“I have already bought my ticket and will be in The Gambia in October for one month,” said Ingrid Johansson, who started visiting the country in 1976.
The Swedish pensioner is set to make her 44th Gambian visit despite concerns over her poor health. According to her, she is in love with the Smiling Coast.
“I discovered The Gambia through a Gambian who was studying in Malung, Sweden. He invited me and my sister to see The Gambia and this was in 1976. We booked our trip with the tour operator, Spies, but after that I started travelling with Vingresor,” she said.
Ingrid is unquestionably one of the most famous repeat tourists in the country, especially in Bakau.
She said: “I have been to Spain and Greece and many other countries, but The Gambia is special. The people are friendly and they are always ready to gift you an experience that you wouldn’t find anywhere else.
The weather is wonderful; music and dance all over the place, nice sandy beaches and the huge baobab trees are just amazing. “
Ingrid added: “Since I became a pensioner 14 years ago, I visit The Gambia twice in the year and always stay more than a month.”
The Swedish grandmother is among thousands of Europeans expected to flock in the country in the coming tourist season, starting in October.