The operations of UK-based Southern African Tour Operators Association (SATOA), which promoted travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean islands for 40 years, are now under the auspices of the African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA).

SATOA was incorporated into ATTA on October 1, with the latter continuing to provide membership services related to the promotion of tourism to Africa for all former SATOA members. 

“ATTA was formed out of SATOA 30 years ago next year and we are delighted to be able to offer SATOA members ongoing membership services through the work that we do in promoting tourism to Africa. We very much look forward to working with these new ATTA members in the coming months and look to grow the reach of the association further into the Indian Ocean islands,” said ATTA President and MD, Nigel Vere Nicoll. 

SATOA Vice-Chair, Patrick North Coombes, said: "After 40 years of helping our members promote their tourism products to the UK travel trade, we are sorry to see SATOA come to an end. We are delighted, however, that our members will be able to benefit from becoming members of ATTA moving forward. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in SATOA during the last 40 years."