Sex on the beach

Before the pandemic, The Gambia, West Africa, was a go to destination for British tourists in search of winter, sun, sea and sex. From one-night stands to whirlwind weddings, stories of older, British women hooking up with younger, Gambian men have made headlines in recent years. It has regularly been dubbed, ‘Granbia’ by the press and after a visit to the country 2018, Prue Leith described it as a, 'Tinder dream for geriatrics’. But behind the tabloid headlines, what’s really going on? Is it just a bit of harmless fun in the sun, or is it more complicated?

15 years on from his last visit to the country, reporter, Seyi Rhodes, sets off on a holiday with a difference to find out. He meets British women; 58 year-old, Michelle, who recently married a younger Gambian man, Ebu, and Michelle’s friend, 60 year-old P, who regularly visits The Gambia on holiday for a bit of ‘fun’.  And he finds out about the locals’ perspective, when he meets 32 year-old, Alka, who’s due to marry a Belgian woman, who he says is 85 and has given him 60,000 Euros to build a house for them. Seyi asks who is gaining the most from these relationships and whether or not – given the widespread poverty in the country and its history as a former slave colony – relationships between tourists and locals can ever be equal.