Cristiano Ronaldo, Portuguese star of Juventus Turin (D1 Italy), continues to invest in a variety of promising ventures, particularly that of the hotel industry. In February 2021, the player who had just won the Globe Soccer Awards as “Best Footballer of the Century” will open his first hotel in Marrakech by February. He announced a postponement…
Uganda has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330neo aircraft in time for launch of new flights to the Middle East and Asia. Delivery of the second plane, is scheduled for January 2021. The Airbus planes are central to Uganda Airline’s launch of long-range operations with non-stop intercontinental flights to Europe, the Middle East, and…
At the 2019 APTA Forum in Chicago the raffle Grand Prize was won by Ron Cohen. Due to various circumstances Ron is unable to take the trip and has donated it to the Midwest Chapter. The suppliers have graciously extended the trip validity and allowed us to transfer the award to another person. That person…
South Africa is facing increasing isolation as more countries ban travel over the discovery of a new variant of the coronavirus. Israel, Turkey, Germany, Saudi Arabia and Switzerland are among countries that have halted air travel to and from South Africa following the announcement that a new variant of the COVID-19 virus is driving South…
Malawi has been named as the country of the year by the Economist newspaper for “reviving democracy in an authoritarian regime.” The London-based newspaper, which operates in over 80 countries, cited the nullification of the country’s presidential result and the peaceful shift of power that followed as best examples of how democracy should be handled. In May…
Uganda Airlines has taken delivery of its first A330neo, the latest version of the most popular widebody airliner. It is the first Airbus aircraft delivered to Uganda Airlines, which was established in 2019. The A330neo will enable the new airline to launch its long-range operations with non-stop intercontinental flights to the Middle East, Europe and…
Radisson Hotel Group debuts its Radisson Collection in Africa by opening a Radisson Collection Hotel in Bamako, the capital and largest city of Mali. Perfectly placed in one of the city’s most sought-after neighborhoods, ACI 2000, the new Radisson Collection Hotel, Bamako is the epitome of convenience, just 20 minutes from Bamako’s Modibo Keita International Airport and…
A walking safari is one of the best ways of exploring South Africa’s diverse parks and reserves – just as our ancestors once did, on foot, in the tracks of wild animals, attuned to the scents and sounds of nature. In the capable hands of the country’s best-trained trail guides, walkers experience the thrill of…
Malawi on Wednesday closed its border for the next 14 days following a new surge in coronavirus cases in the country. “The only people who will be allowed through the entry border posts are Malawians deported from other countries, those returning home and providers of essential services,” Information Minister Gospel Kazako said at a news…
International interest for Namibia is growing with promise for the early months of 2021. “We have surprisingly had a lot of interest for what is typically our low season, in February, March and April,” said MD of Natural Selection Namibia, Ally Karaerua. He told Tourism Update that should the tourism situation in the country remain positive, Natural Selection…
With 866,127 COVID-19 cases and 23,451 deaths, South Africa is the hardest-hit country on the African continent, Africa News reported last week. Despite the staggering numbers, the nation opened its borders to international travelers, as long as they are able to show a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their departure, the nation’s tourism site states. South Africa’s…
The Blue Train is to suspend operations for the remainder of the year due to the recent alert of a second wave of COVID-19. The decision will affect the remaining four journeys on the Pretoria-Cape Town route for 2020, scheduled for yesterday, December 14, and December 16, 17 and 19. The Blue Train resumed operations in…
Pointe Larue International Airport in Seychelles welcomed British Airways again on Sunday, (December 13) after the airline took a four-week break amid a second wave of COVID-19 in Europe and the UK. The airline resumed its weekly flight after the UK loosened restrictions over several areas within BA’s network. Some 171 visitors disembarked from the…
Set to open in January, Xigera Safari Lodge is said to be the culmination of a lifelong dream of South African-born hoteliers, the Tollman family, and their love letter to the African bush. Xigera, pronounced ‘kee-jera’ and named after the endemic Pied Kingfisher, is a member of the Tollman-owned group, Red Carnation Hotels, which includes…
Ethiopian Airlines has started a direct flight from Lome, Togo to New York recently, revealed the carrier on its LinkedIn page. Last month, the carrier has restored its service to Johannesburg and Victoria Falls. Recently, Ethiopian Airlines Group has completed a new passenger terminal at its hub Addis Ababa Bole International Airport with emphasis on…
With tourism all but gone, the pandemic could provide the momentum necessary to activate much-needed changes in how we approach conservation. Kafue National Park in the heart of Zambia is one of the largest protected areas in Africa, encompassing a wilderness the size of New Jersey. Rivers meander through woodlands, teak forests, and open plains that…
Pioneers Lodge is set to open next year in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Located in a quiet residential area of Victoria Falls, 2.5km from the Falls, the lodge has 50 rooms, four of them family rooms. The main lodge offers indoor and outdoor dining, a cosy lounge, and a beautiful terrace opening on to the gardens…
It now takes around 20 minutes from the centre of Nairobi to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Kenyan Transport Cabinet Secretary, James Macharia, officially launched the new rail link this week – the JKIA Express Service – noting that it was an extension of the Nairobi commuter rail service upgrade project that would alleviate congestion on…
Zimbabwe has lined up tourism marketing initiatives at home and abroad for 2021, to create a more positive image of the country post-COVID-19. “Key activities in 2021 will include hosting educational and familiarisation tours for influencers, including celebrities, local and international media, and the travel trade,” said a government spokesperson. There will also be engagement…
Twelve beaches in Durban have been awarded national blue flag status for the 2020/21 season, according to a release on the Ethekwini website. Five of the city’s beaches received full status – uShaka, Durban North, Point, Amanzimtoti and uMhlanga Main. Seven received blue flag pilot status – South Beach Central, Umgababa, Umdloti Tidal, Westbrook, Ansteys,…
Delta Air Lines has again delayed its return to South Africa. According to the airline’s new schedule, flights to Atlanta will now commence on March 28, 2021. When South Africa’s borders reopened on October 1, Delta initially announced that it would restart its Johannesburg Atlanta route in December. These plans were then postponed and a…
More than 8 000 local people have visited Lake Malawi National Park since last year, the figure which the Department of Parks and Wildlife has said is the highest in a decade. Previously, not more than 3 000 local tourists visited the park. Speaking on Wednesday the department Upper Shire Division manager, McPhillip Mwithokoma said…
The Uganda Wildlife Authority [UWA] has announced a promotional offer for tourists visiting the various national parks this festive season. The promotion which will be running from December through March next year will see park entry fees reduced by half for both local and international tourists. The move is hoped to attract more visitors and boost the…
Four rhino calves have been born in Liwonde National Park in Malawi this year. One year ago, together with the Government of Malawi, African Parks undertook one of the largest international airlifts of black rhino when 17 black rhinos were flown from South Africa to Malawi. By translocating this endangered species, African Parks were able to boost…
Ethiopia’s profile has risen in recent years. The introduction of an e-visa in late 2017, which made it easier to visit, boosted tourism by 48.6 percent, while Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed caught the world’s attention when he was awarded the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize. But even as visitors flocked to Ethiopia’s nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, its historic capital city remained a…
On the path to a slow yet steady recovery, the tropical paradise has seen the arrival of 98,894 up to November 15, 2020. Based on data provided by the National Bureau of Statistics, since re-opening to commercial flights on August 1, 2020, the Seychelles International Airport has seen the arrival of 9,272 visitors. Since then,…
Hilton’s award-winning Hilton Garden Inn brand that provides business and leisure guests upscale, affordable accommodations and unexpected amenities arrives in South Africa. The 14-story, 203-room Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch opens its doors to guests in Umhlanga. Ideally located within the business hub of the mixed-use Umhlanga Arch, only 20 minutes from King Shaka International Airport, Hilton…
Responding to the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases and the second wave in certain regions around the world, destination Seychelles is re-enforcing measures to curb probabilities of local infection on its shores. The review has been done by the tourism task force, a committee regrouping tourism stakeholders, health decision-makers and various other local…
Rwanda is set to open, to visitors, Gishwati-Mukura National Park, which was recently upgraded to a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The move has added impetus to Rwanda’s ambitions of doubling its annual tourism receipts to $800 million by 2024. The country is keen on accelerating the recovery of the tourism industry, which was severely hit by…
Conservation-focused luxury travel company AndBeyond has launched an exclusive private jet journey from Florida to South Africa. The itinerary departs from Sarasota, where travelers will be tested for Covid-19 prior to departure. Groups will then enjoy private travel throughout as well as VIP access to activities and accommodations. The trip is ideal for those wanting…
Although Kenya reopened its borders to international tourists in August, Sadie Whitelocks finds that lower hotel rates as a consequence of the pandemic have allowed more local people the chance to be tourists in their own country. I recently ventured to Kenya, after the nail-biting hurdle of getting a negative PCR test, and while there…
In an effort to fast-track global airline travel, Iata is developing a digital Travel Pass – essentially an international health passport – that will manage and verify the secure flow of necessary testing or vaccine information among governments, airlines, laboratories and travellers. “Our main priority is to get people travelling again safely. In the immediate…
Lufthansa and SWISS have announced additional services to Johannesburg from December.. “The Lufthansa Group has welcomed the recent announcement by the [SA] government to remove the list of high-risk countries and once again open our borders to all leisure and business travellers. “We are fully committed to the South African market and continue our efforts…
South African airline Comair said on Monday it had opened bookings for domestic British Airways flights ahead of a planned resumption of services from December 9. In September Comair, which operates British Airways and low-cost carrier kulula.com in South Africa but has been under business rescue, said it would hopefully begin flying again in December…
The Cape Milner in Tamboerskloof is reopening her doors from the 15th December 2020. Whilst the Cape Milner is usually a haven for international travellers from many countries around the globe – her history reminds us that she is a firm favourite with South African and African visitors as well. “The production industry love our…
For the first time since the Covid-19 outbreak began, Africa may be poised to reshape rapid testing for the virus on the continent. The Pasteur Institute, a biomedical research center based in Senegal’s capital city of Dakar, says it is close to producing an affordable, handheld Covid-19 diagnostic test kit that can give results in a…
Weeks after crowd-sourcing its name, South Africa’s LIFT Airline wants the public to help choose its livery too. The carrier will begin operations on December 10th, flying two routes from Johanessburg to Cape Town and George. Let’s find out what the airline is considering for its livery. Choose the livery LIFT made the news a…
South Africa’s privately-owned airline Airlink is ending its 23-year-old franchise agreement with South African Airways. The airline entered a strategic alliance with South African Airways in 1997. Today, the airline revealed its new stunning livery to match its rebranding. Airlink unveiled its new livery today as it breaks from South African Airways. Photo: Airlink A…
Thrill seeking guests at the Kruger Shalati Train on the Bridge hotel in South Africa will be pleased to hear they’ll be able to swim in a pool above a river filled with crocodiles The luxury hotel is perched on the 300-metre-long Selati bridge high above the Sabie river in South Africa’s Kruger National Park and is located within a…
South Africa reopened its borders to international travelers earlier this month, as travel leaders in a city on the country’s eastern coast argue tourism is crucial to delivering the country a full economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Durban — South Africa’s third-largest city — may not be as historically popular with tourists as Cape…
Plans for WTM Africa 2021 are going ahead in the format of a hybrid event from April 7-9, offering both virtual and live attendance. “We are delighted to be able to inform our industry partners that we will be going ahead with WTM Africa as a hybrid event, incorporating the best characteristics of a live…
CemAir has applied for a licence to operate scheduled flights between Johannesburg and Lagos, Luanda, Lusaka, Ndola, Lubumbashi, Dar es Salaam, Maputo and Accra. Currently, CemAir operates only domestic routes on a scheduled basis, although it has operated and continues to operate charter flights into Africa. The airline joins Airlink in expanding its network into…
South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, announced last night in his State of the Nation Address that the restrictions for travellers from ‘high risk’ countries, based on a previous risk strategy, will fall away and international travel will open to all countries. Key factors of the President’s speech include: All International travel will resume subject to…
Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi has approved lifting of international travel restrictions in a phased manner, starting from next week. Government spokesperson Andrew Sesinyi on Friday said air travel will resume on Nov. 9 at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, Kasane International Airport, and Maun International Airport before ground crossing resume on Dec. 1.…
The rule of six, mask wearing, even social distancing — the gorillas of Rwanda have seen it all. Because the 1,000 or so mountain gorillas are genetically so close to humans, they are also susceptible to Covid-19. The Rwandan government, which has done a commendable job preventing the spread of the disease among its 12…
For the second consecutive year, Seychelles receives the honor of being crowned Indian Ocean’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination for the 27th annual World Travel Awards. This year’s coronation propels once again, the archipelago of surreal natural beauty, to the pinnacles of the regional ecological spheres for 2020 against its island contenders Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius and Reunion Island.…
Twenty out of thirty-six international airlines that had suspended flights into Kenya due to the Covid-19 pandemic have resumed business since the August 1st, 2020 restart. Among the airlines that have resumed are Qatar Airways, Air France, Turkish Airlines, KLM Dutch Airlines, Air Arabia, British Airways, Fly Emirates, Lufthansa, Rwanda Air and Uganda Airlines, Precision…
Lufthansa will start the first test runs for comprehensive COVID-19 antigen rapid tests on selected flights between Munich and Hamburg on Thursday (November 12). The tests are run in close co-operation with Munich and Hamburg airports – as well as with the biotech companies Centogene and the Medicover Group’s medical care centre, MVZ Martinsried –…
Following Botswana’s opening of borders on Monday (November 9) for regional flights, Air Botswana has resumed flights to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport from Tuesday, November 10. Long-haul flights into the country remain suspended with the exception of charter flights. The carrier suspended flights in March due to the COVID pandemic. The airline will initially…
Giant squids are fantastical creatures that live in the crushing depths of the ocean and are rarely seen except in adventure books. But this winter in South Africa (which was summer in the United States), a baby giant squid washed up on a beach northwest of Cape Town. It lay there, its grey-pink tentacles spread…