Direct flights & winter sun: TUI is launching new direct Birmingham–Banjul flights from November, with weekly Monday services and about a six-hour journey—positioning The Gambia’s beaches, river cruises, wildlife spots and Kunta Kinteh Island for UK holidaymakers. E-Visa push in the region: Ghana launched an electronic visa platform and waived visa fees for African passport holders, aiming to speed up entry and boost intra-Africa tourism and trade—good news for travellers planning multi-country trips. World Cup travel headaches: Iran beat Gambia 3-1 in a friendly in Turkey, but visa delays have forced the team’s base camp to shift from Arizona to Mexico (Tijuana), with FIFA asked to clarify World Cup visa timelines. Travel safety concern abroad: In Rome, Italian police arrested five African migrants over the alleged abduction and 72-hour gang rape of a Colombian tourist—an alarming reminder for travellers to stay alert in crowded areas. Local travel cost squeeze: In The Gambia, Tobaski travel fares reportedly jumped sharply (including Brikama–Soma, Farafenni and Basse), driven by fuel prices and empty return trips, leaving families facing tougher costs to reach home.