Category: Tourism-Hospitality

Projects to upgrade OR Tambo International Airport (JNB), which include the replacement of ageing parking equipment and the revamping of important infrastructure, remains on track, according to General Manager Jabulani Khambule. “We currently have a total of more than 12 000 parking bays available and operational at OR Tambo, and the infrastructure upgrade will ensure that passengers and visitors to our airport can enjoy a seamless and hassle-free experience, whether making use of our short-term or long-term parking facilities.” The revamped parking system now includes multiple payment options, additional high-tech security…

Read More

Zimbabwe’s National Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks) will raise the conservation fees for accessing Victoria Falls National Park from April 1. This decision was made despite the previous backlash from stakeholders who claimed they were not consulted earlier this year when Zimparks first proposed the increase. Back in December, the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe (TBCZ) voiced its opposition to the proposed increase. “We urgently request a reconsideration of the announcement, and propose that the implementation be postponed until the end of the 2023,” said TBCZ at the time. Although…

Read More

The inaugural Eswatini Air flight touched down at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport at 08h35 on Sunday (March 26) Minister of Public Works and Transport in Eswatini, Chief Ndlaluhlaz Ndwandwe was among the high-level passengers on the inaugural flight. OR Tambo has, to date, welcomed back over 35 airlines post the COVID-19 pandemic and, according to the Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA), it is estimated that the number will rise to 42 airlines by December. GTA, which is part of the Gauteng Air Access Network, has expressed its excitement about these developments as…

Read More

Banyan Tree Ilha Caldeira, on a private island off the coast of Mozambique’s Nampula province, is on track for opening in the first quarter of 2024. Prior to the COVID pandemic, the ultra-luxurious resort was slated for opening in the second quarter of 2022. The property will be only the third Banyan Tree resort in Africa after Banyan Tree Seychelles and Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay in Morocco. In the late stages of development, the project is the result of South African-born entrepreneur and businessman Jack Truter’s partnership with the global luxury hotel…

Read More

Travel across Germany is set to be severely disrupted today (March 27) due to strikes by workers from both the ver.di Service Workers Union and the EVG Union. And the impact of the industrial action could well spill over into Tuesday, March 28, according to European media. According to Euronews, both Munich and Frankfurt airports have cancelled all their flights for today. Frankfurt Airport’s operator, Fraport, said on its website: “Due to a strike by the German Union ver.di airport operations will be heavily disrupted at Frankfurt Airport throughout today. There…

Read More

Kenya’s national parks agency is seeking to boost visitor numbers to the country’s wilderness areas during the tourist low season, which runs from April to June every year. For decades, the country has relied on the high season, running from July to March, when hordes of domestic and international tourists stream into the country’s hotels, lodges and national parks, with the centrepiece attraction being the Great Migration. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) wants to address the low-season slump by diversifying tourism products and introducing new activities. “Bolstering the numbers visiting…

Read More

The R2.13 billion (€125m) in direct and indirect economic impact generated for Cape Town’s hosting of the Formula E – including R481 million (€28.2m) in global destination exposure – will be a welcome boost to the province and the city. On Saturday, February 25, Cape Town will host Formula E (officially the ABB FIA Formula E Championship), the world’s first fully electric street racing series. “The benefits of this event, and many like it, go beyond a once-off economic boost. The Formula E will be hosted in Cape Town for…

Read More

Acsa can confirm that it received a notification of an alleged bomb on board Singapore Airlines flight SQ 478 this morning (March 14). The aircraft landed at OR Tambo International Airport and is still on the ground at time of publication. Emergency services were activated along with Fire and Rescue and the South African Police Service (SAPS). At approximately 11h39, the aircraft was declared safe by SAPS, after screening was completed by K9 units. Acsa has communicated that it will continue to act swiftly to prioritise the safety of all…

Read More

Cyclone Freddy made landfall for a second time this month in central Mozambique on Saturday, March 11, breaking records for duration and strength of tropical storms in the Southern hemisphere. The cyclone then passed near Malawi late on Sunday night, March 12, bringing torrential rain and flooding. According to CNN, due to disruptions to communications and electricity supply in the storm area, the extent of the damage and the number of casualties has been difficult to determine. Last month, more than 171 000 people were affected by Cyclone Freddy, which killed 27…

Read More

Activities concessionaire Mankwe GAMETRACKERS has signed a service-level agreement with Greater Pilanesberg Tour Operators Association (GPTOA) to provide shuttles to and from the iconic North West province-based holiday resort, Sun City, to support small local businesses. Mankwe GAMETRACKERS, the largest outdoor adventure activity business in the North West province, previously supplied the exclusive shuttle service from Gauteng airports to the resort but sold most of its fleet during the pandemic. Ntiyiso Maluleke, CEO of Mankwe GAMETRACKERS, said, post-pandemic, the company could have recapitalised its vehicles but decided to do a…

Read More