As a longtime member and supporter of ATA, SAA has participated in the U.S.-Africa Tourism Seminar since 2006, when it was first launched.
Since then, ATA’s U.S.-Africa Tourism Seminar has become a leading platform for bringing together leaders and professionals from the tourism industry. The 2011 event includes travel agents and tour operators who market, sell and specialize in Africa travel; media and participants from the non-profit and academic sectors – all convening to explore industry opportunities and challenges, and to develop business partnerships. Representatives will attend from more than twenty African countries, including Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, The Gambia, Lesotho, Lib! ya, Madagascar, Malawi, Namibia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Togo, Sudan and Uganda. Tourism board representatives from Egypt, Senegal, Tanzania and Zambia will also attend.
Ambassador Amina Ali, African Union Permanent Representative to the USA, and William Fitzgerald, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the Bureau of African Affairs, will deliver the keynote addresses at the opening plenary session. The session will frame the agenda for the day, identifying how the African Union and the US Administration can collaborate with the travel trade industry to promote Africa’s economic growth.
The 2011 event, organized in cooperation with the African Union and Washington Travel & Adventure Show, kicks off with an evening networking reception on Thursday, March 10th at the Embassy of Zambia, followed by a day of tourism and Africa specialist-led workshops and strategy sessions at the Convention Center on Friday, March 11, 2011. A full schedule is available here.
Presenting sponsor South African Airways will host a media briefing during lunch from 12:30–1:30 pm on Friday, March 11, 2011. The airline will update attendees on its latest news, including route changes and enhanced partnerships. Media must pre-register on-line or directly with ATA before March 8, 2011 to attend the briefing.
The following are among those who have confirmed their attendance at the 2011 seminar: Edward Bergman (Africa Travel Association), Ambassador Alieu Momodou Ngum (The Gambia), John Golicz (UNICOMM, Washington DC, Travel & Adventure Show), Dr. Ada Adler (Bureau for African Affairs, US Department of State), Dr. Hannah R. Messerli (Africa Region, World Bank), Karen Hoffman (The Bradford Group, Tanzania Tourist Board USA), Richard Bangs (Sobek Expeditions), Deborah Traussi (SITA World Tours), Constantine Venetopoulos (Variety Cruises), Scott Wayne (Sustainable Development through Tourism), Gregg Truman (South African Airways), Kagnew F. Asfaw (Ethiopian Airlines, USA), Achma Asokan (Group Systems America), Robert Brunner (Arik Air), Deirdre White (CDC Development Solutions), George Cooley (Destination DC), El Hadji Aziz Gueye (Senegal Tourist Authority), ElSayed Khalifa (Egyptian Tourist Authority), Margaret Makungo (Zambia Tourism Board), Jorge Eduardo Castillo (P! assport Health), Danny BenDebba (DAASN), Shane Ostrowski (Reach Local Inc.), Diego J. Lofeudo (Expedia Travel), Ron Erdmann (Office of Travel & Tourism Industries, International Trade Administration), Doris Wooten (Africa-Tour-Rific), Steve Richer (National Tour Association), David Parry (Academic Travel Abroad & Chair of the American Tourism Society), Obiageli Ezekwesili (Africa Region, World Bank).
Additional seminar sponsors include the Tanzania Tourist Board and Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority; the ATA Mid-Atlantic Chapter; the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts, Liaison with the Private Sector and Small Businesses, Republic of Senegal; South African Tourism (SAT); the Embassy of the Republic of Zambia; Afrique Expansion; Howard University African Business Club; and CDC Development Solutions.
