JOVAGO.COM LINKS SOUTH SUDAN’S HOTELS TO THE REST OF THE WORLD
(Posted 11th March 2015)
South Sudan, while presently undergoing conflicts in large parts of Africa’s youngest nation, remains in the focus of neighbouring countries with the primary purpose of supplying goods and services not available locally to the parts of the country close to the borders with Kenya and Uganda, where peace prevails.
Several airlines are flying to Juba’s international airport, among them Kenya Airways, Ethiopian and flydubai but visitors to the capital of South Sudan often had difficulties, as had travel agents making the arrangements, to find suitable accommodation and book rooms with e-transactions.
No longer. Jovago.com, Africa’s premier hotel booking platform with over 15.000 rooms on the continent on their books, has now signed up with over 100 hospitality businesses in South Sudan, giving wannabe visitors the opportunity to select accommodation in advance, book rooms, get a valid confirmation and pay via Jovago.com’s secure online payment platform.
While internet connections are still operated via satellite up and downlinks have plans advanced to link South Sudan to the various seabed cables and work is progressing to have a fibre optic connection established to the e-grid in Kenya.
When making the announcement in Nairobi yesterday did Estelle Verdier, the Managing Director of Jovago East and South Africa say: ‘We are very proud to support the development and exploration of South Sudan, making it easier for people to travel to South Sudan for business, visit family or discover touristic attraction’.
South Sudan is home to a large section of the White Nile and the enormous Sudd swamp region which remains largely unexplored. It is from the Sudd, but also from the Boma National Park that one of the world’s greatest migrations emerges every year as nearly two million gazelles make their way across the sprawling country in search of pastures. Recent reports from World Tourism Organization indicate that wildlife watching represents 80% of total annual sales of trips in Africa, therefore exploiting such attractions in South Sudan will be a great boost to the country’s economy and as there is presently only one licensed and capable operator available in South Sudan, Bahr-el-Jebel-Safaris, is the choice for expeditions and adventure travel made easy.
Mrs. Verdier also noted that the development and exposure of South Sudan’s tourism potential will not only be beneficial to the country, but the region as well when she added: ‘With adventure tourism on the rise, tourists are more likely to cross borders in search of that adrenaline booster than ever before’.
A 2012 study by Adventure Trade Travel Association (ATTA) revealed a 65% growth in Adventure Tourism while placing it’s global worth at $263 billion.
For details on hotels signed up with Jovago and available for bookings click on www.jovago.com
