The exchange rate is governed by the international market and not by the tourist season so it is unlikely to be the same as it was last December.

luci

The Dalassi always used to be a closed currency and that meant that it wasn't traded on the open international market and the exchange rate was set by the Government. When I went a few years back it was 25 Dalassi to the pound sterling and it has clearly deteriorated since then. But a shift from 52 last winter back down to 35 now suggests that it is strengthening against sterling and that the Government thinks the economy is stronger if they are effectively re-valuing it upwards again.

In the end you have no alternative but to accept the Government set rate - the only alternative is to use the blackmarket and that is never a good idea for the ordinary tourist. The chances of getting ripped off by being given counterfeit money or else being charged with illegal currency dealing mean it isn't worth the risk. Whatever the exchange rate, The Gambia is a cheap destination for those of us from the UK and I suspect that when the exchange rate runs as high as 52 Dalassi to the pound that the hotels are probably going to be putting up their bar prices and when it's as low as 35 they are probably content to let them fall. In other words I suspect that they have a good idea of how many pounds they want to you spend and that relative prices in sterling will stay pretty much the same. Likewise, the state tourist agency has a monopoly on organised excursions and their trips are always priced in sterling rather than Dalassi.

SM

Many Thanks for the info Sma.

HI .Just been in contact with friends in The Gambia,dont look for a rise in the exchange rate.Ol president YAYA has been on TV assuring all the population that the change in the rate wont affect them,If businesses raise their prices he will personally visit them. hmmm African Econonics , Gambia is to get its first electronics factory by 2010, its to be the economic super power of the 21st century, hence the rate change
As most tourist businesses are not owned by native gambians my feeling is prices will rise to make up the rate they did the last time it fell, SO FOLKS (looks like its hit the tourist time this year) NO bumsters will get a dalasi from me this year or next. cheers chill and enjoy the smiling coast maxie
PS if you want an african restaurant on the senigambia strip use the CHOSSAN at least the money you spend stays in gambia,

Hi rate is now 42+dalasi to the pound depending which exchange,cheers maxie

hi rate still 42+ as of 18th february ,cheers maxie

Just got some Delassi from CO-OP Travel.....35.84 to £1. Hope the rates better when we get there on Tuesday!!

hi,as of 15th march dalasi now 39 to the pound ,becoming a rip off cheers maxie

returned two weeks ago from gambia after two years break and sorry to say i think its spoilt itself best time to change the money is midweek we got 40.5 as to 37 at the weekend bought a magazine in which the president declares he has a cure for aids and has won the nobel prize for doing so and it cost 100 delassi. on return to uk case had been ransacked and cigarette ,hairdryer,tablets for my medication etc had been removed so no change at the airport then
the people in the resort seem as if they exert more pressure on you for doing any service etc but in the outskirts the people are great just like many years ago on the beach hardly any bumsters or beach sellers so not much afternoon entertainment
many more 4 x 4 as we were told the families were selling off any land they had left to them
however 35 every day good food bit more expensive than before so overall a good holiday so dont put anything any good in your case

HI Woodward just read your article and smiled ,mosst of what you say is correct ,re aids cure,Its those excolonialist who are are the root of the global (excluding African continent) disbelief at his aids cure.
You should spend an evening watching his propaganda ,sorry promotion on TV as the great leader and healer,I call it (OL Y Y and his bush juice cure, hours he is onscreen at least two hours every night) The problem is the locals admire even love him and believe most if not all of of what he says,
He holds clinics to cure A I D S, asthma, infertility, etc,but who am I to scoff, he is the Gambians leader and their (sic HIS) country.
Will try to post photo of the propaganda sign in SENNIGAMBIA,its huge declaring President Dr yamalah etc is making GAMBIA the economic superpower of the 21st century.
At the exchange rate he is allowing to be set,I cant see that becoming a reality.
Still its a beautiful country, and the people are cheerful if paupers.
chill cheers and enjoy this tropical county ,MAXIE

HI.After years of travelling back and forth to The Gambia I recommend you wait till you get there before changing your money,give airport tips if any in pound coins, Ten pounds should cover a taxi fare from yumdum airport to any tourist hotel, dont pay more ,unless you wish to, CHEERS MAXIE , RATE TODAY 3/11 IS 40 DALASI TO POUND