ASTA and the Africa Travel Association (ATA) have again joined forces in 2007. As a result of the agreement, ATA has become an official supporter of THETRADESHOW in 2007 and ASTA’s International Destination Expo in 2008, which will be held in Lyon, France, April 12-16.

We are excited to have ATA as a supporter for THETRADESHOW because it will allow exhibitors as well as attendees to broaden their areas of expertise and knowledge, said William A. Maloney, CTC, ASTA executive vice president and COO. We hope that the participation of ATA will open doors for our members as well as for ATA members and that the partnership will go further than ASTA. Having ATA at THETRADESHOW and International Destination Expo will raise awareness and start communication about travel and tourism developments in Africa as well as bring more international members and agents with more diverse expertise into the ASTA community.

ATA is a non-profit association of tourism professionals from government, industry, tour operators, travel agencies and media and has been the principal international travel association to promote tourism in and to Africa since 1975. In partnering with ASTA, ATA will be a prominent participant of THETRADESHOW with multiple vendors from Africa present, and will campaign African agents to attend the show so that myriad experience and expertise will be available for all attendees. THETRADESHOW will give travel agents and suppliers from around the world a unique chance to meet in a central location. In addition, ATA members will receive an ASTA member rate for attending ASTA’s International Destination Expo in 2008.

ATA and ASTA have reinvigorated their relationship, said Edward Bergman, ATA executive director. Under the new arrangement ATA and ASTA will be taking on more marketing initiatives and developing an objective purposeful relationship, one that should promote the front-line travel agency concept and sustainable worldwide tourism development, plus provide direct access to Africa destination product knowledge and information for ASTA membership. ATA is pleased to join our travel industry colleagues and associations in partnering with THETRADESHOW and promoting the exciting and diverse tourism product that the African continent has to offer.