The Gambia offers superb beaches for relaxation and a spot of sunbathing. Away from the beaches, there are some fantastic excursions for those who like a more active holiday. Visits can be made to the Katchikally Crocodile Pool or holidaymakers can take a cruise down the River Gambia to the Abuko Nature Reserve, which is great for spotting monkeys, crocodiles and antelopes. There are plenty of places to eat out, with a range of international or traditional Gambian cuisine on offer.
Ian Derbyshire, Chief Executive Officer of Thomas Cook UK & Ireland, said: “It’s very important to us to offer choice to travellers from Newcastle International Airport. We’re really pleased that we can offer families, couples and groups in the region this extra winter sun holiday option.”
Chris Sanders, Aviation Development Director at Newcastle International Airport, said of the new route; “We’re extremely excited about the Airport’s first departure to the Gambia. This special Thomas Cook flight offers a unique and exotic getaway direct from Newcastle for the long Easter weekend next year. We’re delighted at this opportunity for holiday makers to go somewhere different and we think this one-off flight will prove to be very popular.”
This winter, Thomas Cook will fly to the Balearic Islands, Spain, Lapland, Canary Islands, Turkey, Egypt, Gambia, Tunisia, Malta from Newcastle International Airport.
ENDS
For all press enquiries regarding Newcastle International Airport, including interview requests and images, please contact Nicola Quinn on 0191 214 3568 or email nquinn@newcastleinternational.co.uk.
About Thomas Cook UK & Ireland:
Thomas Cook UK & Ireland is the second largest leisure travel group in the UK with around 19,000 employees. The company has a network of more than 800 high street stores (Thomas Cook and Going Places), leading websites (www.thomascook.com, www.directholidays.com and www.airtours.uk), and some of the world's favourite travel brands.
These brands include Airtours, Club 18-30, Cresta, Cruise Thomas Cook, Direct Holidays, Elegant Resorts, Flexibletrips, flythomascook.com, Gold Medal, www.hotels4u.com, Manos, www.medhotels.com, Neilson, netflights.com, Panorama, Pure Luxury, Style Holidays, Sunset, Sunworld Holidays, Swiss Travel Service, Thomas Cook, Thomas Cook Signature and Thomas Cook Sport.
Thomas Cook Airlines operates a fleet of 44 aircraft from 19 regional airports to destinations worldwide.
Thomas Cook offers a range of financial services including foreign exchange, the Thomas Cook Credit Card, the Thomas Cook Cash Passport (the new generation of travellers' cheques), and a wide range of travel insurance policies. It is FSA regulated for its travel insurance, which is underwritten by White Horse Insurance Ireland Ltd.
Thomas Cook also has a leading publishing division offering a comprehensive portfolio of over 300 independently authored travel guidebooks to more than 150 destinations across the world.
Thomas Cook is an Official Supporter of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and the exclusive partner for UK short breaks and trips to the Games. Thomas Cook's London 2012 packages will go on sale in 2011 and will include accommodation, transport and event tickets.
Thomas Cook UK & Ireland is part of Thomas Cook Group plc, www.thomascookgroup.com.