Uganda Wildlife Authority e-Newsletter January 2014
As part of shared news broadcasts, here is the January newsletter from the Uganda Wildlife Authority,worth a read anytime. Enjoy Welcome to the January 2014 issue of the UWA e-Newsletter! UWA e-Newsletter as you will notice has now changed, it is now more interactive and dynamic. Follow this link to access it It is an […]
ARTICLE -Truth can be stranger than fiction: the horn and ivory trade paradigm
And another one from the Conservation Action Trust Truth can be stranger than fiction: The horn and ivory trade paradigm by Ian Michler, published in the Daily Maverick on 17 Feb 2014. It was Mark Twain who observed that “truth is stranger than fiction”, although some will suggest his shrewd comment on life was lifted […]
Travel & Leisure Magazine names Serengeti Serena among the ‘World Best’
SERENGETI SERENA MAKES IT INTO ‘TRAVEL AND LEISURE MAGAZINE’ GLOBAL BEST LIST (Posted 18th February 2014) Serena Hotels, arguably Eastern Africa’s most successful and most widespread hospitality group with 24 properties in 5 countries, continues in 2014 as it ended 2013, with more accolades heaped upon them for the exceptional quality of their properties in […]
African nations agree to a 10 year moratorium on ivory sales
As part of my regular ‘shared’ or ‘reposted’ news updates, here is the latest from the Conservation Action Trust. The London Conservation Conference has agreed on a 10 year moratorium for ivory sales – will this be enough or just a timespan to be used to hoard blood ivory and then flood the market, greedy […]
Hard times for tourism in South Sudan
HOTEL AND SAFARI OPERATORS COUNT THEIR LOSSES WHILE HOPING FOR A BETTER FUTURE (Posted 17th February 2014) South Sudan’s fledgling tourism and hospitality sector has taken a severe beating since the outbreak of factional violence across Africa’s youngest country as several email exchanges with stakeholders brought more facts to light. While hotels in Juba have […]
If going to Dodoma best be sure you have a room confirmed!
DODOMA HOTELS EXPECT TO BE ‘FULLY BOOKED’ FOR NEXT THREE MONTHS (Posted 17th February 2014) Starting this weekend will 638 Constituent Assembly Members arrive in Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania, as the work for a constitutional review process is due to be launched by President Kikwete tomorrow, Tuesday 18th of February. All regular members of […]
Piracy is still an issue along shipping routes to and from the Horn of Africa
OCEAN TERRORISTS – DOWN BUT NOT YET OUT (Posted 17th February 2014) While the Somali ocean terrorists have suffered major setbacks over the past year as a result of more determined surveillance and harsh responses by the anti piracy coalition policing the waters of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, they are not quite […]
More change is needed in Tanzania than ‘just to save the elephants’ say conservation sources
RELENTLESS PRESSURE PRODUCES FIRST RESULTS AS TANZANIA CHANGES DIRECTION (Posted 17th February 2014) When at the CITES Conference of Parties in Doha in March 2010 Tanzania’s request to sell a significant amount of ivory from their 100+ ton stockpile was defeated narrowly by a plenary vote, the country was swift to blame a coalition of […]
New domestic route in Kenya launched by Fly SAX
FLY SAX LAUNCHES LOKICHOGIO FLIGHTS (Posted 16th February 2014) Yesterday, Saturday 15th of February, saw the launch of scheduled flights from Nairobi to the border town of Lokichogio in Northern Kenya by East African Safari Air Express, in short known as SAX in Kenya’s airline circles. The airline will serve the route, the 12th in […]
New BASA for Tanzania and China signed
TANZANIA AND CHINA SIGN NEW BASA (Posted 15th February 2014) Tanzania and China earlier this week signed a new Bilateral Air Services Agreement, in short BASA, to facilitate improved flight links between the two countries by airlines designated to operate on the route by their respective civil aviation authorities. The new deal was signed in […]
Two months and counting to the Seychelles Carnival
PREPARATIONS FOR 4TH EDITION OF THE CARNAVAL DE CARNIVALS IN HIGH GEAR (Posted 15th February 2014) With just over two months to go, until the world of Carnivals will for the 4th time focus on the Carnaval de Carnivals, the Carnival International de Victoria, preparations are now in high gear according to information received overnight […]
News from Ile de la Reunion
REUNION’S ‘SAGA DU RHUM’ GAINS RECOGNITION FOR OFFERING TOURS FOR PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED VISITORS (Posted 15th February 2014) One of Reunion’s most visited museums, the one and only Saga du Rhum, where the history of the island’s sugar cane plantations and the making of rum is showcased, has just been recognized by the 4th edition of […]
Controversy erupts afresh over Adrift’s attempt to charge rafters
ADRIFT STIRS MORE CONTROVERSY WITH PUBLIC OUTBURST (Posted 15th February 2014) In November last year an outcry of rafting and other tourism companies over what can only be described as arbitrary if not outright extortionist fees, not gazetted at the time nor suitably explained, found its way into my blog and on to other media […]
Africa Travel Week comments on Hosted Buyer programme
AFRICA TRAVEL WEEK ORGANIZERS PROVIDE UPDATES FOR CAPE TOWN EVENTS (Posted 14th February 2014) Africa Travel Week event organizers Thebe Reed Exhibitions in conjunction with Reed Travel Exhibitions have just announced further details of the Hosted Buyer Programme for the inaugural Africa Travel Week, taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from […]
All aviation eyes will be on Entebbe in March for CASSOA / AVIASSIST events
KEY AVIATION WORKSHOPS IN ENTEBBE LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY (Posted 14th February 2014) AviAssist, in conjunction with CASSOA, East Africa’s Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency, is in the final stages of preparing for a number of key certification workshops to be held at the Protea Hotel in Entebbe from the 10th of […]
Kenya’s tourism marketeers target the Gulf region
KENYA TOURISM BOARD ON MARKETING MISSION IN THE GULF (Posted 14th February 2014) The Kenya Tourism Board is presently on an extended marketing mission in the Gulf, concluding visits to Dubai and Abu Dhabi before over the weekend heading to Doha, the capital of Qatar. The Gulf region is of growing importance for Kenya as […]
Kenya Airways’ first B787 due in Nairobi on April 04th
MAKE A DATE WITH KENYA AIRWAYS’ FIRST B787 DREAMLINER (Posted 14th February 2014) Kenya Airways has named the 04th of April as the tentative date for the expected arrival of their first B787-8 Dreamliner, which is now in the final stages of assembly. This delivery, overdue by more than 3 years as a result of […]
Podcast: Jane Goodall says no to ivory and horn trade
Following several recent articles on poaching and the London Conservation Conference, here is some more from none other than Jane Goodall. From the Conservation Action Trust in South Africa Podcast: Jane Goodall says no to ivory and horn trade Jane Goodall says no to ivory and horn trade Dr Jane Goodall travels an average of […]
Silence is golden … an alien concept for MTPA’s Mootoosamy
MTPA’S MOOTOOSAMY ATTEMPTS DAMAGE CONTROL (Posted 13th February 2014) Usually reliable and well informed sources in Port Louis have broken the story that the head of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, one Karl Mootoosamy, clearly rattled by both local and international media reports about his continued spat with the Seychelles and the Vanilla Island Organziation, […]
Wolfgang Thome – 2014 Safari Awards Results – No Embargo
News from The Good Safari Guide – The Safari Awards 2014 While front runner Zambia took the lion’s share of this year’s awards, Kenya has, inspite of the challenges the destination faces this year, acquitted herself admirably and bagged a good number of awards. Tanzania is back in the frame too with ‘Best Beach Safari’ […]
Serengeti Highway case decision now rests with judges
EAST AFRICAN COURT OF JUSTICE HEARS FINAL SUBMISSIONS IN SERENGETI HIGHWAY CASE (Posted 13th February 2014) Details have emerged from Arusha, that the East African Court of Justice has earlier this week heard final submissions from the Tanzanian government and the plaintiffs who are seeking to obtain a permanent injunction of the construction of the […]
KTB and KQ target African markets for tourism growth
KENYA TOURISM AND KENYA AIRWAYS PARTNER TO MARKET KENYA IN SOUTH AFRICA (Posted 13th February 2014) The Kenya Tourism Board has confirmed that a joint campaign to market Kenya in South Africa has been launched in close partnership with Kenya Airways. As tourism arrivals from the traditional core markets for in particular the Kenya coast […]
RwandAir introduces dual class turboprop into the East African skies
RWANDAIR’S NEW BOMBARDIER Q400 CABIN NOW COMPLETE (Posted 13th February 2014) The countdown is now truly on as RwandAir is expecting their newest bird, a Bombardier Q400 to arrive in Kigali on the 03rd of March. Latest pictures obtained show the aircraft interior now completely outfitted in the dual class cabin, offering both business and […]
Meet Reunion Tourism at the Paris Golf Show
REUNION TOURISM PROMOTING GOLFING HOLIDAYS (Posted 13th February 2014) The Reunion Tourism office, in short IRT, has confirmed that they will attend the Paris Golf Show from the 14th to 16th of March which will be held at the Parc de Expositions at Porte de Versailles. The world’s leading golfing brands will all be on […]
Dodoma becomes Auric Air’s 19th domestic destination
AURIC AIR ADDS DODOMA TO GROWING DOMESTIC NETWORK (Posted 13th February 2014) Auric Air, one of Tanzania’s leading domestic scheduled and charter airlines, has confirmed that effective 17th February they are adding flights to Tanzania’s formal capital city of Dodoma. Operating from their main hub in Mwanza, the airline now uses a fleet of 8 […]
Nairobi set to host Swahili Fashion Week Kenya from 05th April
SWAHILI FASHION WEEK HEADING TO KENYA (Posted 13th February 2014) East Africa’s most successful fashion festival, the Swahili Fashion Week, is preparing to make a full appearance in Kenya as a mainstream event, starting from the 05th of April this year. Mustafa Hassanali’s erstwhile vision, which resulted in the first Swahili Fashion Week to be […]
BA teams up with Corporate League to raise funds
BRITISH AIRWAYS PARTNERS WITH UGANDA’S CORPORATE LEAGUE FOR CHARITY (Posted 11th February 2014) British Airways Uganda and the Corporate League, a football league for Ugandan teams, have joined hands to raise funds for local charities through a season opening mini tournament which according to a media release just received will become an annual event. The […]
Seychelles arrival numbers keep climbing as January figures show 5 percent plus
SEYCHELLES STARTS 2014 AS 2013 ENDED – WITH A NEW JANUARY ARRIVAL RECORD (Posted 11th February 2014) There was certainly pride in the latest media brief received from Seychelles’ Minister of Tourism and Culture Alain St. Ange, when he shared the January statistics of arrivals and average stay of tourists to the islands. The length […]
Who are the villains in Tanzania’s never ending poaching business
CONSERVATIONISTS TELL TANZANIA TO STOP MOUTHING OFF AND INSTEAD FIGHT POACHING FOR REAL (Posted 12th February 2014) ‘The shame has come home to roost’ wrote a regular conservation source from Arusha, when it became known that a hugely damaging media report in the UK blamed Tanzania’s massive poaching records squarely on the failures of the […]
Tsavo / Mkomanzi elephant census shows significant decrease in numbers
TSAVO / MKOMANZI ELEPHANT CENSUS CONFIRMS A LOSS OF 1.500 ELEPHANT SINCE 2011 (Posted 11th February 2014) Information has come to light, following the conclusion of the recent transboundary elephant population survey covering the Tsavo and Mkomanzi national parks in Kenya and Tanzania, that compared with the last census in 2011, the returns showed some […]
