The much anticipated Hosted Buyer Programme is now live. The Hosted Buyer Programme hosts top quality global buyers that seek to experience and engage in African tourism networking opportunities. This programme is tailored to provide the Hosted Buyer with targeted meetings matched with the industry suppliers. Applications are available on the INDABA website: Apply Now.…
Steve led a 35-person team of explorers and scientists across 2 540km from the source of the Okavango delta in the Angolan highlands to its desert estuary in Botswana in 5-metre, flat-bottom mekoro, or canoes – an expedition which qualified him as a contender for the 2015 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, with the…
A remote African island is home to an extraordinary artists retreat. Lamu Town is a medieval labyrinth so perfectly intact it was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001. Created by Nicholas Logsdail, a highly influential art dealer and the owner of Lisson Gallery, the Factory has been transformed over the past decade into…
The African Development Bank has moved ahead on finalizing the first Africa Visa Openness Index. The Index ranks African countries on the level of openness/restrictiveness of their visa regimes. Its aim is to drive visa policy reforms across Africa, simplify visa application procedures and encourage positive reciprocity. Facilitating the…
Anantara Medjumbe Island Resort opened its doors once again on December 1st. The resort’s much-anticipated soft reopening is poised to bring truly memorable experiences for its guests. A paradise escape that is naturally exclusive, the 12-villa resort welcomes guests following four months of refurbishment. New furnishings and upgrades to the villas and guest areas will…
The Western Cape’s renowned Montagu Country Hotel is now Fair Trade Tourism certified. Located in Montagu, in the heart of the picturesque Robertson Wine Route on the famed Route 62, it is the only original Art Deco hotel in South Africa and is a perfect halfway stop between Cape Town and the Garden Route. Originally built in…
The Travel & Adventure Show’s report on the state of today’s American travel consumer is now available courtesy of the Travel & Adventure Show Series. Download Your Copy of the 2015 American Traveler Report This report contains: Habits of American travelers Booking influencers Trends for 2016 And more! Contact Shane Higgins, Sales Manager at 203.713.1086 or by…
Johannesburg – The South African cruise industry is growing at a rapid rate and moves are afoot to improve port passenger terminal infrastructure to cope with the increasing demand. Allan Foggitt, sales and marketing director for MSC Cruises, says: “Cruising has never performed better. “To date, more than 80 percent of our annual budget has…
Leeu House, an exclusive 5-star, 12-bedroom boutique hotel located in the heart of Franschhoek, South Africa’s gourmet capital in the picturesque Franschhoek Valley, opened its doors on December 1, 2015. It is designed as a contemporary take on a traditional Cape Dutch house, with nods to the French Huguenot architecture of the surrounding area. A…
On November 13th, Two Zimbabwean female pilots made history when they became the first all-woman team to fly from Harare to Victoria Falls. Read More Meanwhile, Ethiopian Airlines operated its first “All-Women-Functioned Flight” on the Addis Ababa – Bangkok route on November 19, 2015 Read MoreMeanwhile, Ethiopian Airlines operated its first “All-Women-Functioned Flight” on the…
WISHING ALL APTA MEMBERS A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING. APTA DISPATCHES WILL RESUME NEXT WEEK.
Renowned for its exceptional levels of service and customer experience, the exclusive Sanctuary Chief’s Camp is consistently rated as one of the top safari camps in Botswana. It is located on Chief’s Island in the Mombo Concession of the famous Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana, an area known as the ‘predator capital of Africa’. Adding…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis leaves on Wednesday, November 25, for his first apostolic trip to Africa. The Holy Father plans to travel to Uganda and the Central African Republic later in the week, but his first stop will be Kenya. Kenya has faced many challenges over the past few years, from political crises to terrorist…
A new website, www.muchmorocco.com, the official page of Morocco Tourism for the UK and US, is spearheading a campaign designed to boost tourism to Morocco. The site has been unveiled as part of a tourism promotion push by the north African countr, also involving print and online display advertising, events and social media.
Egypt opened three tombs in the ancient city of Luxor to the public for the first time on Thursday, hoping to spur interest in tourism, despite the shadow of last weekend’s airline crash in the Sinai Peninsula. One of the major tombs that was opened belonged to a Viceroy of Kush named Hun, who worked…
My official reason for travelling was to be part of the celebrations surrounding the inaugural launch of the new SAA flight route connecting Accra to Washington – a significant occasion for Ghana and for the African continent as a whole – not simply because of the prospective business opportunities, but also because of the wealth…
Hotel behemoth Marriott International, which acquired 116 Protea Hotels in Africa in 2014, is taking over Starwood to become the world’s largest hotelier. The deal will add 50 percent more rooms to Marriott’s portfolio, and leave it with 5,500 properties and over 1 million rooms around the world. The transaction is expected to close in…
According to Conde Nast Traveller’s findings, South African Airways provides the second most legroom in the world. Newer and more efficient airplanes means airlines are offering longer and longer flights, but can you handle 13 hours with only 30 inches of space? Condé Nast Traveller reports which airlines, both domestic and international, offer the best (and…
Akwaaba Travel Market, the only international Travel Fair in West Africa, has grown to become the most important travel marketing platform in the region, drawing attendance from over 7,000 to 10,000 visitors from 20 countries. It is being held on November 22 – 24 at the Lagos Convention Center, EKO Hotels & Suite, Victoria Island,…
At the recent AGM of the Sabi Sand, a new Guest Conservation Contribution (GCC) was introduced in order to help contribute to the enormous costs of countering the current rhino poaching epidemic. The conservation levy has been set at R100 per person per night for guests visiting lodges with Rack rates at the higher end…
Cape Town – Commuters travelling between Muizenberg, Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek to Cape Town know of the tedious congestion along the Muizenberg mile, where road works have been ongoing for the past couple of years. Thankfully, the road works are now a thing of the past, leaving only the beautifully-renovated historic mile along this…
The train is not the most popular — nor the most efficient — way to travel in Africa, but its aura of faded bygone glamour makes it a must for those who are fans of slow travel. Yes, there are quicker ways to get from point A to point B, but these noteworthy train journeys in…
Please find attached press release for your information regarding Wilderness Safaris Elephant Movement Study in Hwange. To date, a total of 10 elephants have been collared as part of a study that aims to assess the impact social dominance has on elephant movements and habitat use. The study, which is being funded by the Wilderness…
Kenya’s best-known and most hospitable ‘safari host’, Heritage Hotels, offers seven properties in three different brands: Voyager camps and resorts in Tsavo and Mombasa; the famous Intrepids camps in Samburu and the Maasai Mara; Naivasha’s Great Rift Valley Lodge; the five-star Mara Explorer camp; the island hideaway of Kipungani Lamu. Heritage is renowned for the…
We are pleased to announce that ARP Travel Group has partnered with the innovative App “Herdtracker”, which gives accurate daily location of the wildebeest migration. This unique app has revolutionised the way we can identify the location of the migration. It has been hailed as one of the top innovations in the safari industry. Ranger…
With economic growth taking off and a burgeoning middle class, it would seem the African aviation market is a sure fire bid for long range prosperity. But the reality is keeping the industry grounded. According to the International Monetary Fund, Sub-Saharan Africa will record 4.5 percent economic growth this year, rising to 5.4 percent next…
The four-day Lamu Cultural Festival, which attracts thousands of local and international visitors, is expected to take place from November 26 to 29, 2015 Each year, Lamu comes to life during the annual Lamu Cultural Festival. Several competitions and races are staged during this week long festival. These events are designed to each encourage local…
Several of Kartagener Associate’s partners across the African continent have recently been recognized for their outstanding product delivery, and one is currently up for two awards… Sarova Hotels won multiple honor at the World Luxury Hotel Awards in Hong Kong: Sarova Hotels, Resorts & Game Lodges was named Africa’s Leading Luxury Hotel Brand. Sarova Mara…
Turkish Airlines has officially launched direct flights between Cape Town and Istanbul. The daily flights were launched due to an increase in demand for direct travel between Cape Town and Istanbul, Turkish Airlines said at the official launch on Monday, 26 October. Istanbul to Cape Town – Flight TK 044 Departure: 01:15 – Arrival: 12:50 and…
A family room unit will soon be added to both Camp Moremi and Savute Safari Lodge. At each property, one of the existing rooms will be renovated and adapted to include an additional bedroom. This will be carried out during the closure period of the properties, from 01 February 2016 to 01 March 2016. Camp…
Elewana is about to open a new luxury camp in the Loisaba Conservancy on the site of the old Loisaba Lodge. Scheduled to open in March of next year, the new Loisaba Tented Camp will include four stylish and extremely spacious double rooms, one deluxe tented suite, two family tents and an exclusive family residence…
Bangu Masisi has been appointed SA Tourism US Country Manager, with effect from November 1. South African-born Masisi has more than 15 years’ experience in the travel industry, working primarily on developing and implementing marketing initiatives for South African Tourism globally. Masisi was appointed SA Tourism Country Manager for Australia in 2004 where, for six…
KAMPALA, UGANDA – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through the USAID/Uganda Biodiversity Program implemented by African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), has donated a full set of road equipment, worth USD 1,6 million, to Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The road equipment is part of the USD $10-million support to biodiversity conservation in Uganda by…
Recently, the Kruger National Park was voted 7th best in the TripAdvisor Top 10 Dream Trips section. Spoil yourself at one of our highly acclaimed exclusive lodges situated in a private concession in the Kruger National Park. Reminiscent of an Out of Africa experience, Hamilton’s Tented Camp is a luxury lodge with high wooden platforms…
Uganda Tourism Board is mandated to develop a local calendar for domestic tourism activities and publicize it to all stakeholders, run domestic tourism promotion campaigns in partnership with media and organize national tourism events. The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo is one of the annual events in the East African region organized by Uganda Tourism…
Press Release By the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change There are confirmed reports of algal bloom (fr: Proliferation d’algues) occurring around the island of Mahe, Praslin and satellite islands. An algal bloom is a natural phenomenon, involving the rapid growth and population explosion of algae in fresh water and at sea, whenever…
Advocate Travel Marketing has been designated the North American sales and marketing representative for Karen Blixen Camp, Kenya. Located in the Mara North Conservancy, the eco-luxe property is comprises 22 en-suite luxury tents, furnished with Persian rugs and day beds. Guests can choose to enjoy game drives, nature walks, balloon safaris and community visits (village,…
Botswana has topped Lonely Planet’s Best-in-Travel list for 2016, closely followed by Japan and the USA. The land-locked African country, which will celebrate 50 years of independence next year, is known for its rare combination of desert and delta, as well as its vast array of wildlife. A total of 17 per cent of the country…
After decades of neglect, the north Moroccan city, once talked about in the same breath as London, Paris and New York, is undergoing a renaissance. During its glory years from the mid-1920’s, it was an international zone, administered by a joint convention including France, Spain and Britain. The big mystery is how and why Tangier…
It is time for visitors and locals alike to make their opinion count in the fourth annual KLINK Wine Tourism Awards. The Klink Awards, partnered with Wesgro, is now in its fourth consecutive year of honouring the very best in South African wine tourism – from the greenest estate, coolest festival, to the hippest haute…
On Tuesday, October 27, Tsogo Sun, in partnership with South African Airways and South African Tourism, hosted 2 exclusive events at the ICE in NYC. Chef Benny Masekwameng, Tsogo Sun’s Executive Chef and TV star of Master Chef South Africa, cooked and entertained 15 press and media guests for an exclusive luncheon and 40 top…
We are delighted to introduce our new brochure. The past two years, since the release of our last brochure, has seen a number of challenges for the African travel industry. At the ARP Travel Group, we looked at these challenges as opportunities. We used this time to expand our fleet, including value additions in the…
The Conde Nast Reader’s Choice Top 25 Hotels in Africa 2015 results are in, and Cape Town has scooped eight out of 25 proving that this city is a world-class travel destination, says a delighted Enver Duminy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism. “These results show that Cape Town is a top luxury destination and the…
The New York Times Travel Show (Jacob Javits Center, New York, January 8, 9 & 10), provides numerous ways for exhibitors to increase their visibility at the show beyond the booth, many of which at no additional charge. Booth packages abound with benefits that no other travel show offers, including a complimentary lead retrieval app.…
TripAdvisor has announced the launch of the Review Performance Report – an enhanced online analytics dashboard, available for free to all registered businesses on the site. The new dashboard design is based on user feedback and the dashboard provides registered business owners with insights and trend data about their reviews, ranking and competitors in an…
International Air Transport Association (IATA) has described the government’s decision to amend some of its visa and immigration requirements as “a positive move in the right direction”. IATA pointed out that it was now especially important for the changes to be communicated “clearly, expeditiously and effectively to all markets, so that there is no confusion”.…
The Zambia Tourism Agency (formerly Zambia Tourism Board) is pleased to announce that the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Home Affairs (Department of Immigration), launched the e-Visa facility on Wednesday, 14th October, 2015. The launch, officiated by the Minister of Home Affairs, took place at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in…
The South African Cabinet has agreed to amend the immigration regulations, so that, within the next three months, travel to South Africa will be made easier. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will accept visa applications by post from countries that require a visa to visit South Africa, but which do not have a South…
The 10th Eco Warrior Award ceremony was held at Leisure Lodge, Diani, on 16th October 2015. The event, under the 2015 theme, “Sustainable Tourism: Keeping the Magic Alive”, drew a large number of local, regional and international tourism stakeholders to witness and celebrate corporates that had succeeded in championing responsible tourism in Kenya. The Eco…
To mark the twenty years of its existence, the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) has planned a series of activities to lead up to the end-of-year grand celebrations in December. The association launched the celebrations, dubbed “AUTO@20,” during this year’s World Tourism Day with a low-key event at 291 suites in Lira Town and…