GAMBIA TO HOST ATA'S
35TH ANNUAL CONGRESS

Online Registrations Available

African American Baby Boomers, many of whom initially became acquainted with The Gambia...

through the work of the late Alex Haley whose landmark book, Roots traced his own family’s history back to the motherland  and a small village in the Gambia, Juffureh, will be interested in The Africa Travel Association’s 35th Annual Conference which will be held this year in The Gambia.

The Africa Travel Association (ATA) recently announced that registration is now open for the 35th Annual Congress, to be held from May 17-20, 2010 at the Sheraton Gambia Hotel Resort and Spa in The Gambia. Hosted by The Ministry of Tourism and
Culture, The Hotel Association, and private sector partners in The Gambia, the theme of this year’s event is Discover Africa’s Genuine Warmth.  “The congress will provide a diverse group of travel experts from across Africa and around the world with the unique opportunity to learn from each other about the current state and future prospects of travel and tourism to Africa and to work together to shape the industry’s future agenda,” said Edward Bergman, ATA Executive Director.


Delegates can register for the congress on-line at ATA’s website at www.africatravelassociation.org/ata/events/ac.html or call +1-212-447-1357.  Special early bird registrations for ATA members are available until April 14, 2010.  The four day international networking and learning event will engage delegates in discussions on a range of industry topics, such as marketing and promotions, public-private partnerships, infrastructure development, niche markets, industry trends, development, responsible tourism, climate change, advocacy, and social media.

Attending ministers will participate in a special roundtable discussion on tourism policy choices for the African continent.  The program will include several evening events and receptions. Special events include the ATA Business-to-Business Exchange for Buyers and Sellers, which offers travel professionals an opportunity to meet and develop business relationships and linkages with 15-minute face-to-face appointments.

ATA’s Young Professional Network will also meet with local hospitality professionals and students during the congress and an African marketplace will be
open. Finally, on two separate half-day tours, delegates will explore the historical sites of Albreda and Juffureh, among the country’s other leading tourist attractions.

Congress Sponsors:

Royal Air Maroc, the official congress carrier, offers discount rates as low as $713 (plus taxes, available on a first come first serve basis) on roundtrip airfares from JFK International Airport in New York City to Banjul, the Gambia via Casablanca, Morocco.  Departure dates with this special rate extend seven days prior to and after the congress.  The congress sessions will take place at the Sheraton Gambia Hotel Resort and Spa which, along
with other members of the Gambia Hotel Association will offer special rates for ATA delegates. Complimentary daily shuttles will be available to and from the congress venue and events.

Registration and Cost:

To register, visit http://africatravelassociation.org/ata/events/ac.html.  Early bird registration is available for ATA members until April 14, 2010 at $400. After this date, ATA members can register for $500. Non-member registration fee is $600.  Advance media registration is also available.  Media wishing to attend the seminar must apply for media accreditation.  To receive a form, contact ATA at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The deadline for registering for the ATA Business-to-Business Exchange is April 15, 2010.

About the Africa Travel Association (ATA):

The Africa Travel Association (ATA) was established as an international travel industry trade association in 1975 with a mission to promote travel and tourism to Africa, and to strengthen intra-Africa partnerships.  As the world’s premier travel industry trade association, ATA provides services to a broad range of members including: tourism, diaspora, culture, and sports ministers, tourism boards, airlines, hoteliers, travel agents, tour operators, travel trade media, public relations firms, consulting companies, non-profit organizations, businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises,
and other organizations engaged in tourism promotion.

For more on ATA, visit www.africatravelassociation.org.  For more on the venue, Sheraton Gambia Hotel Resort and Spa, visit http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1975 and for more on the Congress Carrier, Royal Air Maroc, visit http://www.royalairmaroc.com/.  As a complement to the ATA website, The Gambia, the host country of the congress, has developed a website with further information on the congress and The Gambia.  Visit www.atagambia2010.com.  For more photos, readers should click www.visitthegambia.gm.