NANTA executives storm Ghana for strategic tourism mission, target new Nigeria-Ghana travel corridor
Maureen Aguta
The National Executive Council of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has arrived in Ghana for a seven-day strategic retreat and familiarisation tour aimed at deepening tourism partnerships and expanding travel opportunities between Nigeria and Ghana.
Hosted by Safari World Group, the retreat is designed to move beyond diplomatic engagements to practical collaborations that will strengthen intra-African tourism and create new business opportunities for travel professionals in both countries.
Speaking while receiving the delegation at Safari World Homes in Accra, Chairman of the Safari World Group, Mr. Ernest Gyekye, expressed delight at hosting the Nigerian travel industry leaders, assuring them of a memorable and productive experience throughout their stay.
NANTA President, Mr. Yinka Folami, described the mission as a deliberate effort to advance the association’s advocacy for African tourism and the promotion of Nigerian travel brands across borders.
“This is not a leisure trip,” Folami said. “It is a strategic intervention aimed at building stronger partnerships and working relationships across Africa while creating sustainable tourism opportunities for our members and travellers.”
He noted that Nigeria and Ghana share deep historical, cultural and economic ties that can be leveraged to drive tourism growth on the continent.
“The future of African tourism cannot be built in silos. This retreat is about moving from policy to practice—creating real products, real partnerships and real movement of travellers between Accra and Lagos. We are here to identify opportunities that will translate into tangible value for our members and the travelling public,” he said.
The week-long programme will feature strategic business-to-business meetings with Ghanaian tourism stakeholders, cultural exchange activities and guided tours of key tourism assets operated by Safari World.
The itinerary covers Safari World’s three flagship destinations in Ghana—Safari Homes in Accra, the Aqua Safari riverfront experience in Ada, which includes Safari Island Cruise, Safari Nautica and Safari Recreation and Sports facilities, as well as the Safari Valley Eco Resort and Safari Eco Park in Dawu.
Operating under the brand promise, “One World, Three Destinations, Over 20 Unique Experiences,” Safari World is leveraging the visit to strengthen its footprint in Nigeria’s outbound tourism market while positioning Ghana as a preferred destination for leisure travel, family holidays, conferences and premium tourism experiences.
A major highlight of the retreat will be the Executive Dinner scheduled for July 21 at the Safari Valley Eco Resort, which will bring together key tourism stakeholders from both countries to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration and enhanced travel trade between Nigeria and Ghana.
Industry observers say the familiarisation tour aligns with growing calls for stronger intra-African tourism partnerships as stakeholders seek to unlock the immense potential of regional travel under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
The visit is expected to provide NANTA’s leadership with first-hand knowledge of Ghana’s tourism offerings and facilitate the development of innovative travel packages that will encourage greater movement of tourists between West Africa’s two largest travel markets.