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irishadrian
Ireland
18 Posts |
 Posted - 12 Oct 2010 : 18:12:51
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One of the other forums is running a thread saying that from 1ST November 2010 every adult departing Yundum(except transit passengers) will be charged 20 euros ( or the equivalent in another currency) payable locally as an airport development tax Has anyone on here heard this/can confirm this rgds
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2010 : 18:47:54
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You will get correct information on bantaba in cyberspace for sure,it may be so because as the tour operators are having a hard time it is likely that they may have implanted this idea in the Gambian administration's mind as a way to keep their prices down,it is a fact that The Gambia is suffering at the moment from lack of tourists due to the world financial problems, and this unconfirmed tax rumour, like all governments The Gambia loves to have rumours to test public opinion before anything is announced,it may be a way of getting more money from tourist visitor at the start of the season,in the past there was a £5 "entry tax" for the Gambia paid by each passenger at the airport,this was done away with some time ago as the "tax" was paid by the tour operator.
Watch the Daily Observer newspaper for something to be published in the next couple of weeks,this is the usual way that people are informed of any changes. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2010 : 21:25:31
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| Interesting. No haven't heard anything but might not be surprised. We already pay a levy through the airline/tour operator for entering (we pay - they pass it on) - seems a bit harsh to charge us to leave as well! |
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irishadrian
Ireland
18 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2010 : 21:31:12
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| Hi Thanks for those prompt replies Just to update you Thomas Cook have now announced this on their website effective 1st November so it seems for once there's more fire than smoke rgds |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2010 : 22:54:33
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Here we go folks,its true:
I got this on the flythomascook.com website.
"Gambian Development Tax
If you are departing the Gambia after the 1st November 2010 there will be an Airport Development fee payable of €20.00 (or equivalent) per person, (excluding infants and transit passengers) of which is collected locally and is not part of the flight price " |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 12 Oct 2010 22:58:29 |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2010 : 23:42:39
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What happens if you have spent or given away all of your money?
Will you be allowed to leave or will you be detained?
Lots of people go home peniless from Gambia!   |
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sab
United Kingdom
912 Posts |
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2010 : 10:17:00
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| Sab - that's a UK departure tax - think we'll have to pay that as well as a Gambian departure tax? I would just like to know what the Gambian government will do with my £5 arrival and £20 departure tax ......... |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2010 : 11:12:16
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Bev - That has happened to me Bev once in a country. There was a no ATM machine at the airport, I had to purchase something and get some extra cash using credit card at the airport.
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diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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irishadrian
Ireland
18 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2010 : 13:49:44
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Hi
Gambia Experience have now added this info to their FAQ section Their MD is going to Banjul on Fridays' flight to discuss this with Gambian officials in the hope of having it cancelled/postponed/reduced rgds |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2010 : 14:05:15
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Thanks for that,I think that Momodou (the websites owner) should appoint you "chief in charge of travel to and from The Gambia"  ,good to have someone interested in travel arrangements and willing to keep an eye on developments.I wish Gambia Experience MD all success,but The Gambia is suffering a cash shortage so don't hold your breath 20e each passenger paid locally, thats big bucks or £ or e or whatever !!!
Thanks
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 13 Oct 2010 14:08:32 |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2010 : 16:28:09
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has it been confirmed anywhere that you pay the 20 euros departure tax, has paperwork been signed off. 20 euros is a lot, i agree with bev, if i arrived at banjul airport with an extra 20 euros left i would be thinking who did i miss out.
on the UK side, i have my return ticket, money for bus fare and one cup of coffee. any excess would frighten me. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2010 : 18:07:49
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Jambo, "20e for what?" you ask,The Gambia has a shortage of money,the people have no money,where do you get money ? easy from tourists coming to your country on holiday,will they stop coming for the sake of 20e ? of course not,some want to see Africa and the Gambia,some want to see how their sponsored school is doing,some want to see the friends they have made in past visits,some want to come and chill out and enjoy the sun,some just love the country and the people and want to come back.As you will have seen Thomas Cook have told their passengers Gambia Experience have told their passengers doubtless other companies that go to Gambia will tell their customers,as the tax is payable on departure locally,I don't see any tour operator turning up with a load of cash at the airport to pay for their customers.
The £5 entry tax that was in force payment of that I suspect has been passed to tour operators,passengers have not been asked to pay that on arrival for several years.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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irishadrian
Ireland
18 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2010 : 21:19:50
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toubab1020
You are quite right the £5 arrival tax was never cancelled It is included to this day in the f/o or package price and the airlines make the payment based on their passenger numbers No-one likes new taxes but I think we must get it in perspective the UK government will charge every adult from 1st November £60 as a departure tax from the UK to Gambia A lot of people dont even realise this since the UK government insists its included in the price and the airlines pay them based on the passenger numbers. I do wonder however what the money will really go on Banjul International is one of the most advanced airports in Africa land only has approx 6 aircraft movements per day hardly in need of much airport development/ rgds |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2010 : 22:09:27
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Thanks for the info Guys! It's a good thing I'm going to Gambia before the 1st November. I suppose a lot of destinations will eventually follow suit where Departure Tax is concerned. It seems to be a easy way to collect revenue from all passengers. However I think it should be included in the ticket price, and the airlines should be given the responsibility to pay it before each plane departs from Yudum electronically to cut down on corruption.
I think GambianBev raised a good question about what if you don't have e20 on Departure? What are the Authorities going to do detain people as Aliens make them stay in the country against their will?
Therefore I think it would a more efficient service, if the Government collects the Tax directly from the Airlines before departure, instead of Customer paying immigration on the way out of Yundum. Just imagine late comers rushing to catch their flight then realizing that they have to pay e20 when they have to board quickly and wait to get a receipt. That's another thing all Passenger should be issued with receipts in the interest of transperency.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 14 Oct 2010 22:47:39 |
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