THE GAMBIA    17 - 20 MAY 2010

ATA Annual Congress - Officially closed Thursday 20 May 2010
Press release about ATA Gambia 2010 - click here

From 17 - 20 May 2010 The Gambia hosted ATA's 35th Annual Congress at the Sheraton Resort and Spa. This Africa Travel Association congress offered a great opportunity for all important players in the (African) tourism sector to meet and engage in discussions on a range of industry topics such Sustainable Tourism in The Gambia, Innovative and Interactive Marketing, Niche Markets and Emerging Trends, Standards in the Hotel Market in Africa, Hospitality and Tourism Education in Africa and Connecting the Africa diaspora. Special sessions were held on tourism and development, advocating for tourism rescources, and partnership with airlines serving Africa.   

An evening networking reception was organized by the US Ambassador and ATA's Young Professionals Network met with local hospitality professionals and students. For the second year, the congress included a marketplace for buyers and sellers specializing in Destination Africa. Delegates also have the opportunity to explore The Gambia on pre or post congress trips, as well as on the Gambia Day.

The main theme of this congress was Sustainable and Responsible tourism in Africa.  This 35th Annual Congress was the first 100% Carbon Offset Congress of its kind as a result of the creation of the ATA Gambia Forest which over a period of 20 years will offset the carbon footprint of all the delegates and people involved in the Congress.

Welcome to The Gambia! The ATA board and organizers paying a courtesy call to H.E. Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya. A. A. J. Jammeh - President of The Gambia. H.E. is flanked on the right by Alieu Secka - Chair of the ATA Gambia 2010 Chapter and on the left by Edward Bergman - Excecutive Director of ATA. On the second row (between H.E. and Mr. Secka) Hon. Fatou Mass Jobe Njie - Minister of Tourism & Culture of The Gambia. They are joined by a other board members of ATA and members of the ATA Gambia 2010 chapter.

This hallmark international event was attended by African tourism ministeries from among others Tanzania, Senegal, Sierra Leone & Liberia and industry experts representing tourism boards, travel agencies, ground operator companies, airlines and hotels. Participants from the media and the corporate, non profit and academic sectors are also attended.

The Minister for Tourism and Culture of The Gambia, Honorable Fatou Mass Jobe Njie was elected as the new president of ATA during the Congress. She replaced the outgoing president Honorable Shamsa Mwangunga, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism of the United Republic of Tanzania.

This four day Africa Travel Association event was an excellent opportunity for companies to promote their products and visions. A press release was issued at the closing of the 35th Annual Congress. For more information please contact us. 
 

ATA Gambia Chapter
c/o GTA
Tel: + 220 446 24 94
@: info@gta.gm