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ATA
Symposium |
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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE Angola's Prime Minister
dos Santos to Open Africa Travel Association's
Ninth International Cultural and Ecotourism
Symposium Luanda, Angola,
Oct. 30 - Nov. 4, 2005 New York, NY, USA:
September 19, 2005: The Republic of Angola has
accorded the Africa Travel Association's 9th
Cultural & Ecotourism Symposium the status of a
State Event. To be held in Luanda, the capital,
from October 30 to November 4, this important
occasion marks the first time a travel tourism
industry event of international significance has
been held in Angola. Angola's Prime Minister dos
Santos will open proceedings at the Palace of
Congress. Headquarters hotel will be Le Presidente
Meridien, a 4-star property overlooking Luanda
Bay. The joint
announcement was made by Africa Travel Association
Executive Director Mira Berman and Hon. Eduardo S.
Chingunji , MP, Minister of Hotels and Forests,
Republic of Angola, who is in New York City this
week to attend a reception in his honor by the
Association's New York Chapter (NYATA). H.E.
Chingunji said, "This landmark decision is
indicative of the nation's recognition of the key
role that tourism can play in the economy of this
rapidly emerging country, which is one of the
continent's richest in terms of
resources." The symposium
program, which starts with a 'welcoming' speech by
H.E. Prime Minister dos Santos, will include daily
seminars and workshops on topics that are vital to
Africa and the world's travel and tourism industry.
Attractions include a series of gala luncheons and
evening banquets, enhanced by cultural
presentations and entertainment. Also on the agenda
are greetings by the United States Ambassador and
the Governor of Luanda Sul. Host
Country The Angola Tourism
Ministry's Conference Planning Committee has
arranged an outstanding 'Host Country Program,'
which includes a half day sightseeing excursion in
Luanda and area, visiting such popular sites as the
Slavery Museum Craft Market, Moon Viewpoint at the
National Park of Quissama, plus attendance at the
Craft, Cultural and Tourism Fair. Later there will
be an overnight stay and full day excursion in
Luanda Sulsaurimo, with a visit to
Catoca. Special Air
Rates The ATA Symposium
registration package includes hotel accommodation
at Le Presidente Meridien, Hotel Avalade and Hotel
Tropico. As of this date, special symposium air
rates have been arranged with British Airways,
South African Airways, SN Brussels Airline and Sky
Link. About
Angola Angola, a member of
SADC, Southern Africa Development Community, has a
population of over 12 million and is bordered by
Namibia, Zambia and Congo, with the Atlantic Ocean
on the west. Angolans speak a combination of
Portuguese and Bantu languages, and their currency
is Kwanza (Kzr). The country's main exports are
petroleum products, diamonds, minerals, coffee,
fish, timber, cotton, sisal and other agricultural
products. It was from here on the Congo river, that
Sir Henry Morton Stanley, an American journalist,
began his historic trip into the heart of Africa in
search of the famous Dr. David
Livingstone. Being a resource
rich country, Angola's natural bounty makes it one
of Africa's wealthiest nations, with oil fueling
the economy and diamonds adding the glitter. Second
largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa, Angola
is pumping close to a million barrels a day from
its vast offshore oil fields, accounting for over
40 percent of Angola's GDP and almost 90 percent of
government revenues. U.S. dollars are widely
accepted in local shopping along with local
currency. Angola's climate
varies depending on the altitude, the warmest
months being September and October, while the
coolest are July and August. Coastal mountains,
level to a vast plateau, which makes up most of the
country. The northern plateau is thickly vegetated
while to the south the country becomes increasingly
arid. Lightweight casual wear may be worn year
round. About
Luanda Luanda the capital
of Angola, was founded in 1575 by the Portuguese
explorer Paulo Dias de Novai and retains its
heritage as a Portuguese colonial city. There are
several buildings of historical significance and
churches that date back to the 1600s. Luanda
is divided into two parts, the ‚"baxia‚"
or old part and the ‚"cidade alta‚" or
new part. The main visitor attractions are the
Fortress, the National Museum of Anthropology, and
the Museum of Slavery along the coast from Luanda.
Kissama National Park, 70 km south of Luanda is
home to a great variety of wildlife. The broad
Atlantic Coast of Angola offers superb beaches. As
an example, the city of Luanda is built around a
bay, with popular public beaches just five minutes
from the city center. Traditional Angolan cuisine
has a strong Portuguese influence. Local arts and
crafts can be purchased in many marketplaces in
Angola. Items made from ebony, rosewood,
straw, malachite, bronze and pottery are all
available. Other popular items to purchase are
wooden masks and traditional instruments such as
marimbas, kissanges, xingufos, ankle rattles and
drums. After many years of
civil war, reconstruction of this beautiful country
is an immediate priority. With the long range
benefits derived from hosting an organization such
as the Africa Travel Association, the country is
well on its way. About
ATA The Africa Travel
Association (ATA) is an international, nonprofit,
nonpolitical,travel industry association
established in 1975 to promote tourism to the
continent of Africa. Its membership includes
African Government Tourism Ministries and Boards,
international airlines, hoteliers, cruise lines,
tour operators, travel agents, tourism educators,
media and public relations/marketing firms. ATA is
a member of the American Society of Travel Agents
(ASTA); World Tourism Organization (WTO); and an
industry partner in the "Green Globe" program. The
Association publishes Africa Travel Magazine and
operates a 2,400 page web site that has become a
leader in searches for Africa- related
topics. Contact Karen
Hoffman Africa Travel
Association E-mail:
africatravelasso@aolcom Telephone 212 447
1926, fax 212 725 8253 Web site:
http://www.africa-ata.org/angola.htm The Embassy of
The Republic of Angola 2100-2108 16th
Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009 202-785-1156 phone,
202-785-1258 fax Web site:
http://www.angola.org/ AFRICA TRAVEL
ASSOCIATION'S NINTH
CULTURAL & ECOTOURISM SYMPOSIUM Under the
Auspices of THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ANGOLA and
the MINISTRY OF
HOTELS AND TOURISM, LUANDA, LUANDA,
ANGOLA OCTOBER 30 -
NOVEMBER 4, 2005 OFFICIAL OPENING
AND CLOSING CEREMONIES PRESIDED OVER BY: H.E.
FIRST LADY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ANGOLA H.E. PRIME
MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF ANGOLA SLAVERY MUSEUM
CRAFT MARKET MOON
VIEWPOINT
. NATIONAL
PARK OF QUISSAMA ATTEND
INAUGURATION OF THE CRAFT, CULTURAL &
TOURISM FAIR FULL DAY
EXCURSION & OVERNIGHT STAY IN LUNDA SUL
SAURIMO
AND
VISIT TO
CATOCA REGISTER
NOW ONLINE Africa
Travel Magazine Dear
Colleague Marketing Africa
travel trade and tourism to North Americans has
been ATA's top priority since 1976, and Africa
Travel Magazine is its 'showcase. November's
glossy, full color edition features our 9th
Cultural and Ecotourism Symposium, hosted by
Angola, with the country's President and First
Lady presiding. Many African Tourism Ministers
will participate, along with travel, tourism,
airline and hotel executives from the USA,
Canada, Africa and beyond. All ATA African
member countries will be featured, since each
has a unique story, and many have already hosted
this popular event. Your advertising will have
an extended life - - thanks to a package that
includes PRINT plus WEB. That means your print
ad appear free for 12 months on Africa Travel
Magazine's Web Site. This powerful site
generates over 8,500 page views daily and keeps
readers glued to the screen for an average of 10
minutes (Sept. 2005 Webtrends). Following the
symposium, this prestige issue will target North
America and our expanding global market. Major
promotion continues in January 2006 at ATA
Travel Expo exhibits in New York, Chicago and
Washington, DC, followed by exhibits in Western
USA and Canada. Closing date for advertising
material is October 15, 2005. We welcome the
opportunity of working with you on a long range
basis. Warmest
Regards The
Publisher Download
Media Kit |
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