adminThe country will be hosting the ATA congress for the second time since 1988 and the event was coming at a time when Zimbabwe and Zambia won the bid to co-host the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly in 2013.
ATA is the world’s leading travel association that seeks to foster travel and tourism to African countries by strengthening intra-Africa partnerships.
Through events such as its annual congress, ATA partners with the African Union Commission to promote sustainable development of tourism to and across Africa.
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) head of public relations and corporate communications Mr Sugar Chagonda said a delegation from ATA, led by the travel association executive director, Mr Edward Bergman, confirmed that the country would host the association’s congress next year.
“A delegation of officials from ATA, led by the association’s executive director Mr Bergman, that was in the country a few days ago confirmed that Zimbabwe will host the 2012 annual congress to be held in Victoria Falls mid next year. However, dates for the tourism event are yet to be confirmed,” he said in a telephone interview from Harare.
He said ZTA was happy for the country to be accorded the opportunity to host such an event particularly at a time when Zimbabwe has launched its new tourism brand.
“Certainly we will work with other stakeholders to ensure that the event is successfully held. It is also important that the ATA congress comes a year before Zimbabwe hosts the 2013 UNWTO general assembly, and thus we will use next year’s tourism event as a yardstick to plan for the successful hosting of the UNWTO general assembly,” he said.
The UNWTO is expected to attract at least 3 000 delegates from across the globe.
Mr Chagonda said ATA’s congress was expected to attract between 300 and 500 delegates from all over the world.
ATA is a non-profit international travel industry and trade association established in 1975 and is headquartered in New York.
Its members comprise African governments, their tourism ministries, tourism bureaus and boards, among others.
The association aims to advocate for the continent as a leading global travel destination and to raise awareness of Africa’s diverse travel products.
It is hoped that the forthcoming congress would address timely tourism industry topics and offer professional development opportunities.
Delegates will also participate in roundtables for tourism ministers, African bazaar for buyers and sellers, and other networking events.
“ATA also aims to conduct research with partner organisations on tourism matters in Africa as well as offering members continued education, training and learning opportunities,” he said.
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