BANJUL - The first batch of 182 tourists from the United Kingdom arrived on Sunday in Gambia in this year's tourist season, officials told Xinhua on Monday.

The arrival of the first flight is a big sign of confidence for Gambia's tourism industry, and renews optimism despite the Ebola crisis in West Africa. Until today, Gambia remains an Ebola-free country in West Africa.

Tourists flights from Scandinavian countries to Gambia have been postponed due to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

Tourism is the second major source of foreign trade earnings in Gambia after Agriculture. According to the Gambia ministry of Finance, tourism contributes 13 percent to Gambia's GDP.

Tourism season in the Gambia starts from October and ends in May each year.