The Africa Travel Association (ATA) is excited to announce a new way to learn about our members. Photo of the Day. Check our facebook and twitter daily to see amazing photos from our member countries: Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The photos will give you a taste of what the countries offer by portraying a variety of their cultural, culinary, adventure, historical, and social products and services. If you’ve already been to one of our member countries send your top pick to info@africatravelassociation.org with subject line “ATA Photo of the Day Submission.” Please include a description of your photo, your destination, and the photographers name.

This first picture is a photo of Rhumsiki Peak in Cameroon!

It was the team’s last day in Senegal and we were all excited to see more of the country. After a quick breakfast, we found our patient guide, Youssou, waiting for us in the lobby. We set out for the hour and a half drive from Dakar city to the Pink Lake. During the ride, Youssou thoroughly answered all of our questions about history, culture, and development in the country.

 Before driving around the Pink Lake (known as Le Lac Rose), the group stopped at a local hotel with clean facilities and comfortable hammocks in the shade. When we saw the truck we would be riding in, we were all excited to get going.

The finale of the Paris-Dakar Rally. Photo by Julia Firestone.

Driving around the periphery of the lake, we learned that an unassuming chunk of stone was once the marker for the finale of the Paris-Dakar Rally.

Mountains of salt. Photo by Julia Firestone.

As we continued around the lake, we saw giant salt piles gathered by salt harvesters from the lake which is—fun fact—10 times saltier than the ocean. One of our team members was determined to get us out on the lake and although we were all pretty opposed to swimming in the lake (which requires covering one’s body with shea butter because of the high salt content), we were willing to settle on a short boat ride around the lake with a local salt harvester. The salt harvesters, by the way, are primarily Wolof, so if you ever get the chance to take a boat ride with a salt harvester on le Lac Rose, remember to say “Jërëjëf,” pronounced jerry-jeff, which means “thank you” in Wolof.

Photo by Julia Firestone

When we arrived back to shore, local artisans had assembled their work for us. After some bargaining and discussions, we hopped back into the truck with newly acquired gifts for family and friends and continued around the lake and through local farms. We were surprised to see tomatoes and lettuces growing in a dessert-like setting and learned that the Fulani in the area are traditionally farmers and cattle herders.

Julia speaking with the Chief's brother. Photo by Robyn Deutsch.

The next stop was in a traditional Fulani village. The chief was busy and unable to greet our group, but his brother was happy to show us around and spoke fluent French, which permitted me, a humble ATA intern, to translate our conversations about tourism, farming, marriage, and Islam to the rest of the team. When I asked how the community feels about foreigners visiting their home, the chief’s brother told me that they see it as a great opportunity to learn, and to exchange ideas and stories. I whole heartedly agreed.

At the end of the visit, the chief’s brother showed us their community shop where they sell art, instruments, cloth, and dolls. The shop is a cooperative, meaning the money made from sales is put into a pool which then goes to purchasing school supplies, rice, and other community needs. As we left, we were sure to say “jaaraama,” meaning “thank you” in Fulani.

Sand dunes! Photo by Julia Firestone.

One of our team members had been waiting all day for a ride through the sand dunes that surround Le Lac Rose. Finally, we went flying over and around them. “THIS IS THE BEST ROLLER COASTER EVER!” one of the team members yelled over the roar of the engine and the simultaneous “WOOOOO”s from the rest of the group. When we hit the top of a hill, we realized the body of water ahead of us was not Le Lac Rose, but actually theAtlantic Ocean. The driver rolled down the hill and stopped the truck on the beach. With only one or two people in sight, we all went running towards the clear blue water.

Only one woman in the distance and our tire tracks. Photo by Julia Firestone.

Youssou gave us some time to enjoy the landscape and take in the moment before inviting us back to the truck se we could head back to the hotel where we first stopped.

ATA team members enjoy their stop at the beach. Photo by Julia Firestone.

 The hotel has a restaurant where we were served a traditional Senegalese dish, Poulet Yassa. While eating we were serenaded by local musicians playing the kora and djembe. I even joined in for a short jam session.

Photo by Julia Firestone

Sadly, we had to head back to the hotel to pack before our 8am flight the next morning but all of us will always remember this amazing day.

ATA team members with Youssou on the Pink Lake. Photo by Robyn Deutsch.

Many thanks to Youssou, our drivers, and Africa Connection Tours.

Youssou and our driver on the beach. Photo by Julia Firestone

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ACT offers a wide array of tours. For more information about Africa Connection Tours or to book a tour, visit the ACT website here:

http://www.actours-senegal.com/ingl_index.html

Delegates attending ATA’s 36^th Annual World Congress in Dakar, Senegal visited Cheikh Anta Diop University during Host Country Day to learn more about the UCAD Green Campus/International Forest program and ongoing green projects around the campus. During the visit, we had the opportunity to plant more than a dozen trees at the University.

ATA’s carbon neutral tradition began last year in The Gambia at ATA’s 35^th Annual World Congress. It has since become a permanent fixture of ATA’s host country responsibilities.

This year, ATA delegates learned about the “InternationalForest” efforts of UCAD in which individuals or groups work against climate change by planting trees and increasing the use of solar energy on the campus.

One student at the University explained that there is a push to learn about the environment. Students are getting involved in the project because they are concerned about global warming and see tree planting as a solution to environmental concerns. He added that the trees also provide more green space to students for walking, doing work, or just relaxing between classes.

Each tree planted represents delegates present at the congress including each of ATA’s chapters, ministries of tourism, airlines partners, media delegates, ATA’s International Board of Directors, and member countries. ATA delegates expressed appreciation and enthusiasm for the opportunity—some said they hope to return in the future to visit their tree.

A row of trees planted by ATA delegates during the 36th Congress

To learn more about the project, e-mail ucadforet_int@yahoo.fr.

Mr. Eric K.A. Anthony of Alba Travel Service, highlighted Togo, a small country in West Africa, as a travel destination with diverse products and an ideal location. The country has a population of six million inhabitants and over 40 ethnic groups. The Togolese are known for their kindness and hospitality.

Togo Map courtesy of C.I.A. World Factbook

Togo is situated between Ghana and Benin and is bordered by Burkina Faso in the north. Along the coast, temperatures range from about 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, while inland, temperatures range from 70 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Though Togo has a tropical climate, the geography of this 56,785 sq km country is greatly varied from the semi-arid North of the country to the lagoons and marshes in the south, beaches along the southern coastline and rainforests and lakes within the country. The best time to visit is between early November and late April, but visitors are encouraged travel to Togo year-round.

Photo of Lomé courtesy of Alba Travel Service

Visitors to Togo will have no shortage of activities. Lomé, the capital city is a modern metropolis with a lively nightlife and traditional Togolese cuisine. It is also a center of culture, tradition and markets. Outside of the capital city, visitors can travel to cultural and historic sites such as: Wood Home; Koutammakou, a UNESCO world heritage site; Blast Furnaces; Festivals (Epe-Ekpe, Agbogbozan, Evala, Dpontr, Gadao-Adossa and others); voodoo ceremonies; Royal Durbars; and museums.

Photo courtesy of Alba Travel Service

Natural sites found throughout the country include: waterfalls (Akloa-Wome, Yikpa); national parks (Sarakawa-Fazao); Agou, Kloto and the fetish mountains; the Mono waterways; yellow sand beaches; and Togo Lake.

While traveling around Togo, visitors will find a range of accommodations including Mercure Sarakawa, Santa Maria, Ghis Palace, Novela Star, Eda Oba, Le Berceau, Kara, Central, and Le Lac.

Alba Travel Service offers an array of tours:  beachside stays with daily excursions, discovery tours, and inter-state tours. If visitors have a particular tour in mind not listed on the website, Alba Travel Service will help to create a personalized itinerary.

To learn more about Alba Travel Service, or to book a tour, visit their website at: http://www.albatravel.tg/ats/ats_en/

ALBA TRAVEL SERVICE

Tel: 228.222.13.43

ats@albatravel.tg

ATA’s 36th Annual Congress featured something very special for ATA delegates this year; it overlapped with TICAA (The International Tourism, Cultural Industries and Artistic Crafts Fair) in Dakar. From May 27-29, 2011, TICAA was held along Dakar’s beautiful coastline where participants could feel the ocean breeze waft through the pavilion as they meandered through all the colorful and lively booths.

ATA delegates visited TICAA on Friday, May 27th, to attend the festive opening ceremony and go to the show after. TICAA kicked off with an opening ceremony with speeches from Honorable Minister Thierno Lo of the Republic of Senegal, other esteemed guests, and a musical performance featuring West African kora music, singing, and dancing.

TICAA was launched in 2010 by Senegal’s National Tourism Promotion Agency (ANPT) and is the premier international travel and tourism event of Senegal and the larger West Africa region. It brings together travel-trade professionals working in the Africa tourism industry to develop business opportunities, tourism products, and strengthen markets for tourism in Africa.

TICAA gives visitors the chance to learn about destinations across Africa, meet the tourism professionals servicing Africa, and discover the latest travel products in the continent. In addition to learning about the rich travel opportunities in Africa, participants can also visit the artisans market to see gorgeous African arts and crafts. From beautifully hand-woven baskets, colorful tapestries, wood-carved statues and masks, you can get lost in the range of African handicrafts on display at TICAA.

If you are visiting TICAA next year, give yourself a good amount of time to visit all booths and bring an extra suitcase for all the arts and crafts goodies you’ll want to take home!

For learn more about TICAA, visit http://www.tourismesenegal.sn/ticaa.

AP: Can you explain why it was important for Senegal to host ATA’s Annual Congress this year?

SB: First, 52% of tourism in Senegal depends on the French market, which makes the country too dependent on one market. This is not good for the future or sustainable development of tourism in the country. Hosting ATA’s Congress will help to diversify and open up to other markets, especially the U.S. and Canada. The Congress will give Senegal visibility in these markets and exposure in the media. ATA is also present in international tourism trade shows like the ITB in Berlin and the World Travel Market in London.

AP: What do you think visitors will take away from their experience in Senegal?

SB: The friendship and the kindness of the Senegalese people. People are very tolerant in the country, especially with our religious diversity. 85% of the people are Muslim, 10% are Roman Catholic, and 5% are animists. People of different religions live in the same families and in harmony in the country. There is stability and peace in Senegal. Second, Senegal has a lot to offer culturally. We have 17 ethnic groups in the country, each with their own history, culture, and handicrafts. Senegal is a melting pot of cultures for visitors to see.

AP: Can you tell us a bit about one of the cultures visitors will experience in Senegal?

SB: Casamance is in Southern Senegal and is home to the Jola people. There, visitors will experience untouched African values. The Jola people are animists, which means they believe divinity is present in all forms of nature like trees, flowers, plants, and animals. Because of this, they have a great respect for nature and have practiced eco-tourism before anyone else; this respect for nature is anchored in the people.

AP: One of the topics we discussed at the Congress was culinary tourism in Africa. Many people are familiar with the popular Senegalese dish thiéboudienne, can you tell us about another dish visitors should try while in Senegal?

SB: Yassa. Yassa is a popular dish that comes from Casamance region. It can either be grilled fish or chicken and is marinated in green lemon juice and spices.

In Senegal we also have about 20 fruits that can be made into juice, many of these are rich fruits. There is baobab juice, bissap, and madd juice, which comes from a fruit native to southern Senegal.

AP: What is on the horizon for Africa Connection Tours?

SB: We will soon be opening an office in Guinea Bissau. We will also be developing cruise tourism. Dakar is the gateway to Africa and a famous port known around the world. Dakar can be an important stop for all cruise lines in the next 20-25 years.

To learn more about of Africa Connection Tours Senegal, visit http://www.actours-senegal.com.

Delegates enjoying Host Country Day

What has come to be known as a favorite day of the Congress, the Host Country day was hotly anticipated by all delegates. Senegal’s Host County day was a full day of cultural programming and fun.

We began the day with a trip to the famed African Renaissance Monument. Speaking to our tour guides and Senegalese delegates, we learned that the Monument means much more to the country, the region and the continent than simply being a beautiful statue. The symbolism has deep implications. The Monument shows a strong African man, woman and child, highlighting the importance and strength of the African family unit. The child is pointing out into the distance. When I asked the tour guide “What direction is he pointing?” he simply answered “..to the future”. This symbol shows that African children are the future of African development, progress and greatness and that the best is yet to come for Africa. Also, you will notice that the woman is reaching her hand behind her. This represents the fact that African families must not only invest in their own families’ success and well-being, but bring their communities with them.

The African Renaissance Monument

After visiting the monument, we went to a Sand Painting Gallery for an experience none of us expected. As we walked past a beautiful Baobab tree and into the gallery, we heard a Senegalese musician playing the saxophone and saw various stands selling African crafts and souvenirs. We gathered around the table for a demonstration of an artist creating a Sand Painting. The artist took a blank canvas and began to paint with glue that we learned is the gum from the Baobab Tree. Then, after creating what looked like a vague figure of a woman in the glue, he began to work with about 10 different bowls of natural Senegalese sand from different regions of the country. The artist delicately took a little sand from this bowl and a little sand from that bowl and sprinkled it on the glue in what seemed to be a rather nonchalant manner. After a few minutes, the artist picked up the canvas, slammed it on the table to get rid of all of the extra sand and all of the delegates literally gasped at the beautiful painting we had before us! I can confidently say that none of us were expecting to be that wowed by the end product. Many delegates bought 2, 3 or even 4 paintings from this gallery and my 2 paintings are among my favorite art pieces I have ever bought on the continent.

The Artist at Work

The final product!

After the Sand painting gallery, it was time for shopping at the Soumbediome Market. Delegates got the opportunity to meet local artists and merchants and purchase souvenirs such as handbags, jewlery, sculptures and art.

Perhaps the most anticipated part of the day was the trip to Goree Island. We boarded the ferry and enjoyed the 20 minute boat ride with a beautiful breeze. Many delegates didn’t know what to expect…of course, we all knew that it was a heritage site with old slave quarters and that the island represented the exit point of many African slaves the new world. I, for one, was expecting a solemn, dark and very serious place. Upon arrival, we saw about 100 African children jubilantly playing around in the ocean together and heard some beautiful traditional music…the mood was festive, not sad! We immediately walked to the restaurant to sit down for lunch which included fish stew, sweet potato, cabbage, and wonderfully spiced rice. After lunch we began to explore the island. Many markets, art stands and restaurants (including a pizza place) lined the dirt paths. The architecture reminded me of an Mediterranean town and we were having a beautiful day.

Our view upon arrival at Goree Island

But then we went to the House of Slaves (La Maison des Esclaves), the famous site where many slaves were held, mistreated, and eventually shipped to The New World for a life of slavery. As we gathered for a guide to give us the history of the site, the mood got noticeably more somber as people realized the significance of the site. Learn more about the House of Slaves here.

The House of Slaves

Then, we had a chance to explore the island ourselves. We went into the house where we saw the rooms where men, women and children were separated and held in harsh conditions. There was a room where thousands of people from around the world had signed their name or written messages in different languages. I wrote my name on the wall and looked around as other delates did the same.

Cicely Bland was signing her name on the wall with Assistant Minister of Tourism and Culture of Liberia, Aissa Bright and I noticed they were both having a special moment. Tears welled up in Ceiely’s eyes as she hugged Minister bright and looked at me and said “That was Deep”. Then, we walked to the back of the Slave House and saw the famous “Door of No Return”. The door from which Africans exited, never to return to their homeland. I was still standing next to Cicely at this point and I asked her: “What are you feeling right now?” and she paused and then said “We’re looking at the door of no return…and I feel like I returned…like my ancestors returned”. I realized then that this site was incredibly personal and emotional to many of the delegates and took some time to reflect on the meaning of the site myself.

Cicely signing her name

I continued to walk around the island, and came to a platform with a beautiful view. The tour guide told me that below us was a Private school for gifted girls in Senegal. That’s when it hit me…the meaning of Goree Island. What was once a miserable place, symbolizing the enslavement of African people was now a thriving community. What is the significance of the brightest girls in Senegal getting educated on the same Island on which their ancestors were shipped into slavery? Well, I think it means different things to different people…but to me it symbolizes progress, hope and the Renaissance spirit depicted by the Monumnet from earlier in the day.

After returning on the ferry, we were all tired, but went to the University of Senegal for a Tree-Planting ceremony. The ceremony is a follow up to the Gambia’s efforts to plant trees in order to make our 35th Annual Congress in The Gambia carbon neutral. After the success of this effort, the Board of Directors added this to the Constitution of ATA as a responsibility of the host country. We planted 20 ATA trees: we planted trees for each ATA chapter, for the Board of Directors, for the ATA management team, for the Young Professionals, for New York University, for the National Tour Association and for the media. My colleague Julia Firestone will share the details of this event in an upcoming blog.

That night, we participated in the TICAA Closing Gala Dinner where ATA Executive Director Edward Bergman presented ATA Awards and we enjoyed cultural entertainment including music, fashion and painting.

From Left to Right: Nigel Vere Nicoll (ATTA), Lisa Simon (NTA), Hon. Fatou Mas Jobe Njie (President of ATA; Minister of Tourism and Culture of The Gambia), Dr. Elham Ibrahim (Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy at the African Union Commission), Karen Hoffman (Bradford Group; First Vice President of ATA International Board of Directors), Edward Bergman (ATA)

On Thursday, May 26th, Africa Travel Association and National Tour Association renewed their Memorandum of Understanding to work together to promote Travel and Tourism to Africa and advance the missions of each other’s organizations. President of NTA, Lisa Simon participated in an educational session called “Partners in Promoting Tourism to Africa” with Executive Director of ATA, Edward Bergman and Managing Director of London-Based Advancing Tourism to Africa (ATTA), Nigel Vere Nicoll. The panel was moderated by Karen Hoffman, President of the Bradford Group, USA Representative of the Tanzania Tourist Board and the First Vice President of the ATA International Board of Directors. They discussed the importance of strategic partnerships in making progress towards creating a significant positive change in tourism to Africa.

Hon. Fatou Mas Jobe Njie looking as Lisa Simon and Edward Bergman sign the MoU that renews the partnership between NTA and ATA

Ms. Simon also participated in all other Congress events including our day at TICAA (The International Tourism, Cultural Industries and Artistic Crafts Fair) and our Host Country Day trip to the African Renaissance Monument and Goree Island. She told me that a highlight of her trip was the tree planting ceremony at the University of Dakar that offset the carbon footprint of the Congress. I found some time to interview her to get her unique perspective as a representative of tour operators and to hear her thoughts on the next steps for the MoU.

Find an excerpt from the interview below:

RD: How do you connect tour operators with Africa?

LS: When you look at tour operators already working in Africa, they need unique, diverse and customizable products. It is important to educate the operators on product offerings. Companies not working in Africa need to develop face to face relationships with tour operators on the ground in Africa. The way to accomplish this, African Destinations need to bring representatives to Africa to meet with Tour operators in person.

RD: How can we make the ATA Congress more attractive to tour operators?

LS: Firstly, they need education. Secondly, they need to know tour operators in the Destination. Meetings with hoteliers or government officials are helpful, but not what the tour operators are looking for.

RD: What is a concrete action step that can help move the MoU between ATA and NTA forward?

LS: I think the next step is really getting some ATA representation at our Convention in December. We would love to have some ATA members and Board Members at our Convention so we can sit down and discuss what we can do to advance both of our goals. The potential is there, and it will be a multi-year process, but as long as we are committed…we can make some real progress.

Hi, everyone. I’m Roni Weiss. I’ll be talking about some of the things that I’ve found particularly intriguing about Senegal.

Dakar

“Where is Senegal?” was a common response when I said that I was coming to the 36th ATA Congress.

Answer: It’s as far west in Africa as you can get. Senegal borders the Atlantic Ocean. Another peculiarity of its geography is that it envelops its sister nation of The Gambia (other than where the ocean takes over). The phrase I’ve heard for Senegambia (a term that has been thrown around a bunch at the Congress) is that it is “one house with two rooms”.

Gambian Tourism Minister Hon. Fatou Mas Jobe-Njie and Senegalese Tourism Minister Hon. Thierno Lo

OK, so why are Senegal and The Gambia different countries?

I was told by a Senegalese guy that this was an excellent question… And then didn’t really get an answer. So, I researched a bit myself. Apparently, they were in a confederation for a good portion of the 1980′s, but it didn’t work out. Despite this, the two countries maintain close ties, as they have a lot of common ethnicity and language.

Ogo, far right, speacking on the New Product Development Panel about Diaspora Travel

Ogo Sow, better known as Mr. Africa, is a Radio Journalist and Commentator based in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Advisor to the ATA Executive Director on Diaspora Affairs and member of the ATA board. Please view his website here:Ogo has been a huge part of the planning and organizing of ATA’s Congress and this year, Ogo was especially excited because the Congress is being held in his home country of Senegal.

Ogo knows everyone…from government representatives to people on the street and every one of the delegates; and his mission in life is to spread his love for Africa and to encourage his brothers and sisters all over the world to experience Africa for themselves– which he does with passion and enthusiasm that is unmatched.

In ATA Executive Director Edward Bergman’s opening remarks, he made special mention of Mr. Africa, who is also Edward’s close friend, and recognized his commitment and many contributions to the association. One of the highlights of the opening ceremony (and my personal favourite moment) was when Mr. Bergman invited Ogo and his mother, who travelled into Dakar with other family members just to see Ogo at the ATA Congress, to stand for a round of applause.

Ogo with his mother (in blue), his son (far left) and other family members at the Opening Ceremony

Ogo was absolutely thrilled… and his mom was a little taken by surprise but beaming with pride. Witnessing such a special moment for Ogo and his family is something that myself and the other 200 attendees will not soon forget.

The Special Moment

Ogo participated in a panel about New Product Development and Branding on Day 2 of the Congress and discussed how best to mobilize and utilize the African Diaspora in America to increase tourism to and investment in the continent.

Ogo and I at a Senegalese Wrestling Match

]]> http://africatravelassociation.wordpress.com/2011/05/26/delegate-profile-ogo-sow-mr-africa/feed/ 0 africatravelassociation Ogo, far right, speacking on the New Product Development Panel about Diaspora Travel IMG_0393 IMG_0412 Ogo and I at a Senegalese Wrestling Match