Courier July 2016 | Page 56

MEET THE MEMBERS Sunseekers Tours Ltd. ACCRA, GHANA NTA contact: Kwame Ansong, chief executive officer/director Office Phone: +233.302.235.393 Website: sunseekerstours.com NTA member since: 2015 What will travelers discover when they visit Ghana on one of your company’s tours? Sunseekers’ itineraries are designed to showcase the best that Ghana has to offer in tradition, history, customs and festivals. Despite Ghana’s small size—it is roughly the same as the geographical area of the U.K.—the country has been blessed with abundant natural resources. For those who enjoy nature and being in the great outdoors, Ghana is the perfect choice. History lovers also will find plenty of things to keep them busy. What experiences do you offer that connect visitors with Ghana’s rich culture? Our tours highlight the traditional way of life through interaction with local people. We can take you to a small community where you will be welcomed in the traditional way by the local chief with his elders. You may visit a community school where you will have an interaction with the students and teachers to teach them a song, a rhyme, a short story or a game. My job is fun because… I meet people with different views and minds all the time, which helps me learn more. What was your dream job when you were a kid? I wanted to be an airline pilot. My passion for airplanes and travel has not diminished, and it’s no wonder I ended up in the tour industry. For more information, contact Ansong at [email protected]. Westcoast Connection/360° Student Travel MAMARONECK, NEW YORK NTA contact: Symon Hay, director Office Phone: 800.767.0227 Website: westcoastconnection.com NTA member since: 1999 Can you tell me a little about your company and its specialties? We are a travel company with a main focus in taking individual students on educational experiences, community service programs and tours around the world that we plan, supervise and operate ourselves. This has made us very successful in planning and operating teacher-led school trips because we know exactly what it’s like to travel with teenagers—when you need down time, when you need to pick things up and what works and doesn’t work. How long have you been with your company, and how did you get to where you are now? I have been working for WCC for 19 summers now and 16 years full time. I started as a teacher with a love for working with kids and for traveling. This combined both my passions, and it’s easy to do something well and for a long time when you are passionate about it! What destination is at the top of your personal travel list? Currently Iceland. I have been lucky enough to travel to so many places but have yet to see the northern lights, so Iceland is definitely