Dear Partners, As you are all aware, so much has happened in the last few weeks. COVID-19 has made the world a different place from how we know it. First and foremost, our thoughts go out to all those that have been affected by this situation. We would like to extend, wholeheartedly, our sincere gratitude…
Solomon (Sol) Kerzner, one of the world’s most innovative hoteliers, founder of the Southern Sun hotel group, Sun International and Kerzner International, has died of cancer surrounded by his family at the Kerzner family home, Leeukoppie Estate, in Cape Town, South Africa. Always a maverick, Kerzner was a titan of the hotel and resort industry who redefined the scale and…
South African Airways (SAA) is suspending all international and some regional Africa flights, effective March 20 through May 31, 2020. This immediate action has become necessary due to additional restrictions that have recently been implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus throughout South Africa. Please see the attached press release that was issued by…
In a sweeping set of measures Sunday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said visas of citizens from high-risk countries, including the United States, have been revoked to contain the coronavirus epidemic. Although South Africa has seen only 61 cases of the coronavirus, and no deaths so far, according to officials, this visa shutdown appeared to be aimed at work visas.…
The Republic of Ghana has instituted a stringent travel restriction in its bid to control the Coronavirus in the country. Ghana has confirmed at least six cases. According to a new travel advisory released by the country’s Information Ministry, any traveller, except for Ghanaian citizens and persons with Ghana residence permits, who within 14 days…
As the novel coronavirus rages through the world and spreads rapidly in the U.S., Africa is the least-affected continent at the moment, with less than 300 reported cases in roughly half of its 54 countries so far. A number of media outlets have reacted with a confounded tone, surprised that Africa does not have more…
Seychelles on Monday announced it is temporarily closing down the island nation to cruise ships, a decision taken to protect the population from the threat of the COVID-19 virus but one that will also carry economic reverberations. Top government officials met on Monday to discuss the imminent arrival of a new cruise ship — the Norwegian Spirit — and…
Kenya halted the entry of foreigners from countries that have confirmed coronavirus cases and suspended schools in a bid to reduce the risk of contagion within the East African country. “Only Kenyan citizens and any foreigners with valid residence permits will be allowed to come in provided they proceed on self-quarantine or to a government…
Transnet Ports Authority (TNPA) has confirmed that two cruise liners are being held “off port limits” following one crew member displaying COVID-19 symptoms (the suspected case has yet to be confirmed). TNPA said in a press statement that it was the first suspected case of COVID-19 in a South African seaport. The crew member had…
SA Express will suspend operations from today (18 March 2020) until further notice. This is in light of “recent adverse developments”, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline said in a brief statement. This decision will impact both SA Express customers and staff in the following manner: • All customers will be accommodated…
Delta will suspend all flights out of Johannesburg from March 24. Agents queried the flights when they were unable to book past March 24 on the system. Jimmy Eichelgruen, director of sales in the Africa, Middle East & Indian Sub-Continent, confirmed the news to eTNW, adding that a statement would be released later today. The…
SAA has scaled down capacity in response to the low demand for air travel following travel disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. South Africa’s national carrier has reviewed its flight schedule and has decided to operate flights only under circumstances where its load factors and other business considerations weigh in favour of scheduling flights. However…
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa that have far reaching ramifications for us as a sector. The Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, has confirmed that the tourism industry will play its role in supporting the needed measures announced by the President. We are working closely with the Minister…
Uganda currently has no confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of 11th March 2020. However, to date a total of 1,632 travelers including Ugandans and others traveling back home have been identified as high-risk and and identified for the purposes of follow-up. A total of 986 travelers are under self-quarantine, of which 606 have completed the…
Rwanda implements six new instructions for COVID-19 The Ministry of Health in Rwanda has issued six new instruction for COVID-19 screening at all points of entry. The new instructions are for immediate implementation by deployed health staff. The instructions include that all travellers presenting COVID-19 symptoms and those coming from countries with confirmed cases of…
Slow Food is a global, grassroots movement that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment. As part of our commitment to the movement we have introduced African fusion tapas lunches at Elewana Loisaba Lodo Springs. Our Chef comes out to meet our guests and introduces each of the dishes.…
ET Flight 500 touched down Sunday at Washington’s Dulles International Airport shortly after 9am. The journey to mark International Women’s Day began over 17 hours earlier in Addis Ababa. Much applause greeted Captain Amsale Gualu and her crew on arrival with a colorful and lively celebration at IAD to honor the occasion. Washington Mayor Muriel…
Innovative travel is at the heart of Hideaways. Safari specialists have designed an entirely new route which encompasses the best of Hideaways’ Hwange and Chobe properties and experiences, celebrating connected travel on a fresh and immersive safari. Starting and ending in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, the trip is comprised of properties carefully selected for their interactive…
International hotel group Habitas has debuted in Africa with the opening of its new hotel, Habitas Namibia, in Windhoek this month. There are 15 guest rooms, with each custom-built private lodge located along the ridge of a hillside. A private villa on the property sleeps ten. The communal areas include a restaurant, fire pits, swimming…
Malawi’s commercial capital Blantyre will have a face list with five star hotel which has been completed at Chichiri and set to be opened in April. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism Salim Bagus toured the newly consutructed Five Star Hotel in Blantyre-Pic Arkangel Tembo Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism Salim Bagus doing…
The first day Ruth Willatt arrived at Shanga in October 2017 she knew she had found a new place to call home. There were many reasons, but the main one was hearing the rhythms of weaving looms. A swish and a swish, click clack, a swish and a swish, click clack…. Shanga has a very…
To date, only three cases of infection have been officially recorded in Africa, one in Egypt, one in Algeria and one in Nigeria, with no deaths. This is a remarkably small number for a continent with nearly 1.3 billion inhabitants, and barely a drop in the ocean of more than 86,000 cases and nearly 3,000 deaths recorded in some…
Zimbabwe and Botswana have vowed to continue collaborating on environmental conservation issues, including efforts to combat poaching and illegal trade in wildlife species as well as promoting tourism activities in the two neighbouring countries. The two countries issued a joint communiqué following the second session of the bi-national commission between Botswana and Zimbabwe held in…
Marriott International has opened Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch and Marriott Executive Apartments Melrose Arch. The hotel is owned and developed by the Amdec Group, and the opening marks the first purpose-built Marriott Hotel and the debut of Marriott Executive Apartments in South Africa. The hotel features 306 guest rooms, two dining venues, seven meeting…
The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has issued a travel warning for tourists from China, South Korea, Japan, Italy, and Iran, telling travelers intending to come to Uganda to delay their travel date due to the spread of the new coronavirus. UTB Chief Executive Office Lilly Ajarova, in the new guidelines, warned that travel from the…
Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris have developed a travel for exploration and conservation package. It is a self-drive adventure through South Africa that makes your travel matter! Along the way you will visit game reserves and enjoy excursions that are committed to conservation and preservation of the wonders of our planet. Sustainable travel is fast…
Katja Quasdorf interviews medical professional Simon King. In the interview we answered some of the industry’s concerns about the current Covid-19 situation. Dr King outlines the similarities of Covid-19 to other influenza-based illnesses we have previously encountered, how to approach testing, as well as precaution and prevention in travel. [Full article] Speaking with Dr King eliminated a…
Mauritius – The V&A Hotel Group under the management of Newmark Hotels, Reserves, Lodges and Residences is proud to announce its acquisition of La Maison d’Été Hotel in Mauritius – a luxuriant, hotel beckoning those in search of an opulent tropical escape. The La Maison d’Été hotel is set within an enclave of pristine beaches,…
Notice for Postponement for 2020 ‘TAKULANDIRANI’ Malawi International Tourism Expo – ‘Takulandirani’ Malawi International Tourism Expo that was scheduled from 23rd to 25th April has been postponed to a date to be announced
Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services, Africa’s largest network cargo operator and multi-award winner, has won the ‘International Air Cargo Marketer of the Year’ Award at the 2020 STAT International Award for Excellence in Air Cargo which was held from 25-27 February, 2020 in Mumbai, India. Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services won the award for its…
Kenya Tourism Board has been executing travel workshops on the West Coast this week. On Monday 15 Kenyan suppliers met with 40 American buyers at the Kimpton Everly Hotel in Hollywood. The event was opened by H.E. Ambassador Njeri Karago, Consul General of the Republic of Kenya in Los Angeles. On Tuesday, the roadshow continued…
In a revised travel advisory issued by the Public Health Authority, no persons from Seychelles apart from returning residents are allowed to travel to China, including the Special Administrative Region (SAR), South Korea, Italy and Iran with immediate effect. This ban would also impact tourists visiting Seychelles who have recently traveled to infected countries. The revision is part…
Eswatini’s tourism sector is confident that it will exceed the goal of more than two million tourist arrivals by 2023 through strategic partnerships with other southern African tourism organisations. CEO of the Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA), Linda Nxumalo, explained to Tourism Update that although the tourism industry was doing well, there was always room for growth. “The government…
Lilongwe Wildlife Centre (LWC) is Malawi’s only wildlife rescue centre, home to around 200 animals and world renowned for its high standards of animal welfare. Set in a beautiful 180-hectare reserve in the heart of the capital, Lilongwe, LWC is a critical part of the city’s unique cultural history and increasingly fragile biodiversity. Read more…
The number of Ethiopian Mobile App users has reached one million. With a robust and integrated digital strategy, Ethiopian has set an innovative approach to simplicity and seamless end-to-end customer experience with its user-friendly mobile App. The multi-award winning global airline launched into a digitization journey with localized service, languages and payment options. Being a…
Tarangire National Park, named after its life giving Tarangire River, is famous for fostering one of the largest concentration of Elephants in Tanzania who live and co-exist with other wildlife in their natural habitat. The Park is also famous for its abundance of Boabab trees. Indulge in lavish luxury at the Tarangire Kuro Treetops Lodge,…
The Magical Kenya Roadshow will be coming to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle next week. Tour operators and travel advisors with an interest in selling Kenya are encouraged to participate in the half day programs that will include 18 suppliers traveling to the US from Kenya. Los Angeles – Monday 24 February 10am-2pm @ Kimpton…
The Elewana Collection reports that the first-ever museum dedicated to music legend Freddie Mercury has opened on the island of Zanzibar. Officially partnered with Queen Productions in the UK, the museum aims to showcase his birth as Farrokh Bulsara, his roots with the Zoroastrian religion, his childhood and upbringing in Zanzibar, followed by his schooling…
Luwawa Forest Lodge, located on the Viphya Plateau, offer guests a unique downhill hike from Luwawa Forest Lodge, high up on the Viphya Plateau, to Kachere Kastle located on the shores of Lake Malawi. The 74km trail spans four days, allowing the opportunity to wild camp for three nights amid stunning natural beauty with close proximity to safe,…
It’s much more than the location, wildlife, bespoke accommodation and landscape that makes the Hideaways experience so life-changing. An incredibly important component of our guests’ safari holiday is the personalities and capabilities of our incredible staff. The characters of Camp Kuzuma each play an important role in the experience of our guests and we would…
Auric Air always keep passenger comfort as their first priority. We keep on adding various services and schedules keeping our tourists clients in mind. One such step is being taken by us which is – Direct flight from Seronera to Zanzibar. This saves the journey time for the passengers and also avoid hops on the…
Ker & Downey® Africa launches a signature Women’s Luxury Yoga Retreat and Safari in South Africa scheduled to run from 22 to 30 October 2020. Inspired by health and wellness travel, Ker & Downey® Africa collaborated with Joëlle Sleebos, an expert yoga practitioner based in Cape Town, who played a fundamental role in curating this…
Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines Celebrate the Harvest Season With an estimated harvest of approximately five tons of grapes per hectare, amounting to about 1.5 kilograms per vine, the Mullineuxs are highly expectant for the 2020 harvest. As the beginning of the year sees in a new harvest season, the Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines team…
Auric Air is exhibiting at ITB Berlin from 4th March 2020 – 8th March 2020 at Tanzania stand located in Hall. 21.A/Stand No.128 Meet us to discuss various flight options within Tanzania, to/from Serengeti, Selous, Ruaha, Zanzibar, Mafia, Manyara, Tarangire, Pemba and between Serengeti/Entebbe, Serengeti/Kigali, Serengeti/Masai Mara. Please write back to us at dgupta@auricair.com with your desired date and time…
Victoria Falls has developed into a bustling hub with far more on offer than the classic bucket list of tourist attractions. Most Hideaways Safari Collection itineraries have a free afternoon in Victoria Falls and while most visitors will stick to the well-trodden tourist trail, there is a host of lesser-known gems for those in-the-know. Our…
The number of rhinos killed for their horns in South Africa has dropped for a fifth consecutive year, according to recent data released by the Ministry of Environmental Affairs. A total of 594 rhinos were killed in South Africa in 2019, a 22% drop from 769 in 2018. Minister of Environmental Affairs, Barbara Creecy, said…
A new Mandela multi-purpose exhibition centre has been officially opened at The Nelson Mandela Capture Site Precinct in KwaZulu Natal. Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, joined KZN Premier, Sihle Zikalala, for the opening of the centre today (February 11 ), the 30th anniversary of former President Nelson Mandela’s release from prison. The Department of Tourism…
The 5th Annual Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) 2020 opened on February 4,2020, kicking off three days of business-to-business and business-to-customer engagements among key Ugandan and regional tourism players with selected tourism wholesalers from Africa and other overseas tourism markets. POATE, which is taking place at the Speke Resort in Munyonyo on the shores…
The first cruise ship for 2020 docks at the Port of Mombasa this week, where the government has invested in a modern state-of-the-art terminal. MS Marco Polo, owned by the Global Maritime Group under charter to UK-based Cruise and Maritime Voyages, brings in 500 passengers (both tourists and crew), Kenya Tourism Board confirmed yesterday. The…
Turkish Airlines will launch its new Dreamliner on the Cape Town route from March 9. “The new aircraft will bring with it a next-level flying experience, including the latest in-flight entertainment system and a new business class product,” says Kenan Ince, Cape Town General Manager for the airline. “This plane is a game changer in…