The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) and Africa Travel Association (ATA) with the support of The New York Times Travel Show 2008 will host the first U.S.-Africa Tourism and Sports Seminar in the U.S. at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, it was announced.
Entitled, “Making Africa the World’s Next Premiere Travel Destination,” the event will provide more than 200 leaders from the public and private sectors an inside look into the vast array of business exploration and investment opportunities in the travel and tourism industries in Africa.
“In addition to being home to some of the globe’s most spectacular world wonders, Africa offers natural landscapes of all kinds,” said CCA President Stephen Hayes. “With improving infrastructure and growing private sector and consumer purchasing power, Africa is poised to increase its world market share in tourism in the coming years. Through our partnership with The Africa Travel Association and the support of The New York Times Travel Show 2008, this seminar will help lay the groundwork in putting Africa at the top of the wish list of American tourists and investors.”
Currently sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 1.3% of the world market share in the travel and tourism industry. In 2007, the sector generated close to $90 billion in economic activity and is expected to exceed $185 billion within the next 7 years for the region, demonstrating positive growth and investment opportunities.
“With 53 countries on the continent, Africa’s travel and investment opportunities are limitless,” said ATA Executive Director Edward Bergman. “Now, more than ever, the governments of many Africa countries have dedicated resources to turn tourism into one of the motors driving their economic development. Behind this trend is the 2008 forecast that Africa is expected to continue to grow at a high level in international tourism. By partnering with The Corporate Council on Africa and working with The New York Times Travel Show we hope to provide seminar participants with an opportunity to network, explore joint ventures and learn from the travel experts how to enter one of the world’s largest tourist markets.”
Event topics will include sports and tourism, infrastructure development, marketing Africa, traveler perception, travel industry-related investment opportunities, airline and hotel development, and travel trends in Africa.