The race to explore Zimbabwe's world of wonders, host of this year's annual Africa Travel Association (ATA) congress, has commenced with the official registration for the event by its members and others expected at the 37thcongress already in progress.
The congress, scheduled for May 18 and 22 at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, is to be hosted by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) under the auspices of the minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Walter Mzembi. The theme of the congress is "African Tourism: Partnering for the Future".
Delegates for the five-day tourism event, which is ATA's flagship programme for Africa, are to register online at http://africatravelassociation.org/congress_reg.html. Over 300 participants are expected at the event. These include tourism ministers and industry experts representing tourism boards, tour operators, and their product development executives, front-line agents, ground operator companies, airlines and hotels.
Others are the travel trade media and the corporate, nonprofit, and academic as well as African Diaspora representatives and ATA's Young Professionals Program participants.
Zimbabwe, host of the congress, presents a world of opportunities for the participants to explore its choice seven wonders, including its people and culture, history and heritage, Great Zimbabwe (grand medieval palace), Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya), wildlife and nature, Eastern Highlands, and Lake Kariba. Delegates will sample some of these wonders during the celebration of Zimbabwe Day and by participating in pre- and post-congress tours.
According to the programme of event, the ATA International Board of Directors meeting is scheduled to hold on Friday, May 18 while Saturday, May 19 begins with sessions focusing on Destination Zimbabwe, followed by an opening ceremony with cultural entertainment.
The next few days will feature ample networking, learning, and professional development panels and workshops addressing industry topics such as community-based travel, agro-tourism, academic travel, faith-based tourism, e-tourism, marketing, branding, private sector investment, women and tourism, sustainable tourism, and African culinary products. Delegates will also participate in roundtables for tourism ministers, a media marketplace, networking events, host country day(s), and gala dinners.
Zimbabwe will also organize a marketplace featuring art, sculpture, and daily excursions in Victoria Falls. The event will close on Tuesday, May 22. Pre- and post-congress excursions and trips will be available to delegates.
South African Airways is the official sponsor and airline for the 2012 ATA World Congress and it offers special discount package for delegates travelling from the different parts of the world. Arik Air, Nigeria, is the media airline for the event and also offers special discounted rates.
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