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Nigeria
Flashback on Events With the advent of
direct and scheduled flights from the U.S. to
Nigeria, a select number of Nigerian leisure
destinations are being opened for the international
tourist market. Calabar on the Atlantic Coast
is a major one, its advanced tourist infrastructure
and diversity of leisure options, including the
major resort Tinapa being completed for a March
2007 opening, will serve as an ideal entry by
Nigeria to the international travel
market. At the announcement
news conference in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, Mr.
Bergman, Executive Director of Africa Travel
Association stated "Nigeria's entry onto the main
stage of African tourism will serve as an important
addition to Africa's trademark-safari offerings on
Africa's East Coast and the Southern areas. This
Symposium was designed to introduce Africa's
culturally rich West Coast - the Atlantic Coast- to
the American travel industry and traveling public,"
and added "President Obasanjo directive to bring
Nigerian tourism industry on par with the other
world class leisure destinations gives this
Symposium a very special market
component." What the symposium was all about Travel Professionals to update their business
and Africa sales know-how. Sports and Adventure Travel
Specialists&emdash;for development of new travel
package opportunities and products. Environmentalist and Conservationist Travel
Operators and Agencies to ascertain the state of
natural habitat and review Nigeria's and all of
Africa's endangered species' list, plus get the
most recent developments and interaction with the
petroleum industry and the Niger Delta. Naturalist, Botanist, Birder Travel and Tour
Specialists&emdash;to experience and oversee the
Drill sanctuaries for rehabilitation of low land
gorillas and monkeys, plus survey the fauna and
flora of West Africa and Nigeria Cultural, Historical and Heritage
Travel&emdash; focus on Calabar's 2000 year
history, with monoliths dating from 200 BC.
Become conversant with Africa's diverse cultural
heritage that now extends to the Caribbean, the
Americas and Asia. Banking and Investment Representatives to be
exposed and start their due diligence of investing
in Africa's and Nigerian tourism
development African Diaspora and Nigerian
Émigré Community&emdash;come to
interact and become part of Nigeria's and
Africa's economic engine for development and
business advancement. POST SYMPOSIUM TOURS The Abuja Carnival, directly following the
Symposium, 23-26 November. Abuja is the capital of
Nigeria and this Carnival is a very proud
presentation of Nigerian cultural heritage and
presents representative groups from all parts of
Nigeria in an awesome display of pageantry and
great national pride. The highlight is the
famous Durbar, one of the most exciting equestrian
shows anywhere. Cameroon is "next door" to Calabar, and a
familiarization tour is being planned that will
include all the cultural richness of this
incredibly diverse destination. Cameroon is both,
French and English speaking country, with
magnificent seacoast and the world famous Mt
Cameroon, where the mountain climbing marathons
take place. Nigeria with her full variety of international
level attractions will also be offered in several;
short (4 day) and longer (7-10 day) tours. Calabar&emdash;Cross River State will proudly
present its eco-tourism highlights with the State's
National Parks, wildlife and more. SHOPPING Calabar and the Symposium itself will feature a
full array of shopping opportunities. An
African Village Marketplace is being planned for
the delegates to make shopping convenient. We
should remind the delegates that many, actually
most of the merchants do not accept credit
cards&emdash;so plan ahead!!! |
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