ATA Executive Director

VP Njie-Saidy Courtesy of Jollof News

The African Travel Association (ATA), on Monday, opened its 35^th Annual Congress in the Gambian capital, Banjul. The four-day confab, which brings together participants from across Africa and the United States, is centered on the theme: “Sustainable and Responsible Tourism in Africa.”

Over 200 delegates from the participating countries are in attendance, including leading executives from the world’s leading tour operators, travel agencies and other stakeholders.

The event, among other things, seeks to provide opportunities for participants to discuss the state of tourism on the continent and the way forward.

This is the second time Gambia, a country that relies heavily on tourism, is hoisting this gathering, the first being in 1984. Tourism is described as the fastest-growing sector of Gambia’s economy, said to be contributing 12% of its GDP and providing employment for over 100,000 Gambians.

The country’s Vice President, Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, who officially opened the Banjul congress, used the opportunity to reiterate her government’s stance in the promotion of the industry. She divulged a tourism master plan she said her government was working on, which is largely geared towards this effort.

“Quantitative improvements will be pursued in relation to such variables as tourist arrivals, job creation, inter-sectoral linkages, entrepreneurial innovation and participation, training of personnel and regulatory frameworks,” she stated.

And she added: “Essentially, the Master Plan has been crafted in such a way that mutually rewarding partnership and outcomes could be derived for the Government, the private sector, tourists and people of The Gambia.”

Edward J. Bergman, Executive Director of ATA, told delegates that 2010 presents the opportunity to address some of the challenges facing Africa’s tourism industry. “We live in a world where our borders can be overwhelmed by our global connections, prosperity and growth can have a direct impact on the rest of the world, and Africa’s stability can advance peace, prosperity and human security everywhere,” he said.

The opening ceremony of this four-day event also witnessed addresses from ATA International President and Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Shamsa Mwangunga; the Gambian Minister of Tourism and Culture, Fatou Mass Jobe-Njie; and Chairman of the Host Committee, ATA Gambia Chapter, Alieu Secka.

The event which attracted participants from USA and all over Africa was also marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Gambia’s Minister of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment, Abdou Kolley, and ATA President Hon. Shamsa Mwangunga.

During this four-day deliberation, participants will formulate effective action plans and design strategies that are geared towards putting the tourism industry at the centre stage of development processes on the continent.

Additionally, ATA’s 35^th congress will enable the establishment of a forum for decision makers and professionals in tourism, environment, art and culture, to meet and evaluate the progress made towards the promotion of destination Africa.

As part of the event, the organizers scheduled an excursion to James Island, symbol of the slave trade and a prominent tourist attraction, and also a visit to Kanilai, the home village of Gambian President Yahya Jammeh.