Latest News ! The Gambia Gears up to Host the Africa Travel Association's 35th Annual Congress

NEW YORK, NY, May 6, 2010. With a little less than two weeks until the Africa Travel Association's 35th Annual World Congress begins in The Gambia, stakeholders across the tourism spectrum in the West African country are gearing up for ATA's hallmark event. More than 200 tourism and travel professionals from around the world are expected to attend the four-day event, which will be held at the Sheraton Hotel Resort and Spa from May 17-20, 2010 in The Gambia.

According to Alieu Secka, Chair of the Gambia Hotel Association (GHA) and head of the Congress Host Committee, "Gambian tourism stakeholders are thrilled by this opportunity to share with the participants the legendary Gambian hospitality, which has evolved and been refined over the years."

The congress will engage international delegates in discussions on a broad range of industry topics, such as marketing and branding, niche markets and emerging trends, African Diaspora travel to Africa, hotel standards, responsible tourism, sustainable travel, and hospitality education.

For the second year in a row, the congress will include a marketplace for buyers and sellers specializing in promoting "Destination Africa." ATA's Young Professional Network (YPN) will also participate in the event. Delegates will also experience the people and culture of The Gambia on a number of tours, including a visit to Albreda and Juffureh, the sites of the Heritage "Roots" trail. Delegates will also participate in networking receptions and gala dinners. Pre and post congress trips are also available.

Speakers include representatives from Arik Air, CDC Development Solutions, Expedia Travel, the Ethiopian Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Heritage Revival Project, the National Tour Association (NTA), New York University-Africa House, Royal Air Maroc, Span Air  the Travel Foundation, the Tanzania Tourist Board, the Museum of African Art of New York, the South African Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, the World Bank, and hospitality education programs in the United Kingdom. Representatives from the more than a dozen African countries are also expected to attend the event.

After the congress, delegates are invited to attend the Kanilai International Festival. The two week festival will showcase and promote the rich cultural heritage of West Africa and include elaborate and diverse cultural performances and celebrations.

Royal Air Maroc is the official airline sponsor of the event, offering special flight rates on a first-come, first serve basis, for roundtrip airfare from New York, USA to Banjul, The Gambia via Casablanca, Morocco. Brussels Air offers special flight rates on a first-come, first serve basis for delegates flying from Europe to Banjul, The Gambia and return.

Additional sponsors include Arik Air, CDC Development Solutions, the Gambia Hotel Association, Span Air, the Tanzania Tourist Board, and the US Embassy in The Gambia.

For registration and details

JOIN THE AFRICA TRAVEL & TOUR INDUSTRY AT THE AFRICA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION'S 35TH ANNUAL CONGRESS  

IN THE GAMBIA

On-line Registration Now Open at www.africatravelassociation.org/ata/events/ac.html  

The Africa Travel Association (ATA) announces that registration is now open for the 35th Annual Congress, May 17-20, 2010 at the Sheraton Gambia Hotel Resort and Spa in The Gambia. Hosted by The Ministry of Tourism and Culture, The Hotel Association, and private sector partners in The Gambia, the theme of this year's event is Discover Africa's Genuine Warmth.

"The Congress will provide a diverse group of travel experts from across Africa and around the world with the unique opportunity to learn from each other about the current state and future prospects of travel and tourism to Africa and to work together to shape the industry's future agenda," said Edward Bergman, ATA Executive Director.

Delegates can register for the Congress on-line at ATA's website at www.africatravelassociation.org/ata/events/ac.html   or call +1-212-447-1357. Special early bird registrations for ATA members are available until April 14, 2010.

 The four day international networking and learning event will engage delegates in discussions on a range of industry topics; marketing and promotions, public-private partnerships, infrastructure development, niche markets, industry trends, development, responsible tourism, climate change, advocacy, and social media. Attending Ministers will participate in a special roundtable discussion on tourism policy choices for the African continent. The program will include several evening events and receptions.

Special events include the ATA Business-to-Business Exchange for Buyers and Sellers, which offers travel professionals an opportunity to meet and develop business relationships and linkages with 15-minute face-to-face appointments. ATA's Young Professional Network will also meet with local hospitality professionals and students during the Congress and an African Marketplace will be open. Finally, on two separate half-day tours, delegates will explore the historical sites of Albreda and Juffureh, among the country's other leading tourist attractions.

Royal Air Maroc, the Official Congress Carrier, offers discount rates as low as $713 (plus taxes, available on a first come first serve basis) on roundtrip airfares from JFK International in New York City to Banjul, the Gambia via Casablanca, Morocco. Departure dates with this special rate extend seven days prior to and after the Congress.

The Congress sessions will take place at the Sheraton Gambia Hotel Resort and Spa which, along with other members of the Gambia Hotel Association will offer special rates for ATA delegates.  Complimentary daily shuttles will be available to and from the congress venue and events.

Registration and Cost: To register, visit www.africatravelassociation.org/ata/events/ac.html  Early bird registration is available for ATA members until April 14, 2010 at $400. After this date, ATA members can register for $500. Non-member registration fee is $600.

Advance media registration is also available. Media wishing to attend the seminar must apply for media accreditation. To receive a form, contact ATA at info@africatravelassociation.org. The deadline for registering for the ATA Business-to-Business Exchange is April 15, 2010.

 

For more on the venue, Sheraton Gambia Hotel Resort and Spa, visit http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1975 and for more on the Congress Carrier, Royal Air Maroc, visit http://www.royalairmaroc.com/. As a complement to the ATA website, The Gambia, the host country of the Congress, has developed a website with further information on the congress and The Gambia. Visit www.atagambia2010.com.