09/02/12, 20:04:06 EST

  e-mail this article

Africa Travel Association launches online registration for the 2nd US-Africa Tourism Seminar in Washington, DC - February 19-20

www.africatravelassociation.org

NEW YORK, NY - The Africa Travel Association (ATA) announced today that it has launched online registration for the Second Annual US-Africa Tourism Seminar, which will take place at the Washington Convention Center from February 19-20, two days prior to the Adventures Travel Expo (ATE) travel mart.

Focusing on sports, adventure, and diaspora travel and tourism, the two-day event will showcase Africa as a top tourism destination from the US and as a site for investment and business exploration in one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism markets.

“In addition to some of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders, Africa offers some of the most unique and exciting travel products,” said Eddie Bergman, ATA executive director. “With Africa’s improving infrastructures, a growing private sector, and an increasing awareness of the role the travel industry can play in a country’s socio-economic development, Africa is poised to increase its global marketshare in tourism.”

Global representatives from the public and private sectors and travel industry will convene in Washington, DC to discuss Africa as a leading travel destination and hear from expert panelists about Africa’s travel products, particularly in the areas of sports tourism, adventure travel, tourism infrastructure development, responsible and sustainable tourism, business and investment opportunities, airline access, and travel trends.

Travel agents and tour operators who market, sell, and specialize in Africa are encouraged to attend the seminar, which will include a workshop on marketing and branding Destination Africa with leading industry experts. In addition, a number of speakers on other workshops panels will also address these topics in their presentations.

The seminar will also feature two workshops on African diaspora tourism. One will focus on the role of the diaspora in changing perceptions of Africa in the US and another will focus on the emerging African diaspora tourism products, such as cultural and heritage tours, as well as investment opportunities.

“As a native of Senegal now living in Atlanta, I think its important for émigrés to invest in Africa, either by visiting the continent or, if they can’t go back physically, by ‘going back’ economically and culturally,” said Ogo Sow, ATA Diaspora Affairs advisor. “The African Diaspora is a logical bridge between the USA and Africa, and ATA can help build this bridge.”

To register and to find more information on the seminar as well as sponsorship opportunities, visit http://www.africatravelassociation.org/ata/events/uats.html.

About the Africa Travel Association (ATA)

The Africa Travel Association, a US-based non-profit, is the world’s premier travel industry trade association promoting tourism to Africa and intra-Africa travel and partnership since 1975. ATA members include ministries of tourism and culture, national tourism boards, airlines, hoteliers, travel agents, tour operators, travel trade media, public relations firms, NGOs, and SME’s. For more information on ATA, visit ATA online at www.africatravelassociation.org .

 Printable Version  | published Jan 15, 2009