Building Bridges to Peace Through Tourism
home .ads. airfares..ata...e-mail ,,events ffashion.,food,.hotels ..map...news ..subscribe...usa-canada
.......
|
Africa
Travel's |
In the Kakum
National Forest near Ghana's famous Gold Coast, are 6
rope bridges that are popular with tourists, and for most, a
challenge to cross. While these bridges swing and sway in
the breeze, far above the forest floor, all fears a visitor
encounters are strictly mental. Each interlocking bridge is
safe and secure, and each relates to a goal we want to
achieve with this week's 21st Century Agenda for Peace
Through Tourism. The IIPT Third Global Conference in Glasgow, Scotland included senior people in the tourism industry, from Nobel Peace Prize Winners to representatives of major institutions. Representing the Africa Travel Association was its President, Hon. Michael A. Gizo, Tourism Minister of Ghana (above right holding ATA award). The "Bridge of Awareness," is symbolized by America sending its President with a message of hope and a hand of friendship for all of Africa. This gesture made North Americans -- and thanks to a "ripple effect" from US media --- the entire world, aware of the need for two way contact between the developed and emerging nations. Mr. Clinton summed it up in three words-- "America needs Africa. "The feeling is mutual here and throughout the emerging world. |
|
The
"Bridge of Understanding." There will be a day
very soon, when language, race, religion, age and color will
no longer be a barrier. The peace corps and student exchange
programs have helped in this regard, and the internet will
accelerate the cause. Since peace begins at home, we must
all bridge the generation gap and curb family violence.
Respect for elders has been fundamental to the African way
of life for centuries. Here's one area where the developed
world can learn from us. The "Bridge of Enterprise." Like many others in the emerging world, Africans have always been upbeat, creative, highly motivated, artistic and enterprising. But never more so than today; witness our fashions, textiles, sculpture and works of art. These traits are echoed in sports, music, the professions, literally every line of business or career path. Visitors are always impressed by the energy and spirit of enterprise they encounter. We bring a lot to any partnership with developed nations. It certainly blows away the stereotype of indigenous people as being lazy and irresponsible. The "Bridge of Opportunity." . Opportunities abound in most of Africa and other areas. The media seem to focus on the difficulties, the shortages and hardships, painting a picture of despair. Yet, when I look around, I see people striving and achieving -- their eyes gleaming with hope for a positive future. The final link is the "Bridge of Prosperity," a goal that's achieved by crossing all of the other bridges in the chain. Tourism, the world's largest money earner, being a people-to-people industry, cuts across all national boundaries, and needs a climate of peace in order to prosper. When Marshall McLuhan coined the phrase" Global Village " back in the 60s, he could see how tourism would become the foremost bridge between emerging and developed economies. More
Strategic Bridges Then there's the famous "Air Bridge" ... forged by pioneer aviators, forerunners of modern African Airlines, who with world counterparts, are improving the "Air Highways " to and throughout Africa. This year, Ethiopian Airlines began daily flights from both Washington and New York. More carriers are following suit. Open Skies, airport upgrades and beautification programs, seamless intermodal connections, fewer waits, faster customs clearance, less red tape, lower air fares, creative marketing and good old fashioned competition are the spark. This had lead to cooperative infrastructure programs, such as the current development at Kilimanjaro International Airport and our own "Airport City," Accra's gateway to trade and tourism. Emerging countries the world over are seeking expertise in airport development as the key stage in building their tourism base. How the developed world can work with us in building bridges on land and water. This spring, Ghana's Minister for Roads and Transport, Hon. Edward Salia spoke of "Access Africa- Tearing Down Barrier to Travel," where he singled out the problem of roads linking neighboring West African countries, with their numerous check points, intimidation and frequent harassment by customs officials and gendarmerie. While we need security, there must be a better way, here and in other emerging countries worldwide. Rail Travel is another answer? It's staging a remarkable comeback in North America, earning dollars for the entrepreneurs who gambled some ten years ago. There are up to 9 different gauges of railway tracks in Africa, which poses both a problem and a challenge. Perhaps these successful rail tour operators can lend their skills to a partnership. India's Palace on Wheels and the growing popularity of rail travel in South America, Siberia, Mongolia and Southeast Asia, are proof that there's a big demand for rail adventures in emerging nations. You've seen what the Cruise Industry has done for Alaska and the Caribbean, with their floating hotels and a vast armada of pocket cruise ships. Can you imagine what would happen if Africans built a profitable cruise industry around their most ancient means of travel? Just think of romantic adventure cruise opportunities on our lakes, rivers and our historic, exotic coastline? The Gold Coast, the Ivory Coast, the Cape of Good Hope, the Indian Ocean Coast and its treasured islands, the Red Sea and Suez Canal. Yes, as Mr. Salia says about Africa, "Water transport is generally neglected and undervalued." Perhaps this sleeping giant will also awaken! How can individuals from developed and emerging nations get it together? Twenty five years ago, a group of tour operators, agency owners and others, saw the opportunity to build a bridge between North America and our continent by forming the Africa Travel Association. While ATA's numbers are still not large, the quality of membership is high, and includes African government tourism officials, airlines and hotel chains, cruise lines, group tour operators, travel agents and those in education and communications. As a former Marketing Manager, I am amazed by the size of the African American market, a key element of ATA's membership. US President Clinton knew it too when he said, "America has good reason to work with Africa: 30 million Americans, more than one in ten, proudly trace their heritage here. " I am proud to say that Americans of African heritage form the backbone of ATA. It's a thrill to share their excitement, as so many visitors discover their roots for the first time. Like a great book has many "chapters" -- some large, some small, local chapters are the heart and soul of ATA -- our building blocks. From centers in Africa, the USA and Canada, these dedicated groups educate the world about destinations and events on Africa's tourism menu. Headquartered in New York, America's financial, media and nerve center, ATA encourages programs between all countries. We want everyone in the act -- airlines, hotels, tour and ground operators, incentive, meeting and convention planners -- you name it. Being nonprofit, nonpolitical and educational in nature, ATA is dedicated to advancing and encouraging tourism by forming new chapters in all corners of the world. The more multi racial ATA becomes, the more bridges we will create between these various economies. Chapters are the first stage in bridge building -- all it takes is the initiative of one determined individual to start the ball rolling. Financial support is a major bridge on the ATA agenda. For years we were concerned with tourism only. Today, by recognizing tourism's role in bridging the economic gap between member countries, ATA has broadened its programs. We actively encourage business partnerships and financial development, such as those you'll hear about this week. Speaking of bridges of enterprise -- ATA plays no favorites. We promote tourist attractions and partnership opportunities in the entire Continent of Africa. That's over 50 countries where many languages are spoken, with French and English as a common denominator in most of them. Each year in early May, our bridge building efforts reach their peak. It's like spring fever; you can feel the excitement grow. That's when ATA's International Congress is held, each time in a different country. Earlier this year, Ghana enjoyed the privilege as host country to a landmark event that sowed many powerful seeds for peace and prosperity under the title- "Africa, Tourism Destination for the New Millennium." For us it was a special honor, since ATA teamed up with WTO -- the World Tourism Organization, to stage a Super Congress... the most successful in our history. ATA has also hosted EcoTourism Symposia in Senegal and Morocco. Next year being ATA's 25th Anniversary, our association will be taking over the United Nations Center in the heart of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for a "Jubilee Congress" that celebrates 25 years of good works and bridge building. I hope to see you there. Twenty five years seems like a short time in the scheme of things, but look back and see how far Africa has come since 1976; how far the world's thinking has advanced, thanks to a more open society, access to the internet, and a thaw in the cold war. Let's hope that history will never repeat itself. Whether you join ATA or not, we welcome input from here there and everywhere. If you have a pen and slip of paper handy, I would like to read you our web site address. Africa Travel Association now has over 120 pages of information on the world wide web, many are from Africa Travel Magazine, our high quality publication. The address is www.africa-ata.org . To make sure I will say it again www.africa-ata.org. We will be pleased to include your items and a link to your special web site. You can sign up for membership or subscribe to our magazine through this excellent site. So developed and emerging economies the world over can work together in building bridges of awareness, understanding, tolerance, enterprise, opportunity and prosperity. Crossing them leads to sustainable human, social, cultural and economic development. Let me close by quoting Ghana's President at this spring's landmark Congress. In his address to the combined ATA-WTO delegation, carried on national media, his Excellency Hon. Jerry John Rawlings, had this to say about today's Africa, "Whilst there are still some areas of conflict and instability, our countries can offer peaceful, friendly and safe destinations where visitors may enjoy the peace of mind and spirit which are the essence of relaxation, "Let us therefore make a greater effort to inform and educate the world, that Africa is a vast and diverse continent." So as you can see, the tallest mountains, greatest hurdles, and the biggest bridges of all are in the human mind. Thank you ladies and gentlemen. Akwaaba ....May God bless you all.
|
