The president and members of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies ( Nanta) received resounding plaudits from The Gambia Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Honourable Abdoulie Jobe who likened the presence of members of the as a deserving home coming .
He said: we are delighted to host this eminent gathering of notable travel agents, and we bestow high regards to your presence in the smiling coast of Africa. ”
The highly elated minister who spoke at the official flag off the training and tourism market exposure for the cream of Nigeria’ s travel trade professionals, disclosed that destination management ecosystem must consistently respond to fast changing dynamics geared towards addressing the needs of various stakeholders ,the industry and host communities, noting that travel agents must continue to play pivotal roles in finding solutions to those changes in the tourism ecosystem.
” it’s imperative for tourism stakeholders at various levels to take stock and strategize on the next steps to make tourism responsive to these trends and challenges to reposition our coveted industry on a competitive trajectory ” the minister admonished.
Represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Mrs Amie Njie, the minister, further explained that the presence of Nigeria Travel trade professionals in The Gambia was an intentional high-level engagement by the Ministry to market Gambia to Nigeria, and urged the Nigerian influential trade group to have a taste of The Gambia jollof rich known locally as Benechin.
In a brief welcome remarks, Nigeria High Commissioner to The Gambia, Mallam Mohammad Mainasara commended members of nanta for visiting a sister African country for their training programme, urging them to take full advantage of their presence to generate viable mutual trade opportunities between Nigeria and Gambia.
Abubakar Camara and Sheriff conteh Director General and Deputy Director General of The Gambia Tourism Board, respectively, shared binding cultural tourism relationships with Nigeria, while the Managing Director of Djeliba leisure group, a frontline partner of nanta on the training and trade exposure expedition, revealed that Nigerians are close relations to the people The Gambia, steering off emotional chords amongst the visiting Nigerians.
Nanta president, Yinka Folami, touched by the kind words from the Gambia nation, promised that nanta members would certainly change the trade narratives between both countries.
” we believe in inter African trade and tourism exchange, and we as an association started the campaign over five years ago . We love The Gambia, and that’s why we chose to be here for our training instead of going elsewhere. We brought our best to Gambia, and soon, the tourism trade traffic narratives would change, and we have the capacity to do so.” Nanta president assured.
Presenting a nanta plaque to The Gambia First Lady and also to the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Folami disclosed that nanta would also expect The Gambia people and their trade community to reciprocate the Nigerian love to them by visiting and trading more with Nigeria, since Nigeria foremost carrier, Airpeace has established a route to and from both countries.
Nanta president singled out the training faculty of nanta led by nanta first deputy president, Mrs Chinyere Umeasiegbu, immediate past president, Mrs Susan Akporiaye and Mrs Ibiwari uloma kemabonta for always pushing nanta to zenith of success and global presence, adding it is a blessing to be supported and assisted by selfless women.
