Africa Travel Association launches online registration for 34th Annual Congress in Cairo, Egypt, May 17-21, 2009

NEW YORK, NY – The Africa Travel Association (ATA) announced today that it has launched online registration for its 34th Annual Congress, to take place at the Cairo International Conference Center fro

NEW YORK, NY – The Africa Travel Association (ATA) announced today that it has launched online registration for its 34th Annual Congress, to take place at the Cairo International Conference Center from May 17-21, 2009. The theme of the event is โ€œConnecting Destination Africa,โ€ bringing all the nations on the African continent together under one umbrella.

โ€œThis year’s congress introduces the first ATA African Bazaar, to provide a forum for buyers and sellers from across the world to sit down and do business,” said Charlie Gatt, member of ATA’s international board of directors and publisher of Travel World News. โ€œThis new addition to the congress will provide Africa-based suppliers with a full day of 15-minute appointments to meet and develop business relationships with international and local tour operators. ATA means business!โ€

Over four hundred delegates from around the world will gather in Egypt for four days of networking, learning, and exchanging ideas on topics foremost on Africaโ€™s travel, tourism, and transport agenda. Delegates will include tourism ministers, national tourism board directors, travel experts, hospitality industry professionals, travel agents, tour operators, NGOs, scholars, travel trade media, and young industry professionals.

โ€œWe look forward to returning to the incredible city of Cairo, a gateway to the rest of the continent,โ€ said Edward Bergman, ATA executive director. โ€œFrom the Pyramids to the Sphinx, a cruise down the Nile or the beautiful resort town of Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt has a diverse portfolio of travel products. ATA is proud to share them with the world.โ€

The four-day international event will address topics such as Africaโ€™s marketing and branding opportunities, tourism growth markets, travel trends, air accessibility, investment opportunities and value travel packages in the current economic climate, responsible tourism, the role of the African diaspora in tourism promotion, and young travel professional development. It will also include roundtables with ministers and suppliers, networking receptions, a buyerโ€™s marketplace expo, and gala dinners.

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and the Egyptian Tourist Authority are subsidizing hotel accommodation for the delegates and providing transportation, logistical support, and one full-host country day of tours and entertainment.

Egypt Air, the official congress carrier, offers discount rates as low as US$711 (excluding taxes, available on a first come first serve basis) on roundtrip airfares from JFK International Airport in New York City to Egypt Airโ€™s new terminal at Cairo International Airport. Departure dates with this special rate begin on May 16, 2009.

Fairmont Heliopolis, the official congress hotel, a five-star property located in downtown Cairo, also offers delegates discount rates. With support from the Egyptian government, single rooms go for US$125 per night (including taxes and breakfast). Double rooms go for US$72.50 per night per person (including taxes and breakfast).

Delegates will have the opportunity to explore Cairo on a Host Country day with a day-long tour to the Pyramids and a visit to the National Museum.

To register and to obtain more information on the congress, as well as sponsorship opportunities, visit http://africatravelassociation.org/ata/events/ac.html . Early bird registration is available until March 31, 2009 with rates as low as US$400. Sign up for ATAโ€™s Bazaar on a first-come, first-served basis by March 31, 2009.

About the Africa Travel Association (ATA)
The Africa Travel Association, a US-based, non-profit, is the worldโ€™s premier travel industry trade association promoting tourism to Africa and intra-Africa travel and partnerships since 1975. ATA members include ministries of tourism and culture, national tourism boards, airlines, hoteliers, travel agents, tour operators, travel trade media, public relations firms, NGOs, and SMEโ€™s. For more on ATA, visit www.africatravelassociation.org .

About Egypt Tourist Authority
For more information, visit http://www.egypt.travel .

About Egypt Air
For more information and to check departures and arrivals, visit http://www.egyptair.com/English/Pages/default.asp .

About Fairmont Heliopolis
For more information on Fairmont Heliopolis, visit http://www.fairmont.com/heliopolis .

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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