Luxury safari camp opens at Unesco site in Zimbabwe

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Luxury safari camp opens at Unesco site in Zimbabwe

Molori Safari, renowned for its immersive safari experiences in Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa, has unveiled its latest gem, Molori Mashuma, nestled within the breathtaking Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Zimbabwe.

Molori Mashuma embodies a unique blend of luxury and authenticity, featuring six air-conditioned tented suites seamlessly integrated into the surrounding wilderness. The design, crafted by Johannesburg’s Hesse Kleinloog Studios, showcases the artistry of local crafters, echoing the essence of Molori’s flagship lodge.

“Mana Pools is an extraordinary destination, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that captivates with its unparalleled biodiversity and wildlife encounters,” remarks co-owner Eric Ichikowitz. “It’s a privilege to introduce guests to this enchanting wilderness.”

Molori Mashuma offers a diverse range of game-viewing opportunities, from tranquil riverfronts to dramatic reservoir backdrops. The camp is particularly active from April to October when receding waters draw a multitude of wildlife to the region’s natural pools. Guests can embark on rewarding walking safaris, savor exquisite dining experiences amidst ancient baobabs, or venture along the Zambezi River’s wildlife-rich banks.

To reserve your unforgettable safari adventure, visit Rora Private Collection. Molori Mashuma is currently accepting bookings for stays through October 31st and will commence its full season on April 1st.

Rates from $1,724 per night.

SAA Launches Route to ABIDJAN, Cote d’Ivoire

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SAA Launches Route to ABIDJAN, Cote d’Ivoire

Johannesburg (Tuesday, 26th September 2023) – South African Airways (SAA) is delighted to announce the launch of Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire, its 12th destination in the continent.  The route, which is in line with the airline’s plans to grow its footprint in Africa, will be operated via Accra using its modern Airbus A330-300 with full-lie flat business class seats. 

Bookings open for sale on 28th September 2023, with the launch of the first flight out of Johannesburg on Tuesday, 14 November 2023.

SAA will fly to Félix Houphouët Boigny International Airport in Abidjan three times a week, departing Johannesburg on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 11h00 and arriving in Abidjan at 17h00, with a 55-minute stopover in Accra.

SAA Chief Commercial Officer, Mr Tebogo Tsimane, says the new route is exciting news for SAA and brings its destinations on the African continent up to 12. “The Abidjan route is an integral component of our West Africa expansion strategy.”  He says the schedule of flights is suitable for leisure and business travellers. “It also allows Voyager members yet another opportunity to earn miles, at one SAA Voyager mile for every R1.60 they spend.”

In addition, this route will also provide an airfreight link between Accra, Abidjan and Johannesburg therefore enhancing the trade links between these three major cities with the rest of the SAA network.

Known as the Paris of Africa, Abidjan is well known for its coffee, cocoa, timber, bananas, pineapples, and manganese exports. The third-largest French speaking city in the world, it offers leisure and business travellers a wealth of sites to explore such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Musée des Civilisations de Côte d’Ivoire, the Jardin botanique de Bingerville and the Abokouamekro National Park.

Interim CEO, Professor John Lamola, says, “Adding Abidjan to its route schedule is another feather in SAA’s cap. Located on the West Coast of Africa, Abidjan is also an ideal location for connecting traffic to European destinations. Lamola added, “Our decision to implement a service to Abidjan is based on a rigorous analysis of the viability of the route, with sustainability at the heart of our strategic approach since our restart.”

FlyNamibia becomes IATA member

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FlyNamibia becomes IATA member

Privately owned domestic and regional airline, FlyNamibia, has officially joined Iata as a new member.

“This significant milestone not only marks an extraordinary achievement for FlyNamibia but also signifies a promising future for the airline industry in FlyNamibia and beyond,” the airline said in a press release.

Iata, with its mission to represent, lead, and serve the global airline industry, stands as the collective voice of approximately 300 airlines hailing from more than 120 countries worldwide.

The core vision that propels Iata’s actions is the determination to collaboratively shape the future growth of an aviation sector that is both safe and secure while ensuring sustainability.

By aligning with Iata’s principles and collaborating with a global network of industry leaders, FlyNamibia is poised to elevate its operations, offer enhanced services, and contribute to the growth and sustainability of air travel in Namibia.

“This momentous occasion is a testament to FlyNamibia’s dedication to excellence, safety, and customer satisfaction. As we embark on this new chapter, we anticipate the myriad benefits that Iata membership will bring to the airline, its passengers, and the aviation industry as a whole. We are confident that we can soar to new heights and create a brighter, more connected, and sustainable future for air travel,” the statement continued.

FlyNamibia currently operates domestic routes from Eros Airport in Windhoek to Ondangwa, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Lüderitz and Oranjemund, as well as a regional route between Hosea Kutako International Airport and Cape Town International Airport.

UNWTO: Global Tourism Is Recovering, Approaching 84% Of Pre-Pandemic Levels

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UNWTO: Global Tourism Is Recovering, Approaching 84% Of Pre-Pandemic Levels

The latest United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) data reveals that international tourism is on the road to recovery as international tourist arrivals recovered to 84 per cent of pre-pandemic levels by the end of July.

Such data show that, in particular, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa are at the forefront of the global tourism sector rebound. Between January and July 2023, 700 million tourists embarked on international trips, marking an increase of 43 per cent compared to the same months in 2022, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

According to UNWTO figures, this growth peaked in July, with 145 million international travellers, accounting for over 20 per cent of the total for the seven-month period.

Rwanda gets first World Heritage Site

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Rwanda gets first World Heritage Site

Nyungwe National Park, in Rwanda’s Southern and Western Provinces, was officially designated as a natural World Heritage Site by Unesco’s World Heritage Committee on Tuesday (September 19).

It is the first site in Rwanda to be featured on the Unesco World Heritage list.

“The inscription of Nyungwe National Park serves as a vital step in ensuring its long-term conservation, preserving its natural heritage for future generations, and promoting sustainable development for neighbouring communities,” the Rwanda Development Board said in a press release.

Established as a natural reserve in 1933, the forest became a national park in 2005 in a bid by the government to safeguard the thousands of endangered and endemic species under its protection.

Covering an expanse of 101 900ha, Nyungwe is the largest block of natural forest in the region. Boasting remarkable biodiversity, it is home to over a dozen species of primates, 322 bird species, 200 identified orchids, and nearly 300 butterfly species, including several endemic to the park.

The park’s management falls under the umbrella of the African Parks Network, a non-governmental organisation specialising in conservation, in partnership with the Rwandan Government.

Dr Jean Damascene Bizimana, Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement –who represented the Government of Rwanda during the inscription – noted that this was not only a contribution to the preservation of Rwanda’s natural heritage, but also of particular significance to the country’s people.

The inscription of Nyungwe National Park into the Unesco World Heritage list follows the inclusion of Gishwati-Mukura National Park in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2020.

Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond are in filming in Zimbabwe

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Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond are in filming in Zimbabwe

Petrolheads Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond have been spotted in Zimbabwe filming an episode of their Amazon Prime show Grand Tour.

The show had been suspended dude to Covid-19 restrictions but is making a comeback.

And Clarkson let the cat out of the bag with a post in Honde Valley, with the caption, ‘Good to be Back’.

That had the former BBC Top Gear hosts were in the image under the famous Flamboyant Tree in Honde Valley, Manicaland Province.

The Jeremy Clarkson return to Zimbabwe comes as the popular Amazon motoring show gears up for its fifth season, following a hiatus since 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This Zimbabwe excursion isn’t the first time the former Top Gear stars have explored Southern Africa. Clarkson has previously filmed Top Gear episodes in Botswana and Mozambique. Moreover, The Grand Tour has ventured into Namibia and South Africa for some of its exciting episodes.

In April of this year, Clarkson thrilled Zimbos when he visited a gift shop in Victoria Falls, sharing his mission to find a present for his newborn granddaughter, leaving the staff astonished.

Well, Victoria Falls is where they might be headed next. An advertisement in the local Chronicle newspaper on Thursday said the Victoria Falls Bridge on the border with Zambia – famous for bungee jumps – will be closed for an hour on September 30.

Mauritius: African Development Bank affirms commitment to continent’s tourism sector at United Nations Tourism conference

Miriro Matema
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Mauritius: African Development Bank affirms commitment to continent’s tourism sector at United Nations Tourism conference

The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) has reiterated its support to Africa’s tourism sector, seen as one of the continent’s fastest growing areas.

Speaking at the 66th Tourism Conference organized by United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Mauritius in July 2023, Leila Mokaddem, Director General for the Southern Africa Regional Integration and Business Delivery Hub, said the Bank would prioritise support for member countries to develop their tourism industry and other pathways to sustainable, climate-smart local economic development.

The conference, hosted by the Mauritius government, was held under the theme “Rethinking Tourism for Africa: Promoting Investment and Partnerships; Addressing Global Challenges”.

“Tourism is one of the fastest growing and most interconnected sectors in the global economy with vast potential to boost GDP and investment, spur regional integration. Mauritius is a success story in that regard,” Mokaddem said.

The conference brought together African tourism ministers and key tourism stakeholders from the sector to discuss the development of tourism in Africa. The annual gathering offers a platform where both public and private sector industry partners come together to exchange ideas. The conference explored innovative ways to promote investment, partnerships and sustainable growth in the African tourism sector.

The Bank has identified the tourism sector as a priority sector in its strategy to accelerate Africa’s industrialization and green growth. In this regard, it is working in close cooperation with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the specialized agency in charge of promoting tourism with a network from its membership of 158 countries.

The Bank and UNWTO have agreed to strengthen their cooperation and to establish a working arrangement through  a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), guided by the UN  Sustainable Development Goals, African Union Agenda 2063 and Rio+20 development goals and objectives. This aligns with the Bank’s 2013-2022 Strategy and its High 5 priorities to industrialize Africa and to improve the quality of life of Africans, through creating enabling conditions for decent jobs for youth.

Both parties agree that joint efforts will boost the tourism sector and help fill the gaps in the areas of advocacy, policy and analytical advice.

Discussions to finalize signing of the MoU are ongoing.

inDrive Launches Innovative Ride-Hailing Service in Bulawayo After Harare Success

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inDrive Launches Innovative Ride-Hailing Service in Bulawayo After Harare Success

Just months after its successful introduction in Harare, inDrive (www.inDrive.com) is proud to announce the extension of its revolutionary peer-to-peer ride-hailing services to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Following an overwhelmingly positive reception in Harare, inDrive is excited to continue reshaping the transport landscape by rolling out its unique “Name Your Price” model in Bulawayo with a zero commission phase, emphasizing its dedication to fairness and transparency in the ride-hailing sector.

With its head office located in California, USA, inDrive’s penetration into the Zimbabwean market is a reaffirmation of the company’s commitment to enhancing the mobility options available for African residents. Bulawayo joins Harare in the list, making Zimbabwe the eighth African country to experience the innovative platform and one of over 700 cities globally to benefit from inDrive’s services.

We look forward to offering Bulawayo’s residents a safer, fairer, and more flexible transport solution

The inDrive Difference

inDrive’s standout feature is its dynamic pricing model that places the power in the hands of the users. Passengers suggest a fare for their intended journey, and drivers can accept, counter, or decline the offer, culminating in a mutually agreed-upon price. This peer-to-peer approach has been a game-changer in challenging unfair pricing practices, with inDrive now boasting over 175 million downloads and standing proudly as the second most downloaded mobility app on a global scale.

Safety First

Safety remains a top priority for inDrive. All users – both passengers and drivers – undergo a stringent registration process. To combat anonymity, only those with verified documentation can utilize the platform, with personal data only shared with authorities upon official request.

The platform incorporates safety features such as passenger ratings, travel address alerts, a Safety Center, an emergency SOS button, and a “Share the Ride Route” option. Any safety incidents reported are promptly investigated, with potential mental health support resources made available.

“We are beyond excited about our expansion into Bulawayo,” remarked Vincent Lilane, Business Development Representative for inDrive Africa. “Our platform is not just about transport; it’s about empowerment, transparency, and reshaping the way we think about mobility. We look forward to offering Bulawayo’s residents a safer, fairer, and more flexible transport solution.”

Global Travel and Tourism Thought-Leaders Join ATLF 2023 with Inaugural AFCFTA Forum Speaker Line-Up

Miriro Matema
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Global Travel and Tourism Thought-Leaders Join ATLF 2023 with Inaugural AFCFTA Forum Speaker Line-Up

More global travel and tourism thought-leaders have joined 2023 Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) 2023 and AfCFTA Forum on Tourism, Creative and Cultural Industries speaker line-up.

A few among these opinion leaders are H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili – the Secretary General of UNWTO;  Keith Vincent – CEO, Wilderness Holdings; Senthil Gopinath – Chief Executive Officer, ICCA; Emily MBURU-NDORIA – Director, Directorate of Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights & Digital Trade, AfCFTA; Minister Philda Kereng – Minister of Environment and Tourism; Evelylne Freiermuth – Government Affairs Director, WTTC; Mikul Shah – Co-founder, Purple Elephant Ventures, Kenya – Robyn Williams – MRICS, CA(SA) – Senior Vice President – JLL, South Africa and Derek Hanekom, Chairperson of South African Airways, Didier Dogley – Founder and Director Inspire for Tomorrow Consulting Services company Seychelles & Former Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports & Marine, Seychelles. 

In addition to more Thought-leaders joining the speaker line-up, AfCFTA has partnered with Africa Tourism Partners to launch the inaugural AfCFTA Forum on Tourism, Creative and Cultural Industries as a key component of the 2023 Africa Tourism Leadership Forum and Awards. The goal is to amplify the contribution of tourism, creative and cultural industries to intra-Africa trade. 

Also, private – public with AfCFTA leadership at the Forum will explore measures to mainstream sustainability practices across African travel, tourism and hospitality touch points. This will be done by sharing insights on how stakeholders can create a balance between Green thinking, Innovation and Profitability.

This will serve as practical learnings for investors, entrepreneurs, accommodation and conference facilities. Other key areas of focus are hospitality and tourism franchising, tourism concession management, digitalisation and media relations, management of bid data, youth travel business opportunities and women in tourism employability and entrepreneurship.

Over 500 physical participants including thought-leaders, media, travel trade, industry practitioners, hoteliers, policymakers, renowned experts and more are expected to attend the Africa Tourism Leadership Forum & Awards (ATLF) 2023 in Gaborone Botswana. 

Limited space is available to register for physical attendance, one-on-one B2B session, desk-top exhibition and destinations showcase.  Register now www.tourismleadershipforum.africa or contact the Registration Hotline on +27 (0)81 303 7030 or [email protected]

IATA Includes Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Gabon and Mauritius to African Countries with Access to EasyPay Travel Agency Payment Solution

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IATA Includes Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Gabon and Mauritius to African Countries with Access to EasyPay Travel Agency Payment Solution

As part of IATA’s efforts to continuously improve our financial services, and in support of Focus Africa objectives, IATA is pleased to announce that the IATA EasyPay service was launched in the following markets in Africa: Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, Congo and Mauritius, serving all IATA Accredited Agents and Billing Settlement Plan (BSP) Participating Airlines effective August 30th, 2023.

IATA’s Focus Africa initiative aims to maximize the contribution of aviation to development across the African Continent by better serving passengers and shippers. Under Focus Africa, private and public stakeholders are committed to delivering measurable improvements in six critical areas – safety, infrastructure, connectivity, finance and distribution, sustainability, and skills development. Under the focus area for finance and distribution, the initiative aims to accelerate the implementation of secure, effective and cost-efficient financial services and adoption of modern retailing standards. 

IATA EasyPay (IEP) is an optional pay-as-you-go solution for travel agents, a simpler and more secure method for transacting with airlines through the BSP. IATA EasyPay is a closed-loop electronic payment solution that is voluntary, secure, fast, flexible, and free of charge. It provides more flexibility and choice for Accredited Travel agents to manage their business challenges.

For participating Airlines and IATA Accredited Agents, the advantages of IATA EasyPay are:
  • Voluntary – This new payment method will become available to all IATA accredited agents, but it will be up to each agent to decide whether or not to use it. It is not intended to replace existing payment methods in the BSP.
  • Secure – To use IATA EasyPay, IATA Accredited agents must fund their IATA EasyPay account. At the time of ticket issuance, the IATA EasyPay system will first verify that funds are available in the account. If yes, the system will generate an authorization and the related funds will be blocked. For airlines there is no risk of chargebacks. Agents will nonetheless be able to void and refund their IATA EasyPay transactions as per usual through the BSP.
  • Fast – IATA settles IATA EasyPay amounts to the airlines on a daily basis, using the existing  BSP processes, with monies reaching the airlines 48 to 96 hours following ticket issuance.
  • Economical – With a low cost per transaction, IATA EasyPay is more cost effective for airlines than credit card transactions.
  • Flexible – As a secure form of payment, IATA EasyPay transactions are not part of an Agent’s cash sales at risk. This allows Agents a means to lower their financial security amounts with IATA, and to issue transactions which are not included in their cash issuance capacity.

IATA EasyPay service is now available in 27 countries across Africa. IATA continues to work with various authorities with the aim to expand to the remaining markets in Africa, in support of Africa’s aviation industry and the modernization of financial services and solutions. 

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