I saw the Swedish travel agency Ving's catalogue yesterday, and Sunwing is still described as an "all inclusive" hotel there too.

Monica Ceesay

----- Ursprungligt meddelande ----- 
Från: Sheikh Tejan Nyang <[log in to unmask]>
Till: <[log in to unmask]>
Skickat: den 24 maj 1999 19:30
Ämne: Re: All inclusive and Visa for Denmark


> Daws  Asbjoorn,
>  The cabinets press release on the all-inclusive  reads as follows < The
> cabinet at its meeting last thursday 15th April 1999,  held the view that the
> country was not yet in a position to grapple with the complexities of the
> phenomenon as it has seriously threatened  the livelihood of many entrepreneurs
> who rely fully on the patronage of international tourist with unrestricted
> movements. Its therefore directed that the package be discontinued at the end
> of this tourist season...>  So this was the release  from govement. I am sure
> that  we all have the understanding that  end of current  season is in october
> 1999. and we are all waiting to see if the sales by spies or any other tour
> operator will continue  despite the announcement  by government. There has been
> strong lobby by F.T.I  on the newspapers highlighting what they are doing in
> this country in terms of  sponsorship.of rap groups, sports clubs ,bonus to
> staff, investment etc.
>  Let  me assure you all on the list that theall inclusive concept has a long
> morning period before its laid to rest. The Government is striving with its
> poverty alleviation programme and we do not expect it to be turn to  poverty
> aggravation programme.  Whatever happens we shall continue to fight for the
> survival of the Gambian people. The Gambian people have  never  cried foul
> before in the tourism sector despite the huge unfair trading that exist. This
> is the time and we will fight to the end .
> 
> The struggle continues.
> Chi Jamma Tejan
> 
> Asbjørn Nordam wrote:
> 
> > Friends,
> > I have just received the Newsletter from the "Gambia Friends"-organisation
> > in Denmark.For your information I will render some of the newsletter.
> >
> > 1. Mr. Henrik Specht (who is both manager in Spies Travel Agency and danish
> > Consul-general of The Gambia) present news for danish tourist going with
> > Spies and Ving the comming tourist season, which will start 27.th october
> > and every wednesday. From 15. th december not only from Copenhagen but also
> > from Billund.
> > But what is interesting, he says that Sunwing Resort will change name to
> > Siva Sunbeach Resort and the hotel will continue the
> > "all-inclusive-concept",(quote) "which was introduced last season with
> > succes. It means that included in the tour-price is  free food and drinks
> > etc from the fine restaurants in Siva Sunbeach Resort."
> >
> > My comment:
> > One month ago we got the information on Gambia-L that after studying the
> > situation the Gambian authorities has decided that the "all inclusive
> > package" was whiped out. Maybe it´s not ? Can we get some comments from The
> > Gambia please.
> >
> > 2. Mr. Henrik Specht has received information from the danish authorities
> > (The "Udlændinge Styrelsen ") about the practice concerning gambian
> > citizens who apply for Visa for visiting Denmark.
> > The danish authorities will only give visa for gambians who has a legal
> > claim to obtain residence permit, or can substantiate/prove that they need
> > to come to Denmark for business-, cultural-, or scientific- purpose
> > and/(or) is engaged to someone  allready living here in Denmark.
> > Visa can be given in special circumstances such as life-threatening
> > diseases (himself or a relative living in Denmark), and if the applicant
> > has residence permit in another Western-European country, Australia, Canada
> > or USA, or the applicant allready has visa to another nordic/EU- or
> > EØS-country.
> > Those who has legal clame are: spouse, children under 18 years and parents
> > over 60 year, if the references are danish, refugee or nordic citizen.
> >
> > A result of this practise is that gambians in general can not get
> > tourist-visa for Denmark, even invited by danes and a guarantees for all
> > costs in connection with the visit.
> >
> > Mr. Henrik Specht has according to the news-letter promissed to work on
> > this, so it maybe could be easier to get visitors from The Gambia.
> >
> > My comment:
> > As you can see we (Denmark) try to close boarders for gambians even to come
> > and visit us. What will the Gambian state think of such a practice. I find
> > it embarrassing and humiliating and will react. You can only guess what has
> > caused such a practice.
> >
> > 3. The Gambia Friends - organisation has since jan 1998 shipped 14
> > 40-feet-containers with school-, hospital-equipments to the gambia, where
> > the gambian - part of the organisation take over. The gambian branch of the
> > organisation has been given D 5000 from the gambian government to run the
> > organisation in The Gambia. The organisation has a depot in Kanifing where
> > they sort and store the materials till it is spread to the schools.
> >
> > Asbjørn Nordam
>