After experiencing an 80 percent decrease in tourist arrivals due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Malawi government has decided to put an end to visa requirements in several countries. The measure, introduced in efforts to revive tourism, will apply to tourists from 16 countries, among which the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China…
On December 17, South African Tourism (SAT) celebrated the launch of Delta Air Lines new nonstop service between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Cape Town International Airport (CPT). The year-round service will operate three times weekly on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The route also compliments Delta’s existing service from ATL to O.R. Tambo International…
The APTA Executive Board is busy planning the APTA Global Forum September 26-30, 2023 at The Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town. Registration for the APTA Global Forum will be available in early January 2023, along with an outline of the planned agenda. Since this is the first time that APTA will be hosting a…
Tanzania Association of Tour Operators -TATO is delighted to announce the 2023 dates for its massively informative Tanzania FAM trip program: TATO TOURISM REBOOT. This program consists of 7-day and 10-day familiarisation trips around Tanzania’s most famous national parks and tourist attractions, including the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Mount Kilimanjaro, among others. There will be…
Effective 01 January 2023, Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority will increase conservation fees for the Victoria Falls National Park. Please find the official notification here. The Victoria Falls Rainforest Entrance Fee will increase to $50 for International travellers, $30 for SADC residents and $10 for Zimbabwean visitors. Please be advised that this affects all entrance fees, including guests…
On June 12, 2023, Air France will launch a new route from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as a continuation of its Zanzibar service. The flight will be operated three times a week by a B787-9, equipped with 30 seats in business class, 21 in premium economy and 225 in economy class.…
Jamala Madikwe Royal Safari Lodge has closed after its main lodge area was destroyed in a devastating overnight fire that started at around 23:00 on Monday (December 12). There were no injuries to guests or staff, who were all safely evacuated from the lodge. The main lodge, comprising the lounge, dining room, kitchen, curio shop,…
Commencing 27 March 2023, fastjet Zimbabwe is set to introduce new services from Harare and Victoria Falls to Kariba Airport and Hwange National Park Airport. The planned additional new routes to our domestic network will offer seamless connections for travellers from Harare and Victoria Falls to Zimbabwe’s top domestic tourism destinations of Kariba and Hwange,…
The Seychelles government is working with the Department of Information Communication and Technology to introduce a new system where hikers will be offered bracelets with satellite links. President Wavel Ramkalawan said in a press conference last week that visitors often got lost on La Digue, and that it was costing the government dearly. “It is a cost…
A new luxury adults-only (no children under 16) lodge, Shongwe Oasis Boutique Lodge & Spa, has opened two kilometres from the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. The lodge’s 19 guest rooms comprise 13 double deluxe rooms with bath and shower, three honeymoon suites with outdoor and indoor baths, showers and a private garden. There are also…
NEW FLIGHT OPTIONS: Hideaways is pleased to announce some positive progress for Zimbabwe-bound travellers. Fastjet has confirmed their partnership with Mackair and will offer daily internal seat rate flights connecting East and West, from March 2023. This means that country-wide travel across Zimbabwe’s top destinations will be easy, frequent and more affordable than before. Imagine the delight in planning a journey…
Better days for tourism industry in Tanzania are in the offing, thanks to the UNWTO Academy for imparting tour operators with the pertinent digital marketing skills, as part of a joint ambitious strategy to spur the industry. Dubbed, on-site modules training on tourism digitization for tour operators’, is the brainchild of two key UN agencies,…
“We are proud to have this service,” said Paul Hassenstab, Delta Air Lines Director Sales EMEAI at a press function ahead of the arrival of the first Delta flight to Cape Town. After waiting patiently for regulators to approve its new route, Delta will touch down at Cape Town International Airport on Saturday, December 3. The…
Tour operators, tourism exhibitors and stakeholders from Kenya recently met in Uganda for the inaugural five-day Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference, Exhibition and fam trip. The theme was ‘Strengthening Networks, Synergies, and Diversity to maximise the tourism potential between Uganda and the Kenya Coastal Region’. “This conference is historic because it is the first-ever regional tourism conference…
The 2022/2023 summer season is set to be “the biggest and boldest summer period yet” following the two-year hiatus occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic’s lockdowns, restrictions and travel bans”, according to Minister of Tourism, Lindiwe Sisulu. Speaking at the launch of South African Tourism’s latest Sho’t Left campaign – ‘Gimme Summer That!’ which will run from…
Malawi and the World Health Organization are rolling out a new malaria vaccine for young children that backers say will reduce deaths from the mosquito-borne disease. The RTSS vaccine was pilot tested on more than one million children in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi and recommended a year ago by the WHO. Despite a low effectiveness…
Uganda Tourism Board CEO, Lilly Ajarova, met the media during the annual United States Tour Operators Association annual conference in Austin, Texas on December 1st. Representatives from Insider Travel Report, Recommend, Travel Market Report, Travel Weekly, TravelAge West and Travel Pulse convened in Austin to meet and hear updates from Uganda Tourism Board across a…
South Africa is one of 17 African countries that have set in motion the long-awaited Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) that aims to consolidate the aviation market at continental level. The other countries are Senegal, Togo, Zambia, Niger, Gabon, Namibia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, Mozambique, and Namibia.These are…
Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated visitors disembarking in Seychelles will not be required to present a negative PCR or antigen test to be allowed entry into the country. Similarly, fully vaccinated passengers will not be required to show proof of vaccination either. However, all visitors will be required to complete their travel declaration online through www.govtas.sc and provide valid travel…
Running from November 26 to December 3, the week-long event currently is carrying a banner and a theme of “Adopting Innovative Approaches to Boost Intra-Africa Travel as a drive for Tourism Business Recovery.” Taking place at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (KCEV) and Kigali Convention Centre (KCC) in Rwandan capital, the Rwanda Tourism Week in…
RwandAir is now offering a nonstop service between London (LHR) and Kigali (KGL) in Rwanda. Flights started at the beginning of November with the inaugural flight WB710 operated by an Airbus A330-200, which can accommodate 20 passengers in Business Class, 21 in Premium and 203 in Economy. Flight Number Departure Arrival Days of Operation WB…
One of Classic Africa Safaris’ favorite lodges in Buhoma town, Mahogany Springs Lodge, has undergone extensive refurbishments and is looking great! Recent CAS guest feedback is excellent and, as always, the Mahogany Springs cuisine is delicious and service is superb. Buhoma is located in the Northern Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and provides easy access…
CornerSun Destination Marketing, a full-service consulting firm specializing in introducing African travel destinations to the North American market, has been selected by the National Tourist Board of Sierra Leone to manage and grow the country’s tourism presence in the U.S. and Canada. The collaboration, which includes strategic partner Emerging Destinations, serves to build brand and…
Kenya and South Africa are in consultation to form a Pan-African airline to rival established players such as the Ethiopian Airlines and Emirates. President William Ruto and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa said they were engaging on the matter at a high level that if successful will see Kenya Airways and South African Airways…
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has clarified the rollout of the new South African Traveller Online Declaration System. SARS announced in mid-October that a new ‘travel pass’ system would be introduced in the country but, at the time, gave little to no detail on the process or to who it applies. This led to…
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with HOC Hospitality Investments for the new-build House of Chinhara – Vignette Collection hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Haitham Mattar, IHG India, Middle East & Africa MD, said the signing of this tenth Vignette hotel was a key milestone, as the brand was fast gaining a…
South Africa officially has a new airport for intercontinental flights with the arrival of German leisure carrier Eurowings Discover set to bring up to 30 000 passengers a year from Frankfurt to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP). After a stopover in Windhoek (WDH), the Lufthansa subsidiary’s Airbus A330 touched down to an enthusiastic reception at the small…
Zambia, South Africa and Accra, Ghana were all included in Lonely Planet’s list of best destinations for 2023 by Lonely Planet. You can read the full list of all 30 destinations around the globe here – https://www.lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel
Marriott International is to open the new luxury Laïla Resort in Anse Royale on Mahé on February 1. The 84 rooms and suites will have balconies and private terraces. Accommodation will comprise eight interleading twin rooms, 67 deluxe king rooms, five junior terrace suites, two junior suites, a senior suite and one accessible room. All…
Mack Air has partnered with South West Aviation to offer new and extensive flight services across Zimbabwe and throughout the southern region. According to Mack Air MD, Michael Weyl, the company has set up hubs in Harare and Victoria Falls that will principally service all domestic destinations and safari camps in Zimbabwe. However, when regional flights…
Following the announcement of major expansion plans across the globe – including southern and east Africa – Hilton has revealed it will open a new hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, early next year. Located in the central business district of the capital, Kwetu Nairobi, Curio Collection by Hilton, will offer upscale city accommodation for business and…
Tintswalo – which has several luxury lodges in its stable – has crossed borders for the first time with the opening of Tintswalo at Siankaba in Zambia. Situated on two densely forested islands in the Zambezi River, the luxury tented camp is ideally placed 38km from Victoria Falls and 48km from Chobe National Park, providing convenient access to…
Domestic airline, Lift, today (November 10) opened sales for its newly launched Cape Town-Durban route. And with this announcement, is officially completing the popular Golden Triangle between Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. “We’re delighted to announce this latest route addition which connects Cape Town to Durban. Not only will this add much-needed capacity on to…
The twice weekly flights between Cape Town and Mauritius signify the value and strength of the connection between the two destinations and will contribute to the growth and recovery of the tourism sector. So said City of Cape Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, James Vos, as he welcomed the Air Mauritius flight that will depart…
As the world is getting more careful with both human and wildlife health, the government of the Republic of Uganda has issued new measures at all points of entry and departure. Effective 14th November 2022, all travellers are required to fill out an online digital health declaration form. The same form must be filled within…
Evidently, Toto really did bless the rains down in Africa as we enter our Wet Season in Zimbabwe and Green Season in Botswana. Zimbabwe’s Wet Season is from October to February every year. This means that it gets quite hot during the day, with scattered rains and jaw-dropping thunderstorms. Wildlife may be a bit more…
By the festive season it will have restarted flights to one airport each in Namibia and Zimbabwe, and to two cities in Malawi, South African Airways (SAA) said on Thursday. It promised details – such as the frequency of flights – only in the coming weeks, and it is not year clear how it will…
Marriott has announced plans to expand its operations in Africa, with the opening of over 30 hotels and more than 5,000 rooms by the end of 2024. The group’s select-service brands Protea Hotels and Four Points by Sheraton make up more than 50 per cent of the company’s property additions in Africa. The former has…
ganda Tourism Board has unveiled Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) 2023 at Sheraton Kampala during World Tourism Day celebration. The Expo, an annual event was officially launched by the State Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka in the presence of UTB Board Chairman Hon. Daudi Migereko, UTB Director Vivian Lyazzi…
Lilongwe Wildlife Trust (LWT), responsible for running Malawi’s only wildlife rehabilitation centre and a key campaigner in Malawi’s fight against wildlife crime, have reported news of cheetah cubs recently born spotted in Liwonde National Park. These cubs represent the third generation of cheetahs to be born in Liwonde since the reintroduction in 2017 by African Parks in partnership…
Work has started on construction of Msalato International Airport, 12 kilometres from Tanzania’s capital, Dodoma. The high-capacity airport infrastructure is planned to meet the expected growth in air transport from the city’s new status as the administrative capital of Tanzania. The airport is expected to handle at least 50 000 flights and a million passengers annually, most…
Access to the 15 provincial reserves managed by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) has been temporarily closed due to wage protests by employees affiliated to the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU). In a press statement on Wednesday (November 9), the provincial tourism authority said it was engaging with NEHAWU leadership…
The Ethiopian government and rebel forces in the country’s northern Tigray region agreed on Wednesday to what they called “a permanent cessation of hostilities” in a brutal civil war that began two years ago. The announcement by mediators came after the latest round of peace talks convened in South Africa by the African Union. “The two parties…
South African Tourism (SAT) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristy Angellotti as Head: Trade Relations North America beginning 1 November 2022. In her role, Angellotti will join the SAT North America team to expand existing relationships with North American travel trade partners, while working with new distribution channels in the USA and Canada…
Less than six months after it started flying on June 1, Zimbabwe’s newest budget airline, Kuva Air – operated by Executive Air – has suspended operations. The airline’s Chairman, James Saruchera, told Tourism Update that the airline, which aims to make travel more affordable, had suspended operations as a strategic pause while putting systems in place to make…
A total of 4.35 million two-way passengers have passed through Cape Town International Airport’s (CTIA) domestic terminal this year to date (January to September), representing a recovery of 71% for the year to date, when compared with the same period in 2019. In the month of September, approximately 486 000 two-way domestic and 152 000…
Qatar Airways has signed a codeshare agreement with JetBlue, which will connect travellers of the US-based airline to 11 new markets in Asia and Africa, including Addis Ababa, Harare and Windhoek. Qatar Airways said the expansion – which adds to 13 existing codeshare destinations already available to JetBlue customers through Qatar’s network – will allow…
Alice Jacob Manupa, a young female Tanzania tour operator, won the top 100 African Women in Travel and Tourism personality of the year 2022. Ms. Alice who is the CEO of African Queen Adventures became the first Tanzanian lady to win such a continental prestigious award, raising the East African natural resources rich country profile…
KwaZulu Natal is expected to welcome some 82 000 visitors to Durban this weekend (Saturday, October 29) for the coronation of the new King of the Zulu Nation, his Royal Majesty King MisuZulu ka Goodwill Zwelithini Zulu. According to an economic assessment conducted by the City of Durban, it is estimated that the visitors will spend…
The Ker & Downey Africa North America DMC team has merged with African-based local boutique DMC, Grand Africa Safaris. The company is now trading in its major source market (the US) as Grand Africa Safaris. A spokesperson for the company said the decision was made to avoid ongoing brand confusion with US-based tour operator Ker…