Tourism Windfall As ‘Royal Tour’ Film Brings the World to Tanzania

Tanzania’s Royal Tour film content, its strategic premiere USA market and timing have started paying dividends in terms of commanding significant traffic of tourists. Produced by Peter Greenberg, the maiden film featuring President Samia Suluhu Hassan, as his key guide—showcasing Tanzania’s rich cultural, wildlife heritage and array of investment opportunities through her leadership eye, was launched…

United Increases Service to Cape Town

UNITED Airlines is investing more and more precious seat capacity into South Africa, specifically Cape Town, which Regional Director Sales, Bob Schumacher, agrees is a reflection of both North Americans’ insatiable appetite for the destination and pent-up demand for travel to the US. United expanded its Cape Town-New York/Newark service to year-round this week. In SA…

Rwanda Appoints New Chief Tourism Officer

The Rwandan Cabinet has appointed Michaella Rugwizangoga as the new Chief Tourism Officer for the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). She brings a wide range of expertise related to strategic planning, project management and product development to the tourism development team. The Council member of the World Economic Forum has previously served as the CEO of Volkswagen Mobility…

FlySafair’s Regional Aspirations

FlySafair has revealed plans for expansion, including the addition of eight new aircraft to its fleet (five in the short term). The carrier voiced its hopes too, of more regional routes. Comair’s departure from the market has created a supply vacuum, with about 40% of seat capacity lost overnight. FlySafair says this opens opportunities for…

Mobile Camp Launches in Togoro

Newmark Hotels’ Serengeti Sojourn Mobile Camp has announced a new location for its second home. After years of opening in Tanzania’s Lobo region every June, the luxury mobile camp is now making Togoro 1 (there are three camps in the area) its second home base for the month. The Serengeti Sojourn Mobile Camp has a…

APTA’s Explore Africa Webinar on South Africa is TODAY!

Click Here to Register – https://t.e2ma.net/click/gqlvzo/wq078n/01bfovb Session 3: Spring Back to South Africa! Regions covered: Southern Africa Corporate Member Presenters: South Africa Tourism & Springbok Atlas Date: Thursday, June 9th Time: 2PM New York time  The APTA Executive Board is excited to host Session 3 of 3 in our Explore Africa Webinar Series. We are thrilled to have Springbok Atlas and South African Tourism join us for this…

Tanzania Renovates National Parks Roads

Tanzanian authorities have renovated 2 000km of roads in 22 national parks as the country braces for an influx of tourists following the decline of the COVID-19 pandemic, says an official. According to reports, Francis Michael, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, said the roads were renovated using funds given by…

Miracle Elephant Twins Born in Kenya

The Kenya Wildlife Service, which conserves and manages the diverse wildlife of the East African nation, tweeted that yesterday morning (June 7) an extremely rare and special birth happened in Aberdare National Park. Twin baby elephants were safely introduced to the world, bringing the total number of known living sets of elephant twins in the…

The New Urban Hotel Opens in Lusaka, Zambia

The Urban Lusaka is a 75-key boutique hotel set in the diplomatic area where Kabulonga, Leopards Hill and Woodlands meet.  Only 30 minutes from Kenneth Kaunda International airport and convenient to Lusaka’s commercial centers, this architecturally exciting property has become an instant Lusaka landmark.  Known as an ‘art hotel’, The Urban Hotel features ArtSpace, an…

Relaunch South Africa: Level Up On Luxury Travel

From spine-tingling wildlife encounters to legendary landscapes and a whole lot of wine, we can’t say enough about South Africa – it really does seem to have it all. With luxury travellers itching for something new, we hosted an exclusive ‘Relaunch South Africa’ trip in March for our US trade partners. Our goal was to showcase…

2023 – The New Era of Travel

Over the last 2+ years, the world has changed. Countries, economies, political realities, social structures, and personal opinions on various issues have permanently altered. But one thing has not changed – the basic human desire to travel, to explore, to define the world around us as we live and breathe. We invite you to our…

Comair Suspends All Flights

Comair has announced the abrupt suspension of all its flights, both kulula and British Airways operated by Comair. The suspension took effect yesterday evening (Tuesday, May 31). Sales of tickets on both carriers have also been suspended. The airline says the suspension is in force while it secures additional funding. In a media release issued…

Kenya to Cap Tourist Numbers During ‘High Season’

Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife plans to implement several interventions – including reducing the number of visitors and increasing park fees – to curb high season overcrowding in some of its national parks and to encourage travel throughout the year. This is in response to growing concerns regarding the impact that overcrowding of safari vehicles and…

New Airline KuvaAir to Link Zimbabwe Destinations

A new airline, KuvaAir – operated by Zimbabwe-based Executive Air – is set to connect tourism destinations in Zimbabwe, and will launch its inaugural Harare-Hwange-Victoria Falls flight on June 1. This is according to reports from Zimbabwe’s state-owned newspaper, The Herald. The Herald reports that KuvaAir will operate flights linking Harare, Kariba, Victoria Falls and Hwange on…

SAA Welcomes AVIAREPS as General Sales Agent

South African Airways welcomes AVIAWORLD (AVIAREPS JV), a global leader in tourism and airline representation, as their general sales agent in North America. Effective immediately, AVIAREPS will be assuming responsibilities for all sales and marketing representation for South African Airways in the U.S. and Canada. South African Airways, together with AVIAREPS, look forward to continuing…

Malawi to Drop PCR Tests for Vaxxed Pax

The Malawian Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, has announced that all incoming travellers that are fully vaccinated and have a digital vaccination certificate will no longer be required to produce a COVID-19 PCR certificate to enter the country from June 1. Unvaccinated travellers, or travellers who do not have a valid electronically verifiable COVID-19 full…

Limpopo Opens First National Botanical Garden

The launch of the Thohoyandou National Botanical Garden by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, took place on Sunday (May 22), the International Day for Biodiversity. The South African National Botanical Institute (SANBI) said the official declaration of the Thohoyandou National Botanical Garden was important, as it was the first national botanical…

Ethiopian Increases South America Flights

Ethiopian Airlines is to add a Friday flight from Addis Ababa to São Paulo and Buenos Aires from July 1, reports Simple Flying. The flight currently operates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. The flights stop at São Paulo before continuing to Buenos Aires. The full schedule is as follows: ET 506 departs Addis Ababa at 10:05…

Featured Webinar: Tanzania’s Northern Circuit

Discover the iconic safari destinations of Tanzania’s Northern safari circuit, including the baobab dotted Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Ngorongoro Crater and an overview of the world-renowned Serenget with this APTA Featured Webinar! https://apta.biz/webinars/tanzanias-northern-circuit/

Easier Flight Access to Bazaruto Island Resort

Guests have access to a wider variety of travel options when staying at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort. LAM has begun flying directly between Johannesburg and Vilanculos, with two flights a week, the LAM flights from OR Tambo International Airport to Vilanculos are scheduled to arrive at 13h10. Guests will then be able to take a complimentary…

Auric Air – 2 Crew Operations

2 Crew Operations Auric Air Services Ltd is pleased to announce the introduction of a “2-crew operation” on its entire route network. After operating its fleet of single crew designed C208Bs on single-pilot standard operating procedures for over 170,000 flight hours, covering a distance that could take you around the world 1,180 times, Auric Air…

Uganda & Rwanda Covid Guidelines Update (May)

June is almost here; It’s that time of the year traditionally known as High travel season. International Airports, local Airstrips, hotels and resorts will will get busy again after over two years of no much travel. Over the Years BC (Before Covid), the major items on the checklist as you prepared for travel were a…

It’s (Bargain) Hunting Season in East Africa

Guests who book a minimum of three nights at any Elewana Collection safari property in the Kenya or Tanzania bush and combine it with a three-night stay at Kilindi Zanzibar are entitled to a 25% discount on the Kilindi rates. This extraordinary Bush & Beach Package is available through the year — even during the high season…

3 Reasons to Take Your Kids on Safari

Take a break from the city and screens, and dive into the natural playground of Matatane Camp, where your kids can get active and let their imaginations run wild!  Matatane Camp is a great weekend getaway where families can shut out the outside world and immerse themselves in magical outdoor experiences. Hiking, game viewing, mountain…

Why Visit Uganda?

Ever found yourself in a difficult situation looking for reasons as to why you must travel to a particular destination? Ever thought so hard why you should recommend that specific country? One doesn’t need a lot of persuasion or think so hard before choosing Uganda as a destination of choice. Uganda’s based Destination Management Company, Adventure Consults, shares…

New Wild Dog Pack for Namibia

PRESS RELEASE New Wild Dog Pack for Mabula   JOHANESBURG MAY 16, 2022 – Mabula Private Game Reserve is proud to announce the exciting new wild dog introduction on the reserve. The recent arrival of two male wild dogs in 2021 resulted in great excitement from the Mabula team. A newly formed pack of 4…

US Escalates SA’s COVID-19 Risk Level

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has added five countries to its list of Level 3 ‘high risk’ travel destinations for COVID this week. The five new countries are South Africa, Lesotho, Antigua and Barbuda, and Taiwan. South Africa was previously on Level 2 and Lesotho on Level 1. New omicron sub…

Bicycle Tourism Rises in Tanzania

Tanzania National Parks’ (TANAPA) recently introduced bicycle tourism saw 27 cyclists reach the top of the 4 566m-high Mount Meru in the north of the country. The cyclists, including both tour operators and tourists, completed their attempt to conquer Africa’s fifth highest mountain in three days. Speaking at the foot of Mount Meru, Albert Mziray, Assistant Commissioner…

Delta Doubles its JNB Flights

Delta Air Lines has announced that it will take its Johannesburg frequency from three to six flights a week, with effect from May 25. A Delta spokesperson told Tourism Update the additional flights had been for sale for some time. “We are seeing significant demand for travel between South Africa and the US from both points of…

350 Global Agents Attend We Are Africa

The luxury travel brand show, We Are Africa – organised by This is Beyond, hosted by the City of Cape Town and headlined by South African Tourism – has drawn approximately 700 people to the DHL Stadium in Cape Town this week. The four day show, which kicked off yesterday, includes participation by 320 exhibitors…

Eswatini Air Set to Take to the Skies

The Kingdom of Eswatini Government and Airlink have agreed to dissolve their joint-venture airline business, Eswatini Airlink, which will cease operations from June 1. Airlink and the Kingdom’s new national carrier, Eswatini Air, will then provide scheduled air services between Johannesburg and King Mswati III International Airport. Eswatini Airlink currently operates multiple daily services between…