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Articles by Hellen Lebone
Several senior management appointments at City Lodge
City Lodge Hotels has recently announced several senior management appointments. Emile van der Merwe has been appointed to the City Lodge Hotels Executive Committee (Exco) as Divisional Director: Property and Development from August 1.
Recognising 20 years of airline safety improvements
Iata marked the first 20 years of its Operational Safety Audit (Iosa) at the Iata World Safety and Operations Conference which took place in Hanoi, Vietnam, last week. Iosa was launched in September 2003 with Qatar Airways the first airline to be audited and join the Iosa Registry. Iosa has been a requirement for Iata membership since 2006. It is also a condition of membership in the three global airline alliances, as well as several regional airline associations.
Demand not strong for golf tourism
The majority (72%) of Tourism Update readers have indicated that they had not experienced demand for golf tourism packages over the next year. Only 16% said they had experienced demand for the packages, with the remaining 12% voting ‘unsure’. Biggest barrier to intra-Africa travel? This week, Tourism Update would like to know what the biggest challenge is to increasing intra-Africa travel. Our poll question is: In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge to growing intra-Africa travel?
Wildfires hit North West and Limpopo
Tourism stakeholders are still assessing the damage after fires broke out at two reserves – Madikwe Game Reserve in North West and Mabalingwe Nature Reserve in Limpopo – on Saturday (September 23). The North West Parks Board has informed Tourism Update that the wildfire in Madikwe was confined to the veld, and there were no casualties or damage to any infrastructure. Firefighters are still on the scene trying to contain the fire. The cause is yet to be determined.
FlyNamibia - Iata’s latest 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 Namibia and beyond,” the airline said in a press release.
Celebrating 20 years of saving Black rhinos
The Black Rhino Range Expansion Project (BRREP), which focuses on the range expansion and growth of the critically endangered Black rhino, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Since its inception in 2003, it has contributed towards the overall growth of this critically endangered species, and has highlighted several key milestones in celebration of World Rhino Day today, September 22.
Hospitality group welcomes more pets
Southern Sun Hospitality Group announced two more ‘SunPet’ friendly hotels this week with the conversion of Southern Sun Katherine Street, Sandton, and Southern Sun Bloemfontein. Both have now opened their doors to welcome pets. “Understanding that pets are often cherished family members, we believe they shouldn’t have to be separated while travelling.
Exploring SA's rich historical heritage and iconic hotels
Known for its profound history, cultural diversity, and breathtaking landscapes, South Africa extends a warm invitation to travellers from around the world to embark on a journey through time and heritage on National Heritage Day, September 24. From ancient rock art to poignant symbols of the struggle against apartheid, the country's historical heritage reflects the enduring legacies of its diverse communities.
Operator launches curated golf experiences
Specialist African inbound operator, GoVacation Africa, has launched a new bespoke offering for golfing enthusiasts – from seasoned pros to those just starting out. CEO of GoVacation Africa, Sabine Blehle, says GOLF@GoVacation Africa provides travellers with curated experiences on an FIT, self-drive and group basis, emphasising the best golf courses on offer, complemented by culinary delights and top tourism highlights in southern Africa. Tourism Update asked Blehle to provide more details.
‘BRICS expansion heralds a new era for tourism growth’
South Africa’s travel and hospitality sectors are set to benefit from fast-tracked job creation, streamlined visa processes, and improved air connectivity if the BRICS bloc expands as intended next year. On August 24, the group ruled in favour of expansion, formally inviting six more countries – Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates – to become full members from January next year.
Sho’t Left pays dividends
This year’s Shot’t Left Travel Week – held from September 4-10 – saw what Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, described as “remarkable results”. Speaking at the launch of South Africa's Summer Campaign in the Eastern Cape earlier this week, the Minister revealed that 920 deals were loaded for the Sho’t Left Travel Week. A total of 94 660 people visited the dedicated Sho’t Left Travel website that week.
Conservation efforts highlighted ahead of World Rhino Day
Great Plains Conservation, which offers African safari adventures in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Kenya, has released a video celebrating rhinos and their protectors in anticipation of World Rhino Day tomorrow (Friday, September 22).
SADC Exec Secretary to join major players at ATLF 2023
With just 12 days to go before the African Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) and Awards 2023 kicks off in Gaborone, Botswana, on October 4, SADC Executive Secretary, Elias M Magosi is the latest to join Pan-African and global thought-leaders as part of the speaker line-up. The ATLF will be preceded by an entrepreneurship masterclass and business-to-business meetings on October 3.
Cape Town launches destination marketing mag
A new glossy magazine, This Is Cape Town, aimed at attracting more visitors and investors to the Mother City, launched this month. It hopes to inspire people with authentic, unique, valuable stories that reveal the people, places, and products of Cape Town and is part of the City’s plan to drive up tourism and investment in the metro. It was conceptualised and produced by the Place Marketing Department within the Economic Growth Directorate and will be available in print and online.
Rwanda gets first World Heritage Site designation
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.
SA’s summer campaign spotlights E Cape
South Africa’s highly anticipated Summer Campaign was launched in the Eastern Cape yesterday (Tuesday, September 19) by Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille. “It brings me great joy to be in the Eastern Cape, a stunning province largely unexplored by tourists. Our decision to bring the launch of the summer campaign here is intentional – we are committed to highlighting the less-visited provinces and regions of our country,” said the Minister.
Hilton resumes construction on Cape Town property
Growthpoint Properties is moving ahead with its final improvement to the Longkloof precinct in Cape Town – the development of the Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof Hotel. The project was originally planned for completion towards the end of 2021 but was put on hold as South Africa navigated a period of economic uncertainty. Hilton has informed Tourism Update that the hotel is scheduled to open in Q1 2025.
Stars of Africa grows its portfolio
Marketing, PR and sales representation services company, Stars of Africa, recently welcomed Safari Moon Luxury Bush Lodge and Cape Vulture Lodge to its portfolio. Both lodges are in the Hoedspruit area of South Africa and offer locations to explore the variety of activities on offer in this fast-growing area. Activities at both lodges include full-day private Kruger Park safaris, exploring the Panorama Route, scenic hot-air balloon rides, and many more.
SA Tourism holds first roadshow in China since COVID
South African Tourism held its first roadshow in China since the pandemic, with events in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou this month. The theme of the roadshow was ‘A Journey of Diversity and Inspiration’, and was attended by Gcobani Mancotywa, Regional Manager for Asia, Australia & New Zealand, and Middle East at South African Tourism, and Melusi Khumalo, Regional Marketing Manager for Durban Tourism.
Free entry during Namibian Heritage Week
Namibia is celebrating Namibian Heritage Week from September 18-24, and entrance is waived for Namibian citizens at selected heritage sites managed by the National Heritage Council of Namibia. The theme this year is ‘Heritage and Culture: A Rock-Solid Foundation’ in Namibian sign language. There will also be activities across the country during the week, with at least one activity each day in Windhoek.
Botswana to diversify wildlife-based tourism
The inaugural Xere Cultural Festival hosted on Saturday (September 16) in Xere – a village 14km from Rakops in the Boteti District in Botswana – will become an annual event to diversify the country’s wildlife-based tourism, according to Acting President Slumber Tsogwane. He said the Xere Cultural Festival would not only celebrate the rich Sesarwa culture, but would also be a resource that people of Sesarwa origin could exploit for economic benefit.
Ethiopian cultural landscape achieves World Heritage status
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) has registered Ethiopia's Gedeo Cultural Landscape as an official World Heritage Site. The registration was announced on Sunday (September 17) at the 45th extended session of the World Heritage Committee currently under way in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the presence of Ethiopian Minister of Tourism Nasise Chale.
Russian carrier boosts services to Indian Ocean Islands
Aeroflot has revealed plans to launch direct flights and expand its service to Mauritius and Seychelles. Flights to Mauritius will commence on December 23, on Wednesdays and Saturdays departing from Sheremetyevo using a Boeing 777. Tickets are already available for purchase. The airline last serviced the Mauritius route in the mid-1990s. The airline has announced an increase in flight frequency to Mahé, Seychelles, starting October 16.
High Court finds in favour of local airline vs SACAA
The Johannesburg High Court has found against the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) on a legal technicality in two ongoing cases brought by FlyCemAir and its CEO, Miles van der Molen, against the SACAA, relating to the airline's lengthy grounding in 2018 and 2019. The judgment was made in two related civil cases brought in 2021 - FlyCemAir and Van der Molen are suing the CAA for nearly R170 million (€8.3m) in damages.
New MD at E-Tourism Frontiers
E-Tourism Frontiers, a leading online tourism consultancy specialising in developing digital tourism strategies for global markets, announced its relaunch last week, following the death of its CEO and Founder, Damian Cook, in November last year. Taking up the role of MD, is Sarah Mathews, a global expert in online tourism with over 30 years of marketing and digital experience.
Breaking news: Air Belgium to axe flights
Air Belgium is to cancel all its scheduled flights from October 3 and is intending to file for court-authorised restructuring. The airline said its passenger operations were proving to be chronically unprofitable and it would from October focus solely on wet lease and freight services. It is reported to have asked the business court in Brussels to initiate judicial restructuring proceedings with a view to negotiating agreements with its creditors on its debt.
Investigation into weekend fires at Sun City/Manyane
An investigation has been launched into the root cause of two separate fires that affected accommodation establishments – Sun City’s Cabanas and Manyane Resort – in the North West Province over the weekend.
Booking increases minimal during Sho’t Left
As part of Tourism Month celebrations, South African Tourism held the Sho’t Left Travel Week at the start of September, with suppliers offering up to 50% discounts. Industry has, however, indicated that it did not lead to significant increases in bookings, with 86% of readers voting the week did not lead to a rise in bookings for their businesses. Only 14% said it had resulted in an increase in bookings. How strong is demand for golf tourism?
Development bank commits to continent’s tourism sector
The African Development Bank has reiterated its support to Africa’s tourism sector, one of the continent’s fastest growing areas.
Free access to national parks this week
Travellers are urged to take advantage of the free access to the country’s national parks during SANParks Week, which runs from September 16-24.
Direct Munich to Johannesburg service on the cards
Lufthansa plans to operate a new direct route between Munich and Johannesburg from June 4, 2024. The route was last on Lufthansa’s schedule in 2005. The German carrier will use an Airbus A350-900 accommodating 293 passengers in business class, premium economy, and economy class. Flights will be on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday mornings, departing Johannesburg at 09h00. The new service will be in addition to the existing daily services to Frankfurt and Zurich by Lufthansa and SWISS respectively.
Uganda tombs removed from endangered heritage list
The Unesco World Heritage Committee – which is meeting in Riyadh until September 25 – has decided to remove the site of the Tombs of the Buganda Kings in Kasubi, Uganda, from the List of World Heritage in Danger. This follows the successful restoration work carried out by Uganda with Unesco’s support. In 2010, a violent fire devastated the Tombs of the Kings of Buganda at Kasubi which are inscribed on Unesco's World Heritage List.
APOLOGY: Luxury with lions in the Waterberg
EDITOR'S NOTE: Tourism Update would like to sincerely apologise for running this story. We are aware of the sensitivities around the treatment of wild animals and the steps taken by government and the private sector to ensure our wildlife is protected in an ethical and sustainable manner - which we also support. It is against our policy to report on these kinds of stories. But sometimes, we get it wrong.
Luxury with lions in the Waterberg
The Waterberg Biosphere in Limpopo province is home to a unique new offering with the opening of the exclusive Shekinah Lion & Game Lodge. Guests at the luxurious and intimate lodge are able to get up close and personal with lions and tigers, which can be viewed through reinforced glass windows. Special features in each of the lodge’s four spacious suites include a Jacuzzi, plunge pool, outdoor shower and a fireplace, with guests also enjoying a private butler service.
Joburg starts cricket season during Tourism Month
As part of its Tourism Month activities, the City of Johannesburg and Joburg Tourism Company launched the DP World Lion’s season at the Wanderers Stadium last week. “September’s here and it is time to shift gears and immerse ourselves in the beauty and vibrancy that is Joburg. We’re looking to the DP World Lions teams [#ThePrideOfJozi] to give it their all and we wish them well in their endeavours in the season which lies ahead.
Kruger SA’s ‘World Wonder’
The Kruger National Park is South Africa’s official ‘World Wonder’, according to medical travel insurance company, AllClear. AllClear took to Wikipedia to analyse page views of over 4 300 landmarks from every country around the globe, and discovered which countries’ pages were visited most – revealing the attractions that were the most ‘wondered’ about.
Academics explore tourism recovery and resilience
The University of Johannesburg’s School of Tourism and Hospitality (STH), together with University of Oulu (Finland), hosted the inaugural International Conference from Recovery to Resilience in Tourism this week. The two-day conference brought together local and internationally distinguished tourism and hospitality scholars, emerging researchers, and postgraduate students at the level of PhD.
Cape Town eyes one million seats
International seat capacity by air to Cape Town is expected to exceed one million in the 2023/24 peak summer season – a new record for the Cape Town Air Access project. In just eight years – three of which were heavily impacted by COVID – the project has resulted in the doubling of international airline seat capacity into Cape Town International Airport.
Hijackers arrested close to Kruger
Two suspects who are alleged to have hijacked tourists close to the Kruger National Park have been successfully arrested, the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) has announced. Two American tourists were travelling ten kilometres from Paul Kruger Gate when they were hijacked by two males at gunpoint last week. The suspects were travelling with a Golf with blue lights before being arrested by the South African Police Service.
‘Unite together to market Destination SA’
Tourism leaders have called for a more integrated public- private-sector approach to marketing South Africa as a destination, again identifying collaboration as the key priority in driving increased tourism numbers. The topic was at the core of several panel discussions at the TBCSA Tourism Leadership Conference in Sun City last week. SATSA CEO David Frost said more alignment was required between South African Tourism and the private sector.
Baby ellie steals reporter’s spotlight
Alvin Patterson Kaunda, a wildlife and environmental TV journalist, conducted the broadcast of a lifetime when a baby elephant decided to steal the show. Kaunda was reporting on the elephant orphanage, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya, when the elephant put its trunk over his head and on to his face. To his credit, he managed to hold his composure for quite some time before eventually bursting into laughter. Click here to watch the video on Instagram.
Exclusive-use lodge opens in Cradle of Humankind
Riverhorse Lodge – a new exclusive-use ecotourism hideaway in the privately owned Greater Cradle Nature Reserve (GCNR) just outside Johannesburg – opens its doors in September. The exclusive luxury retreat is in the heart of the Cradle of Humankind, which was listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1999. The lodge is situated on the shores of a lake within an indigenous forest, and surrounded by sweeping highveld landscapes with free-roaming plains animals, bird life and clear springs.
Profile: Africa Youth Challenge finalist #3
Tourism Update is profiling the top-three 2023 finalists announced for the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge (AYTIC) held in Swakopmund, Namibia, in May this year. The winner will be announced at the Africa Tourism Leadership Forum and Awards in Botswana in October. This is the third finalist profile.
Flynas connects Addis to two Saudi cities
Saudi Arabian low-cost airline, flynas, will launch direct flights to the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa from Riyadh and Jeddah starting in October. The airline will operate the new route from Riyadh from October 9 with three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and from Jeddah, starting on October 10, with three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays – connecting Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia with six direct weekly flights.
Acsa eyes profitability as losses narrow
Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) significantly narrowed its losses in the 2022/23 financial year, and is now eyeing out profitability through operational efficiencies, diversification and new commercial initiatives. The company presented its audited financial results on Tuesday, September 12. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation amounted to R2bn (€98.3m), compared with R342m (€16.8m) in the 2021/22 financial year.
Club Med brings super-resort to SA
South Africa’s first R2 billion (€99 million) Club Med Tinley eco-resort, complete with a beach and Big Five bush experience, will place the country firmly on the world tourism map as the French operator braces to market the holiday destination to 50 million people globally.
Tourism careers expo open for registrations
Online registration for South Africa’s flagship tourism careers event, the National Tourism Careers Expo (NTCE), is officially open. As many as 10 000 learners and teachers are expected to participate in this year’s three-day event at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, from September 29 to October 1.
Rwanda names its new gorillas
The 19th Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony in Kiningi, at the foothills of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, saw 23 new baby mountain gorillas being named by conservation champions, community heroes, sports stars, industry leaders and international artists and celebrities.
Eastern Cape announces dates for Free Access Week
The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency has recently announced that the dates for its Free Access Week will be from September 30 until October 9. The entrance fee will be waived for day visitors to 12 nature reserves in the Eastern Cape during this period. Day visitors will also be exempt from paying the conservation fees for the duration of this promotion. The free access does not extend to accommodation and overnight visitors will have to pay for their accommodation.
Brussels Airlines to bolster East Africa network
Brussels Airlines has announced plans to resume flights to Nairobi in June 2024 and increase Kigali frequencies. The airline last serviced the Nairobi route in 2015. It also plans to increase the frequency of flights to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, to daily. The Belgian airline continues to invest in its intercontinental network and fleet, recently acquiring a tenth Airbus A330 dedicated to serving the African market.
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