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David Saunders Biography Africa Overview Morocco as a Tourism Investment Ecotourism a Stimulus Nepad Challenge Investing in Africa Prosperity African American Tourism Market Ambassadors of Tourism to Ethiopia Bunce Island Franchising US President African Visit

BIO-SKETCH OF DAVID J. SAUNDERS, MEMBER, ATA BOARD OF DIRECTORS   Mr. David J. Saunders, is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Venue International Professionals, Inc. and brings to VIP an extensive background in business development and marketing expertise within the international trade and investment arena as a consultant and technical advisor. He was elected as an Associate Member of the ATA's International Board of Directors and is the Chairperson of the Membership Committee. He also is a member of Constitution Advisory Committee, Strategic Planning Committee and Education and Training Committee. He was credited with creating both the ATA Chapter Presidents' Forum and the New Members Orientation Forum. He has been a member of the ATA organization for five years and prior to his election to the ATA Board of Directors he was the President of the ATA's Mid-Atlantic Chapter from 1997-2000. He has organized, coordinated and hosted many trade and tourism shows, marketing and sales blitz campaigns, and press conferences as well as conducted various tours for groups to the Continent of Africa. Web Site: www.venuetravel.com His active professional and corporate affiliations include, but are not limited to: member of the District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce (DCCC) Executive Board of Directors; Vice Chairperson of both the International Trade Committee and the International Travel and Tourism Committee of the DCCC; member of the Black Presidents' Roundtable Association (BPRA); and member of the National Board of Directors of Blacks In Government (BIG). He is also a Special Advisor to Howard University's Small Business Development Center (HUSBDC) as well as a member of the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Washington Metropolitan Area Advisory Council. In addition, he was a Special Advisor to the District of Columbia's 1995 Delegation to the White House Conference on Small Business (WHCSB). In 1999, he received the ATA's Outstanding Leadership Award for his exemplary contributions to the organization. In addition to the above, he is the Director of Management and Administrative Services for the Constituency for Africa (CFA) which is the premiere advocacy non-governmental organization (NGO) for Africa in the United States. He is a also a regular contributing writer and researcher for several trade publications to include the ATA Website, Africa Travel Magazine and Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine.   Will Africa become the tourism destination of the future for African-American travelers and investors?..by David J. Saunders The emergence of travel and tourism opportunities to the Continent of Africa is good news for the savvy African-American traveler. Recent trends indicate that today's African-American traveler wants a more enriching experience than what is typically offered by the conventional "sun and sea" vacation. African-Americans are becoming more aware of the fact that the Continent of Africa offers a wide diversity of people and environments which is unequaled by any other region on earth, from its fantastic wildlife and natural landscapes to its fascinating cultural and historical heritage. Unfortunately, the travel and tourism industry has not yet devoted a significant levels of interest and marketing effort to encourage the African-American traveler to consider all that the African Continent has to offer. The 30,000,000 African American Market "America has good reason to work with Africa: 30 million Americans, more than one in ten, proudly trace their heritage here. " US President Clinton. Americans of African heritage form the backbone of the Africa Travel Association. It's a thrill to share their excitement, as we watch so many discover their roots for the first time. Like a great book has many "chapters" -- some large, some small, local chapters are the heart and soul of ATA -- our building blocks. David Saunders (right) of Washington, DC, is a prime example of a man of action, dedicated to Africa and ATA objectives. His articles are informative and right on target. We know you will enjoy the following. Jerry W. Bird, Editor Poised for growth According to 1998 world tourism figures, Africa attracted only four percent of the 626 million international tourist arrivals recorded, and received only 2.2 percent of the US $445 billion spent globally by tourists. Fortunately, that share of the international travel and tourism industry is expected to grow considerably within the first decade of this new millennium. In fact, the travel and tourism industry is projected to become Africa's most attractive sector for foreign direct investment during the next five years, according to the 1999 World Investment Report issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and development. This forecast was based on the results of a survey of 44 African investment promotion agencies which showed that from 1996 to 1998 tourism was ranked third behind the telecommunications and agri-business industries that received considerable foreign direct investments. Encouraging facts in Tourism's favor Moreover, it is a little known fact that the travel and tourism industry is the only major sector in international trade in services in which developing countries recorded surpluses. This positive balance in their travel and tourism account improved from an mount of US $6 billion in 1980 to US $62.2 billion in 1996, according to United Nations' statistics. The world Tourism Organization currently ranks the African Continent as one of the fastest growing destinations for international tourists. International tourist arrivals rose in Africa from 7.5 percent in 1998 to US $24.9 million (from $23.2 million), while receipts jumped 5.9 percent from US $9 billion to $9.6 billion. Tourism organizations, tour operators, governments, hotel groups, airlines and other service-related providers in Africa are now joining forces to ensure that the continent is put firmly on the map as one of the world's premiere travel and tourism destinations. A pattern set by Caribbean Tourism In fact, there is an international trend towards the establishment of tourism and marketing strategies much like what was done for African-Americans with regard to the travel and tourism industry of the Caribbean Islands. Interrelated travel and tourism indicators and trends strongly point towards a thriving business opportunity for investors in the travel and tourism industry on the continent of Africa. Consequently, many African tourism ministries are working with a number of international organizations and governments to develop their tourism research master plans. African countries are also cooperating on a regional level to attract international tourists and investors with a focus firmly on the more affluent foreign traveler rather than cheap charters and the potential for returns on their investments are very attractive. It is a strategic partnership that will stretch beyond Africa's borders but the question is how will African-Americans benefit from this increased investment opportunity? David J. Saunders (continued)