Change for the better? Time will tell!

CONSULTANTS WORK OVERTIME AS KENYA AIRWAYS GETS READY TO ANNOUNCE ANNUAL RESULTS (Posted 04th June 2015) As Kenya Airways is putting final touches to their financial reports for the 2014/15 Financial Year, which ended on the 31st of March and are due to be released later this month according to industry sources, are reportedly several […]

News from the Kingdom of Swaziland

The Kingdom of Swaziland A Winter Wonderland Getaway It may be time to put the swimming costumes and suntan lotion away as winter approaches Southern Africa; but in Swaziland there is no short supply of activities to keep you busy and warm during the colder months. The climate in Swaziland is moderate throughout the year […]

Canned or Captive – a blood sport either way

This interesting article was received through the Conservation Action Trust, written by one Adam Cruise. CAPTIVE BRED OR CANNED HUNTING – a play on words According to South Africa’s Minister for Environment Affairs, Edna Molewa, there is a big difference between shooting of captive-bred versus shooting of canned lions. In an article published in the […]

AMADEUS – driving progress

WHY do people travel? Have you stopped to ask what kind of traveller you are? Amadeus commissioned The Future Foundation to write the Future Traveller Tribes 2030 report. The report found that over the next fifteen years you can expect six types of Traveller Tribes to emerge based on the things they look for in […]

No 422 Wildlife Trade News: 3rd June

The daily dose of bad news … starting with a country which lived in a state of denial for many years over the extend of their poaching crises, lashing out all all and sundry and in the end, STANDING EXPOSED for what they are … perpetrators of an elephant genocide of hitherto unprecedented proportions … […]

New railway plans becoming reality …

TANZANIA SIGNS RAILWAY CONTRACTS WORTH OVER 9 BILLION US DOLLARS (Posted 03rd June 2015) Tanzania’s Minister for Transport Samuel Sitta last weekend confirmed that the Tanzanian government had put pen to paper with two Chinese companies for the construction of two new rail lines. One of them, to be built in Standard Gauge, will eventually […]

The ‘geekiest destination’ welcomes the geekiest people

NET MANAGERS ASSEMBLE IN REUNION FOR 10TH ANNIVERSARY CONGRESS (Posted 03rd June 2015) Net Managers is the annual global gathering of digital or e-tourism. After Montreal, Helsinki, Miami, Punta Cana, Vietnam, Bangkok, San Francisco, Sri Lanka and Shanghai last year, will the island of Reunion hosts the tenth edition of this great event dedicated to […]

Operational figures vastly improved though bottom line losses remain for Fastjet

FASTJET PUBLISHES 2014 FINANCIAL YEAR RESULTS (Posted 03rd June 2015) While the bottom line still makes some grim reading, the annual carried forward losses comprising operational startup losses but even more so legacy debts inherited from erstwhile partner Fly540, which had successfully duped former Fastjet Chairman Lenigas into believing he had struck gold, has the […]

Zimbabwe’s Tourism Authority named as best at Routes MEA meeting

ROUTES MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA NAMES ZIMBABWE AS ‘BEST MARKETERS’ (Posted 03rd June 2015) It was Zimbabwe’s moment at the just ended ‘Routes Middle East & Africa’ meeting in Bahrain, when at the closing night’s Gala Dinner the regional award winners for 2015 were announced. Named as the winner of the Destination Marketing Award did […]

Big meals for small change – that is the Kampala food scene for you

IT IS ALL ABOUT FOOD IN KAMPALA OVER THE NEXT 10 DAYS (Posted 03rd June 2015) The Sheraton Kampala Hotel last night hosted the launch party for the first ever Kampala Restaurant Week, which is now underway. The Pearl Guide and the Sheraton had teamed up to invite media representatives, known foodies and social media […]

Three decades later – from 1985 to 2015. Reflections on ATA Congresses in Kenya

LOOKING FORWARD BY LOOKING BACK (Posted 02ndJune 2015) When the Africa Travel Association returns in November to Nairobi, to stage the organization’s 40th World Congress, memories rushed back on the 10th such congress way back in 1985, the first I attended since arriving in Kenya many many years earlier. Like this year was the venue […]

New national airline for Djibouti

AIR DJIBOUTI TO LAUNCH BOTH CARGO AND PASSENGER OPERATIONS IN 2015 AND 2016 RESPECTIVELY (Posted 02nd June 2015) Formed earlier this year by the Djibouti government will new national airline Air Djibouti commence operations later this year. Information is emerging that the airline may first launch cargo flights as early as Q3 this year before […]

Rhino Charge 2015 raises 108 million Kenya Shillings

The annual Rhino Charge has over the past 27 years established itself as a prime fund raising event, supporting initially just conservation but of late also supporting the different host communities, where the annual event is being held.This year a new record was set with 108 million Kenya Shillings raised, a resounding sign that the […]

Seychelles set to create a Hall of Fame for tourism pioneers

SEYCHELLES ‘WALL OF FAME’ TO HONOUR TOURISM PIONEERS (Posted 02nd June 2015) World Tourism Day this year will see the launch of a dedicated ‘Wall of Fame’ at the Ministry of Tourism in their new Espace Building offices, did Tourism and Culture Minister Alain St. Ange announced yesterday. In a media release just received did […]

New registration for one of Air Seychelles’ Airbus aircraft

AIR SEYCHELLES PUTS FIRST EVER AIRBUS ON SEYCHELLES REGISTRY (Posted 02nd June 2015) (‘Amirantes’ seen here after landing in Dar es Salaam last year on its inaugural flight to Tanzania) Sources close to the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority have confirmed that they have now put their first ever Airbus, an A320 named ‘Amirantes’ on their […]

In case you need more reasons to visit Kenya …

When reading the Africa Travel Association’s latest mailingabout yet more reasons why to come and visit Kenya, it is becoming all too apparent what a cowardly decision was taken last month by Skal International when that organization, purportedly committed to promote tourism and doing business among friends, decided to ditch Kenya and do the proverbial […]

News updates from the Conservation Action Trust

Undercover Survey: Mombasa Port, a Liability for Africa May 28, 2015 | Press Release, Elephant Action League, Wildleaks | | Ivory Trafficking: Undercover Survey at the Mombasa Port Reveals Vulnerabilities, Confirms High Level Corruption, and Highlights National and International Security IssuesAn undercover survey of the Port of Mombasa by the Elephant Action League & WildLeaks […]

No 420 Wildlife Trade News: 1st June

The daily dose of bad news … Poaching, Wildlife and Environmental Crimes … in the spotlight today …………………… Dreaded tiger poacher Saeed nabbed, linked to Sarju http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Dreaded-tiger-poacher-Saeed-nabbed-linked-to-Sarju/articleshow/47493653.cms No 420 Wildlife Trade News: 1st June LAST WEEK: VICTIMS OF THE WILDLIFE TRADE FOR SALE AT THE NOTORIOUS PRAMAUKA WILDLIFE MARKET, JAKARTA , INDONESIA. The investigator reported […]

Rhino Charge 2015 – done and dusted until next year

The 2015 edition of the Rhino Charge is over and thankfully were only minor incidents recorded, though one competitor’s car caught fire and the driver and crew needed treatment which was immediately provided by the on site medical team.Fuller details will be available when the money raised has been counted and audited but it is […]

Little guide but a big impact to enhance a visitor experience

NEW POCKET GUIDE FOR SEYCHELLES HITS THE MARKET (Posted 01st June 2015) Visitors to the Seychelles will as of today be able to get the 2015 version of the famous ‘Pocket Guide’ which was produced with a 150.000 first print run. The illustrated guide with detailed maps of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue has for […]

More flights to the Comoros

AIR TANZANIA UPS FLIGHTS TO THE COMOROS (Posted 01st June 2015) Effective today, 01st of June, will Air Tanzania increase flights from Dar es Salaam to Moroni / Comoros from the previous five per week to now 8 per week. The airline, one of the few from the African mainland flying to the Comoros, cited […]

One of the Seychelles most fancied islands changes hands

When the name Seychelles is mentioned, inevitably does the mind jump to conclusions and images of snow white beaches, crystal clear azure waters, blue skies and a tropical backdrop of vegetation create a picture in the minds of those in the group where the word was dropped. Others, more informed, think of the archipelago’s festivals, […]

Aviation news from Routes …

Routes News magazine Issue 4, Volume 11 Send to a friend Issue 4, 2015 ?online now!? ? Satisfying demand: Oman Air’s CEO Paul Gregorowitsch and The undiscovered country: United Airports of Georgia’s CEO, Kate Aleksidze ?Interview: Raphael Kuuchi, IATA ? Report: Air Traffic Management ? ?Analysis: Puerto Rico/Norwegian Focus on: California’s Silicon Valley ? READ […]

No 419 Wildlife Trade News: 31st May

Another dose of bad news … about poaching, wildlife and environmental crimes … in the spotlight today …………………… Wildlife agencies urge U.S. to emulate China’s leadership in curbing illegal ivory trade. extract: "These and other major ivory consuming countries hold the key to saving Africa’s elephants. We therefore urge the strongest possible measures from these […]

Bad weather blamed for Piper crash in Kenya’s Limuru hills

PIPER CRASH KILLS PILOT (Posted 01st June 2015) (File photograph courtesy of ‘Pilots Kenya’ via Benson Kabugi Wamwea) A Piper Dakota PA28-236 aircraft, registered in Kenya as 5Y-DMS, crashed yesterday late afternoon enroute a flight from Naivasha to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. The plane came down in Kiambu County’s Limuru area near the village of Rironi […]

The integrity of Nairobi National Park is at risk – read on to find out why.

NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK – ASSAULT NUMBER TWO UNDERWAY (Posted 01st of June 2015) (Map of the Nairobi National Park, courtesy of FONNAP) The Kenyan conservation fraternity and environmental pressure groups are gearing up for the second battle of the Nairobi National Park when news emerged, that after the Southern Bypass Highway the new Standard Gauge […]

Tanzania’s Karibu Travel Market brings spotlight back on the country

KARIBU TRAVEL MARKET TANZANIA ENDS ON HIGH NOTE (Posted 01st June 2015) Tanzania’s premier tourism trade show, the Karibu Travel Market Tanzania, ended yesterday evening on a high. Ugandan tourism stakeholders attending the fair expressed their satisfaction with the range of business contacts they were able to make and the opportunities to sign contracts, as […]

Part two Of Lillian’s Weekend ‘Double Pack’ deals with …

Honeymoons? HONEYMOONS??? Oh, well, it is her topic after all and the best to those aspiring to tie the knot and submit to ball and chain … Top Honeymoon Destinations in East Africa For the intrepid traveler, East Africa offers the ultimate fun field at any given season. From vast stretches of sunny and sandy […]

Beach Crazy? Read on for Lillian’s recommendations this week

Here comes a double pack from Lillian, delayed for posting due to my travels during the week … Enjoy … I sure went beach crazy in Mombasa and did not have to go all the way to Mozambique … Beach Crazy? This Five Sandy Townships of Mozambique Will Spoil You! Whatever your origin, landing in […]