Friday, July 8, will go down in history for not only the residents of Kigali, but for Rwandans in general, as the day the Kigali Convention Centre (KCC), was inaugurated. The facility is now billed one of the capital’s greatest landmarks, President Kagame thanked chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and the entire AU Commission for trusting…
The Table Mountain Cableway will be shutting down from Monday 27 July to Sunday 9 August, 2016, for its annual maintenance. This year, maintenance will include servicing the generators, sewage and water pumps and more. Besides this, something of a makeover will be undertaken: The cable cars will be re-branded in shiny new creative artwork and have their heel…
Bwabwata National Park, established in 2007, covers 6,274 kilometers of northeast Namibia and forms part of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), the world’s largest conservation area.The park is located between Botswana and Angola, on an important migration route for African elephants and other wildlife. It aims to use its substantial natural resources…
As from 1 October 2016, Saadani River Lodge and Saadani Safari Lodge will be operating independently from Sanctuary Retreats. From this date, therefore, Sanctuary Retreats will no longer be involved in the operational management, sales, marketing and reservation activities of Saadani River Lodge and Saadani Safari Lodge. However, all sales and marketing contracts entered into…
Forget the pub crawl. ‘Vine hopping’ is the fun, sophisticated way to indulge your wine cravings…. Instead, head to Stellenbosch for a well-deserved holiday, made more memorable by discovering exciting, award-winning wines from South Africa’s Western Cape Winelands. Stellenbosch is said to have the highest concentration of quality wine producers in the world – a blend…
As of 21st July, any visitor needing a visa to enter Uganda is required to apply through the online application system (https://visas.immigration.go.ug) prior to arrival. The applicant must upload clear copies of current passport, yellow fever certificate and a passport photo. On completion of the online application, travellers will receive a bar-coded e-mail notification to…
As of January 2017, Federal Airlines will operate four weekly flights between Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) and the Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu Natal. Nik Lloyd-Roberts, Commercial Manager at Federal Airlines, points out that the new service will open up both the Kruger area and the Phinda reserve and its surrounds. He adds…
A yoga retreat is the perfect way to unwind and truly experience Africa and African Luxury Hideaways is offering a yoga retreat with Capetonian yoga teacher Stuart Kirton this December – a 5-night, 6-day safari package for travellers who wish to recharge mind, body and soul. Clients can experience the Zimbabwean country’s beauty and hospitality, connect…
If you’re in the business of selling travel, one of the most important things to know is to whom you are selling it. What makes up the American travellers – who they are, where they want to go – is constantly shifting. While it’s impossible to know everything about travellers, we can look to MMGYs…
The Boma – Place of Eating, on the premises of the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge Resort in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, has been re-branded as The Boma – Dinner & Drum Show. The Boma’s food offering is being fine-tuned under the guidance of South African chef, Arnold Tanzer, as part of a refreshment exercise to enhance…
ARUSHA, Tanzania – The Tanzanian finance and planning minister, Dr. Philip Mpango has defended the proposal to introduce Value Added Tax (VAT) on tourism services. Presenting the Tanzania 2016/17 budget proposals in Parliament two weeks ago, Dr. Mpango said the government would impose VAT on tourism services, such as park fees, ground transport services,…
Blood Lions says it is proud to be able to launch the “Born to Live Wild” pledge, which has become a central part of what the overall campaign is trying to achieve. It announced that as a follow on from the initial pledge ‘document’, a new page has been added to the website, where an…
Property worth millions of shillings was destroyed after a deadly fire razed the popular Neptune Hotel in Diani beach, Kwale County on Tuesday, June 28. More than fifty tourists had to be evacuated as the fire spread. Fire fighters from the Mombasa County fire department and Kenya Navy were called in to try and contain…
In another remarkable development, Ethiopian Airlines has broken a Guinness World Record for making the largest ever human image of an Airplane on June 29, 2016. The event was part of Africa’s first Airbus A350 XWB delivery and 350 Ethiopian Employees have gathered at Ethiopian Maintenance hangar to create an image of the actual A350…
The Responsible Tourist: How to find, book and get the most from your holiday, by Anna Spenceley & Andrew Rylance “Two important factors are influencing how we travel. Firstly, we are becoming increasingly aware of how our over-consumption is impacting on the environment. Secondly, the working environment is becoming even more demanding. Working hours increase…
&Beyond’s image gallery has been updated to include the latest photographs of &Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp’s new suites and a few new images of &Beyond Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp. Both camps underwent extensive refurbishments, including: &Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp Nine tents were completely rebuilt and refurbished to offer a revised room layout with…
Cheli & Peacock Safaris is operated by Stefano Cheli and Liz Peacock. Ever since the company was started in 1985, Liz and Stefano have been running it hands-on. As a fun dynamic team that has worked together for many years, they are passionate about what they do. Some senior officers in the company have been…
The European Commission has updated the EU Air Safety list and Zambia has been removed from the so-called “banned” list”. This is a very positive step for the country’s aviation and tourism industry.Read More
Hi, I would like to share with you: ‘R10 million boost for Robben Island’, The Interim CEO for Robben Island Museum, Mava Dada, has welcomed a destination development grant of R10m (€597 000) for the island from the National Department of Tourism (NDT). Please follow the link below to read more:Click here: http://www.tourismupdate.co.za/article/110748/R10-million-boost-for-Robben-Island?utm_source=Now%20Media%20Newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TU%20Daily%20Mail&utm_term=http:%2F%2Fwww.tourismupdate.co.za%2F%2Farticle%2F110748%2FR10-million-boost-for-Robben-Island Regards,Yvette
Local and foreign investors are atttending a two-day conference in Durban, to discuss a proposed Drakensberg cable-car project. The proposal has been promoted as a no-brainer and game-changer for tourism and the communities living near the Maloti-Drakensberg Park UNESCO World Heritage site in KwaZulu-Natal. IndependentOnline reported that some potential investors are keen to back the project at the Drakensberg Cable Car…
Park rangers and warders will no longer have to worry about the hustle involved with monitoring of fauna in Akagera National Park, thanks to a drone whose design is nearly complete in the United States. The drone is being developed by Alger-Meyer and Nathan Lepore, both aged 18. The two teens, who are based in…
Air Namibia will indefinitely suspend flights to Maun (Botswana) from Windhoek on October 30 as part of its ‘flight schedule rationalization’. Flights on the Windhoek-Victoria Falls route will continue to operate as normal. In a statement, the airline said affected passengers would be accommodated on alternative flights or refunded. All affected passengers are advised to…
A new mobile app has taken off for the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) that can be installed on smartphones and tablets. The Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) has launched its new mobile application, MyMauritius, on Monday, June 20, in the presence of Kevin Ramkeloan, the Directeur the Tourist office of Mauritius; Ashvin Sawmynaden, e-marketer…
The New Frontiers team has been out and about, exploring Mashatu and the Tuli Block in Botswana.Thanks to the Tented Camp (ages 12+) and Lodge, everyone – from hard-core adventurers to families – can be catered for in this private reserve. Twice-daily game drives are offered (max 6 pax/vehicle), as well as more active pursuits, such…
Fair Trade Tourism’s expanding footprint in southern Africa has been given a boost with the signing of a ground-breaking mutual recognition agreement (MRA) with Botswana Tourism Organisation’s Ecotourism Certification System. Under the terms of the MRA, Fair Trade Tourism’s approved travel trade partners and tour operators can now incorporate the BTO’s Ecotourism certified businesses in…
Complimentary access into the Maasai Mara National Reserve: We are delighted to advise with immediate effect, that guests staying at Mahali Mzuri during High Season will receive one complimentary access pass per adult to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, when staying for 3 nights or more. The offer applies to to all new bookings, plus…
The board of fastjet has appointed Nico Bezuidenhout as chief executive of the company. Bezuidenhout will join the board as an executive director on August 1st, 2016. He will be joining fastjet from Mango Airlines, the low-cost carrier subsidiary of South African Airways, where he has been chief executive since Mango commenced operations ten years…
Tsogo Sun recently invested in the refurbishment and renewal of the Sabi River Sun hotel in Hazyview, Mpumalanga. It is the perfect destination for visitors seeking an exceptional wildlife experience in the warm heart of Mpumalanga province. No corner of the property was left untouched. All bedrooms, public areas and restaurant spaces were refurbished and renewed,…
Ethiopian Airlines is introducing an exciting new programme, which will offer passengers the option to bid for upgrades from Economy Class to CloudNine (Business class). Using “CloudNine Upgrade”, customers who have a valid Ethiopian Economy class ticket, can make individual bids for upgrades to Business Class. Passengers who win the bid, will be able to…
The senior communications manager at the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN), Jerome Mutumba, has been seconded to the Zambezi Waterfront and Tourism Park (ZWFTP) in Katima Mulilo to assist the board in formulating, designing and implementing a new business model to help sustain the state-owned tourism enterprise. Mutumba’s secondment was approved by the DBN board…
Tourism players have expressed concerns that government plans to impose Value Added Tax on tourism services will handicap the growth of the sector which currently leads in foreign exchange earnings. TATO (Tanzania Association of Tour Operators) Executive Secretary, Sirili Akko, stressed TATO’S concern about the cross-cutting negative consequences of the tax measures on the tourism…
By Doug Newhouse | TR Business Tourvest Inflight Retail Services has won a management contract in a competitive tender to operate the in-flight duty-free programme and provide technical expertise to Ethiopian Airlines – the fastest-growing and most profitable airline in Africa. Commenting on the new appointment, Mr Tewolde Gebremariam, Ethiopian Group CEO, said that in…
Protea Hotels today announced the signing of agreements for the development of its first hotel in Botswana, the ninth country in Africa in which the brand will have a presence. First established in South Africa, Protea Hotels has expanded over recent years into Zambia, Nigeria, Namibia, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania and Ghana. “This latest development reflects…
Cheli & Peacock Safaris invites you to join Virginia McKenna and Will Travers on a unique, all-inclusive safari. Hear their stories of filming ‘Born Free’ and meeting Joy and George Adamson, see wonderful wildlife and meet experts. Visit projects, meet the Born Free lion-proof boma and de-snaring teams, enjoy Elsa’s Kopje in Meru, Tortilis Camp…
The Test Kitchen has been named number 22 in the world and the best restaurant in Africa for the 2016 edition of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by Acqua Panna and S.Pellgrino. It is the only African restaurant to make the top 50, with the next local darling, La Colombe, coming in at number…
Following the release of the documentary, Blood Lions, Singita is among the African-based tourism leaders who have joined the campaign against predator breeding and a host of other exploitative wildlife activities. The award-winning film, which follows long-time wildlife campaigner Ian Michler, has placed a much-needed spotlight on the atrocities behind the captive-bred lion industry in…
We are delighted to announce that Likweti Lodge has chosen Extraordinary as its sales, marketing and reservations solution. Extraordinary – A collection of luxury hotels and lodges in Southern Africa, is responsible for all aspects of this unique four-star lodge. Located a mere 15 minutes’ drive from the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA), just 12 minutes…
June 1st saw the launch of the new Fair Trade Tourism app magazine for tablets on both the Apple App store and Google Play store. The app has been designed to bring discerning travelers and the travel trade stories, information and ideas from the Fair Trade Tourism portfolio of sustainable tourism products across Africa. “The…
The lions in Akagera keep growing in numbers, making the conservation one of the most successful in history. Four newest cubs were seen in the Mutumba Hills by a film crew documenting the return of lions to Akagera. This comes nine months after seven lions from South Africa – five females and two males –…
Uganda & Rwanda have advised that a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is now mandatory for all visitors. Kenya & Tanzania have advised that passengers arriving from the countries listed below are required to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate: Angola Argentina Benin Bolivia Brazil Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Colombia Cote d’Voire Democratic Republic…
Click here to access the latest floor plan and see where exhibitors have already reserved space. Since the floor plan is interactive, the booth you want this morning may be gone this afternoon! To learn where your competition’s booth is located and who is already exhibiting, simply roll your mouse over the red booth…
On its mission to raise awareness about the threat the illegal wildlife trade poses to the survival of the planet’s most endangered and iconic animals, Emirates unveiled its fifth A380 emblazoned with special livery, in support of United for Wildlife, an alliance between seven of the world’s most influential conservation organisations and The Royal Foundation…
Emirates Airlines has announced a third daily flight between Cape Town and Dubai from 04 July. The new flight will be operated on a three-class 777-300ER aircraft and will leave Dubai at 10:50 am and arrive in Cape Town at 6:30 pm (local times). Return flights will depart from Cape Town at 8:05 p.m. and…
SECAUCUS, NJ USA — Wasserstein Partners acquired Northstar Travel Group, the leading provider of business-to-business information, content, events, data, research, custom content and software dedicated to the global travel and meeting industries, from the Wicks Group of Companies. Wasserstein Partners IV’s co-investors in this venture are Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund Board, John Hancock, and Storebrand…
We have pleasure in introducing you to Kirurumu Ngorongoro Pakulala Camp, the only tented camp on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater and with incredible views. Kirurumu Ngorongoro Pakulala is open now and indeed all year long and has ten comfortable and stylish ensuite tents, with traditional safari showers and flush loos. For further images…
Luxury UK operator Scott Dunn has set up a new business in the US, after taking over California-based Aardvark Safaris. The company, based in San Diego, will be run by Aardvark’s president, John Spence, who will become Scott Dunn USA president. Spence will report directly to Scott Dunn chief executive, Simon Russell, who commented: “John…
Johannesburg – Hilton Worldwide, one of the world’s top hotel groups, is negotiating with potential partners to build three to five new hotels in major cities in South Africa, underscoring its confidence in the local tourism sector. Jan van der Putten, vice-president for Hilton Worldwide in Africa, told journalists about the group’s expansion plans on…
Camp Jabulani has taken a decision to phase out elephant-back safaris completely by 01 April 2017. The decision was prompted by increasing international pressure against elephant-back safaris, as a result of the abusive way in which a proportion of the animals are sadly trained. True to its approach to animal welfare issues, Camp Jabulani has…
As tourists become more discerning customers, the tourism market is changing and tour operators must help create a sustainable environment. Preserving our natural environment is key. Garth Jenman, Managing Director of Jenman African Safaris, says “It’s up to us to set an example to our clients, suppliers and staff, of caring about the communities and…
This winter Lufthansa will resume operations of the Frankfurt – Cape Town route in its flight schedule. From 2 December 2016, a Lufthansa aircraft will take off from Frankfurt and fly nonstop to the port city at the foot of Table Mountain every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Cape Town will be served by an Airbus…