Tanzania Tourism Minister Lazaro Nyalandu and 3 other ministers promoting tourism in the US

Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism,Lazaro Nyalandu

Four tourism ministers from Africa are in New York University where they are attending the Ninth Annual ATA Presidential Forum on Tourism that started yesterday to discuss various issues relating to the sector in the continent.

A report issued by ATA that was made available to The Guardian yesterday indicates that Tanzania’s Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Lazaro Nyalandu and Zimbabwe Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Walter Mzembi are among those attending the meeting.

Others are Fatou Mas Jobe-Njie, Gambia Minister for Tourism and Culture and Elizabeth Ofusu-Adjare, Ghana’s Minister of Culture, Tourism and Creative Arts and Dr Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, Chief Executive Officer of Nepad.
The forum has been organized by ATA on the occasion of the United Nations General Assembly.

According to the report, this is a high-profile event, which is co-hosted by New York University-Africa House and will bring together tourism leaders from across Africa to spotlight the critical role tourism plays in driving socio-economic growth and development.
Following the Presidential Forum, this year ATA will launch travel trade industry sessions covering US-Africa Travel Trends, attracting the Millennial Traveler, and one-on-one consultations with travel industry leaders. This session is curated by RW Social.

Over two hundred people, including travel and tourism professionals, airline and hotel representatives, diplomatic representatives, African Diaspora leaders, media, faculty and students  are in the US to attend the event.

ATA launched the Presidential Forum in 2006. Since then, over 20 African countries and representatives from the African Development Bank, United Nations World Tourism Organization, World Travel and Tourism Council and the World Bank have participated.

Last year, we welcomed the President of the Republic of Uganda Yoweri Museveni.
The event will be held at New York University 60 Washington Square South Kimmel Centre.

 The Africa Travel Association (ATA) is the leading global trade association promoting travel and tourism to Africa and strengthening intra-Africa partnerships.

Established in 1975, it serves both the public and private sectors of the international travel and tourism industry. ATA membership comprises African governments, their tourism ministers, tourism bureaus and boards, airlines, cruise lines, hotels, resorts, front-line travel sellers and providers, tour operators and travel agents, and affiliate industries.

ATA partners with the African Union Commission (AU) to promote the sustainable development of tourism to and across Africa. ATA's annual events in Africa and the United States bring together industry leaders to shape Africa's tourism agenda.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN