|
Djibouti Tourism
Delegation Visits Four Cities to Promote Djibouti
as an Emerging Adventure Travel and Leisure
Destination in Africa
Photo courtesy
of Ogo Sow for ATA. Destination Djibouti Reception
at the Congress Center in Ottawa,
Canada.
New York, NY:
Djiboutian Minister of Youth, Sports, Recreation
and Tourism Hassan Farah Miguil launched a
four-day/four-city visit to the U.S. and Canada on
December 4 at the Princeton Club in midtown
Manhattan. The
promotional tour aimed to showcase Djibouti as a
new and unique travel destination for North
American tourists in order to attract participation
to ATA's 11th Annual Eco and Cultural Tourism
Symposium in Djibouti City, Djibouti from January
19-23, 2008. The Kempinski Palace Hotel - ATA's
first-ever seven-star hotel accommodation - is the
official symposium lodging host. DAALLO Airlines is
the official airline.
At the December 4
reception, the Minister said that despite its vast
and diverse tourism offerings, Djibouti is
relatively unknown to North American travelers.
"Djibouti is a new African travel destination in
the U.S. and Canada and we are honored to work with
ATA to put the country on the North American
tourism map," he said. "We are positive that once
the word gets out about our amazing country, we
will see a huge increase in the number of incoming
visitors."
Joined by senior
representatives from the Djibouti National Tourism
Office, the International Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, the Djibouti Palace Kempinski Hotel, and
DAALLO Airlines, the Minister introduced Djibouti
to more than 100 guests from the travel industry,
business, media, diplomacy, faith, and non-profit
communities.
In his opening
remarks, ATA Executive Director Eddie Bergman
assured the audience that a trip to Djibouti would
"last a lifetime."
Photo courtesy
of Ogo Sow for ATA. Destination Djibouti Reception
at Courtyard by Marriott in Montreal,
Canada.
"Even though
Djibouti is one of the smallest countries in the
world and its population less than a million, it is
one of those rare places that overflows with
diversity and unique travel opportunities," Bergman
said. "Djibouti is also an incredibly safe country.
Most of all, traveling to the country is easy for
tourists and travelers alike since visas can be
issued upon arrival at the airport."
The Corporate
Council on Africa (CCA) co-hosted the second
networking event at the Fairmont Hotel in
Washington, D.C. on December 5. Despite a full day
of snow, almost 40 guests, including CCA President
Stephen Hayes and ATA chapter members, attended the
reception.
At each event,
attendees learned about Djibouti's unique
opportunities. "Djibouti's natural resources are
unprecedented. Our small country is well-known for
its amazing scuba diving, fishing, and water
activities," said Djibouti National Tourism
Director Mohamed Abdillahi Wais. "Visitors can also
visit Lake Assal - the lowest point on the African
continent."
The Congress Center
in Ottawa was the next stop on the road show. This
was the first ATA event ever to take place in
Canada's capital city. Here, the delegation was
accompanied by Ambassador Roble Olhaye, who
represents Djibouti in Canada and the
U.S.
"We are honored to
invite all of our Canadian and American friends, as
well as all the Africans living on the continent,
to come home to Africa, beginning with Djibouti,"
Ambassador Olhaye.
The final stop was
the Courtyard by Marriott in Montreal, where a
French-speaking audience of more than 40 guests,
mainly media and tour operators, as well as
Montreal-based Djibouti Honorary Consul Elisabeth
Dembil, came together to learn about destination
Djibouti.
"Tourism is one of
our economic priorities and we are investing
heavily in its growth by building strong
partnerships with the private sector," saïd
Omar Moussa, President of Djibouti's International
Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "Djibouti has a
solid tourism infrastructure and our airport is one
of the best in the region."
Both Montreal and
Ottawa are home to organized Djibouti Diaspora
communities, who were highly enthusiastic about
meeting the Djibouti minister and delegation for
the first time in Canada.
"This Diaspora
community can play a leading role in terms of
marketing and promoting Destination Djibouti in
North America," said Bergman.
In addition to
Minister Hassan Farah Miguil, among the delegates
were Mohamed Abdillahi Wais, Director, Djibouti
National Tourism Office; Saïd Omar Moussa,
President, International Chamber of Commerce and
Industry; and Bugra Berberoglu, Director General,
Djibouti Palace Kempinski Hotel. Djibouti's North
American Ambassador Honorable Roble Olhaye
accompanied the delegates to Canada. Ogo Sow, ATA
Senior Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, and Nathalie
Philippe, ATA Associate Director on Membership and
Development Services, accompanied the delegates on
behalf of ATA.
About ATA's 11th Annual
Eco and Cultural Tourism
ATA's 11th Annual
Eco and Cultural Tourism Symposium will take place
in Djibouti City, Djibouti from January 19-23,
2008. This event brings together tourism ministers,
tourism boards heads, travel experts, environmental
leaders and organizations, heritage and cultural
tourism experts, media, and investors to discuss
Africa's growing eco and cultural tourism industry
and sustainable tourism development.
About DAALLO Airlines (ATA
Official Symposium Carrier)
Daallo Airlines is
offering Symposium delegates a special round-trip
airfare of $1,090 (excluding taxes) from the US and
Canada. For all other international destinations,
contact Daallo Airlines and mention the ATA
Symposium to receive a special fare. Contact the
North American offices directly at 713-626-0134. As
January is fast approaching, we encourage you to
send in your Registration forms to ATA and reserve
your flights as soon as possible. Flights to
Djibouti are also available on Daallo Airlines out
of Dubai which you can connect via Emirates
Airlines. The airline has reserved a set number of
seats for Symposium delegates. Ethiopian Airlines
also services Djibouti; please visit Ethiopian
Airlines at www.ethiopianairlines.com or call
1-800-445-2733.
About Djibouti Kempinski
Palace Hotel
The Djibouti
Kempinski Palace Hotel, the first seven-star hotel
in Africa, is offering competitive rates for
delegates on a first come, first serve basis. Visit
www.kempinski.com/en/hotel/index.htm.
Contact Person:
Sharon Roling
Company Name:
Africa Travel Association
Telephone Number:
1-212-447-1357
Email Address:
info@africatravelassociation.org
Web site address:
www.africatravelassociation.org
|
