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AFRICA
TRAVEL ASSOCIATION (ATA) SHOWCASES SOUTH
AFRICA IN NEW YORK
 NEW
YORK, N.Y., July 10, 2007. A dynamic
group of forward-thinking individuals in
diplomacy, business, travel and tourism,
hospitality, art, film, media, and
education gathered on June 21 at one of
New York's finest restaurants, Aquavit,
for a cocktail reception and presentation
devoted to "Bringing New York to South
Africa and South Africa to New
York."
Organized
by the Africa Travel Association (ATA) and
co-hosted by the Sandton Convention Centre
(SCC) and South African Tourism in New
York (SAT-NY), the exclusive event
showcased South Africa as a business
travel destination, with a special focus
on SCC's world class
facilities.
"As
the continent's premier convention centre,
the 12-storey structure was designed to
provide special event space for
conventions, conferences, meetings and
exhibitions across four main levels and
for groups of all sizes," said Mati
Nyazema, SCC Executive Director. "The
centre has hosted numerous high profile
events since its opening in September
2000, including Nelson Mandela and Desmond
Tutu's birthday parties, the World Summit
on Sustainable Development, and the World
Petroleum Congress, alongside several UN
events and the Global Summit of Women. SCC
also plans to host events related to World
Cup 2010."
 In
attendance were individuals with
philanthropic and business interests in
Africa, including representatives from the
South African Permanent Mission to the UN,
the South African Consulate in New York,
UNICEF, UN-NY Office of Sport for
Development and Peace, the UN Africa
Women's Association, UBS, MENA, Sotheby's,
Amaridian, Ingrao, the Food Network, the
Africa America Institute, the Africa
Institute, EMPAX, Family Care
International, South Africa Chamber of
Commerce, Travel World News, Quintess,
Condé Naste Traveler, New York
Times, North American, Ethiopian, and
Emirates Airlines, and New York
University. There was a waiting list to
join the event. Meeting with such a
high-profile and diverse group of people
in one room was the highlight of our trip
to New York," said Nyazema. "We are
grateful to ATA for organizing this
exceptional event and for giving us the
opportunity to share our centre with a new
audience."
"ATA
provides a platform for Africa to bring
its amazing travel products to new
audiences around the world," said Eddie
Bergman, ATA Executive Director. "By
working with SCC, a new member of ATA, ATA
will help the centre showcase its product
to new audiences in the U.S., especially
in the run up to 2010 FIFA Soccer World
Cup, which will be a major happening not
only for South Africa, but for all of
Africa."
Laura
Saeger, Business Tourism Manager for South
African Tourism in New York, said South
African tourism and business tourism is at
an all time high. Ethiopian-born chef
Marcus Samuelsson, author of The Soul of a
New Cuisine: A Discovery of the Foods and
Flavors of Africa and recipient of the
2003 James Beard Foundation's Best Chef in
New York award, designed the South African
menu for the evening. The event featured a
fine selection of South African wines and
South African music. South Africa's famous
chutney, Mrs Ball's Chutney, was also
served.
About
the Africa Travel Association: ATA is
the premier global travel industry trade
association promoting tourism to the
African continent and intra-Africa travel
and partnership since 1975. ATA\
membership includes African tourism
ministers, national tourism boards,
airlines, hoteliers, travel agents, tour
operators, media, public relations firms,
NGOs, and other individuals and
organizations engaged in the promotion of
travel to Africa. For more information,
visit
www.africantravelassociation.org.
About
the Sandton Convention Centre of the City
of Johannesburg, South Africa:
SCC is South Africa's most technologically
advanced convention centre. The centre is
managed by Southern Sun Hotel Interests
and developed by Tsogo Sun, a dynamic
partnership between Southern Sun hotels
and Tsogo Investments, a leading black
empowerment group. Located in the heart of
Sandton's hotel, business and
entertainment district, SCC offers easy
access to over 5,000 hotel rooms, is
adjacent to the country's top shopping and
entertainment complexes and provides
10,600 secure parking bays. There is over
22,000m2 of convention, exhibition and
special event space. The Pavilion can seat
4,500 patrons. The Ballroom can seat 2,000
banquet guests and the 13 other meeting
rooms can accommodate up to 350 delegates.
The two exhibition levels have a combined
floor space of 11,000m2. For more
information, visit
www.saconvention.co.za/content/home.asp.
About
South Africa Tourism: South African
Tourism is the national tourism agency
responsible for the international
marketing of South Africa as a preferred
tourist destination. With its head office
based in Johannesburg, South African
Tourism currently has country offices in
London, Frankfurt, New York, Amsterdam,
Paris, Milan, Mumbai, Tokyo and Sydney,
and a tourism attaché based at the
SA Embassy in Beijing. For more
information, visit
www.southafrica.net.
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact
Person: Sharon Roling
Africa
Travel Association
Tel:
+1-212-447-1357
Email:
info@africatravelassociation.org
Website:
www.africatravelassociation.org
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