian revolution in 2011 the North African country has experienced numerous terror attacks, bombings and political unrest.
Lily Wood was on holiday with her boyfriend during the July 2013 bombings in Cairo which saw 50 people killed and 500 others wounded.
She said: “Even though the bombing was in Cairo I was scared the trouble would move to the coast because that’s where all the tourists were so I thought it might be targeted.”
“I watched the TV every night and even considered booking a flight home early, it was like sitting at home in Kent and watching bombs going off in London, I felt so vulnerable”
The 25-year-old was ‘completely put off’ after staff told them they couldn’t leave their hotel complex, she said: “I said I wouldn’t go back to any of those countries until it all settles down, but my nan surprised me with a trip to Turkey last year.
“Even then I was constantly looking out for men with guns, it was awful, I felt so on edge, I tried to have a good time with everyone but it was always at the back of my mind.”
The Sharm El Sheikh region is now deemed safe, but following the plane crash in October 2015 the Foreign Office continues to warn against air travel to the resort and there are still no direct flights from the UK.
There is no doubt that there have been irreparable damages to global tourism in the last five years, but the question remains whether The Gambia, like Sharm El Sheikh, Tunisia, and Turkey will ever be able to revert to the buzzing tourist hubs they once were.
Despite the on-going negotiations, the hysterical supporters of newly elected president Adama Barrow are continuing their jubilations, as they believe the new era they have been greatly anticipating is finally in reach.
