About 500 delegates are expected in Kampala come November to be present at the 39th Congress of the Africa Travel Association (ATA) that will take place from 11th to 16th at Speke Resort Munyonyo. This will be the second time for Uganda to host this event and hundreds of delegates will come from North America.
The ATA Uganda Chapter President Susan Muhwezi said “the congress will not only drive mass numbers to Uganda, but it will also be an eye opener of Uganda to the world.” Susan is the newly elected President of the Uganda Hotel Owners Association.
Africa Travel Association was set up in 1975 and is currently the leading global trade association promoting travel and tourism to Africa and consolidates intra-Africa partnerships. It serves both the public and private sectors of the international travel and tourism industry.
ATA membership consist of African governments, their tourism ministers, tourism bureaus and boards, tour operators, travel agents, hotels, safari lodges, resorts, airlines, cruise lines, front-line travel sellers and providers, and affiliate industries.
Maria Mutagamba, the tourism minister of Uganda, guaranteed that all African tourism ministers will be invited and thanked ATA for accepting to bring the Congress to Uganda. She promised that all guests will enjoy their stay in the country.
Stephen Asiimwe, the Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Tourism Board said the ATA event would be a key step for Uganda to create a stronger presence as a major tourism destination in the North American market which is one of the priority target markets.
He added that Business-to-Business meetings will be arranged to encourage investment in domestic and regional tourism. The Congress will also bring in large numbers of travel writers which will attract young people to engage in tourism.
Edward Bergman, the ATA Executive Director thanked President Museveni and the Patron ATA Uganda Chapter Janet Kataha Museveni for the hospitality and for accepting to host this year’s event. “Food is a hot topic in America so they we will fly in top chefs as a way of promoting culinary tourism,” he said.
