SAA opens new domestic lounge at OR Tambo

Cape Town – South African Airways Passengers can now enjoy a stylish new domestic departures lounge – called the VIA lounge – at OR Tambo International Airport, following months of extensive refurbishment. The airline points out that the new facility has been appropriately named VIA lounge, as the lounges are a transition point for passengers…

China and U.S. to Halt Ivory Trade

On Friday, U.S. President, Barack Obama and People’s Republic of China President, Xi Jinping agreed to end the domestic commercial trade of ivory in their respective countries. This historic accord comes at a time when as many as 35,000 elephants are poached each year for their tusks to supply the world’s growing ivory demand. “We…

Proflight Lands in Durban

“Proflight’s new international destination brings opportunities to both Lusaka and Durban, because it offers travellers greater access for both business and leisure. Durban is one of the most important destinations in the region for trade and leisure and this flight offers good connectivity with our domestic flights too,” says Captain Phillip Lemba, Director of Government…

Robben Island soon to offer overnight stays

In less than 18 months, travelers will have the opportunity to spend the night on Robben Island, following the national heritage site’s announcement that overnight accommodation will soon be offered on the island.  The new accommodation prospects were discussed as at a recent Heritage Day celebration, during which Traveller24 was invited to spend a night…

Migori Builds Roads to Enhance Tourism

By Maurice Alal, AllAfrica.com The Migori government is building a by-pass, a bridge and a road across River Migori to enhance trade and tourism. Launching the Sh246 million projects at Kiringi in Suna West subcounty on Saturday, Governor Okoth Obado said they will also expand the county headquarters. “We have tourist sites such as Maasai…

Marriott set to expand in SA, Africa

Cape Town – South Africa is getting its first Marriott-branded properties next year. Marriott International has signed two new properties in South Africa in partnership with property developers the Amdec Group. The 150-room Johannesburg Marriott Hotel, Melrose Arch and the 200-unit Marriott Executive Apartments, Johannesburg Melrose Arch, will be located in the Melrose Arch precinct. …

Gorongosa: Rebirth of Paradise

Experience the incredible and inspiring rebirth of an African wilderness through the eyes of an Emmy-winning wildlife cameraman. American-born, African-raised Bob Poole embarks on an amazing adventure: spending two years living in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique, Southern Africa, joining scientists and conservationists in the battle to re-wild this once-legendary national park. The fabric of life…

ibtm Africa confirms dates for 2016

ibtm Africa will be held over 3 days, with exclusive one-to-one pre-scheduled business appointments, 10 exclusive networking opportunities and the ibtm africa Forum, which will open the show. The organisers of the Reed Travel Exhibitions’ ibtm events portfolio have confirmed that the 2016 edition of ibtm africa, organized by Thebe Reed Exhibitions, will take place at…

RALLYING TOGETHER ON WORLD RHINO DAY

With the world’s rhino species increasingly threatened by the rapidly-growing scourge of poaching, World Rhino Day (22 September, 2015) provides the ideal opportunity for those of us in the travel industry to unite and take action to protect these iconic animals.  &Beyond, which boasts 24 years of proud successes in rhino conservation, has thrown its…

Walking with whales in South Africa

The southern tip of the African continent is home to one of the world’s rarest plant kingdoms, but equally remarkable for what happens in the waters that surround it. The name of the extraordinary 56-kilometer hiking trail that weaves through the countryside, provides a big clue, namely the “Whale Trail”.  During the winter months —…

Hot air balloon in the Delta Update

An African Anthology, in association with AirVentures Okavango Balloon Safaris, is proud to announce the official launch of the hot-air balloon activity over the Okavango Delta from Kadizora Camp.  Operational periods: From 01 September 2015 to 30 November 2015 and from 01 May 2016 to 30 November 2016  For information, rates and fact sheets please…

Cross River National Park, Nigeria – The Pristine Wild Within

Cross River National Park is the last remaining tropical rainforest ecological zone located in the extreme south-eastern corner of thenNigerian border with the Republic of Cameroon. Geographically, it exists  as two non-contiguous divisions, Oban and Okwangwo, and occupies about 4,000sq km of tropical rainforest ecosystem, which thins out progressively to Montane Savannah Vegetation at the…

How a UniVisa Is Changing African Travel

The UniVisa is just one aspect of a larger effort by Zimbabwe and Zambia to improve tourism at Victoria Falls. Both the Victoria Falls and Harry Mwaanga Airport are currently under construction, as new runways and terminals are being built, in order to increase the capacity for direct, international flights to the area. At Victoria…

Mozambique Declared Landmine-free

On the 17th of September 2015, at a ceremony in Maputo, His Excellency Minister Oldemiro Júlio Margues Baloi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, declared the country ‘Free of all known landmines’. APOPO’s Head of Mine Action Africa, Tess Tewelde, says “APOPO is extremely proud to have played a part in this historical achievement, which now finally…

Kenya e-Visa Update

Provided by  Alpha Travel (UK) Ltd: alpha@alphauk.co.uk Manual Visas still possible The Kenyan Government accepts that their e-visa system still has some issues to work out. Until these have been resolved and fully tested, travelers will still be able to get visas on arrival and nobody will be denied boarding on flights to Kenya for not…

TANZANIA ANNOUNCES NEW TOURISM BRAND CAMPAIGN

September 15, 2015, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania:   H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President, The United Republic of Tanzania, announced the launch of Tanzania Tourism’s new brand campaign, Tanzania, The Soul of Africa. This 30-second TV campaign will be launched globally on CNN America as well as BBC International, beginning this October and will run for…

Tanganyika Flying Co. Suspends Operations

Tanganyika Flying Co. (Nomad Aviation Ltd) will be suspending its operations in Tanzania as of 31 October 2015. The company has negotiated with Coastal Aviation to absorb much of its existing business commitments. Any rates or agreements negotiated will be honored in full until they expire on 31 May 2016. Thereafter, the new Coastal rates…

Cape Cadogan Now serving breakfast on Signal Hill

Cape Cadogan’s refurbishment has been completed and we are very excited to showcase her to our agents. Please contact your Account Manager to arrange a site to view her new “Look and Feel”. We have introduced a MORE transfer vehicle at the hotel, servicing the complimentary V&A Waterfront transfers, as well as assisting with any other guests’ transfer requirements. The…

President Kenyatta launches “Make it Kenya”

On September 8th 2015, President of Kenya, His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, officially launched Make it Kenya, a new international brand campaign that has been introduced to promote the scale and variety of tourist and investment opportunities the country has to offer. Tourism is a vital pillar of Kenya’s economy, environment, identity and well-being; the industry…

Continuing Construction in V&A Waterfront

The V&A Waterfront Company, Cape Town, is engaged in construction work to add new facilities in the area.   These will include a parking garage behind the City Lodge Waterfront hotel and an office block on the opposite side of the canal. The current building activities are expected to continue between 08h00 to 17h00 from Mondays…

Kenya e-visa takes effect

In an attempt to modernise and streamline tourist arrivals and reduce congestion and delays, most particularly in Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the Kenyan government has decided to move tourism visas online. As of 1 September 2015, all visa applicants will be required to apply and pay online for visas to enter Kenya.Visitors travelling to…

Jovago & Safarilink to offer customised travel in Kenya

Online hotel-booking company, Jovago, has partnered with Safarilink, a regional airline based in Nairobi, to customise packages for tourists. Jovago explained that the partnership was designed for tourists who are visiting different destinations within Kenya and that the model will offer travellers ready-made packages which include flight fares, airport transfers and accommodation throughout their stay.…

New airline FlyAfrica.com takes off

Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba has announced the launch of pan-African low-cost airline Gabon FlyAfrica.com. The new airline is aimed at enhancing air connectivity across Africa and reducing the cost of doing business. The announcement was made on the second day of the New York Forum Africa – one of the largest gatherings of politicians,…

Maximizing the value of birds for tourism

By Julien.Jreissati, Wed, 19/08/2015 – 12:48 The BirdLife-led Migratory Soaring Birds (MSB) project has developed a guidebook that provides practical information to maximize the value that birds bring to the tourism industry, while ensuring the conservation of their populations and habitats. The global tourism industry is reaching new heights with an all-time record of over…

Update from Akagera

More than four weeks since the 7 lions were released into Akagera National Park, things are progressing nicely. Excitement ran high on 23 August, when tourists saw lions in Akagera for the first time in more than a decade. Several tourists saw the lions on Sunday and others saw them again on Monday, as they…