The African Tourism Union has announced a new festival in Sierra Leone, which aims to become an annual event. This festival will feature cultural showcases, food festivals, fashion shows, and investment forums, enhancing Sierra Leone’s appeal as a vibrant tourism destination. AfriCaribbean Festival is more than a festival; it’s a bridge connecting continents, cultures, and…
FlySafair is to increase capacity ahead of the busy summer season with the addition of two aircraft to its fleet. The two Boeing 737-800 NG are expected to add 12-14 flights per day to the airline’s schedule. “There’s no better time to prepare for the silly season than now,” said Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer. “And…
Governors’ Camp Collection has enhanced access to its range of luxury camps in East Africa with the launch of cross-border private charter flights between Kenya and Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda. Through the collection’s aviation arm Governors’ Aviation, the private charter service now offers connections from Kenya’s Wilson Airport and Maasai Mara Kisumu Airstrip to the…
Lanseria International Airport in the northwest of Johannesburg shared with Tourism Update its newest developments to make the airport a more accessible and attractive destination for tourists and airlines. The new developments include the establishment of new Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, the construction of new Fixed Based Operators (FBO) facilities and a fuel farm/depot, as…
Uganda Airlines has announced new routes to Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Zambia, building on gains the national carrier has made in re-establishing its post-COVID capacity. On Tuesday, July 17, the airline announced on social media that it was starting flights from Entebbe to Abuja from September 12, and Lusaka and Harare from September 25. The Abuja…
A new safari camp by the Madagascar Classic Collection, Namoroka Tsingy Camp, situated in the 220-square kilometre Tsingy de Namoroka National Park north-west of Madagascar, is set to open next month. This intimate camp features five private tents, all with their own outdoor living area. Each en suite tent is furnished with a luxury four-poster…
Bushwise Field Guides and the Sabi Sabi Collection are proud to announce a new initiative to train the next generation of field guides through the Sabi Sabi Ranger Academy in South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park. This initiative will sponsor students from local rural communities to complete field guide training, equipping them with valuable skills and providing them…
Zambia remains open and welcoming to international visitors, with no immediate changes to how they can pay for tourism services This was the key message in a trade notice issued by Africa’s Eden and the SADC Business Council Tourism Alliance to clear up some confusion relating to the recent coverage regarding the proposed de-dollarisation policy…
Marriott is delighted to announce the reopening of the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge. The team is ready to once again welcome guests, reaffirming their commitment to providing transformative, wellness-forward experiences amidst Africa’s renowned wildlife and wilderness conservation area. More information here: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/nbomj-jw-marriott-masai-mara-lodge/overview/
Namibia’s only airline, FlyNamibia, told Tourism Update that its expansion plans were well under way, having specifically targeted Victoria Falls and Maun as new routes with significant growth potential. The airline launched its new thrice-weekly service from Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) to Maun International Airport (MUB) on July 3. The return flight to WDH operates…
Marriott International Inc.’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Capuano, recently engaged in discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed regarding the company’s ongoing commitment to improving Ethiopia’s hospitality and travel sector. Capuano discussed Marriott’s expansion plans in Ethiopia, with the expected addition of nine properties. This would bring the company’s current portfolio in the country to 11…
To celebrate its 40th birthday, Protea Hotels by Marriott has announced the opening of two new properties, including its first in Angola. The Protea by Marriott Luanda is situated between the Luanda CBD and Talatona, with easy access to a range of businesses and private event destinations. The 84 guest rooms and suites are decorated in…
The Sun City Hotel will undergo a complete upgrade of all 340 rooms, bedroom corridors, bedroom terraces and the Sun Terrace beginning in August. The refurbishment, which will be carried out in phases, is set to be completed in November 2026. The first 67 renovated rooms will be ready by the end of November, just…
Qatar Airways is expanding its operations in Africa with an increase in flight frequency to Entebbe, Uganda by an additional three flights a week to meet summer demand. From August 1 to September 30, the carrier moves from a daily service to operate 11 weekly flights between Doha and Entebbe. The increased flight frequency comes…
Tanzanian hospitality operator TAASA Luxury Lodges & Camps has announced the launch of a new family-friendly mobile tented camp in the Serengeti, due to open in July 2025. Designed as a complement to its existing flagship TAASA Lodge in the Great Migration circuit of Northern Tanzania, TAASA Migration Camp will relocate throughout the year to…
Kenya’s Tourism and Wildlife Ministry has called on visitors to continue with their travel plans to the country during the July to September high season, asserting that the tourism sector has been unaffected by recent public protests. The ministry’s Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua led a high-profile meeting with key industry stakeholders at the start of the month…
Kristy Angellotti has been appointed as Singita’s Country Manager for North America, effective from July 1. Kristy will lead the US-based sales team, collaborating closely with Jessie Tate and Rachel McGuire. She brings 14 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry, specializing in sales, marketing, and event and project management for travel trade…
Several SA airlines received praise at the recent 2024 Skytrax World Airline Awards event. Two South African airlines topped the charts in categories specifically for the African continent. SKYTRAX WORLD AIRLINE AWARDS The Skytrax World Airline Awards began in 1999. It is based on customer satisfaction surveys in terms of which airlines they consider to…
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)has introduced a new online booking system for tour operators marking a drastic improvement in the delivery and management of their reservations and booking systems for gorilla bookings and other pristine attractions and wildlife in the protected areas. This reflects the UWA’s commitment as a leader in championing sustainability through the…
Premium lodge collective Singita has added an exclusive-use five-bedroomed villa, Singita Milele, to its offerings in the Serengeti. Situated on the top of Sasakwa Hill, in the national park’s Grumeti Reserve, the residence features individually designed suites, named Journey, Pride, Coalition, Dazzle and Crash, paying tribute to the Serengeti’s iconic wildlife, namely giraffe, lion, cheetah, zebra…
Peace has returned to Kenya. This after Kenyan President, William Ruto, pulled the controversial Finance Bill 2024/2025 this evening (June 26) following widespread protests. The Bill, published earlier this month, sought to raise US$ 2.7 billion in additional taxes to reduce the budget deficit and state borrowing. This Bill impacted a number of business sectors in…
Desert and Delta Safaris has launched the Tsodilo Hills Sleep-Out Camp in Botswana, an exclusive overnight expedition from Nxamaseri Island Lodge, offering access to one of the world’s most undiscovered Unesco World Heritage Sites, Tsodilo Hills. The camp features eco-friendly pods inspired by traditional nomadic Bushman dwellings, providing an immersive experience in the region’s cultural…
Industry players have hailed Ethiopian Airlines’ new flight linking East Africa (Addis Ababa) to Maun, Botswana – location of prime tourism hotspot, the Okavango Delta – as a ‘game changer’ for tourism in the country. The airline has commenced three times weekly services to Maun, its second destination in Botswana. Gaborone was the first. Miriam Tichapondwa, Wilderness Botswana…
Uganda’s government has signed an MoU with the United Arab Emirates for the construction of an international airport to boost tourism to the underappreciated Kidepo Valley National Park in the northeast of the country. Signed on Thursday, June 20, the agreement comes after talks between the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and Ugandan…
Air France will inaugurate a thrice-weekly route from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro International Airport, as an extension of the Zanzibar flight, from November 18. The additional destination is among the first new additions to the airline’s 2024-2025 winter schedule, and forms part of its long-haul network diversification strategy. The route will operate on…
The African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA) has appointed James Haigh as its new Chair, effective October 1. A leading figure in the African tourism industry, Haigh brings over 15 years of extensive experience across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, and beyond, from Morocco to the Seychelles and São Tomé and Príncipe. Half day Gauteng easy e-Bike…
Africa Showcase extends an invitation to join them in LOS ANGELES (14 Nov), CHICAGO (18 Nov) or TORONTO (20 Nov) for a program that emphasizes business growth, market insights, and the solidification of partnerships. This event caters to both seasoned Africa travel specialists and top-producing agents poised to introduce or expand your Africa portfolio. We…
Tour operator, Nomad Tanzania, has introduced star beds at its Kigelia camp. Every room at Kigelia now features a hand-crafted star bed, offering guests a unique and immersive experience under the African night sky. Elevated platforms provide a new perspective on the wildlife below, enhancing the safari experience. Kigelia comprises six tented accommodations, including a…
Imagine being able to board a train from Spain to Morocco, and travel efficiently—and sustainably—between Europe and Africa in under six hours. Thanks to a historic rail tunnel project currently being considered by the two countries’ transportation ministries, the first-ever rail link between the two continents could become a reality in just a few years. Undersea tunnels connecting…
Emirates will launch flights to Madagascar from 3 September 2024, offering more choice and connectivity for travellers, and driving inbound leisure and business travel to the country. The four-weekly flights between Dubai (DXB) and Antananarivo (TNR), will operate via a linked service with the Seychelles. Boosting international travel to and from Madagascar, the flight times…
Tiffindell, South Africa’s only ski resort, has closed shop and is now for sale. The resort in southern Drakensberg, in the Eastern Cape, is one of only two ski resorts in Southern Africa, along with Afriski Mountains Resort in Lesotho. According to the Tiffindell website and Chris Stevens, an avid supporter of Tiffindell and CEO of…
“They never had a pretty girl from Joburg, see me now and that’s what they prefer,” South African music sensation Tyla sings on her new track, Jump. The music video for the song, featuring scenes from Johannesburg’s townships, streets and nightclubs has been viewed more than seven million times on YouTube since it was launched about two…
Join us in celebrating the revival of the PNW APTA Chapter with a spectacular launch event! Meet and learn from distinguished Kenya suppliers representing top hotels, camps, lodges, and tour operators in Kenya. Gain valuable insights from experienced and local DMCs, marketing agencies, and travel agencies on how to successfully promote Africa as a premier…
Volcanoes Safaris, the pioneer of gorilla and chimpanzee ecotourism in Uganda and Rwanda since 1997, will open Kibale Lodge in Uganda on July 1, its fifth lodge in Africa. Situated a 30-minute drive from Kibale Forest, the lodge sits on a ridge with views of the Rwenzori Mountains looking towards the west, and the Queen Elizabeth National…
Southern African hotel group Dream Hotels & Resorts will relaunch its Blue Marlin Hotel on KwaZulu Natal’s South Coast as an all-inclusive establishment following a sweeping refurbishment, just in time for the country’s spring season in September. The Blue Marlin All-Inclusive Seascape will offer an upgraded pool area and modernised facilities, along with an array of…
In the run-up to World Female Ranger Day on June 23, Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest adventure travel company and a leader in responsible tourism, is putting the spotlight on its ongoing partnership with the Black Mambas, South Africa’s renowned all-female anti-poaching unit. This collaboration is a testament to the power of women in conservation…
Namibia could soon see its top tourism source markets removed from its visa exemption list, due to the countries “not reciprocating the favourable treatment granted to their nationals when visiting Namibia”. In a statement on May 24, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, said Namibia’s Cabinet had granted authorisation for the introduction…
The Pacific North West (PNW) APTA Chapter is back, and a chapter board is in place and ready for their launch event scheduled for June 18th 2024. The Chapter will cover the entire PNW region of Washington and Oregon States with Seattle as the Headquarters. The board has been involved in setting up and aligning the…
Marking its 30th anniversary, the African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA®) announced the launch of the ATTA® for Action Awards. This new programme aims to recognise and celebrate organisations and companies across Africa making significant strides in impactful tourism practices. The launch of the ATTA® for Action Awards comes at a crucial time when the…
Emirates will resume services to Nigeria from 1 October 2024, operating a daily service between Lagos and Dubai, and offering customers more choice and connectivity from Nigeria’s largest city to, and through, Dubai. The service will be operated using a Boeing 777-300ER. EK783 will depart Dubai at 0945hrs, arriving in Lagos at 1520hrs; the return…
The Malawi Airlines says it is introducing new flights to three countries namely Mozambique, Rwanda and Uganda. The company says the new routes are a sign of growth for the Airline. Marketing Manager for the Airline, Only Taulo, told reporters that fares for the Airline were quite affordable. “Soon we will start operating to Kigali,…
Africa’s newest meetings-driven event uniting serious international buyers and exhibitors from across the continent has announced a change in dates addressing the coinciding dates of Essence of Africa and Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE). Essence of Africa will now take place from 2-4 December 2024 at the Sarit Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. The decision to…
Loirien Mara is thrilled to announce the opening of a new landmark destination in the heart of the Maasai Mara, the Loirien Mara Villas, debuting in the summer of 2024. As a travel professional committed to offering unique and luxurious experiences, we invite you to join an exclusive webinar unveiling the unparalleled splendor of Loirien…
This year’s Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) will bring together private- and public-sector stakeholders in the Ugandan ecosystem with the aim of positioning Uganda as a preferred destination in the domestic, regional, and international source markets. POATE 2024 will be hosted as a B2B and B2C exposition and will take place at the Speke…
US carrier Delta Air Lines has announced the upgrade of aircraft used on flights between Atlanta and Johannesburg and Cape Town, to cater for increased demand for premium services from US travellers. The airline will upgrade its flights to a higher-premium configuration Airbus 35H A350-900, effective from June 20 for Johannesburg and from September 9…
Mauritius is expected to welcome 1.5 million tourists in 2024, surpassing the historic peak of 1.4m arrivals recorded in 2018, according to analytics firm BMI, a division of Fitch Solutions. Arrivals to the Indian Ocean island destination reached 1.3m in 2023, with this number expected to grow by 14% this year and to continue on…
Virgin Limited Edition has added Finch Hattons Luxury Safari Camp in Kenya to its collection of retreats worldwide, effective from July 1. Situated within Tsavo West National Park, the camp offers 17 luxurious tented suites. It is Virgin Limited Edition’s ninth property and its fifth presence in Africa. With Mahali Mzuri, it is Virgin’s second…
Namibia’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has officially launched visas on arrival at the Oshikango, Mohembo, Oranjemund, Ariamsvlei, and Noordoewer border posts. The country has also introduced a new visa-on-arrival programme at Walvis Bay Harbour in an effort to improve cruise tourism. Previously, visas on arrival were only possible at Hosea Kutako International Airport,…
Through the Kenya Metrological Department (KMD) warning on continuous heavy downpour experienced in various parts of Kenya, the Kenya Tourism Federation Safety and Communication Centre has been on alert monitoring the situations around the country and advising accordingly. The heavy rainfall has led to flooding, landslides and overflowing of rivers resulting in loss of lives,…
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…