New Direct Flights to The Gambia: TUI is launching its first-ever direct Birmingham–Banjul route for winter sun, starting 2 Nov 2026 (weekly Mondays), with package prices from £800 including flights, accommodation, transfers and all-inclusive food/drinks. Visa-Free Travel Momentum: Ghana rolled out a new e-visa portal and scrapped visa fees for African travellers, while the Republic of Congo announced visa-free entry for all Africans from 1 Jan 2027—joining a wider push across the region that also includes The Gambia’s existing visa-free policy. Local Travel Costs Hit Tobaski: Gambian upcountry transport fares surged ahead of Tobaski, with drivers citing fuel hikes and one-way travel pressures, leaving families facing higher costs to reunite. Safety & Rights for Travellers: A human rights watchdog warned that trafficking networks in Libya continue to exploit Gambian migrants, calling for urgent action to dismantle detention, extortion and abuse. Sports Tourism Link: Team Gambia athletes impressed at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, with GNOC-funded participation highlighting growing regional sports travel.