ATA satisfied with Zim as congress ends

 

In an interview in Livingstone Zambia, ZTA chief executive Mr Karikoga Kaseke said the association was satisfied with the country’s culture, the people and the natural resources on offer.

ATA delegates were taken to Livingstone as ZTA wanted to test the customs and immigration protocols on both borders ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly to be co-hosted by the two countries next year.

“ATA did not willingly come to Zimbabwe; they were skeptical about coming here. They were talking about the negative perception they had received from the media over the years and perception had become a fact on their part. So they have extremely shifted from their negative perception after the congress,” he said.

“We are very happy as they said they are regretting why they have not been coming here over the years. We are happy we managed to change the thinking of the Americans.”

Mr Kaseke said even the outgoing American Ambassador Charles Ray blamed the media for the lies about Zimbabwe.

“This is exactly what we have been longing for. Efforts of bringing ATA have paid dividends and we cannot put a cost to it,” he said.

ATA executive director Mr Edward Bergman said he was also excited that the congress had been a huge success.

He said his association was merely interested in the growth of the country’s tourism sector and not politics.

“This has been huge success and it also endorses Zimbabwe as a destination to do business in,” he said.

Mr Bergman said they would continue to market the country to the American market and in new markets the association was eying.

Over 650 delegates registered and participated at the congress.

ATA last held its congress in Zimbabwe in 1988 when it took place in Harare.

ATA is one of the leading global trade associations promoting travel and tourism to Africa and strengthening intra-Africa partnerships.

Established in 1975, the organisation has partnered with the African Union Commission to promote the sustainable development of tourism across the continent.