New International Premier Lounge at CPT

Bidvest has opened its new International Premier Lounge at Cape Town International Airport.   The new lounge is larger than the previous one and is conveniently located just after passport control in the international departures terminal.   The lounge caters for more than 90 000 people annually and Gavin Bell, MD of Bidvest Premier Lounges,…

Zanzibar’s new main airport inaugurated

Monday, January 5th, saw the official inauguration of Zanzibar’s new main airport on the island of Unguja, “Abeid Amani Karume International Airport” as it is now known. Zanzibar’s President, Ali Mohamed Shein, did the honors of cutting the ceremonial ribbon to formally launch the expanded parking apron and extended and resurfaced taxiway, which was part…

TANZANIA TOURISM SERVICES REMAIN EXEMTPED FROM VAT

THE NEW VAT BILL has been passed by the Parliament which will continue to EXEMPT TOURISM SERVICES FROM VAT. This means that current status quo will remain.  Services that have been exempted include tourist guiding, game driving, water safaris, animal or bird watching, park fees, tourist charter services and ground transportation. The Tourism Confederation of Tanzania (TCT) has…

ACSA to crack down on hand luggage allowance

Airports Company South Africa and airlines will roll out a campaign from February 2 at all SA airports to enforce hand luggage regulations.  The campaign will inform and educate passengers and travel agents about the prescribed restrictions and the impact on travellers.  The hand luggage allowance is as follows:  Economy-class passengers are allowed one bag…

Hoopoe Safaris now offering game package rates

Hoopoe Safaris are now offering game package rates at all Kirurumu camps and tented lodges in Northern Tanzania. Please contact Rupert on hoopoeuk@aol.com for full details and latest special offers Kirurumu Under Canvas’ Serengeti North Camp will be opening 1st July 2015 at Senzo private campsite at Kogatenge in the Mara area of the North Western Serengeti.…

Air Namibia adds new regional routes

From April 2015, Air Namibia will operate direct flights between Walvis Bay and Cape Town as well as Walvis Bay and Johannesburg. The two routes will initially be operated with a 37-seat Embraer ERJ 135. Air Namibia’s significant role is creating air transport linkages between Namibia and the world. This role is instrumental in the…

A Real Deal from Bushtops

In 2015 Mara Bushtops and Serengeti Bushtops are introducing four night stays for the price of three. These special offers apply to any new bookings, so get out the diary – and seize the opportunity. The offer will apply to any stay between 2 January and 30 June at Mara Bushtops and 2 January to…

Classic Portfolio Welcomes Boschendal

APTA Members Classic Portfolio are thrilled to welcome BOSCHENDAL FARM as the latest addition to Classic Portfolio. Set in the heart of the Cape Winelands, between Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, we love the rich heritage, authentic farm experience and understated elegance.   Under new ownership Boschendal is experiencing an amazing transformation. The farm now offers 22 fully renovated and restored cottages, a delightful Farmshop and…

Become a Botswana Specialist Today

As a travel professional, improving destination knowledge is a high-priority and a key to your success. By completing the Botswana Specialist online program, you can knowledgably promote Botswana with confidence to your clients and prospects. This six-module, online course will enhance your knowledge of Botswana’s history and culture, its prime and emerging tourism regions, and…

Zambia and Zimbabwe launch UNIVISA

Zambia and Zimbabwe will launch the Kavango Zambezi Trans-frontier Conservation Area (KAZA) UNIVISA on Friday, 28 November 2014. The KAZA UNIVISA is a common tourist visa for the SADC region which shall be piloted by Zambia and Zimbabwe for six months, after which the UNIVISA will be rolled out to Angola, Botswana and Namibia.  More countries…

A fresh new look for Mont Rochelle

Mont Rochelle has 22 stunning rooms and suites in 5 room categories ranging from our Shiraz Rooms to our top suite category, the Cap Classique! Each room is located in one of three wings all enjoying stunning views over the Dassenberg Mountains. The hotel is looking stunning after a fully extensive refurbishment project and we want…

Kartagener Associates to represent Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate

Kartagener Associates Inc. (KAI), a pioneering New York-based sales representation and marketing firm, announces the newest addition to their award-winning portfolio, Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate. Just one-hour by car from nearby Cape Town, nestled in the Franschhoek Valley, in South Africa’s Western Cape region, lays the 300-year-old Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate. Here, 47-acres…

Fastjet Zambia one step closer to launch

Fastjet says its Zambian subsidiary, Fastjet Zambia has secured its Air Services Licence (ASL) from the country’s government. The carrier is now focused on continuing the submission of the necessary documents and manuals to complete the application process for an Air Operators Certificate (AOC), which will then allow the commencement of domestic and international operations. Ceo,…

Jenman Demistifies Madagascar

Taking a holiday to Madagascar is a unique experience, and with a wide variety of activities to suit every kind of holidaymaker, this island paradise makes for a perfect destination! Activities on offer range from visiting local attractions to the more adventurous activities that can be included in any of our excellent Madagascar holiday packages!…

Cape Grace unveils new Pool and Outdoor deck

Cape Grace is delighted to announce the completion of our newly refashioned, stylish and luxurious Pool and Outdoor deck, ahead of the 2014 summer season. Reminiscent of a glamourous Mediterranean yacht, guests will revel in an elegant and relaxing outdoor experience in the opulent Waterfront Yacht Marina with views of the majestic Table Mountain in…

King Shaka Airport gets new luxury lounge

Durban’s King Shaka International Airport has introduced its new executive airport lounges, the R5m Umphafa VIP lounge. Lounge operator, Menzies Aviation, which is also responsible for ground handling and safety at more than 16 airports in Africa, has upped the luxury stakes by creating the only lounge for high-end travellers at KSIA. The new lounge…

Saruni for families:

We all know that multi-generation travel has been one of the leading trends in the travel industry at large, but few destinations are considered quite as suitable for such a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, as Africa. Much as the demand has grown, accommodation for families remains limited and in some areas, understandably restricted, so it’s good to…

SAA Welcomes JetBlue to Voyager Program

South African Airways (SAA), Africa’s most awarded airline, has launched a new frequent flyer partnership with JetBlue Airways in North America, providing expanded mileage earning opportunities for SAA’s Voyager members. Effective immediately, Voyager members will be able to earn mileage credits on flights across JetBlue’s expansive network of destinations in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin…

Great Safaris, Glendale, CA Extend Fam Trip Invitation to APTA members:

Great Safaris invites APTA members to see Africa through their clients’ eyes this winter. See Kenya through your clients eyes   (www.greatsafaris.com/kenya-adventure-fam.html) Inclusive land safari to Nairobi:  Length: Seven days, six nights in Kenya Sarova Stanley Hotel, 1 night Samburu: Sarova Shaba Lodge, 2 nights. Lake Nakuru: Lion Hill Lodge, 1 night Masai Mara: Sarova Mara Tented Camp, 2…

Shamwari Group Raises Over R8 Million for Rhinos!

We are proud to announce that we have raised over R8 MILLION for the Wilderness Foundation’s ‘Forever Wild Campaign’, an initiative to help save our endangered African rhinos. The three Shamwari Group properties- Shamwari Game Reserve, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve and Jock Safari Lodge have since 2012 taken part in the Forever Wild campaign and will continue to do so in 2015 to raise…

ATTA Webinar: Exploring the US Adventure Traveler

Occasionally, the Adventure Travel Trade Association makes select Webinars from its ATTA Members Only Webinar series public for all adventure travel industry representatives. This is the case for the upcoming Webinar on November 12, featuring research from the ATTA’s Adventure Pulse survey. The ATTA is pleased to discuss the results from the Adventure Pulse survey,…