The largest tour operator in the Nordic area of Europe has suspended its winter operations in The Gambia until further notice, according to the Standard Newspaper.

The country's leading daily newspaper disclosed the Nordic Leisure Travel Group's temporary suspension was informed by setbacks in the tourism industry including the "exorbitant" security fees at the Banjul International Airport.

In an email seen by the Standard shared with its ground operators in The Gambia, the Group said: “Due to the current situation our charter operation to The Gambia for upcoming winter season 2022 has been canceled. We all had high expectations for this winter season."

The director general of the Gambia Tourism Board Abubacarr S Camara said his office has made efforts to dissuade the Nordic Leisure Travel Group from canceling its winter operations in the country but to no avail.

He denied that the compulsory $20 security fees at the airport played a significant part in the tour operator's decision to cancel their winter holiday packages to The Gambia.

“The chunk of the problem is not about the passenger security tax at the airport. It has to do with their operational issues," he argued.