Passport Health’s Corporate Director of Business Development and Marketing to attend Africa Travel Association’s Presidential Forum and International Board Meeting in New York

BALTIMORE— 9/20/2010— Jorge Castillo, Passport Health’s Corporate Director of Marketing and Business Development is attending the Africa Travel Association’s (ATA) Fifth Annual Presidential Forum in New York. Mr. Castillo will be representing Passport Health as a member of the ATA’s international board of directors. Passport Health, the nation’s largest private provider of travel medical services and immunizations, is highly involved with the ATA’s work to promote Africa and its business opportunities as well as its tourism industry. The ATA’s Fifth Annual Presidential Forum, hosted by New York University’s Africa House on September 22nd, 2010, will feature:

• His Excellency Idriss Déby, President of the Republic of Chad
• Honorable Fatou Mas-Jobe Njie, Minister of Tourism & Culture, Republic of The Gambia, President of the Africa Travel Association
• Honorable Minister Zita Okaikoi, Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Republic of Ghana
• Dr. Elham M.A. Ibrahim, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy at the African Union
• Honorable Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President, Africa Region, World Bank

Invited to participate in the event are travel experts and professionals from the U.S. and Africa, including tourism ministers, marketing firms, travel agents, tour operators, airline and hotel representatives, the diplomatic community, and the travel trade media among others.

“I am honored to be part of this presidential forum”, said Castillo, “it is crucial in today’s economy to strengthen relationships with emerging African nations, such as The Gambia, Nigeria and South Africa, just to name a few”, he added. Passport Health provides country specific counseling and immunizations to international travelers. “Africa has wonderful tourist destinations as well as business development opportunities which attract business travelers, mission and volunteer workers as well as leisure travelers. It is important to promote and showcase these opportunities and to ensure that travelers are well-informed and immunized prior to their departure,” commented Fran Lessans, founder and CEO of Passport Health.

In an effort to do so, Passport Health is putting together a one-of-a-kind event in October. Mr. Castillo named the event “Rethink Africa” as it intends to shift the perception of Africa and show that Africa is not just about Malaria and Civil Wars. The ATA’s Mid-Atlantic Chapter is endorsing this event. Rethink Africa will take place at Loyola University’s Baltimore City Campus on October 12th, 2010 from 6-9pm. The event will feature a grand musical production by pianist Jimothy Rogers, owner and founder of Tonal Concepts, a keynote address by MD Secretary of State John P. McDonough, as well as statements prepared by President Bill Clinton and Governor O’Malley announcing their support for Rethink Africa’s goals.

Passport Health and the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Africa Travel Association invite you to “Rethink Africa” and enjoy a night of networking, music, and international cuisine.

For more information about Rethink Africa and to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.rethinkafrica.net/.

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Tammy Broghammer
410-727-0556
Tammy.Broghammer@passporthealthusa.com