United Airlines and regional airline, Airlink, have forged a new codeshare agreement that will offer customers more connections between the US and Southern Africa than any other airline alliance, according to a press release from the two carriers. The new agreement (subject to government approvals) will give United’s travellers from the US one-stop connections to…
The world’s longest zipline, more than 3km long and up to 500m high, is coming to Caledon, next to the N2 and just an hour’s drive from Cape Town. Installation of the zipline, named the K3, commences this month and it should be operational later in the 2021/22 summer season. The project is a joint…
TAAG Angola Airlines has announced the gradual resumption of its international flight operations. From early October, the carrier will resume flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Windhoek and Maputo. Below is a summary of the new schedule from Luanda, with the start date: Johannesburg on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays – October 5 Cape Town on Thursdays…
To update the trade on developments in Seychelles, Tourism Seychelles is organising a Virtual Travel Expo on October 12 and 13. During the Expo, the trade can meet and chat to 15 exhibitors from Seychelles, including resorts, hotels, DMCs, Air Seychelles and South African tour operators offering packages to the islands. Who is invited to…
The Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) observed World Tourism Day by calling on players in the entire tourism value chain to be proactive in its painstaking efforts to see that nobody is left behind as the industry begins to rebound. TATO has been working around the clock to devise urgent measures to help revive…
The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) has launched a new grading system to ensure quality-assured accommodation and facilities that are accredited and graded by TGCSA to comply with international standards. “South Africa takes service excellence very seriously. The gradual recovery of travel since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has instilled some renewed…
Following months of preparation after exiting business rescue, South African Airways (SAA) resumes both domestic and regional Africa service. The carrier’s first scheduled flight is an early morning take-off from OR Tambo International in Johannesburg to Cape Town International on September 23rd and is one of three return flights per day between the two cities.…
VIRTUAL EXPO 05 – 06 OCT 2021 #MKTE2021 https://mkte.co.ke/ 2 Day Virtual Experience Pre-scheduled appointments 4 Market Presentations to reignite source markets 4 Power Panels with industry thought leaders 4 Speed Networking events 2 Business Buzz sessions to meet trade 100 African Exhibitors from across East Africa Media interviews with global media Over 200 pre-qualified…
From October 4, Uganda Airlines will launch flights between Entebbe and Dubai using its recently acquired Airbus A330neo. The flights will operate initially on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. On Mondays, flight UR444 will depart Entebbe at 11h25 arrive in Dubai at 17h25. The return flight UR445 will depart from Dubai at 20h00 and arrive in…
The rehabilitation and expansion of Namibia’s flagship airport, Hosea Kutako International in Windhoek, is set for completion by the end of the month. Namibia Airports Company spokesperson, Dan Kamati, said the work on the airport, amounting to N$95m (€5.5m), would elevate it to meet global standards set by other airport terminals around the world. According to The Namibian, the…
The Malawi Ministry of Health released a statement recently confirming that the country’s borders have now reopened to all international travellers, with remaining travel restrictions and quarantine requirements lifted. Malawi originally closed its borders in June to everyone except Malawi residents and citizens in an effort to limit the impact of a third wave of…
Emirates is increasing flight frequencies to a number of US destinations from October. The airline has been building up connectivity in response to growing customer demand on the back of rising travel confidence and the easing of international travel protocols. There has also been a growing interest from US travellers to visit Dubai, a city…
South Africa is already home to a host of unique travel experiences, but soon you can walk the sky at God’s Window Skywalk in the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve. Dubbed as the first skywalk of its kind in South Africa, and one of a very few to have been built around the world, the…
Visitor arrivals to Seychelles in 2021 surpassed the 100,000 mark on Sunday, an important milestone showing that efforts made by the government and tourism partners are bearing fruit, a high tourism official said. To celebrate the moment, passengers arriving in the island nation from Tel Aviv, Israel on board El Al’s flight LY055 were treated…
The Seychelles’ national carrier, Air Seychelles, plans to resume flights to Johannesburg, South Africa as of September 24, the airline announced on Tuesday. The return of Air Seychelles to South Africa comes after the local Ministry of Health lifted travel restrictions between the two countries. Commercial flights had been suspended for several months due to…
Visitors from South Africa are again allowed to enter Seychelles, as of September 13, after the Ministry of Health removed the country from its restricted list. Following a Sunday update made to the Health Entry and Stay Conditions for Travellers, entry and stay conditions will not be affected by the COVID-19 vaccination status of visitors. Visitors however…
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…