WTM Africa has increased fees on premium space, including aisle stands near the doors and island stands where visitors have access from all sides. “This prime space is more valuable in a growing show and this way exhibitors who feel that the foot flow in those areas is advantageous, may choose those spots.”, believes Penny…
African Parks is to translocate seven lions from South Africa as part of the reintroduction of the species into Akagera National Park in Rwanda in a ground-breaking conservation initiative for both the park and the country of Rwanda. Lions became extinct in Akagera 15 years ago when numbers of the species were poisoned by cattle…
Registration is now open for our annual National Forum to be held in Scottsdale, Arizona on September 25th & 26th, 2015 at The Boulders. Our annual meeting brings together the movers and shakers in our niche market with chapter officials and members from all 12 local chapters in attendance. Our Forums have evolved into a…
Book your clients at the Classic, Superior or Luxe Level and their companions travel for free GLENDALE, Cali. – Award-winning luxury safari outfitter Great Safaris just released a limited time 2-for-1 offer on its popular Cape & Kruger safari! Book your client on this 10-day journey to experience Cape Town and Kruger National Park and…
Nelson Mandela’s luxurious holiday home was recently opened to the public as a holistic retreat where travelers can explore South Africa’s rich wildlife offerings. The Nelson Mandela Centre for Reconciliation House is located in the 24,000-acre Shambala Private Game Reserve, a 2.5-hour drive north of Johannesburg. Mandela considered his house at Shambala a haven of…
Her name is Alice Runyutu, a 20-year-old who’s currently a student pilot. The beautiful and humble young lady reveals that her passion for flying came from “the love that I have for adventure and traveling.” Her maiden flight was on a Cessna 152 and for her, she found it a really exciting experience. “I find…
Tanzania has unveiled nine new cultural tourism sites across the East African nation with more than 120 major tribes, an official said on Saturday. The new cultural tourism enterprises (CTEs) are being coordinated by the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) through its arm Cultural Tourism Program (CTP). The CTP Coordinator Elirehema Maturo said that the new…
SEYCHELLES – Winners at the World Travel Awards (WTA) Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2015 have been unveiled at the Kempsinki Seychelles Resort Baie Lazare. – The event was hosted by the glamorous former Miss Seychelles, Sherlyn Furneau, and leading presenter Galen Bresson, while guests were entertained by The Breeze Band and the National…
Botswana Tourism Organization is proud and excited to host the 10th annual Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conferencein the same year that the Republic of Botswana will celebrate its 50th independence anniversary. The conference (ESTC) will be held in Kasane from April 25th – 28th. The Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference is a unique annual conference…
Kenya is given the green light by the British Foreign Office for travel to the southern Kenyan coast. The Foreign Office has just lifted the non-essential travel advisory on the coastal area of Mombasa. This now allows travellers to transit and enter through Moi Airport and visit areas from Watamu in the North to the…
(CNN) Travelling across Africa’s huge distances can be expensive. Not too long ago, getting from one city to another often meant a connection in Europe. That is finally changing. Low-cost airlines are taking off across the region, serving routes that cater to the continent’s growing middle class. It has not been easy for them. African…
Message from Zambia Tourism: Dear all, This is an important call: We urge you to make your feelings on Zambia’s recent lifting of the big-cat hunting ban count. The lifting of the ban has caused considerable debate and outcry on our social media channels. Please read the post attached here, which seems…
(June 18, 2015, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) The Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) is pleased to announce that Terry Dale, CEO and President of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), will be a featured speaker at the second annual Swahili International Tourism Expo (S!TE). S!TE 2015 will take place at the Mlimani City Conference Centre, October…
For most people, holidays mean spontaneity and control of their time, and what better than a safari – combining comfort and untamed wilderness – to deliver this freedom? It can come as a surprise, then, to arrive in camp and find the daily routine dictated by the workings of the bush and the logistics of…
The airline also wins “Best Airline Staff in Africa” Skytrax Award Fort Lauderdale, FL (June 16, 2015) – South African Airways (SAA), Africa’s most awarded airline, has been named “Best Airline in Africa” by Skytrax for the thirteenth consecutive year. Responses from air travellers to the Skytrax survey also ensured that SAA was honoured with…
Tintswalo Atlantic, located on Chapman’s Peak Drive (Cape Town, South Africa), is due to re-open on 30 October 2015, after a devastating fire destroyed most of the lodge in March this year. Click here to follow the reconstruction process: Tintswalo Atlantic Rebirth: The Rise of the Phoenix www.tintswalo.com/atlantic/category/new-tintswalo-atlantic/
On June 30, Ethiopian Airlines will become the fourth airline to start operations in Botswana. In an interview, Mr Elias Ketema, Ethiopian Airlines’ Gaborone area manager, said that branching out into Botswana would be a key development in the expansion of diamond trading and connectivity to businesses in the country. He added that, though the…
The United States government will crush a 1-ton stockpile of illegal ivory in the middle of New York City’s Times Square on Friday 19 June (The event will take place at 10:30 a.m. and will be open to the public). This momentous event, hosted by African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and other leading conservation groups, shows…
The government of Zanzibar (which includes the main island of Unguja and the smaller island of Pemba) has announced plans to implement new taxes from 1st July 2015. Plans call for new bed night tax and additional airport/seaport taxes BED NIGHT TAX The tax calls for a $1.00 per person per night “Infrastructure Tax”, to…
A red-carpet gala ceremony is being organized at the Kempinski Seychelles Resort for Saturday, June 20, where winners from Africa &the Indian Ocean will be presented with their World Travel Awards before an invited audience of the industry’s leading luminaries and international media. The best of the best from the world of tourism of Africa…
The new Camp Okavango will open on April 14, 2016, following a full rebuild of the public areas and guest tents. Stunning public areas, accessed by raised walkways, will be linked with the new luxury suites, boasting expansive views right across the Okavango Delta. The new Camp Okavango will consist of eleven guest suites and…
Columbus Mabika reports on AllAfrica.com that South African Minister of Tourism, Mr Derek Hanekom, will officially open this year’s edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani – World Tourism Expo, to be held in Harare from June 18-21st. Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Walter Mzembi, has confirmed that his South African counterpart will formally open the three-day expo. “We…
President Khama recently had a fantastic experience, test-driving what promises to be the future of Africa’s safari industry here at Chobe Game Lodge. The president took the opportunity to try out our electric safari fleet while attending the African Elephant Summit here in the Chobe District. The only fully operational electric safari vehicle in Africa…
Policymakers have been slow to realize that the tourism industry is a major player in the global economy, representing a $7.6 trillion global market annually. For developed and developing countries alike, tourism can be a key component of economic development plans. And in this age of unemployment and underemployment, tourism is the rare industry that…
APTA Member Jenman African Safaris is one of the leading safari travel operators in Southern Africa, East Africa and Madagascar. For over 20 years they have tried and tested hundreds of lodges and recently put together a list of ten lodges to consider for your clients in Zimbabwe: READ ABOUT THE TOP TEN:
Desroches Island Lodge Limited (DIL) are excited to announce that we have concluded negotiations for the sale of the hotel and business situated on Desroches Island, subject to consent and approval of the Government of Seychelles . We will continue to operate, manage and market the hotel in the normal manner for the remainder of 2015,…
Cape Town – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to co-operate in reducing illegal trade in wildlife and its products, as well as in ensuring the safe and secure transport…
In order to serve travel professionals better and avoid any inconvenience to our passengers, we request agents to insert in the PNR a local phone number or name of the hotel where passengers are booked while in Tanzania. If passengers are using a ground handler in Tanzania, please include their contact information. This requests takes…
Because of their guests’ positive reviews, APTA members Sanctuary Retreats, have been recognized as top-performing luxury camps and lodges. Among them, they have been awarded ten 2015 TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence and Sanctuary Olonana has been inaugurated into the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame The award-winning properties are: Sanctuary Chief’s Camp, Botswana, located on Chief’s Island,…
Growing tourism often means more waste and more pollution. With the influx of people, a country will have to cater for their needs and, the more people go on vacation, the more the tourism industry’s carbon footprint is bound to increase. Unfortunately, not all governments seem to understand the importance of doing something to reduce…
Miami. 9 June 2015. South African Airways (SAA), the South African National Flag Carrier, wants to focus on growing its African network and improving inter-connectivity on the continent. With more than 80 years of operations and a leading position in Africa, SAA has a crucial role to play in driving aviation traffic growth and economic…
There has been a slew of blogs, messages, press releases and emails to the effect that the visa costs and requirements for travel to Rwanda have increased and changed. This is incorrect. Ronnie Harris, North American Representative for Rwanda Tourism in North America, sets the record straight: Please note the correct costs and requirements to…
Cape Town – The South African hospitality company, BON Hotels, has expanded its offering to West Africa, by taking over management, sales and marketing of four Protea hotels in Nigeria. BON Hotels added Protea Hotel Abuja, Protea Hotel Delta, Protea Hotel Ikeja and Protea Hotel Victoria Island to their recently-formed West African joint venture, BON…
The global tourism sector employs more people than automotive manufacturing, mining and financial services combined globally, according to new research from the World Travel & Tourism Council. The Benchmarking Report 2015 compares tourism to eight other sectors, which are considered to have similar breadth and global presence, across 26 countries. The report shows that tourism…
Airlink’s “Lodge Link System” service, which will provide direct connectivity beyond the Skukuza and Nelspruit/Kruger airports to five of the most popular game lodge destinations in South Africa, is now available for sale in the Global Distribution System (GDS), on-line, as well as via travel agent and tour operator’s Computerized Reservations Systems. (CRS) The Lodge…
Rwanda generated up to $16.8 million from more than 67,696 visits to the national parks in 2014. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) reports that revenues from parks increased by 19% from $14.1 million recorded in 2013. Visits to the Volcanoes National Park increased by 11% while Akagera National Park increased by 4%, Nyungwe National Park,…
AL-BEGRAWIYA, Sudan (AP) — The small, steep pyramids rising up from the desert hills of northern Sudan, resemble those in neighbouring Egypt but, unlike the famed pyramids of Giza, the Sudanese site is largely deserted. The pyramids at Meroe, some 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, are rarely visited, despite being a…
Welcome to Travel Industry Exchange, the number-one travel specialization event! Agents who specialize in niche travel not only become more relevant to their clients’ needs— they are more likely to increase their revenue! With over 60 educational sessions focused on niche travel including certification programs in Luxury, Romance, and Cruise; concentrated programs in technology, trends…
The Seychelles islands are becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination. A 15 percent increase in arrivals has been recorded for January to April 2015, compared to the same period last year. During 2014, the number of visitors who came to the Indian Ocean archipelago of 115 islands was almost equal to that of 2013, when…
We invite you to join one of Virgin Limited Edition’s webinars taking place this June! Why not take some time out of your hectic day, unwind with a cup of tea and learn about one of Sir Richard Branson’s luxury retreats? Join us for an interactive presentation and allow us to share with you all…
Kempinski Seychelles Resort Baie Lazare has been selected to host the World Travel Awards (WTA) Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2015. Set to take place on Saturday, June 20th, the dazzling red-carpet ceremony will welcome hospitality leaders and luminaries from across the regions. Located on the south end of Mahé in Baie Lazare, Kempinski Seychelles Resort is the perfect…
Victoria Falls Safari Club Upgrading of the Victoria Falls Safari Club in Zimbabwe will commence in November 2015, adding, among other improvements, an infinity swimming pool and deck, as well as a boutique restaurant. Breakfast, light modern lunches and a tasting-menu style dinner will be on offer there. The existing lounge is to be expanded…
The much-anticipated unveiling of &Beyond Benguerra Island has finally arrived. On June 1st, we welcomed our first guests into a world of luxury island living. Guests can now enjoy sensational accommodation in the form of light and airy casinhas and cabanas and spend languid hours on silky-white pristine beaches. With a distinct nod to both…
South African Airways will launch a new non-stop service between Washington, D.C.-Dulles International Airport and Accra’s Kotoka International Airport on August 3, 2015. With the introduction of this new flight, SAA will be providing the only non-stop flight between Washington D.C. and Ghana, as well as the only Skytrax 4-Star-rated airline service and world-class quality…
As of May 18th, Henok Teferra, previously Vice President for corporate strategy communications and alliances at Ethiopian Airlines, is the new CEO of ASKY Airlines. ASKY is a Pan African airline, based in Lomé. Ethiopian Airlines holds a 40 percent stake in ASKY and has a five-year management and technical service agreement with ASKY. A…
Cape Town: Ethiopian Airlines, the largest airline in Africa, has announced that it has finalized preparations to start flights from Addis Ababa to Cape Town, as of 30 June, 2015. Ethiopian Airlines announced in a statement. that, together with this new route, the airline will also launch a direct flight to Gaborone, the capital of Botswana.…
Franschhoek, South Africa – May 2015 – The 14th edition of The World’s Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, has been announced. The Tasting Room was honoured with position 88, and is the only South African restaurant to have made it into the 51-100 list. According to the organisers, the awards provide ‘an annual…
Cape Town – Mantis has confirmed that its renowned Zambezi Queen luxury river boat will now form part of the Zambezi Queen Collection, teaming up with three smaller existing luxury river boats, previously known as Ichobezi Safariboats and The Pride of the Zambezi. The three safari boats have been renamed the Chobe Princesses and join the…
The inconsiderate behaviour of tourists has led Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park to lose its unique selling point – unescorted walking. Until now, the game sanctuary has been one of a very few in Africa that has allowed visitors to wander about unguided in big game territory. The practice has been marketed as one of…
South African Airways (SAA), the leading carrier on the African continent, and its feeder partner airline, Airlink, have entered into a joint commercial venture which, as a first ever, will offer scheduled air services at Tshwane City’s Wonderboom Airport. Effective 16 August, the service will operate between Wonderboom and Cape Town, a key domestic route…