Mr Abdullah Tuncer Keçeci, Director General responsible for Turkish Airlines operations in The Gambia and Mauritania, believes that air connectivity plays a major role in the future growth of tourism in The Gambia.

Based in Nouakchott, Keçeci has spent 30 years in the aviation sector. He began his career as a simulator engineer at the Turkish Airlines Flight Training Center before moving into sales and marketing, where he has worked for the past decade.

Today, he oversees operations, sales, cargo, and all aspects of Turkish Airlines’ activities in the countries under his responsibility.

According to Keçeci, Turkish Airlines currently flies to 358 destinations in 133 countries. Of these, 53 are domestic destinations within Türkiye, while 305 are international destinations. From its hub in Istanbul, the airline connects passengers to destinations across the world.

This global network is one of the airline’s greatest strengths for The Gambia. Turkish Airlines is not only connecting Banjul with Istanbul, but also offering one-stop access from Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, and many non-traditional tourism markets.

For Keçeci, this is what air connectivity means for a tourism destination. A traveller may hear about The Gambia, search for flights, and discover that the country can be reached with only one stop in Istanbul.

He believes The Gambia has the potential to welcome visitors throughout the year, not only during the traditional peak season. Turkish Airlines currently operates a minimum of four flights per week to The Gambia throughout all seasons. During the peak season, the airline increases frequency when possible, reaching five flights per week and, in some weeks, even six.

One of the airline’s key goals is to support efforts to break the idea of strict seasonality in The Gambia. While April may not usually be considered peak season on paper, Keçeci describes it as one of the best periods he has personally experienced in the country.

He points out that The Gambia offers beautiful nature, birdwatching, biking, cultural experiences, food, music, and beach activities throughout the year. For him, these are exactly the types of experiences that should be highlighted more strongly.

According to Keçeci, one of The Gambia’s strongest points is that it offers a soft introduction to Africa. It allows visitors to experience the continent in a warm, welcoming, and accessible way. The country combines beaches, culture, gastronomy, fashion, music, nature, and hospitality in a way that can appeal to many different types of travellers.

He also highlights the growing importance of experience-based travel. Around the world, more people are choosing destinations because of food, culture, and authentic encounters. Gastronomy tourism, in particular, is becoming one of the strongest global trends. Since many travellers try local cuisine when visiting a destination, Keçeci believes The Gambia has an important advantage in this area.

Turkish Airlines is also working to promote The Gambia through cross-marketing efforts with its stations in other countries. The airline regularly shares information about the destination, invites tour operators and influencers, and encourages different markets to discover what The Gambia can offer throughout the year.

The goal is not only to reach traditional tourism markets, but also to introduce The Gambia to countries that have not yet sent significant numbers of visitors. Different travellers have different expectations. Some are looking for adventure, some for cultural experiences, some for food, and others for sun and beach holidays. Keçeci believes The Gambia can respond to all of these interests.

For him, tourism is not an isolated industry. It touches almost every part of the economy. Taxi drivers, hotel workers, restaurant owners, tour guides, construction companies, shops, and many other sectors can benefit when more visitors come to the country.

This is why he believes tourism development requires a shared mindset among airlines, hotels, tour operators, guides, restaurants, authorities, and all stakeholders. If a hotel room is empty, an airline should feel it could have brought one more passenger. If an aircraft seat is empty, the tourism sector should also feel that this missing passenger could have become a hotel guest, restaurant customer, taxi client, or tour participant.

At the moment, The Gambia receives fewer than 250,000 tourists, which Keçeci describes as a small cake that everyone should work together to make bigger.

Turkish Airlines continues to grow as a global airline, with around 528 aircraft and more than 90,000 employees. The company’s goal is to reach around 150,000 employees in the next eight to ten years while expanding its fleet, destinations, and frequencies.

Passengers can purchase tickets from the Turkish Airlines office at the airport, authorised agencies in the city, online travel platforms, or the official Turkish Airlines website. Keçeci also encourages travellers to join Miles&Smiles, the airline’s loyalty programme, which allows members to collect miles and access additional benefits.

For Turkish Airlines, the message is clear: The Gambia has everything it needs to grow as a tourism destination. What is needed now is stronger visibility, continued collaboration, improved infrastructure, and a shared commitment to promoting the country throughout the year.

Keçeci says he feels responsible for The Gambia during his work in the country and sees it as part of his mission to support its tourism growth.

For him, there is no time to lose when it comes to showing the beauty, beaches, culture, hospitality, and opportunities of The Gambia to the world.

How to Book Turkish Airlines Flights from The Gambia

Travellers who wish to fly with Turkish Airlines can book their tickets through several official channels. Turkish Airlines has an office at Banjul International Airport, where passengers can get assistance and purchase tickets directly.

Tickets can also be booked through authorised travel agencies in The Gambia, online travel platforms, or directly through the official Turkish Airlines website, where passengers can search routes, compare flight options, manage bookings, and access additional travel services.

Keçeci also encourages passengers to join Miles&Smiles, Turkish Airlines’ loyalty programme, which allows travellers to collect miles, enjoy special benefits, and access additional privileges as they continue flying with the airline.

For travellers planning to visit The Gambia, Turkish Airlines offers global connectivity through Istanbul, making it easier for visitors from different parts of the world to reach the Smiling Coast of Africa with one international connection.

As The Gambia continues to position itself as a year-round tourism destination, improved air connectivity remains one of the key factors in bringing more visitors, creating more opportunities, and sharing the country’s beauty with the world.