ATOA Ghana organises training for Travel Agents

The Africa Tour Operators Alliance - Ghana (ATOA) Business Bureau, has organised free virtual training for all Travel Agents in Ghana and some other African countries.

The training emphasised on how agencies could handle Travel, Hospitality, and Tourism businesses with the new normal during and after the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

The program was organised on Friday August 21, 2020, through a webinar on the theme, "Travelling within the New Normal: Tourist Behaviour, Business Resilience & Rebound Strategies".

It was sponsored by Pacific Global Destination Management and powered by ATOA.

The training was aimed at enlightening members on critical areas of development and creating networking were each member can connect with other team members.

The participants, who were from Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya, acknowledged the benefits of the various thematic areas tackled by the facilitator, which included national and international membership and recognition as promised by the company.

Challenges

A Licensed Industrial and Organisational Psychologist, Dr. Collins Agyemang Badu in a presentation named the closure of the airport, sea and the border, exchange of goods and services as some major challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the sector.

Dr. Badu who is also a Lead Psychologist for Ghana COVID-19 Response Team advised the participants to develop new skills that would propel their activities irrespective of the dangers associated with the virus.

"This capacity-building training which was sponsored by Pacific Global Destination Management and powered by ATOA enlightened members on critical areas of development that should be appreciated and observed during this period of COVID-19 spread in tackling businesses.

"Through effective networking, they would also enjoy better terms of service from Airlines, Hotels, and other suppliers along the value chain, he added.

"The participants also had the opportunity of securing discounts for subsequent training programs that would be organised by ATOA, stand the chance of negotiating tour rates at wholesale prices accompanied by flight, and hotel attractions according to ATOA.

The Executive Board Members & Management team who initiated the training program to commence ATOA activities are, Vera Metzler-Hinson. She is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aviation Business Series, as Acting. Executive Director.

Gideon Asare, the Managing Director (MD) of Adansi Travel is the Technical Head while Radia Adama Saani, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MoonTouch Travel Ltd is Head of Corporate Affairs, and Michael Ako-Nai, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of M&M Global Travels.

Other Advisory board Members of ATOA include, the Country Director of Kenya Airways -Ghana, Anthony Safo, and Media Personnel & CEO of Kaya Tours, Aggrey Abeiku Santana, and some few others.