AFRICA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION BRINGS LEADERS FROM NAMIBIA, TANZANIA, THE GAMBIA, ZAMBIA, AND ZIMBABWE TOGETHER AT SEVENTH ANNUAL PRESIDENTIAL FORUM ON TOURISM

Posted Oct 2012 by Africa Travel Association

African Development Bank, African Union, Global Partnerships Forum, and United Nations World Tourism Organization Participate in High-Level Event at New York University

NEW YORK, NY, October 10, 2012 — African foreign affairs and tourism ministers gathered on September 27 at the Africa Travel Association's seventh annual Presidential Forum on Tourism at New York University. The Gambian, Namibian, Tanzanian, Zambian, and Zimbabwean ministers joined senior representatives from the Africa Development Bank, African Union, Global Partnerships Forum, and UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
to speak about the benefits of tourism in relation to the economy, environment and people.

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CAMEROON IS THE PLACE TO BE IN 2013

Posted on 27 jul 2012 by Africa Travel Association

Africa Travel Association and Cameroon Partner to Increase Tourism to West and Central Africa during ATA's 38th Annual World Congress to be held in Cameroon in 2013

NEW YORK, NY, July 27, 2012 – The Africa Travel Association (ATA) announced today that the Republic of Cameroon will host the 38th Annual ATA World Congress, ATA's largest international tourism industry meeting, in 2013. The congress will bring together hundreds of tourism leaders and professionals from government, business and nonprofit sectors to promote tourism development to and across Africa from around the world.

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AFRICA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION HOLDS 37TH ANNUAL WORLD CONGRESS IN VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE

Posted on 08 jun 2012 by Africa Travel Association

International event convenes over 500 delegates from governments, business and the non-profit sectors to address growth of African tourism.

NEW YORK, NY, June 8, 2012 – The Africa Travel Association, the world's leading travel industry trade association promoting tourism to Africa, held its 37th Annual Congress in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, May 18 – 22, 2012. More than 500 delegates from government, business and the non-profit sectors gathered at ATA's hallmark event in Africa.

The theme, "Africa Tourism: Partnering for the Future," focused on how tourism, with growth rates in emerging markets outperforming more established destinations, is one of the most promising industries on the African continent for development. South African Airways served as Presenting Sponsor and Official Congress Carrier and Arik Air served as Official Media Carrier.

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POST-CONGRESS BUZZ

Posted 23 jul 2012 by Africa Travel Association

Media Coverage from ATA's 37th Annual World Congress in Victoria Falls & A Congress Reunion

Zimbabwe, A World of Wonders Event in Washington, D.C.

NEW YORK, NY, July 23 2012 – H.E. Dr. Machivenyika Mapuranga, Zimbabwe Ambassador to the U.S., and Mr. Karikoga Kaseke, CEO of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), invited members of the ATA Mid-Atlantic Chapter, media and travel trade to the Zimbabwe Embassy to enjoy a festive evening. Guests experienced the seven wonders of Zimbabwe. The event opened with a welcome address by H.E. Dr. Machivenyika Mapuranga, followed by remarks from ATA Executive Director Eddie Bergman, and Mr. Karikoga Kaseke. H.E. Charles A. Ray, U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe, graced the event via a Skype call from Zimbabwe with guests.

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ATA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:
A DETERMINED CHAIRMAN, AN HONEST VP AND A GAME-CHANGING AIRLINE: A LOVE STORY

Posted Sept. 2012 by Africa Travel Association

Read More on Arik Air

By: Zandile Blay

NEW YORK, NY, September 2012Perhaps, love's got nothing to do with it.

After all, with sky-high fuel costs, plummeting budgets and increasing bankruptcies, the global aviation industry is driven more by the bottom line and less by emotion. Yet when it comes to Nigeria, the bottom line seems bleaker still. From 2002 to 2006, the country was plagued by a series of tragic plane crashes which took hundreds of lives and eroded consumers' ability to trust their domestic airlines. Global brands like Virgin have tried -- and failed -- to reverse this misfortune by partnering with the Nigerian government, as they did in September 2004 to launch a flag-carrying airline.

Minted Virgin Nigeria Airways, the partnership never quiet took off, and by September of 2009, it was over. Stakeholders re-branded the airline as Nigerian Eagle Airlines, and upon buying majority ownership in 2010 Jimoh Ibrahim renamed it Air Nigeria. New names didn't solve Air Nigeria's old problems, and the airline remained dogged by safety issues, culminating in its grounding in June 2012. Yet these pale in comparison to Lagos-based Dana Air, the airline behind the tragic plane recently, which led to over 150 deaths. In such an environment there's no reason nor logic nor business plan that would move a sound investor to launch an airline in Nigeria.

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EXPERIENCING A TASTE OF AFRICA

Posted Sept. 2012 by Africa Travel Association

An African Culinary Exploration with Chefs Eric Simeon & Pierre Thiam

By: Zoi Calomiris

In May 2012, Chef Eric Simeon, Executive Chef at E&E Grill House, joined the Africa Travel Association in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe as a culinary tourism expert at the 37th Annual World Congress. In Zimbabwe, he engaged in a culinary cultural exchange with fellow American Chef Pierre Thiam, a Senegalese born cookbook author and founder of Pierre Thiam Catering. Together they mentored local Zimbabwean chefs, working closely with the Zimbabwe Chef Association to showcase local ingredients. The Chefs treated ATA delegates to an "African Culinary Experience" luncheon, which showcased local ingredients and the local culinary students. Chefs Eric and Pierre contributed a special dish to the luncheon: crocodile ceviche. "I had never worked with crocodile before," said Chef Eric "and they [the Zimbabwean chefs] had never made ceviche. We were able to teach each other."

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ATA YOUNG PROFESSIONALS PROGRAM ON THE RISE

Posted Sept. 2012 by Africa Travel Association

Students, Young Professionals, & Industry Leaders Come Together During Record-Breaking YPP Forum and Social Night

The conference room at Elephant Hills Hotel was buzzing with excitement and anticipation as young professionals, students, and industry leaders from across Zimbabwe, Africa, and the U.S. kicked off ATA's Congress with the Third Annual Young Professionals Program (YPP) Forum on Friday, May 18th, 2012. Breaking past attendance records, over 100 students and young professionals from the tourism and hospitality sector came together to discuss the most pressing issues for youth. The tone for the YPP Forum was set by two engaging and knowledgeable moderators from the Zimbabwean tourism industry—Ms. Rumbidzai Mudzengerere, Northern Region Marketing Executive for the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, and Mr. Hugh Mandizha, Food & Beverage Manager of the A'Zambezi River Lodge in Victoria Falls. Ms. Rumbidzai Mudzengerere led the delegates in singing the Zimbabwean national anthem.

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