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…
Kenya’s Tourism Research Institute projects that the country will reach 1.4 million arrivals and over KES265 billion (€2.2bn) in earnings by December, about 74% of 2019’s best ever tourism figures of more than two million visitors. TRI has posted multiple updates on Twitter, outlining Kenya’s annual tourism sector performance report. In one post it notes…
Kenya and Uganda are further bolstering their strong tourism ties with the establishment of the first ever Kenya Coast – Uganda Tourism Conference and Exhibition in November. Kenya is Uganda’s number-one source market for tourists while Mombasa is a key destination for Ugandans. Last year, Uganda saw 512 945 tourism arrivals, 326 387 of which…
In early 2023, the world’s largest hotel chain will open its first safari lodge under the luxury JW Marriott brand in Kenya’s renowned Masai Mara National Reserve. AFAR takes a closer look here.
As the peak holiday season approaches, SAA is bringing into service an additional three Airbus A320 aircraft, bringing the total number of A320s to five to support the demand. The first of these was delivered on September 25, and the remainder, every month from then. SAA currently operates seven Airbus aircraft – two A320s, three…
The National Museums of Kenya and the Mammal Committee of Nature Kenya have partnered with Spotteron Citizen Science to develop and launch a mobile app that assists in the tracking and logging of mammals in the country. The Mammal Atlas Kenya, or Makenya, app allows users to to record GPS co-ordinates of an area where they…
The sixth edition of the national and regional Swahili International Tourism Expo (SITE) concluded its business on Sunday evening. The 3-day tourism exhibition brought hopes for tourism recovery in Africa after the COVID-19 pandemic and ended after successful interactions among key players in tourism from Tanzania, Africa and others from tourist source markets of Europe, Southeast Asia,…
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced the introduction of an online traveller declaration system to take effect, first at OR Tambo during November, and then to be rolled out to all international airports during the first quarter of 2023. SARS says it is to “simplify passenger movement at South African airports”. How it…
Botswana no longer has any COVID-19 restrictions on entry. Travellers no longer need to provide proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID test on entering the country. Masks are no longer mandatory in public spaces. The Botswana Ministry of Health advises residents to ensure they are fully vaccinated.
The 48-room Vivari Hotel & Spa by Mantis is now welcoming guests to its tranquil setting at Featherbrooke Estates, close to the Cradle of Humankind, north of Johannesburg. Vivari – a Sanskrit word that loosely translated means ‘uncovered’ – is the first hotel of its kind in Africa, encompassing the hotel and spa along with an aesthetic clinic and state-of-the-art hospital…
Seychelles reached a significant milestone with the arrival of over 258 000 tourists from January to date, surpassing the best-case scenario for visitor arrivals this year, a top official said this week. In January, during its strategic marketing meeting, the tourism department said the country was expecting 218 000 visitors as a worst-case scenario or 258…
RwandAir will launch direct flights between London Heathrow and Kigali from November 6. The airline has been operating flights to London via Brussels for the past five years, but from next month these will be replaced with a new non-stop service to cater for increased customer demand. The new direct flights, which are now on…
Dr. Allan Kijazi, a former Director General of the state-run conservation and tourism agency of Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), along with the serving TANAPA Conservation Chief, Mr. William Mwakilema, and the Arusha Region Commissioner, Mr. John Mongella, have been recognized by the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) for their outstanding work in conservation and…
The sixth edition of the premier Swahili International Tourism Expo (SITE) will kick off on Friday this week for a three-day exhibition of tourist products, travel services and policy making strategies targeting the development of tourism in Tanzania, East Africa and the rest of Africa. Set at the Mlimani City Grounds in Tanzania’s commercial capital from Friday,…
Botswana’s Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls, on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border are two of Southern Africa’s most visited tourist sites. Previously getting between the two had been an expensive hassle, involving detours via Johannesburg, pricey private charters or complicated border crossings on foot. However, thanks to Fastjet’s new flight route, travellers can now get to Victoria…
Sun International is in talks with airlines to reinstate the direct flights between Cape Town and Pilanesberg International Airport following the demise of SA Express, which offered this service. So said COO Hospitality of Sun International (SI), Graham Wood. He said this would increase domestic and international traveller numbers to the region, which counts the Big-Five…
Industry has widely welcome the announcement by South American carrier, LATAM Airlines, that it will resume its commercial route between São Paulo (GRU), Brazil, and Johannesburg, South Africa. The airline said in a statement over the weekend that the route would resume in July 2023, with three weekly frequencies using the airline’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. This is after a three-year hiatus due…
The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) has launched its Namibia Digital Nomad Visa programme, which will be applicable for six months. The new visa, which will be available to freelancers or people working remotely for companies outside Namibia, makes it easier for foreign nationals to live and work in the country. It would…
Taking its name from the Zambezi River that flows through it, Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Its 73 ethnic groups highlight the country’s diverse cultures which are showcased through vibrant traditional festivals throughout the year. On a trip to Zambia, you’ll spend your days ticking off “the Big Five” on safari in one or…
FlySafair has just received approval from the International Air Licensing Council to operate flights to 11 new destinations within the Southern African region and slightly further afield. FlySafair applied for rights to operate connections to a number of new destinations throughout the region, as well as rights to add to its current twice-weekly frequency to Mauritius. The airline has approval to operate flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Gaborone, Livingstone, Luanda, Lusaka, Maputo and Victoria Falls. In addition, it has also…
Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara is inviting adventurers to soar above Victoria Falls in a microlight aircraft. The hotel’s “African Adventure Experience” offers guests the chance to enjoy views of the world’s largest waterfall from a private craft as they glide over the Zambezi River. Guests can also enjoy a breakfast, lunch or…
As we step into a new era of travel, one which prioritizes planetary wellbeing, authenticity and transparency, Volcanoes Safaris, pioneers of gorilla and chimpanzee eco-tourism in Uganda and Rwanda since 1997, reflects on the last 25 years while looking ahead as they announce the launch of their 5th lodge to open in 2023 near Kibale National…
APTA has announced the return of their annual Forum in a big way. What was once the APTA National Forum, will become the “APTA Global Forum” and will take place for the first time in APTA’s history in Africa during September 2023. Each year since 1995, the APTA National Executive Board hosts the National Forum…
ZAMBIA has removed visa requirements for the European Union, China, and the United States of America among other global lucrative tourism markets in a bid to rejuvenate revenue generation in one the country’s economic pillars. The Southern Africa nation is currently working towards growing the tourism sector by doubling its earnings. In an update weekend,…
Seasoned global travel agents currently on a familiarization tour have said that Tanzania may well be Africa’s sleeping giant of tourism. They collectively say this is thanks to the country’s unrivaled natural beauty, wildlife abundance, pristine beaches, generous people, and a diverse feast of culture. “I’ve fallen in love with Tanzania because of its breathtaking…
Hospitality management company, Barrows Hotel Enterprises, has closed a US$110-million hotel deal for Zambia and announced plans for construction of a luxury hotel in Lusaka. Barrows – which provides hotel investment and advisory services for hotels in the Middle East and Africa – has advised Asian developer, Hing Construction, to proceed with the construction of…
KLM will add three weekly Cape Town flights to its schedule ahead of its 30th anniversary on the route. From November 1, it will offer 10 weekly services between Cape Town and Amsterdam. The additional flights will complement the current seven daily services, which leave Amsterdam at 10h30 and depart from Cape Town at midnight. At…
The Zanzibar Tourism Investment Association (ZATI), in collaboration with the organisers of tourism exhibitions from Arusha, KILIFAIR, has entered into an agreement to organise an international summit on tourism opportunities in Zanzibar next year, according to Tanzanian national newspaper, Daily News. The ‘Z – SUMMIT 2023’ is scheduled for February 23-24, with the aim of strengthening…
The riverside game reserve and wellness resort are within Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls National Park, a UNESCO Protected Area. Six Senses enters into its first sub-Saharan African project, which will front Princess Elizabeth Island on the approach to the largest waterfall in the world. The partially concealed, tree-level lodges at Six Senses Victoria Falls will be…
Protecting the mountain gorillas in Rwanda is a major initiative, and now social media can play a part in the movement. Visit Rwanda and the Rwanda Development Board are teaming up to use Instagram to help play a role in protecting the country’s wildlife. Giving Wild Gorillas Internet Exposure With GorillaGram, visitors to Volcanoes National…
Themed, “Rethinking Tourism Africa” as part of World Tourism Day, the conference and exhibitions being held at Gran Melia Hotel in the heart of country’s northern safari capital of Arusha is being organized by Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) and Alliance française. Kicking off today on September 26 and running through to tomorrow the 27th, the…
Airlink, the independent South African-based airline, is acquiring a 40 percent strategic equity holding in privately-owned Windhoek-based FlyNamibia in an investment which will accelerate Namibia’s post-pandemic recovery and drive the expansion of efficient scheduled airline services to, from and within Namibia. Through this venture, Airlink and FlyNamibia will support Namibia’s National Transport Policy vision by…
East African Regional Tourism Expo kicked off in Burundi, signaling new development of joint tourism in East Africa as single tourist bloc. With a theme of “Rethinking Tourism for Social Economic Development in the East African Community,” the week long East African Regional Tourism Expo (EARTE) second edition has attracted over 250 exhibitors from over…
Rwanda’s Akagera National Park witnessed the birth of several White rhino calves after the largest single rhino translocation ever from South Africa in November last year. The 30 rhinos were introduced to the park, sourced from &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, and since then they have settled in well. First ever cycling safari in the Okavango Delta… The…
The first phase of a major refurbishment programme at The Victoria Falls Hotel has been completed. The programme was launched in 2021 and the first phase has involved extensive work in the bedrooms and suites of two of the hotel’s wings, the south ‘hammerhead’ and the central block. The refurbishment focused on the hotel’s unique historic…
Airlift into Cape Town will increase when Air France returns to the Mother City with its seasonal flights on October 27 after being absent for almost a year. The airline had to cancel its seasonal services to the city last November when, after just a month, Omicron hit the world. The Paris to Cape Town…
Loapi Camp, a new camp in Tswalu Kalahari, is currently under construction and is set to open in 2023. The camp’s six individual tented safari homes, each functioning as a stand-alone, independently run minicamp. There will be four one-bedroom homes and two two-bedroom homes, spanning over 300sqm and over 400sqm respectively. With at least 100m…
Ultra, South Africa’s biggest electronic music festival, is set to return in March next year following a three-year hiatus. The festival will be held in Cape Town at the Kenilworth Racecourse on March 10, and in Johannesburg at the Nasrec Expo Centre on March 11. The 2020 edition hosted international acts Afrojack, DJ Snake and Steve Aoki, as well…
Some 20 years have passed since Brussels had regular passenger flights to South Africa. Perhaps it indicates the nature of the market, the myriad one-stop options, and the lack of priority among the few airlines able to serve it. That has changed, with Air Belgium now linking Brussels to Johannesburg and Cape Town. Air Belgium to South…
Tourism is one of Uganda’s top foreign exchange earners bringing in more than $1.5 billion annually. Over 1.5 million foreigners flock into the pearl of Africa to catch a glimpse of wildlife and other tourist attractions like the mountains and rivers. However, little has been done to harness earnings from festivities especially those in the…
The Government of South Sudan and African Parks have signed a ten-year renewable Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Boma and Badingilo National Parks, including the wildlife corridors and proposed extension zones – an area that is well over three million hectares. The signing of the MoU is expected to strengthen the long-term protection of ecosystems…
Recognising the need to reach tourists from across the globe on various platforms, South African Tourism will host an ambitious familiarisation trip (MegaFam) trip involving 840 carefully selected people from varied backgrounds across all continents, time zones, linguistic and cultural regions, professions and social standing. Acting CEO of SA Tourism, Themba Khumalo, said the country’s destination-marketing…
Wesgro, the Western Cape trade, tourism and investment development agency, has calculated that 1.5m two-way seats will be available in Cape Town from various airlines between November 2022 and March 2023. This will take the total number of available seats to 93% of 2019 levels. The injection of seats is a major relief to trade…
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) downgraded Namibia from Level 2: Moderate Risk to Level 1: Low Risk on September 19. To be listed Level 1: Low Risk, a destination must have had 49 or fewer new cases per 100 000 residents over the past 28 days. The CDC also downgraded three other…