Nigerian travel company leaders arrived at Banjul airport on Tuesday for a special business meeting. The Gambia Tourism Board welcomed over 80 executives from the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies. Yinka Folami leads the group and praises Gambia as the Smiling Coast of Africa. The visitors will attend a two-day conference at Tamala Resort starting May 28. Travel experts from both countries plan to discuss new business partnerships.
NANTA picks one African country each year for its conference and chose Gambia this time. The Nigerian visitors want to learn about tourism opportunities and investment chances. Haddy Then, from the Tourism Board, said Nigeria represents an important market for Gambian tourism. Training sessions will feature respected local experts, such as former Tourism Minister Fatou Mass Jobe Njie. University professors and industry specialists will teach the visiting executives.
ValueJet airline recently started flying between Nigeria and Banjul, which helped the group travel more easily. Folami said better flight connections could bring 150 people instead of just 80 next time. Another Nigerian airline may soon begin service to the Gambia. The Gambia Hotel Association and the Tourism Ministry support this partnership effort. Both countries hope to increase tourist visits and business investments.
NANTA picks one African country each year for its conference and chose Gambia this time. The Nigerian visitors want to learn about tourism opportunities and investment chances. Haddy Then, from the Tourism Board, said Nigeria represents an important market for Gambian tourism. Training sessions will feature respected local experts, such as former Tourism Minister Fatou Mass Jobe Njie. University professors and industry specialists will teach the visiting executives.
ValueJet airline recently started flying between Nigeria and Banjul, which helped the group travel more easily. Folami said better flight connections could bring 150 people instead of just 80 next time. Another Nigerian airline may soon begin service to the Gambia. The Gambia Hotel Association and the Tourism Ministry support this partnership effort. Both countries hope to increase tourist visits and business investments.
