Asata is growing its network further into Africa and announced on April 30 that it had joined the Association of Eastern and Southern Africa Travel Agents (Aesata).
“Joining Aesata is a game-changer for our members,” said Otto de Vries, CEO of Asata. “Cross-border co-operation is crucial for our industry’s long-term success. By partnering with our peers, we open up new opportunities to learn from one another, forge regional partnerships, and ensure travel agencies’ interests are prioritised as drivers of sustainable tourism growth across Africa.”
Asata’s members will benefit from “strengthened regional ties and a unified advocacy platform through this partnership, which connects Asata with travel agent associations from 10 other countries,” said Asata in a press release.
A key focus of the partnership will be centred on leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement to harness the continent’s travel potential. It is hoped that this will enable the two bodies to:
- Rebuild travel business models;
- Provide a platform for South African associations to jointly tackle issues of mutual importance;
- Collectively address cross-border challenges while promoting intra-Africa travel; and
- Align policies to uphold responsible tourism practices.
“Through fostering cross-border co-operation, Asata aims to empower its members to deliver exceptional service and travel experiences for customers across the region and globally,” concluded the release.
