Uganda Host Country Day, A Trip to the Source of the Mighty Nile River, Jinja

By Kat Alexander

The Africa Travel Association’s 39th Annual World Congress was held from November 11-16, 2014 in Kampala, Uganda, with attendees hailing from across the African continent, the United States and beyond. Following four days of informative conference sessions, delegates were treated to a day at Jinja, the second largest town in Uganda and the source of the mighty River Nile.

Photo by: Marie Claire Andrea

Our journey started early Saturday morning at the Speke Resort Munyonyo. Delegates boarded a caravan of cars and mini-buses and traveled 90 kilometers east through the Ugandan countryside. After a two-hour journey past breathtaking views of lush green hillsides, tea plantations, and the Mabira Forest, we arrived in Jinja.

Photo by: Kat Alexander

Delegates gathered on a hillside above the Eastern Bank of the River Nile, near the point where the river begins to flow from Lake Victoria, the source of the Nile, to the Mediterranean Sea. Honorable Rebecca A. Kadaga graciously addressed the delegates. “It’s been a blessing and a privilege for us to host you in our country, which is also your home,” she said, supported by the Hon. Uganda Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Dr. Maria Mutagamba and Hon. Bouba Bello Maigari, Minister of State, Ministry of Tourism and Leisure Republic of Cameroon.

Photo by: Kat Alexander

In a gesture towards sustainable development and in line with ATA’s Annual Tree Planting Ceremony at the World Congress, the Uganda Tourism Board gave each delegate a sapling to plant on the river bank. “We believe that in your lifetime you will come every often… to look after your tree. Your tree will be named after yourself,” said David Gyabi of the Uganda Tourism Board.

Photo by: Kat Alexander

After the tree planting ceremony we walking down a brick stairway — passing women selling colorful handicrafts — to the banks of the Nile.

Photo by: Kat Alexander

A dugout canoe race was held to mark the festivities, each boat propelled through the water by three men.

Photo by: Kat Alexander

In the end, the team rowing on behalf of The Bank of Baroda emerged victorious.

Photo by: Marie Claire Andrea

Photo by: Solomon Mario Oleny

Following the race, delegates walked along the bank of the Nile to board boats of their own.

Photo by: Kat Alexander

After a 10 minute ride south, we reached a cluster of huts perched just above the water line. Just beyond, a small blue sign emerged from the water saying, “The Source of the R. Nile.”

Photo by: Kat Alexander

We crossed on to Lake Victoria and continued our journey, eventually pulling ashore under a row of palm trees. We enjoyed a delicious lunch under the warmth of the sun, a perfect ending to our day together.

China-Africa Travel&Tourism

This blog offers a holistic view of Chinese travel to Africa. China has become the world’s largest outbound tourist-generating country. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) projected in 2003 that the number of Chinese travelers would reach 100 million by 2020. In addition, the China National Tourism Association (CNTA) revised this estimate, speculating that the number of Chinese people travelling abroad will actually reach this level by 2015. Encouraged by the strength of their currency, Chinese tourists spent a record US$102 billion in 2012 (40% more than in 2011), making the Chinese the biggest spenders on travel and tourism globally.

In this context, many countries are competing with each other for Chinese business. Therefore, it is important to ask: what does Chinese travel in Africa look like?  and what are the opportunities?

1. What does Chinese Travel in Africa look like?

Chinese travelers fast figures:

• Largest Tourism market in the world (UNWTO)
• Fastest growing tourism market in the world (UNWTO)
• Over 83 million outbound tourists in 2012 (UNWTO)
• Almost 56 million inbound tourists in 2012 (CNTA)
• Highest spenders overseas (UNWTO)
• 1.3 million visitors to Africa in 2012 (CNTA)

Chinese travelers’ characteristics:

• Experienced Chinese travelers increasingly look for experiences beyond sightseeing and for more exotic destinations than Paris, Sydney or New York.
• Mostly Sight-Seeing
• Traditionalists
• Sight-seeing –Shopping –Entertainment
• High spenders (US$102 billion spent in 2012)
• High expectations
• The numbers are growing but still below potential
• Most popular destinations are Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe
• From travelers to tourists

2. What are the opportunities? How to attract Chinese visitors traveling to Africa?

• Must be an Approved Travel Destination
• Dispel the myth
• Create a little China corner within Africa
• Be known

Related articles link: China’s Travel and Tourism 

Tole Tea Factory, Limbe Wildlife Centre and Botanical Gardens: Host Country Day 1 Friday, October 18, 2013

Hello. My name is Gabrielle. I am a former intern at the Africa Travel Association. I was lucky enough to be asked to accompany ATA and their delegates as a volunteer for their 38^th Annual World Congress in Buea, Cameroon this year. I am honored to be asked to write a blog on the event’s first Host Country Day, a day I would hold in fond memory as part of my first trip to Africa.

After some enlightening and successful presentations from our tourism ministers and professionals on investing business in Africa, it was time for the delegates to explore our Buea Mountain Hotel’s neighboring region of Limbe.

 

Once everyone found a seat on the crowded and enthusiastic bus, we wound our way through mountain forests down to the coastal region of Limbe. Our tour guide told us the history, culture, and flora and fauna of the region as we looked out on acre upon acre of eucalyptus trees and other greens.

 We cleared the forests and before you knew it, we were surrounded by more acres of green, this time of fresh tea leaves. If you looked closely, in the distance you could see men and women working in the tea fields, picking fresh tea leaves for production.

 Our tour guide told us about the tea making process and how the younger tea leaves are the best for making tea. He took us into the factory where we met local workers who gladly and proudly showed us how they process the tea. We saw the picking, drying, grinding, pressing, sorting and packaging of tea while the intoxicating aroma filled our senses inside the dark and bustling factory.

 At the end of our tour, we were warmly greeted with the finished product: a hot cup of tea with animal crackers to enjoy. It was some of the freshest and most delicious tea I have ever tasted, which was made more enjoyable by the smiles and warm hospitality of the local factory workers.

 After our cups of tea, we ventured further into the town of Limbe where we finally came upon the Wildlife Centre. This was, personally, a very exciting and much anticipated portion of the Host Country Day for me, being a wildlife conservationist, animal behavior, and former zoo docent.

 

 As we approached the wildlife centre, it was quiet and calm. Entering the wildlife centre, we saw locals selling arts and crafts as well as souvenirs from the wildlife centre with many smiles and warm welcomes. We walked past the gorilla enclosure and could see the outline of the inhabitants from within their pens. We arrived at dusk after the animals had been out all day. The animals were tired and hungry and ready to settle in for the night. We may not have had much luck in viewing gorillas, but the chimpanzees made up for lost amusement. Being chimps, they were loud, playful and excited to see us: their bald-ape cousins. They swung and played and even felt inclined to interact with some visitors. All the delegates, laughed, screamed and yelled in unison with the chimps. We were all happy to see each other and enjoyed each other’s company immensely. Moving through the centre, we saw crocodiles, snakes, and other primates. Some primates and exotic birds even had the run of the place, leaping over rails and coming up close to say hello and have their picture taken with some of the delegates.

It was a warm and unforgettable visit for the delegates, local employees, tour guides and the animal hosts at the Limbe Wildlife Centre. It was a place where animals were rescued from harsh lives, unfortunate circumstances, and where they could experience humans who would not do them harm, but carry their friendship and experiences with these amazing animals home with them to share.

We had one last stop on our Host Country Day as the sun started to dip low behind the trees in a pink and yellow glow of twilight. The Limbe Botanical Gardens. A wide and enchanting space dedicated to wild, exotic and medicinal plants, herbs, fruits and other flora of the region. 

 We came across an area that was heavily littered with small yellow fruit and the surrounding air held the strong aroma of chocolate. Our delegate, Chef Pierre Thiam, took the opportunity to inquire more about this fruit with the tour guide and tasted the mysterious fruit. He claimed that it had a sour yet delicious taste, even though it smelled heavily of chocolate. This was the first of many strange and wondrous plants that the Botanical Gardens hold. Being there at dusk with only our delegates as patrons, made this place seem even more magical, like a special secret that only we experienced, but hoped many more would experience after us.

Once our tour ended, and we had paid homage to the cemetery in memory of the Nigerian Regiment 1914-1942, we were greeted by local dancers and lively cultural displays, as well as complimentary bananas and other fruits from the Gardens and surrounding neighborhoods. Delegates, including our Executive Director, joined in the celebrations and danced until the sun went down and we made our way to the Fini Hotel by the beach in Limbe for our delegate dinner with our ministers and other professionals from around the globe.

 

At the hotel, we dined, drank, danced and sang with more cultural dancers while reminiscing on the wonderful natural, cultural and economic assets that Limbe and all of Cameroon has to offer for tourists and locals in this magical and enchanting region in West Africa. 

President Obama’s Visit to Africa: Big Hopes for Tourism?

As US President Barack Obama wraps up his trip to Senegal and gets ready for the second leg of his African tour with a visit to South Africa, followed by Tanzania, Africa’s tourism stakeholders in government and in the private sector, are viewing the trip as an important opportunity to market Destination Africa to American tourists and investors.

The timing of President Obama’s trip couldn’t be any better, especially with Africa becoming a more accessible tourism market for Americans.

According to sources at the Department of Commerce’s Office of Travel & Tourism Industries, Europe is still the number one destination of choice, followed by the Caribbean, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. But the outlook for both business and leisure travel to Africa is bright. While the number of U.S. visitors to the African continent has been down in recent years, spending by U.S. travelers has increased every year, up 150% from 2003.

This is especially good news for Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania, countries that will not only host the President and his family, but also large delegations of American economic officials, business executives and journalists.

During President Obama’s three-country, week-long tour, each delegate – or visitor – will play an important role in the growth of the specific destination. As we all know, tourism changes a visitor’s perception of a place that he or she may have only read about or watched on the news.

Tourism also leads to direct investment in the local economy. Every taxi ride, restaurant meal, hotel stay, street purchase, and museum visit has an immediate impact on the local community and people’s lives.

In the medium-to-long-term, tourism creates opportunities for job creation, earnings, business investment, trade and entrepreneurship. It also can pave the way for environmental and cultural preservation, strengthened national identity and political understanding.

The Africa Travel Association has been bringing large delegations from the United States to Africa for 38 years now. In fact, Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania all have longtime relationships with the association. Each one has hosted an ATA travel industry events, dating back to ATA’s eco and cultural tourism symposium in the coastal town of Saly, Senegal in 1992 and, most recently, ATA’s 36^th world congress in Dakar, Senegal in 2011. Events like these – two in Senegal, two in South Africa and three in Tanzania – have a longstanding and lasting impact on U.S. and African relations.

When President Obama stops in Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania, trade, investment and business, alongside development, democratization and Africa’s youth population will be the topics on hand. Tourism intersects with each one of these issues.

President Obama understands this connection. Remember when he urged Congress and the country to back his tourism initiative to welcome more visitors to the USA in January 2012 or his most recent efforts to bring visitors back to the New Jersey Shore after Hurricane Sandy?

Maybe the right elements are beginning to fall into place: we have a U.S. President, who understands the potential of tourism to create jobs, a delegation that is thinking about economic opportunity, trade and public-private partnerships, and stable countries that are targeting the American source market. What else could we hope for?

Sharon Roling
Africa Travel Association

(Photos courtesy of Andrea Papitto, Sharon Roling and Yvonne Noel.)

 

Africa in Motion: Economic Forum

ATA supported the Africa Economic Forum: Presented by the NYU Stern African Business Club and NYU Africa House, in collaboration with Council of Young African Leaders and Vital Voices.

ATA Presidential Forum 2012- Audience Questions

My name is Noura and I am a senior at NYU studying Hotel and Tourism Management. I am currently interning with ATA and had the pleasure to attend the 2012 Presidential Forum on Tourism.

During the forum, the audience posed questions to the distinguished group of panelists. Unfortunately, we ran out of time. So, we have decided to share all of the questions on our blog. We welcome your responses and thoughts…

1. What can Ministries of Finance do to support tourism, compared to Ministries of Education or Transport or Agriculture?
2. How can people promote local investment to finance tourism infrastructure, without compromising ownership and causing leakage?
3. How can Diaspora efforts promote bi-lateral policy and trade between the US and the nations of Africa?
4. How can the African Diaspora be more involved as good will ambassadors here in America, as opposed to being so isolated from the broader American population?
5. Will ATA be willing to have an office in Africa or a representative in Nigeria?
6. What are ways African nations can use social media to promote their countries?
7. What initiatives should be implemented to encourage students from the USA to study in Africa?
8. What are some programs available that make it less expensive for young people to travel to Africa?
9. How can African nations address the issue of educating young people about tourism to have a work force that can meet the demand of tourism as it continues to grow?
10. Education is a big factor contributing to lack of infrastructure and service in the tourism industry in Africa. What are the plans and strategies in educating communities about tourism?
11. How can Africa become “one”? Is there a time frame?
12. How is the bridge project between Senegal and Gambia developing?
13. Is anyone organizing DNA tourism to bring people to Africa after their roots have been determined by a DNA test?
14. How can Africa become a leading global tourism destination? Can they learn anything from Tanzania’s recent tourism growth?
15. Is there any initiative in having a black celebrity/individual be the voice to promote golf and the beautiful golf courses throughout the continent of Africa?
16. How does one working on the ground in Ghana with eco‐sustainable tourism get support to expand?
17. What are tactical ways tourism can inform infrastructure development in Africa since lack of adequate infrastructure is a huge hindrance to Africa’s tourism sector?
18. Does the economic impact data that UNWTO amasses include “trickle down” economics? Meaning the impact of people in tourism‐ taxi drivers/ bellhops etc… and what they spend in their own neighborhoods?
19. How do you hope to engage the global hotel industry to build and develop properties in Africa?
20. What opportunities are there for students to get involved with tourism initiatives in Africa? Are there any volunteer opportunities?
21. The West African Countries’ Eco-tourism Project was born, aiming at paying closer attention to better protecting the National Parks in that area. The Republic of Guinea was designated to chair the steering committee of the Project, under the umbrella of UNWTO. What happened to this project?
22. How can we raise an interest in intra‐Africa leisure travels in order to empower Africans to know more about Africa? What leisure products would you recommend? How can we be expected to love our continent and to develop global awareness when we ourselves don’t know what’s going on?
23. Consider the relevance of tourism to GDP economic growth. Can someone speak about their country’s building/training professional development capacities in the tourism sector?
24. How many countries form ATA?
25. Will ATA be willing to have an office in Africa or a representative in Nigeria?
26. Does the Zimbabwe government encourage volunteer tourism? Are there any organizations that offer opportunities to volunteer with the country in exchange for room/board?
27. To the Tanzanian government‐  How is Africa catering to physically disabled tourists?

Feeling at “Home” in Ko Mpisi Village, Host Country Day One

From the Tree Planting Ceremony, ATA delegates hop back in to the buses, cars, vans and head just a few kilometers down the road to a community-based tourism project just near Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Between the trees, we see an opening that leads us to a dirt road marked by a Ko Mpisi Village sign leading us to our next stop for the day. We drive down the hill as the sound of the drums beating and song fills the air.

Road to Ko Mpisi Village (Photo by: Matt Andrea).

We take our seats on straw mats carefully placed on the floor under the shade of a thatched awning. The community members are already seated in a circle around the area where the cultural performances are to take place. It seems like they are as excited about our arrival as we are to be in a local community. Chief Mvuthu “welcomes us home” to Ko Mpisi Village, which is echoed by an a cappella music performance by a local dance troupe.

they sing…

Welcome home, all of you. Feel at home. We love you.

And, as customary when you are “home,” you eat together. First, members of Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) and the local community wash our hands before we are invited into the kitchen.

A woman from the community washes our hands before we eat (Photo by: Matt Andrea).

Then, they generously fill our plates with….

+ Crocodile, Goat, Beef, Guinea Fowl, & Fish

+ Muriwo Une Doiv (Peanut Butter Greens)

+ Sadza (Cooked Cornmeal)

+ Peanut Butter Rice

+ Butternut Squash

You can take Pierre Thiam out of the country, but you can’t take him out of the kitchen! Senegalese chef Pierre Thiam anticipates trying the local cuisine (Photo by: Matt Andrea).

ZTA staff and local community members serve traditional Zimbabwean dishes (Photo by: Matt Andrea).

Delicious dinner served in Ko Mpisi Village (Photo by: Andrea Papitto).

Dinner was followed by cultural dancing……

Cultural performance in Ko Mpisi Village (Photo by: Andrea Papitto).

And a few delegates couldn’t help but join in…..

Warmly and humbly, we feel at home.

ATA Executive Director joins in the dancing (Photo by: Matt Andrea).

Dr. Yohannes Zeleke, ATA Mid-Atlantic Chapter President joins in (Photo by: Andrea Papitto).

Cindy Ross dancing in Mpisi Village (Photo by: Matt Andrea).

For more photos of Host Country Day 1 at Mpisi Village, please visit our Flickr page:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/65134942@N06/sets/72157630057701018/

By: Andrea Papitto, Thinking Forward Media; Photos by: Matt Andrea and Andrea Papitto

Young Professionals Program Celebrate Africa Social Night, Traditional Braai & Shaking a Leg

Celebrate Africa YPP Social Night, just after the braai.

The energy from the YPP Forum carried over to the Third Annual Young Professionals Program (YPP) Social Night. On Sunday, May 20th, 2012, ATA’s young professionals hosted the 3rd Annual Celebrate Africa Social Night at The Kingdom Hotel in Victoria Falls. This evening was a time for all delegates to revel in African music, cuisine, dance, and Zimbabwean culture. Attendees began the night with a traditional braai barbeque dinner at the poolside garden. Barbeque chicken, steak, and pork were steaming on the grill. Pairings included salad, rice, traditional Zimbabwean sadza, and a lovely assortment of desert.

Chefs at the braai (Photo by: Andrea Papitto).

After much merrymaking, the group moved to the Wild Thing Action Bar inside the hotel, which is known for its dance music…..And that we did. We danced, danced, danced……..

Chefs at the braai (Photo by: Andrea Papitto).

Celebrate Africa YPP Social Night, just after the braai.

For more information on the ATA’s Young Professionals Program, please visit: http://africatravelassociation.org/about/organization/YPPTableofContents.html

For more photos of the YPP Social Night, please visit our Flickr page:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/65134942@N06/sets/72157630044937008/

Photos & Blog by: Andrea Papitto, Thinking Forward Media

A Tree & Tradition Grow in Zimbabwe, Host Country Day Tree Planting Ceremony

The inaugural seed for the Tree Planting Ceremony was planted in Banjul, Gambia three years ago at ATA’s 35^th Annual Congress. The tradition continued with ATA delegates planting a dozen trees on the campus of Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, Senegal in 2011. This year, 12 miles from the Elephant Hills Hotel in Victoria Falls, ATA and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) sow the tradition of planting trees to offset the carbon footprint of the Congress.

12 Miles from Vic Falls, ATA & ZTA sow a tradition (Photo by: Matt Andrea)

The Host Country Day Tree Planting Ceremony is a time when we break from the lectures, panels, and powerpoints to step out of the conference room and into the local community–this year visiting the Ko Mpisi Village, 12 miles on the Vic Falls-Hwange Road. After a short drive from the hotel, we pull over and are guided to our places.

Delegates sit under shade of the tree listening to welcome remarks by Mr. Givemore Chidzidzi, COO of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (Photo by: Matt Andrea)

Men sit under the shade of the canopy and women under the shade of the trees. We listen as Chief Mvuthu of Mpisi Village; Zimbabwe Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Engineer Walter Mzembi; Mr. Givemore Chidzidzi, Chief Operating Officer of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority; and ATA Executive Director Mr. Eddie Bergman deliver welcome remarks and explain the tradition of the Tree Planting Ceremony.

Children from the local primary school tell delegates about the tree species to be planted (Photo by: Matt Andrea).

Children from the local primary school recite descriptions of the indigenous tree species we will plant. We applaud as each student finishes his or her recitation. You can feel their pride radiate to the audience as we move from one student to the next.

Minister of Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage of Uganda, Professor Ephraim Kamuntu plants a tree (Photo by: Andrea Papitto).

Then, there is an unexpected announcement. The tree planting will not stop on May 20th. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority announces that 2,000 indigenous trees will be planted over the next year in collaboration with the local Forestry Commission to honor the Nation’s commitment to conserve and its natural resources. This is the biggest Tree Planting Ceremony to date!

We roll up our sleeves, break ground, dig into the dirt, and start planting.

Minister of Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage of Uganda, Professor Ephraim Kamuntu (Photo by: Matt Andrea).

Planting…..

Chief Mvuthu plants a tree for Mpisi Village (Photo by: Matt Andrea).

Planting…..

Zimbabwe Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Engineer Walter Mzembi  (Photo by: Matt Andrea).

Planting…..

Governor and Resident Minister for Matabeleland North Province, Cde Thokozile Mathuthu (Photo by: Matt Andrea).

Planting…..

Mrs. Marah Hativagone, Chair of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Board (Photo by: Matt Andrea).

Planting…..

ATA board members plant a tree on behalf of all members of the organization (Photo by: Matt Andrea).

Planting…..

Primary school children at the Tree Planting Ceremony (Photo by: Matt Andrea).

One of the eight trees planted on May 20th, 2012. 1,992 to go!

One of 2,000 trees to be planted to offset the carbon footprint of ATA’s 37th Annual Congress (Photo by: Andrea Papitto).

For more photos of Host Country Day 1 at Mpisi Village, please visit our Flickr page:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/65134942@N06/sets/72157630057701018/

By: Andrea Papitto, Thinking Forward Media; Photos by: Matt Andrea and Andrea Papitto

Students, Young Professionals, & Industry Leaders Come Together During Record-Breaking YPP Forum

The conference room at Elephant Hills Hotel was buzzing with excitement and anticipation as young professionals, students, and industry leaders from across Zimbabwe, Africa, and the U.S. kicked off ATA’s Congress with the Third Annual Young Professionals Program (YPP) Forum on Friday, May 18^th, 2012. Breaking past attendance records, over 100 students and young professionals from the tourism and hospitality sector came together to discuss the most pressing issues for youth.

A packed house at the YPP Forum (Photo by: Andrea Papitto).

The tone for the YPP Forum was set by two engaging and knowledgeable moderators from the Zimbabwean tourism industry—Ms. Rumbidzai Mudzengerere, Northern Region Marketing Executive for the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, and Mr. Hugh Mandizha, Food & Beverage Manager of the A’Zambezi River Lodge in Victoria Falls. Ms. Rumbidzai Mudzengerere lead the delegates in singing the Zimbabwean national anthem.

Moderators Mr. Hugh Mandizha, Food & Beverage Manager, A’Zambezi River Lodge, & Ms. Rumbidzai Mudzengerere, Northern Region Marketing Executive, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority kick off the YPP Forum! (Photo by: Matt Andrea).

YPP Forum delegates sing national anthem (Photo by: Matt Andrea).

Dr. Yohannes Zeleke, ATA Mid-Atlantic Chapter President, welcomed delegates and provided an overview of the mission and work of ATA, highlighting, “when we all work together, we as members of ATA are an instrument for change.”

Dr. Yohannes Zeleke, ATA Mid-Atlantic Chapter President delivers opening remarks on behalf of ATA (Photo by: Matt Andrea).

Ms. Robyn Deutsch, Coordinator for Miracle Corners of the World (MCW) Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner, gave delegates four key social media takeaways to promote African tourism:

1) Know your ‘subject’ and environment

2) Engage your audience

3) Diversify content

4) Monitor your progress

Ms. Robyn Deutsch, Coordinator, Miracle Corners of the World (MCW) Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner (Photo by: Martha O’Donovan).

Dr. Thokozile Chitepo, Principal Director of the Ministry of Youth Development, Indigenization and Empowerment of the Republic of Zimbabwe, on behalf of Honorable Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, discussed placing the ethics of sustainability and ecological integrity at heart of African tourism.

Dr. Thokozile Chitepo, Principal Director of the Ministry of Youth Development, Indigenization and Empowerment of the Republic of Zimbabwe (Photo by: Andrea Papitto).

Dr. Chitepo stressed that the youth have the potential to “come up with solutions for the tourism industry.” As a vital part of developing green jobs in the economy, Dr. Chitepo noted that the Ministry of Youth Development, Indigenization and Empowerment “continues to seek and work with other development partners in developing and implementing programs to empower young Zimbabweans and meet mutually related goals. This includes providing youth with entrepreneurial and life skills, supporting youth livelihood projects through the Youth Development Fund as well as creating platforms for youth to participate in sustainable environmentally appropriate jobs.“

YPP Forum Delegates (Photo by: Martha O’Donovan).

Professor Cleopas Njerekai of Midlands State University, Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, gave delegates a solid background and framework for rural tourism development in Zimbabwe and across Africa. Professor Njerekai illustrated that rural tourism is tourism involving the countryside destination, encompassing local culture, traditions, and industries, as well as outdoor recreational actives and experiences that are staged in rural areas. Contrary to mass tourism, local communities play a significant role in providing the rural tourism product.

Professor Cleopas Njerekai, Lecturer at Midlands State University, Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management (Photo by: Martha O’Donovan).

Ms. Andrea Papitto, Co-Chair of ATA’s Youth Advisory Committee and Vice President of Thinking Forward Media, provided a rural tourism success story from her work with the Reseau de Development Turistique Rural (RDTR) in the Souss Maasa Draa Region of Southern Morocco. RDTR’s keys to success were:

1) Organizational leadership

2) Engagement of rural tourism stakeholders

3) Public private partnerships

4) Commitment to develop rural tourism

YPP Forum Delegates (Photo by: Andrea Papitto)

Mr. Dumisani Nyoni; Director of Zimele Institute, Organization of Rural Associations for Progress (ORAP), and Member of the Earth Charter Initiative Council; challenged delegates to reflect on 3 R’s:

1) Rethink: what tourism and travel should be

2) Redesign: the sector

3) Return: What is the return we want from the redesign? What are our social return and our environmental return?

YPP Forum Delegates (Photo by: Andrea Papitto).

Then, Mr. Givemore Chidzidzi, Chief Operating Officer, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, welcomed us all to Zimbabwe, “a song which, once heard is never forgotten; a mood to suit any soul, any time; a spell to bind those who know her,” followed by an overview of Zimbabwe’s World of Wonders:

1) Our Wonderful People & Culture

2) Rich History & Heritage

3) Great Zimbabwe “The Grand Medieval Palace”

4) The Majestic Victoria Falls

5) Pristine Wildlife & Nature

6) The Mystique of the Eastern Highlands

7) The Mythical Kariba & The Mighty Zambezi

Mr. Givemore Chidzidzi, Chief Operating Officer, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (Photo by: Andrea Papitto).

ZImbabwe, A World of Wonders (Photo by: Andrea Papitto).

“The forum presented the perfect platform for young people to express themselves, share ideas and interact on a social level. This was a huge success looking at the number of attendees at the events. The ideas that came up show that the future of Zimbabwe’s tourism sector looks promising and that Africa is willing to go the extra mile in terms of development of infrastructure and technology to meet the world trends. As for me, I am thrilled by the fact that Zimbabwe hosted the third session of ATA and is working to establish a chapter in our country to aid in the efforts to promote Zimbabwe as the preferred destination of choice,” said Ms. Mudzengerere.

YPP Forum delegates with Moderator Ms. Rumbidzai Mudzengerere, Northern Region Marketing Executive, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (Photo by: Andrea Papitto).

ATA looks forward to welcoming participants to the Young Professionals Program and to reuniting in 2013! The vibrancy and leadership shown by the Zimbabwean youth and tourism and hospitality industry have paved the way for YPP initiatives for years to come! Ndatenda!

YPP Forum Speakers (L-R), Moderator Mr. Hugh Mandizha, Mr. Dumisani Nyoni, Dr. Yohannes Zeleke, Dr. Thokozile Chitepo, Mr. Givemore Chidzidzi, Ms. Andrea Papitto, & Moderator Ms. Rumbidzai Mudzengerere. Not pictured Mr. Cleopas Njerekai & Ms. Robyn Deutsch.

For more information on the ATA’s Young Professionals Program, please visit: http://africatravelassociation.org/about/organization/YPPTableofContents.html

For more photos of the YPP Forum, please visit our Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/65134942@N06/sets/72157630045245760/

By: Andrea Papitto, Thinking Forward Media; Photos by: Matt Andrea, Martha O’Donovan, and Andrea Papitto

The YPP Forum was made possible by:

Mrs. Tsitsi Yekeye, Product Development Manager, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA)

Ms. Pauline Ndlovu, Marketing Manager – MICE, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA)

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA)

Africa Travel Association (ATA) Headquarters

YPP Planning Committee Members:

Ms. Praise Tanya Mangemba, Mr. Taku Mbofana, Mr. Assan Njie,

Ms. Andrea Papitto, & Mr. Robert Washington