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Official News
Release Conakry, Guinea: Excitement's in the air, as artists, sculptors, designers, weavers, craftsmen, culinary experts, musicians and hundreds of ethnic dancers get set to welcome the world April 24th to 30, 2004. The fun-filled Festival of Guinea is destined to become West Africa's Mardis Gras and Folklorama rolled into one - a premiere cultural heritage celebration that will attract thousands from African countries near and far, plus many American and European visitors. The Festival's eight-day, seven-night packages include such hotels as Novotel, Riviera Royal, Mariador Palace and Camayenne, plus admission to trade fairs and excursions, arts and craft presentations, exhibitions and symposia. While relatively undiscovered as a tourism destination, Guinea is already world famous in certain circles. "Les Ballet Africains," Guinea's 50 year old national dance company, inspires such raves as, " A bolt of joy from Africa -they supply enough energy to light up a city." New York Daily News; " A Carnival of vibrant, uninhibited movement." Sunday Times, UK; " They make other African troupes look anemic." Liberation, France. While Les Ballets Africains is the best known group, the all woman "Amazones de Guinée," the "Percussions de Guinée" Pyramid of Rhythms and many others, round out the agenda. Variety is the Spice: Guinea's Festival program also spotlights "Cultural Workshops," featuring hands-on skills in music, cuisine, story telling, arts and crafts. Want to make music on a variety of drums and exotic West African instruments, from the Xylophone, to Djembe, Kora, Wassacoumba and Gongoma? Here's your chance. Travel opportunities abound, such as Ecotours to Tortoise Island, Discovery- tours to Upper Niger Park or Adventures in the Mount Nimba Heights. You may encounter giant frogs or Bossou chimps - the countryside is rich with unique attractions. American Travel Agents Enjoy A Taste of Guinea: What do travel professionals think of Guinea as a high potential destination? A vanguard of 200 U.S. travel agents and journalists from the Africa Travel Association who experienced Guinea first hand in 2002, were awestruck by the entire cultural scene. Those who toured the Slave Coast, with its beaches and islands, the luxuriant rain forests, game-filled Savannah and the Futa Djalon, were ecstatic. "As a land of contrasts, Guinea is truly the "Switzerland of Africa," says Muguette Goufrani, a Canadian Francophone editor and travel agent. She was impressed with the overall quality of accommodation and noted that the same routes and overnight stops she enjoyed are part of the Festival's impressive tour package. Goufrani was delighted with her trip to Mali Ville, near the Senegal border. It included colorful village markets, famous gardens and such wonders of nature as the "smoking dog, " the misty "bridal veil falls," and the "Lady of Mali," a lifelike figure carved by nature on the mountainside. Guinea's Festival Means Business: According to Brock Tours of Atlanta, organizers from the USA, "Visitors seeking Business Opportunities in the Republic of Guinea will discover that the government leadership and private sector have opened their doors to investment and encourage partnerships in tourism and other sectors. This year's Festival will be a magnet for such relationships and a rare networking venue." On-going promotion and continuing media exposure, as a follow-up to this year's event in North America, Europe and Africa, supported by an integrated web site network through the Africa Travel Association, will guarantee the Festival's future success. Looking to 2005, the Festival of Guinea will be held in February. Brock Tours will advise you on the scheduled airlines that serve Guinea, West Africa from the USA and Canada. USA CONTACT: BROCK TOURS &
TRAVEL AFRICA CONTACT: GROUPE MONDIAL
TOURS Africa Travel Association Web Site: http://www.africa-ata.org/guinea.htm Festival of Guinea Web Site: http://www.festagg.com Canadian Web Site: http://www.airhighways.com |
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