Africa-Press – Gambia. The Smiling Coast of Africa on Saturday morning, 1st November 2025, welcomed the arrival of Azamara Pursuit, a renowned US-based cruise ship, as it docked at the Port of Banjul to the delight of tourism stakeholders and local communities.
Carrying slightly over 700 passengers and more than 400 crew members, the cruise vessel may not be among the world’s largest ships. However, its significance to The Gambia’s tourism sector is monumental as the country continues to diversify and grow its cruise tourism market.
During their short stay, passengers disembarked to explore various parts of the country. Their activities included mangrove river cruising, cultural and culinary experiences, Banjul city highlights, Makasutu Culture Forest adventures, and visits to Albert Market, giving tourists a taste of authentic Gambian life, culture, and heritage.
Speaking to the press, Oumie Sise, General Manager of Discovery Tours, and the ground handler for Azamara Pursuit, highlighted the tailored experiences arranged for cruise visitors.
“We design tours that showcase real Gambian authenticity, offering exclusive and customized excursions that ensure a richer and more personal encounter with the country,” she said. “Discovery Tours has been handling cruise ships for over two decades, and we are pleased to see the revival and growth of this lucrative segment of tourism.”
She added that cruise tourism provides opportunities to take visitors beyond conventional attractions, enabling them to discover deeper aspects of Gambian culture and traditions.
Also commenting on the arrival, Ebrima A.K. Sanyang, Senior Officer for Research and Development at the Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard), emphasised the Board’s continued efforts to promote the destination within the cruise industry.
“Azamara Pursuit is operated from major US hubs like Miami and New York. We have been actively working to market The Gambia as a cruise destination, including participating in promotional engagements in Miami and coordination efforts in Senegal to secure more cruise traffic into Banjul,” he stated.
He further revealed that before the end of November, four more cruise ships are expected to call at the Port of Banjul, while seven more are anticipated in December, a strong indication of renewed confidence in The Gambia’s tourism offerings.
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