PATA renews MoU with Africa Travel Association

Friday, 10 December 2010 00:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

PATA has renewed its memorandum of understanding with the Africa Travel Association (ATA) to encourage the sustainable development of the travel-and-tourism industry to Africa.

The MoU was signed this week by Greg Duffell, PATA Chief Executive Officer, and Edward Bergman, ATA executive director.

The MoU offers the two associations a reciprocal membership affiliation together with their products and services, and marks the intent of both to explore resources to facilitate African tour operators to enter the Pacific Asian market and vice-versa.

Duffell said, “The African continent is growing in importance in trade with Pacific Asia. Tourism will play a vital role promoting international understanding and appreciation of our respective cultures.”

ATA was established as an international travel industry trade association in 1975 to promote travel, tourism and transport to and within Africa, and to strengthen intra-Africa partnerships. ATA international headquarters are based in New York, USA.

Bergman said, “ATA has partnered with PATA since 2005 and very much enjoys the reciprocal membership affiliation. We look forward to working with PATA to explore avenues of cooperation in the areas of climate change and industry expansion and to consider together how we can increase travel-and-tourism arrivals and investments between Africa and Asia.”