logo
Gambia-Nigeria ties: NANTA's visit strengthens cultural, economic bonds

Gambia-Nigeria ties: NANTA's visit strengthens cultural, economic bonds

Zawya13-06-2025
The Gambia's Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Abdoulie Jobe, at an event in the country's capital, welcomed the delegation of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) to the country, describing their presence as a homecoming.
Jobe emphasised the importance of adapting the tourism management ecosystem to the evolving needs of various stakeholders in response to changing industry dynamics.
He highlighted the pivotal role that travel agents play in addressing these challenges and encouraged stakeholders to refine their strategies to maintain competitiveness in the tourism sector.
The minister indicated that the gathering of Nigerian travel professionals was part of a broader effort to promote The Gambia in Nigeria and invited them to savor local delicacies, including the famous Benechin, or jollof rice.
The Nigerian High Commissioner to The Gambia, Mallam Mohammad Mainasara, louded NANTA members for their commitment to exploring mutual trade opportunities between the two nations.
Abubakar Camara and Sheriff Conteh from The Gambia Tourism Board discussed the strong cultural ties between Nigeria and The Gambia, while the Managing Director of Djeliba Leisure Group, a partner in the initiative, resonated with the emotional connection shared between the two countries.
NANTA President, Yinka Folami, moved by the positive reception, expressed a commitment to reshaping trade narratives between Nigeria and The Gambia.
He reinforced the importance of intra-African trade and tourism exchange, stating that NANTA chose to hold their training in The Gambia to strengthen these ties. During the event, Folami presented a plaque to The Gambia's First Lady and Minister Jobe, encouraging the Gambian community to reciprocate by enhancing trade relations and visiting Nigeria, especially with Air Peace's new routes connecting the two countries.
He also acknowledged the dedication of the NANTA training faculty and underscored the invaluable support of selfless women within the organization, expressing hope for continued collaboration and success in the industry.
Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Gulf Connections: The hills are alive with the sound of Arabic
Gulf Connections: The hills are alive with the sound of Arabic

The National

timean hour ago

  • The National

Gulf Connections: The hills are alive with the sound of Arabic

Set in the Austrian Alps, the resort town of Zell Am See could have been plucked from The Sound of Music. Against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, picturesque traditional buildings lead down to the clear blue waters of Lake Zell. In winter it attracts skiers from all over the world. In summer, bringing in the visitors needs a different approach. And that's when, more than 20 years ago, the Zell Am See tourist board hit upon a brilliant idea. Placing adverts in GCC countries, from Kuwait to Oman, the region soon began attracting Arab visitors in their tens of thousands, anxious to escape the punishing heat of an Arabian Gulf summer for the cool of the Alps. Rainy attraction The campaign succeeded beyond anyone's wildest dreams. Even cloudy weather and rain was an additional attraction. In 2006, the head of the local tourist board, Hans Wallner, speculated that 'for Arab tourists, I guess that water in various kinds – frozen as snow at the Kitzsteinhorn glacier and the high-quality water in Lake Zell are the main attractions'. By then, Arab visitors to the area represented about 10 per cent of the total − about 80,000 tourists. Two years later, it was 15 per cent and by 2013, over a third. They also spent, on average, €490 a day, compared with €160 a day by European tourists. Before the pandemic hit in 2020, it was estimated around 350,000 visitors from GCC countries were visiting Zell Am See during July and August. Post-covid anecdotal evidence suggests the area is as busy as ever. Arab Muslim visitors enjoy walking trails, boat trips and the chance to experience real snow by taking the mountain lifts, and local businesses have been quick to respond to their needs. Hotels cleared out the mini bar to offer alcohol-free rooms, while restaurants such as Ali Baba, Shiraz and Al Khalij offer Arab menus that are halal. Several shops also began offering products that appealed directly to Arab tastes. The Aydin Supermarket sells sweet treats like dates, halva and mamoul, along with spices, hummus and 'a wide selection of halal food'. More than a dozen stores and grocers in the town and in neighbouring Kaprun now cater for tourists from the Middle East. 'Tourism apartheid' Success also brings problems, though. Far-right political movements began to stir again in Austria, prompted in part by refugees from Iraq and Syria's civil wars. There were mutterings that Zell Am See was losing its Austrian character amid the huge number of Arab visitors. In 2014, the regional authorities, including the police and tourist board, issued a well-intentioned but heavy-handed booklet intended to help Middle East tourists better integrate with Austrian culture. Visitors were asked not eat meals on the floor, not haggle in shops and make sure their children wore car seatbelts. Most controversial it attempted to address women's clothing, saying: ' In our culture, we are accustomed to looking into the smiling face of the person opposite us in order to gain a first impression and build mutual trust. "It would be a great pleasure for us if you could join us in celebrating the uniquely joyful Austrian mentality and show your colourful scarves and dress and, in this way, show us your smile.' Described by one newspaper as 'tourism apartheid', it was withdrawn after only a few weeks, with officials admitting "unfortunately, certain passages led to misunderstandings'. More seriously, in 2017, the country passed a law banning full face coverings such as the burqa and niqab in public places. Aimed at conservative Muslim women, the law could not single them out specifically to avoid discrimination. Enforcement soon descended into chaos. Fines or warnings were issued to costumed mascots including a man dressed as shark promoting an electronics store, skiers and cyclists with scarves wrapped around their faces as protection against pollution. For Zell Am See and its Arab visitors the implications of the new law were potentially more serious. Fortunately for all, it appears the resort is quietly ignoring the rules; pragmatism outweighing politics. As Monika Oberschneider, who works in a sports shop renting snow boots to ill-prepared Gulf visitors, told an Austrian TV station last year: 'Every guest who comes pays our wages.'

Watch: Kids arriving at DXB get souvenir 'passports' to help them explore city
Watch: Kids arriving at DXB get souvenir 'passports' to help them explore city

Khaleej Times

time5 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

Watch: Kids arriving at DXB get souvenir 'passports' to help them explore city

As the summer heat intensifies in Dubai, crafting an engaging itinerary can be challenging for visitors, with most outdoor attractions becoming virtually inaccessible. To help those coming to the emirate make the best of their stay, Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office, has announced that children arriving at Dubai International Airport (DXB) will receive souvenir 'passports' to help them navigate the vibrant city that thrives all year round. In a video shared by Dubai Media Office on X, kids arriving at Children's Passport Control are shown as they receive their passport from officers, shake hands with airport officials before getting their real travel documents stamped. Take a look here: Dialling up the excitement surrounding the #DubaiDestinations summer campaign, Brand Dubai and the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs partner to highlight the very best of Dubaiâ��s summertime experiences for visitors. @BrandDubai | @GDRFADUBAI — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 25, 2025 The colourful passports serve as a guide for young visitors to explore the city, providing them with curated itineraries and interactive guides. By using a QR code in the passport, kids will be directed to Dubai Destinations website for guidance on where to go and what to do in Dubai this summer. The initiative is the fruit of collaboration between Brand Dubai and the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). Special immigration counters dedicated for children were set up at DXB Terminals 1, 2 and 3 in 2023 to make the arrival process 'more enjoyable and interactive' for children aged between 4 and 12. More than 550,000 children have passed through these counters since they were first opened, GDRFA announced last year.

Attendance of State Minister Fujii at the symposium organized by Sasakawa Peace Foundation and the commemorative dinner for the High-Level Expert Meeting on Japan and Africa Partnerships
Attendance of State Minister Fujii at the symposium organized by Sasakawa Peace Foundation and the commemorative dinner for the High-Level Expert Meeting on Japan and Africa Partnerships

Zawya

time16 hours ago

  • Zawya

Attendance of State Minister Fujii at the symposium organized by Sasakawa Peace Foundation and the commemorative dinner for the High-Level Expert Meeting on Japan and Africa Partnerships

On July 25, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. FUJII Hisayuki attended the Special International Symposium titled 'Forging a Sustainable Future through Africa-Japan Collaboration', organized by Sasakawa Peace Foundationand the commemorative dinner for High-Level Expert Meeting on Japan and Africa International Partnerships held at the Meiji Kinenkan and delivered a guest speech. The summary is as follows: In his address at the Special International Symposium, State Minister Fujii stated that Japan and Africa, both surrounded by oceans, are well-positioned to strengthen cooperation by sharing knowledge and experience to promote economic development through ocean conservation and sustainable use. He further emphasized that the opportunity for dialogue between Japanese and African leaders, as exemplified by this symposium, is highly welcome and will provide valuable input for the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9). State Minister Fujii engaged in discussions with former African heads of state and other prominent figures at the dinner celebrating the High-Level Expert Meeting on Japan and Africa Partnerships, hosted by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. (Reference) African participants in the High-Level Expert Meeting on Japan and Africa Partnerships H.E. Chief. Olusegun Obasanjo, Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania H.E. Mr. Jorge Carlos Fonseca, Former President of the Republic of Cabo Verd H.E. Dr. Ibrahim Hassane Mayaki, Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Niger Dr. Geraldine Fraser-Moloketi, Former Minister of Public Service and Administration Dr. Donald Kaberuka, Former President of African Development Bank. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store