Cheryle Velsor Steps Down as Executive Director of APTA

Today, the Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa (APTA) announces the departure of Cheryle Velsor from her position as Executive Director. Cheryle has led APTA with distinction and dedication, extending her term beyond its expiration to support the association through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. As she transitions into semi-retirement to focus…

Ethiopian Launches New Service to Central Europe

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest network operating carrier, will launch a new four-times-weekly passenger service to Warsaw via Athens, starting June 16, expanding the airline’s European destinations to 24. Flight ET 764 will depart from Addis Ababa on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Return flight ET 765 will depart from Warsaw on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and…

Malawi’s Lake of Stars Festival Returns

The Lake of Stars Malawi Arts Festival, a cultural celebration, is set to return this year, marking its 20th anniversary. The internationally renowned festival will take place along the beaches of Lake Malawi at Fish Eagle Bay Lodge from September 6-8. It will feature some of the best and most diverse artists from Malawi and around…

Spier Wine Farm to Undergo Refurbishment

Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch has begun an extensive refurbishment of its hotel. With significant refurbishments planned from mid-March, and reopening in 2025, Spier’s hotel will offer curated experiences on this historic working wine farm and an even more purposeful approach to food, wine, and wellness. “Our farm and hotel will be an immersive place…

Red Bus Art Tour to Hit Joburg in May

Thabo the Tourist, who wants to ensure that South Africa is well known for art tourism in real-time, is inviting travellers to join an exclusive art experience on Saturday, May 25. The experience is an art tour that starts at 10h00 in Rosebank. Guests will have an opportunity to ride on the iconic Red Bus to have a…

Ethiopian Airlines Opens New Jinka Airport terminal

Ethiopian Airlines unveiled its new terminal and support facility buildings at Jinka Airport last week. The new state-of-the-art airport terminal is now open for service, following a grand celebration in Jinka, one of the emerging cities in the South Ethiopia Regional State. The two-and-a-half-year project covered the construction of a new terminal building having a…

Radisson Debuts in Cape Town

Radisson Hotel Group brings its well-known brand to South Africa’s Mother City with the rebranding of Park Inn Cape Town Foreshore to Radisson Hotel Cape Town Foreshore. Strategically located just minutes away from the International Convention Centre (CTICC) and the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Radisson Hotel Cape Town Foreshore marks the Group’s third Radisson property…

Proflight Zambia Introduces Kafue Flights

In anticipation of the upcoming peak tourism season, Proflight Zambia has announced its annual scheduled flights to the Kafue National Park beginning June 1, 2024. The flights offer ease of access and connectivity to one of Africa’s largest parks for both local and international travellers. Through Procharter, the airline will connect Lusaka, and Chunga in…

TUI Hotels & Resorts Looks to Expand in Africa

TUI Group’s hotel division, TUI Hotels & Resorts, said on Tuesday it planned to expand its presence in sub-Saharan Africa, a region with significant tourism potential. The move comes after years of concentrating on North Africa, where TUI boasts a portfolio of 76 hotels. The new push southwards includes eight new hotels planned for Cape Verde,…

Aerocruise Air Charters Joins Emerging Destinations

Emerging Destinations is pleased to welcome the Aerocruise Air Charters in Kenya to our family of cool destinations and companies around the globe. From their base at Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, Aerocruise has grown exponentially since the company was founded in 2011 to encompass air charters and air safaris to destinations all over East and Central Africa, as…

Tanzania Seeks to Strengthen Trade Relationships

Tanzania will host the first International Tourism Summit Africa Conference and B2B Networking event from May 20 to 23 to strengthen relationships between international travel agents and local tour operators. Alice Manupa, CEO of African Queen Adventures, a co-host of the summit, believes that this groundbreaking conference will not only be a first for the…

Hilton Opens Second Hotel in Namibia

Hilton has opened its second hotel in Namibia, with its Hilton Garden Inn brand debuting in the country. Hilton’s newest Windhoek hotel opened its doors on Monday, March 18. It is close to the Warehouse Theatre and the National Museum of Namibia. The hotel is also near major businesses and is a 45-minute drive from…

Seychelles Tourism Department Congratulates David Germain on Retirement

After years of dedicated service, the Seychelles Tourism Department bade farewell to David Germain, its Director of Marketing for Africa and the Americas. With a 40-year career in the industry, Germain played a pivotal role by significantly contributing to Seychelles’ tourism marketing endeavours and overall success. He started his journey at Travel Services Seychelles (TSS) before…

Namibia Focuses on New International Routes

Namibia Airports Company (NAC) has launched the ‘Air Connect Namibia’ project in a bid to create new international routes at the country’s airports, ultimately increasing direct air access to the nation. The project was initiated following the Namibia Aviation and Connectivity Forum held in 2022, which brought together international and domestic aviation stakeholders from the…

Uganda’s Tourism Rebounds Strongly

Uganda tourism authorities have indicated that the country’s tourism sector is on a path to full recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The tourism industry performance report 2023, released by Ugandan Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Tom Butime, revealed that Uganda’s tourism sector had demonstrated remarkable resilience in 2023. The Minister said tourism…

Ethiopian Inaugurates New Terminal at Jinka Airport

Ethiopian Airlines Group, the largest airline group in Africa, inaugurates its Jinka airport project, unveiling a new terminal and support facility buildings. The new state-of-the-art airport terminal is now open for service, following a grand celebration held today in Jinka, one of the emerging cities in the South Ethiopia Regional State. The two-and-a-half-year project covered…

TAASA Lodge Now Offers Interconnected Tent

TAASA Lodge, located in the Northern Serengeti,  now offers an interconnected tent option. Imagine waking up to the sounds of the African bush, just steps away from your loved ones. This unique accommodation features two spacious luxury tents linked by a covered walkway, offering extra space and privacy while still allowing you to connect with…

Kenya Airways Signs Codeshare with Virgin Atlantic

Kenya Airways and Virgin Atlantic, both members of the SkyTeam alliance, have unveiled a strategic codeshare partnership. Virgin Atlantic will place its code on Kenya Airways’ London flights, providing passengers with seamless access to Kenya Airways’ extensive network of destinations in Africa and beyond. Kenya Airways will place its code on Virgin Atlantic flights to…

Hilton Opens New Indian Ocean Resort

New York Stock Exchange-listed hospitality company, Hilton, has opened its newest property, Canopy by Hilton Seychelles – marking the boutique lifestyle brand’s debut in the Indian Ocean. Situated in the south of Mahé, Canopy by Hilton Seychelles is the brand’s first resort property in the world. Located just a short drive from the Jardin du Roi (Spice…

Auric Air Announces Partnership with Surf Air Mobility for Electric Powertrain Supply to their ​Cessna Caravan Fleet

Auric Air Services Ltd, a Tanzania-based regional air operator flying both scheduled and charter services across East Africa has entered into a MOU with Surf Air Mobility Inc, a leading regional air mobility platform to upgrade up to 12 of Auric Air’s Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft with Surf Air’s proprietary electrified powertrain technology once certified. Surf Air now…

Upcoming Celebrations in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is the perfect place to celebrate in authentic West African style during these exuberant annual events: Lantern Festival One of Sierra Leone’s most popular events — which coincides with the country’s independence anniversary in April — the Lantern Festival has great historic and religious significance. Freetown’s normally flamboyant self becomes even more colorful…