Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the opening of Hyatt Regency Cairo West. The 250-room hotel marks Hyatt’s return to Cairo and strengthens its growing brand footprint in North Africa. As part of the Hyatt Regency brand, the hotel is designed with productivity in mind to deliver seamless experiences and an energizing hub for both…
East Africa has seen a positive turnaround in its recovery strategy for the tourism sector owing to the conscious efforts by East African Community (EAC) Partner States to work together in promoting growth in the sector. The sector has benefited from “significant” private-sector investments in hotels, transportation, marketing and product development, and dedicated government efforts…
A raging veld fire that broke out last week in the Mabuasehube area on the Botswana side of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, has destroyed Polentswa Lodge, a nine-unit tented camp. The fire was successfully contained on the South African side on Saturday morning (September 11) but it is reportedly still burning on the Botswana side…
Kenya is set to host the 2021 Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) virtually between 5th and 6th of October 2021. The annual event which was postponed in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic is the largest tourism fair in the region and is set to bring together domestic, regional and international tour operators, travel agents,…
Radisson Hotel Group, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has set a record in its North African expansion, with the signing of nine hotels, to date this year. This has boosted the group’s North Africa portfolio, comprising the Maghreb countries along with Libya and Egypt, to over 30 hotels in operation and under development,…
A new coronavirus variant, C.1.2, has been detected in South Africa and a number of other countries, with concerns that it could be more infectious and evade vaccines, according to a new preprint study by South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases and the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform. The study is awaiting peer review. Scientists first…
In 2019, Africa was deemed the second fastest growing tourism region in the world. Travel contributed $194 billion to the continent’s gross domestic product, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria had made the largest tourism contributions to GDP, and Tunisia and Rwanda showed over 10 percent growth, ranking among the…
Air Senegal operated its first flights between the US and Dakar, Senegal this past week. Twice weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays is available from New York’s JFK Airport and Baltimore/Washington Airport (BWI) with convenient connections to many of Air Senegal’s regional routes JFK/BWI to Dakar Starting at $ 906* roundtrip, all in Find out…
Kenya will next month host a virtual international tourism fair bringing influential travel trade representatives from more than 50 key tourism market countries across the globe to help market the country as a tourist destination, organizers said on Wednesday. Najib Balala, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary said the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) set to…
The highest urban bar in Africa, on the 57th floor of The Leonardo in Sandton, opened this past weekend. Named Alto234, the space can accommodate up to 100 people across seven seating areas and offers 360-degree views of Sandton and Johannesburg. Entry costs R300 (€18) per person. Both the drinks and food on offer, which…
A new luxury tented eco-camp, Khwai Expeditions Camp, has opened in the Khwai Village, east of the Okavango Delta. The six luxury tents and one family cottage, which sleeps two adults and two children, are built on raised platforms and feature a balcony with a view of the seasonal lagoon. The en-suite tents have indoor…
The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife is targeting to raise Ksh100 Million during the upcoming inaugural Magical Kenya Tembo Naming Festival. This was said by Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala when he received contributions towards the initiative from 4 organizations: East Africa Safari Rally, Chandaria Foundation, Oltukai Lodges and African Wildlife Foundation at…
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has begun implementation of its electronic visa system (e-Visa) to 15 countries. The implementation would be released in a phased approach, starting with Kenya and Cameroon, said DHA Chief Director of Port Control, Rika Anker, in a letter to the airline industry on Monday (September 6). She noted that only…
The Board of Directors of Wesgro – the official tourism, trade investment and film promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape – has appointed Wrenelle Stander as CEO. After a “lengthy and rigorous” recruitment process, Stander takes over from Tim Harris as CEO of Wesgro. She will begin her tenure in October. Michael Spicer, Chairman of the Wesgro Board,…
A new airline, Fly Okavango, is set to launch flights and tour packages directly to Maun – the gateway to the Okavango Delta – from key source markets, the UK and the US. The flights are expected to start in November, using a Boeing 767-300ER and Airbus 340-500 on the routes. From the US, flights…
The inaugural Africa’s Travel and Tourism Summit (ATTS) – held as a hybrid event in five cities in Africa, including Durban, Johannesburg and Lagos, from September 19 to 21 – will showcase not only Africa’s attraction as a sought-after destination but highlight its business potential to the global travel industry. “Africa has, like the rest…
Kenya is looking to attract international luxury travellers as part of a strategy to revive the tourism sector and as part of expanding the tourism market basket. The absence of international tourists coupled with travel restrictions occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in reduced travel globally and travellers with specific preferences which are value…
Following a meeting held on 27th August 2021, the Malawi Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, having reviewed the trend of the disease in the country and globally in the past few weeks, has informed the public that the country is still in level 3 of the pandemic, and the Task Force has requested everyone to…
By the 03rd September 2021, All staff at Savanna Private Game Reserve and The Dulini Collection, will have been vaccinated for COVID-19. We remain committed in ensuring that our staff and guests safety be our number one priority. We hope that as more people are vaccinated, we will soon see the return of International Travellers to…
The Department of Tourism and South African Tourism have announced, 20 August, they will host the first ever Africa’s Travel and Tourism Summit (ATTS). It is set to take place in a hybrid format, 19-21 September 2021, coinciding with Tourism Month in South Africa. ATTS aims to attract African community delegates, African tourism ministers, industry associations, Tourism…
In just under a month, the striking and familiar livery of South African Airways (SAA) will once again be visible in the skies as the airline resumes operations. The carrier has confirmed the first flights will commence on Thursday, September 23, 2021. Tickets will go on sale on Thursday, 26 August 2021. Voyager bookings and…
The government has embarked on the largest free mass Covid-19 vaccination exercise for frontline workers in the tourism industry in an effort to roll out the red carpet for tourists during the peak season. Jointly spearheaded by the Arusha Regional Commissioner’s Office, the ministry of Health and the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (Tato), the…
A massive new resort in Zanzibar will have multiple hotels, luxury residences, and East Africa’s first Signature golf course. A new vacation playground is coming to Africa. Spanning some 1,016 acres across Zanzibar‘s Muyuni coastline, Blue Amber Zanzibar is a “luxury tropical community” that will host East Africa’s first Signature golf course and deep water marina, luxury villas for…
Emirates and Airlink have announced the expansion of their existing partnership into a unilateral codeshare agreement, giving travellers to and from South Africa convenient access to more than 40 domestic and regional destinations across 12 African countries. The extended codeshare provides connectivity to Emirates customers not offered by any other carrier in Africa, and augments…
The Uganda Wildlife Authority has launched an online payment platform option for guests visiting any of the country’s national parks. The UWA ePayments portal, which replaces the old ‘Wildlife Card’ system established in 2017, accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Guests can visit the website and create a personal profile. After a transaction, a receipt is sent…
Jabulani lodge in the private Kapama Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger area has launched its own JabuGin. Exclusively offered to Jabulani guests, this distinctive new gin is infused with the dung of the rescued Jabulani herd of elephants. The dung is collected, cleaned and dried and added to the creation of the gin, adding all…
Conservation-focused hotel group, Mantis, has opened its newest property in Tanzania, the Siringit Migration Camp by Mantis. The mobile camp moves every few months to follow the wildebeest herds, zebra, Thomson’s gazelles, and the predators that the Great Migration attracts within the Serengeti National Park. Paul Gardiner, CEO of the Mantis Group comments: “The Great…
Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) has opened its newly upgraded passenger terminal, Terminal 2, at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. The terminal upgrades were implemented to accommodate the anticipated increase in traffic, cargo volumes and passenger numbers. The spacious Terminal 2 is being used for international arrivals and departures and has an annual capacity of four…
After the 42 days lockdown that ended on 31st July 2021, Uganda stays open to tourists according to the presidential directives issued. The Government of Uganda also recommends all travelers to have fully completed their vaccination process before coming to Uganda or avoid any non-essential travel.
South African Airways (SAA) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of airline industry veteran, Mr. Simon Newton-Smith, in the position of SAA Interim Executive: Commercial. Simon joins the South African Airways’ executive leadership team in Johannesburg, South Africa with an extensive international airline background having previously joined SAA in 2000 and served as Vice…
Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls usually teems with tourists who come to marvel at the roaring Zambezi River as it tumbles down more than 350 feet (108 meters) to the gorge below, sending up a mist that is visible from miles away. “The Smoke That Thunders” – the English translation of what the waterfall is called in…
Hurtigruten Expeditions is responding to guest demand for more warm water destinations by adding the West Coast of Africa and its archipelagos—the Bissagos Islands and Cape Verde—to its ever-growing list of new destinations. The 13-day itinerary includes four countries—Cape Verde, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal—on MS Spitsbergen based out of Dakar. This latest expansion follows…
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has presented ‘Air Operator Certificate’ to Green Africa Airline, following completion of the airline’s application processes. NCAA Director-General, Capt. Musa Nuhu said on Tuesday in Lagos that the airline will begin its first commercial flight operations on Thursday. Nuhu said with the certificate, Green Africa would begin operations in…
Seychelles will welcome vessels with a maximum of 300 passengers for the 2021-2022 cruise ship season from mid-November, said a top official, the first port calls to the island nation after an 18-month stoppage due to COVID-19 restrictions. Pent-up demand in the industry means the archipelago in the western Indian Ocean has interest from cruise operators through…
Seychelles will receive a storage facility needed for Pfizer’s version of the Covid-19 vaccine on Saturday in time for a consignment soon to arrive in the country, President Wavel Ramkalawan said in his third live news conference. Ramkalawan told media representatives on Thursday that the country is recording some success with the continued downward trend…
South African researchers are calling on the Malawian government to stop deforestation in Mikundi, in the south of the country. According to researchers from the South African National Biodiversity Institute, the loss of vegetation cover in the Mikundi area could lead to the extermination of the Chapman’s pygmy chameleon. One of the world’s rarest animals,…
Next Pathology will open its rapid PCR testing facility at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday, August 5. The testing centre promises a swift turnaround time of only two hours for delivery of results. It is situated in the Kafue Room on the ground floor of the InterContinental Hotel, OR Tambo, which is outside…
The Zimbabwean Cabinet has approved measures to reopen the country to tourists arriving by road. It announced last week that its Victoria Falls and Kazungula land border posts would be reopened to tourists who were fully vaccinated. Operators are welcoming the move and clarify that no quarantine requirements are currently in place for international tourists,…
Delta Air Lines has resumed its Atlanta-Johannesburg service, with the arrival of the first inbound flight in the late afternoon of Monday, August 2. The service, which was first launched by Delta in December 2006, will initially operate three times weekly. Inbound flights will depart Atlanta on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 19h00 and arrive…
The SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has confirmed that it has concluded SAA’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC) renewal. This was the final hurdle that, according to the airline, needed to be completed before it could restart its operations. This should pave the way for SAA to end the speculation and announce its routes and the…
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its coronavirus travel risk map on its website, with Egypt being ranked as level two or “medium risk.” The assessment includes four levels, with four being the highest risk and one being the lowest. In the update, the CDC added 16 destinations to its “extremely…
Bob Duglin, ASTA’s vice president of international membership and host agencies and managing director of the ASTA Small Business Network, died Sunday at home in Fort Lauderdale. Duglin joined the Society more than 10 years ago, according to CEO Zane Kerby, when he was hired by Scott Koepf (at the time, the president of the…
Air Seychelles is making a comeback to the island nation of Mauritius in October, following an 18-month absence. The airline will begin flights on October 3rd, thanks to the announcement of the full reopening of the borders from October 1st. Air Seychelles will fly its A320neo on the route with twice-weekly services going forward. Mauritius…
Located in South Africa’s cosmopolitan financial hub, Radisson RED Johannesburg Rosebank is nestled in one of its trendiest business nodes, the leafy Rosebank, and is just a few minutes’ walk from the Gautrain station and the high-end retail and shopping precinct, which includes Rosebank Mall. With a recent surge in developments, Rosebank is now home to various…
On 27 July 2021, 14 African Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus) were translocated successfully from South Africa and Mozambique to Liwonde National Park and Majete Wildlife Reserve, in an historic project to reintroduce this endangered and iconic species to Malawi. The translocation was undertaken through a collaboration between the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and African Parks, which manages Liwonde…
After months of anticipation, APTA’s brand new “Explore Africa” webinar series has finally kicked off and has been heralded an international success story with praise pouring in from sea to shining sea and from across the far reaches of the Serengeti, Maasai Mara and impenetrable forests of Uganda. Has there ever been a more celebrated,…
South African airline Mango has suspended all flights until further notice. This follows Tuesday’s flight interruptions and delays. Reuters reported on Monday that Mango will enter into a local form of bankruptcy protection known as business rescue. The airline’s acting CEO, William Ndlovu, said in a statement that the reason for the suspension was due…
IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, is expanding its presence in Egypt with four new Hotel Indigo branded properties. As part of a Management Agreement signed with real-estate specialists Mountain View, IHG will introduce the world’s first globally branded boutique hotel brand, Hotel Indigo, to Egypt with Hotel Indigo Mountain View…
Lufthansa Group’s newest airline, Eurowings Discover (Flight 4Y143), departed Frankfurt on Saturday evening (July 24) for its inaugural flight to Mombasa, Kenya, and after an hour stopover, continued on to Zanzibar, Tanzania on Sunday (July 25). The inaugural flight – on an Airbus 330-200 – was captained by Wolfgang Raebiger, who is also CEO of Eurowings…
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that Ndabenhle David Simelane has become the first black Chief Pilot for SANParks Air Services. SANParks Chief Operating Officer Lize McCourt, said: “Simelane’s most recent promotion sees him moving from the rank of pilot to SANParks Chief Pilot and Person Responsible for Operations as per the South African Civil Aviation Authority’s…