Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Kevin Burley
‘Upside Down’
Some years ago, I wrote a series of articles about what it felt like to be a northerner living below the Equator and, in effect, at least in geographic terms, being ‘Upside Down’. Following 40-plus years living in the ‘wrong’ hemisphere, I feel quite at home, but now the world feels upside down for other reasons.
Pricing admissions correctly at visitor attractions
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented businesses with an opportunity to revisit some basic and long-held assumptions. Many businesses will emerge more efficient, more resilient, and more profitable than before. Locally, attractions appear to be in a holding pattern, waiting for things to return to normal. However, a return to pre-COVID visitor attendance levels is predicted to take a few years.
Golf tourism: ‘One bite at a time’
Over the past few months, the focus in golf tourism has really shifted from ‘if’ the markets are going to open, to ‘when’ they are going to open. With this comes some concern, as to what, in tourism terms, the long-awaited new ‘normal’ might actually look like. The lockdown gave the opportunity, unwanted though it might have been, to evaluate the current norms.
Breaking news: United launches non-stop year-round flights to CTIA
United Airlines today (February 10) announced its plans to expand service from South Africa by offering three nonstop flights per week, year-round, between Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) and its New York/Newark hub. This is subject to government approval.
Pic of the week: Hippos playfighting in St Lucia
This pic of the week comes from Tourvest Destination Management, who recently posted several photos to Twitter of a pair of hippos mock-fighting in St Lucia. The photos were taken on a boat cruise by Kirsti Connolly, Project Manager: Travel Guides at Tourvest. St Lucia in KwaZulu Natal is known for its iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The park is home to almost 800 hippos and about 1 200 crocodiles. Leopards, kudus, rhinos, elephants, and giraffes can also be spotted in the park, which spans 3 280 sqkm.
No African countries left on Germany’s risk list
The last of the southern and East African nations left on Germany’s high-risk list have been removed by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), a German federal research institute responsible for disease control and prevention. The reclassification was part of a major update to Germany’s high-risk list, which dropped on February 6 from 35 countries down to just three, none of which are in Africa.
SONA 2022: More weigh in with their wish list
With President Cyril Ramaphosa expected to deliver his State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2022 tomorrow evening (February 10), Tourism Update called on readers to highlight what they would like to see him addressing. Do away with costly PCR tests Many highlighted the need to do away with PCR tests, with Tourism Update reader, Greg White, noting: “Something that would boost tourism would be to do away with the need for PCR tests for fully vaccinated travellers entering SA.
Letter to the Editor: ‘Move over OTAs’
Following news that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a serious impact on online travel agencies (OTAs) – as Google’s travel offerings are increasingly gaining a competitive edge – owner of Saxon Lodge in Gansbaai, Western Cape, Caron Lee, believes this is “a great thing”. She writes: “I have had way more direct bookings, which saves me the huge commissions that the OTAs ask, especially during a time when our revenues and margins were shrinking.
Optimistic forecast for travel recovery - WTTC
New research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed the global Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to the global economy could reach US$8.6 trillion this year, just 6.4% behind pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, same sector generated nearly US$9.2 trillion to the global economy. However, in 2020, the pandemic brought the sector to an almost complete standstill, causing a massive 49.1% drop, representing a loss of nearly US$4.5 trillion.
Registrations open for Africa Travel Week Original
Registrations for Africa Travel Week (ATW) 2022 – held in Cape Town from April 11 to 13 – have opened. The trade show will once again bring together pan-African and international exhibitors as well as buyers from across the globe at headline shows, World Travel Market Africa (WTM Africa) and International Luxury Travel Market Africa (ILTM Africa).
TDM launches a new sports-focused brand in the UK
Tourvest Destination Management (TDM), a leader in the tourism and the event management industry since 1981, has officially launched its new Team Travel Management brand in the UK. Originally conceptualised as TEAM Destination Management in 2005 in preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2010 that took place in South Africa, and TEAM Sports Travel, which specialises in school/club sports tours, the new Team Travel Management combines the experience of these two brands.
‘It’s time to scrap PCR tests’ - TBCSA
PCR tests for fully vaccinated travellers need to be scrapped as a matter of urgency, as they remain a major barrier to tourism recovery. This is according to Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, who told Tourism Update that the organisation had focused on getting these costly tests scrapped since last year.
TGCSA offers quality assurance and capacity building workshops
The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) – a business unit of South African Tourism – is running quality assurance and capacity-building workshops. TGCSA is mandated to promote the star grading of establishments to ensure that South Africa remains a destination of choice that achieves the highest level of quality assurance, promotes optimal value for money and gives ‘customer expectation’ the focus it requires.
Poll: 31% got full salary in January
Salaries for January were on a similar trajectory to December. A total of 31% of the 163 respondents who participated in the monthly informal salary poll conducted by Tourism Update received 100% of their salary. For December a total 424 (30%) respondents received 100% of their salary.
Poll: 32% got full salary in January
Salaries for January were on a similar trajectory to December. A total of 32% of the 163 respondents who participated in the monthly informal salary poll conducted by Tourism Update received 100% of their salary. For December a total 424 (30%) respondents received 100% of their salary.
Restored railway carriage offers luxury accommodation
Mantis, a conservation-focused hospitality group, has announced the opening of the lovingly restored Founders Railway Carriage, at Mantis Founders Lodge, 72km from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) in the Eastern Cape.
Removal of quarantine in Zim hailed a ‘life-saver’
The recent easing of COVID-19-related travel restrictions, and particularly the removal of mandatory quarantine, by the Zimbabwean government, has been hailed a “lifesaver” for tourism by Victoria Falls-based hospitality group Africa Albida Tourism (AAT). The government announced late last month that quarantine had been lifted for fully vaccinated arrivals to Zimbabwe, although a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48-hours of departure for Zimbabwe is still required for entry.
Comment of the Week: ‘Labour inspectors should address unemployment’
In response to the Department of Employment and Labour (DoE&L), which had reported some non-compliance in the hospitality sector, FEDHASA noted that government could also play a role in lowering the barriers to compliance. In response to this story, Tourism Update reader, Ernest Robbertse, commented: “We occasionally get inspected and always comply, no problem. But these ‘inspectors’ no longer work for the Department of Labour. They now work for the new Department of Employment and Labour.
Tanzanian hot air balloon pilot flies over Kili
Plenty of adventurers have scaled Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, but far fewer have done so in a hot-air balloon. In December, 22 balloon pilots highly experienced in mountain flying completed the journey – among them Caption Abeid Soka, Chief Pilot and Director of Flight Operations of Serengeti Balloon Safaris. “Ooh it was cold up there!” Captain Soka says of the experience, which was arranged by Josep Maria Llado, Founder of Ultramagic Balloons.
Feelgood Friday: W Cape among most-loved destinations
Three destinations in the Western Cape have claimed spots in ‘The 100 Most Loved Destinations Around the World for 2021’, according to the Tourism Sentiment Index created by destination marketing agency Destination Think. Knysna ranks at #19, Stellenbosch at #23, and Hermanus at #41. Cape Town, a point of pride for South Africa and popular tourist destination, ranks #54.
ICAO tool is the key to simplifying travel
Iata has welcomed the creation by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) of a global directory of public keys required for the contactless authentication of health credentials. The directory – called the Health Master List (HML) – will make a significant contribution to the global recognition and verification (interoperability) of government-issued health credentials.
‘Google a threat to OTAs’ - GlobalData
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had a serious impact on online travel agencies (OTAs), according to data and analytics company, GlobalData, which notes that the OTA market value decreased by 60,4% year-on-year in 2020. This strain has amplified OTAs’ existing concerns about the growing presence of Google in the market, and how the tech giant’s control could impact competitiveness and therefore consumer choice.
Uganda ups its destination marketing game
Uganda has launched a new tourism destination brand promise, with the unveiling of a new brand identity that promises both domestic, regional and global tourists an “adventure of a lifetime”. The brand identity – Explore Uganda, The Pearl of Africa – was developed by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), with CEO, Lilly Ajarova, explaining that the new brand promise seeks to re-emphasise Uganda’s rare and precious range of tourism attractions to the world. “Uganda is no doubt beautiful.
SA estuary declared site of ‘international importance’
As the world marked World Wetlands Day 2022 yesterday (February 2), South Africa celebrated the declaration of its 28th wetland of international importance. The Berg Estuary in the Western Cape was declared a Ramsar Site under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
Zim's recovery plan includes global standards
As part of the country’s National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) is seeking ISO Certification 9001 to improve service levels and customer satisfaction within the tourism and hospitality industry. It has engaged the Standards Association of Zimbabwe to implement this. ZTA Acting CEO, Givemore Chidzidzi, said: “This is our commitment to improve efficiency in the organisation and to improve on service delivery.
The Netherlands scraps quarantine for vaxxed pax
The Dutch government has eased restrictions previously placed on Southern African countries due to the COVID-19 Omicron variant, making it easier for tourists from South Africa to visit. It is now possible for fully vaccinated travellers from South Africa to enter The Netherlands with no quarantine restrictions. KLM confirmed that, with immediate effect South Africa is classified as a ‘high-risk country or area’.
LH, MSC bid for Italian carrier
Italian-Swiss shipping behemoth, MSC (the owner of MSC Cruises) and Lufthansa, are in the process of making a joint bid for a controlling stake in the Italian government-owned ITA, the successor to Alitalia. MSC and Lufthansa have sought a 90-day exclusivity period to review ITA’s financial data. Lufthansa is Europe’s largest airline by aircraft numbers, and a powerful player in the European economy.
EgyptAir and CemAir interline
EgyptAir and CemAir have signed an interline ticketing agreement. This means that tickets can be issued on either airline’s paper for travel on either airline. At present, this does not include a baggage agreement, and baggage must be dealt with according to the rules of the carrier that the passenger is flying on, and checked in for a second time on the second leg of the journey. EgyptAir has two flights a week between Cairo and Johannesburg, on Fridays and Sundays.
Iconic winelands hotel reopens
A new chapter began yesterday (February 1) when one of the Western Cape winelands’ most iconic hotels, The Lord Charles, opened its doors. The hotel closed in August 2020 after the Spanish-based NH Hotel Group said it would not renew the contract. The new owner-managed organisational structure allows for flexibility in managing the day-to-day operations as well as making the important decisions needed to ensure the success of the hotel beyond the next few decades.
Eastern European charters to boost Kenya tourism
A charter flight from Bulgaria landed at Moi International Airport in Mombasa, Kenya, this week, carrying 149 travellers – including 35 travel agents – from Bulgaria. European Air, chartered by tour operator, Abax Bulgaria, is the third charter to arrive from Eastern Europe in less than a year – the first arrived in March 2021 from Romania, and the second from Ukraine in April – as part of the Kenyan government and other stakeholders’ efforts to boost tourism recovery.
Pic of the week: An unlikely friendship in Klaserie
In the wild, a friendship between a hippo and rhino is highly unlikely. Both wild animals are known for being highly territorial, and hippos in particular are the more aggressive of the two. However, an unusually friendly hippo and rhino have been spotted peacefully spending time together at Makumu Private Game Lodge in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. The recent rare sighting was captured by the lodge’s owner, Stefan Breuer.
Namibian hotel joins Gondwana Collection
The Am Weinberg Boutique Hotel in Windhoek has joined the Gondwana portfolio of lodges and hotels. Now known as The Weinberg, it is under the management of experienced hotelier, Janet Wilson-Moore, GM of both The Weinberg and the Hotel Collection for Gondwana. Situated near the city centre and a short drive from Hosea Kutako International Airport, The Weinberg is suited to both leisure travellers and professionals, and provides a venue for conferences, events and celebrations.
New luxury camp to open in Zambia
African Bush Camps will open a new luxury lodge in June in the eastern part of the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia. Lolebezi is African Bush Camps’ second safari property in the country, along with Thorntree River Lodge in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Accommodation includes standard suites and two family suites with riverfront views. Each suite has a private plunge pool and a thatched-roof sala overlooking the Zambezi River.
‘Covid restrictions cause more harm than good’
Independent research (click here to view) conducted in Finland and Italy, highlights the inefficiency of recent travel restrictions imposed by European countries in mitigating the risks to public health and society posed by COVID-19. The analysis, produced by Oxera and Edge Health, reveals that pre-departure testing requirements are likely to be ineffective at stopping or even limiting the spread of the Omicron variant.
Be a marine biologist for a day
Nature enthusiasts and adventurers can now explore Cape Town’s shores in the company of a shark scientist. Exclusive to guests of Cape Town’s Mount Nelson Hotel, this ocean expedition explores the Cape Kelp Forests, recently named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Guests can enter the octopus gardens of the Oscar-winning documentary, My Octopus Teacher, snorkel with sharks, and explore sea caves with scientist Justin Blake.
People on the Move: New GM brings growth to Zimbali
New GM at The Capital Zimbali, Nelson Rodrigues, has led the once beleaguered resort hotel to profitability, just two months after it reopened in November 2021, after The Capital Hotels and Apartments acquired it earlier that year. A R60million (€3.5m) refurbishment project, along with the addition of new restaurants and bars, positioned the hotel perfectly to welcome visitors for the festive season holidays. Forward bookings for the year ahead were already looking strong, said Rodrigues.
Etihad to resume JNB flights
National carrier of the UAE, Etihad, intends to resume flights between Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg from March 3, following the UAE Government’s approval of passenger flights to South Africa and 11 other African countries. The UAE lifted the restrictions on flights from the 12 countries and a ban on passengers from those countries, plus a ban on passengers who had been in these countries in the 14 days prior to travel – the ban was as a result of the emergence of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.
Key stakeholders partner to revive Kenya’s tourism sector
Key stakeholders in the tourism and travel industries in Kenya have agreed to partner in order to significantly resuscitate the sectors that have been adversely affected by the restrictions occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. The statement by the African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA), Kenya Tourism Board and the Kenya Tourist Federation followed ATTA’s hosting of a consultative forum of key stakeholders across Kenya’s travel and tourism industry in Nairobi last week.
Zim removes quarantine for all arrivals
After two months of uncertainty about mandatory quarantine for travellers arriving in Zimbabwe, including reports of quarantine not being implemented, the government has now lifted the requirement for all arrivals with immediate effect. The removal of mandatory quarantine will be welcome news to local tourism businesses as well as those in the hospitality industry who have spent weeks collectively lobbying for removal of quarantine for all arrivals.
Outlook 2022 feature: 46% expect to see improvement
Over 46% of Tourism Update readers – polled in the ‘Outlook 2022’ survey earlier this month – are upbeat about the outlook for 2022 and expect to see some improvement in terms of bookings and recovery. “We are hugely positive as we will be running at very high occupancy levels at our properties. 2021 saw average occupancy of 50% and we are expecting an average in excess of 70% for 2022 for the whole year,” said Toby Jermyn, Director of Pangolin International.
Africa’s first voco hotel opens
The 131-room voco The Bank luxury hotel – the InterContinental Hotel Group’s first voco in Africa – officially opens to guests tomorrow (February 1). Situated in the trendy suburb of Rosebank Johannesburg, the hotel – managed locally by Valor Hospitality – appealed to international and domestic leisure and corporate travellers, said GM, Jessica Redinger, speaking to Tourism Update ahead of the launch. “Our location is our biggest selling point.
November stats show green shoots of recovery
South Africa’s November tourism outlook was positive with monthly performance showing an upward trend of recovery. Numbers reached 30% of November 2019 levels, showing an outperformance of the 14% traveller numbers achieved for the year-to-date. The United States led the recovery with numbers at 39% of 2019 levels for November. Other countries that have achieved above-average recovery include Switzerland, Germany, The Netherlands, and India.
Southern Africa hit hardest by Omicron restrictions - study
In three weeks – starting from the announcement by SA scientists of the discovery of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 on November 24 last year – 221 national travel policies were issued against South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Namibia.
Germany adjusts risk levels for nine countries
Effective yesterday (Sunday, January 30), Germany has removed South Africa, along with Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Angola, Namibia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Zambia, from its list of high-risk countries. The obligation to quarantine only applies to travellers who have stayed in a country that is classified as a high-risk area or an area with virus ‘variants of concern’ in the 10 days preceding entry to Germany. Therefore, the countries listed above are exempt from quarantine.
Shipwreck washes ashore in Oudekraal
A large portion of the 45-year-old shipwreck of the Antipolis has washed ashore between the Oudekraal beach and Twelve Apostles Hotel in Camps Bay, Cape Town. The Antipolis may move slightly if a large swell occurs, but there is no immediate infrastructure that it could crash into, according to the City of Cape Town’s Coastal Management team. “We can confirm that the wreck itself and its location pose little risk to the coastal environment.
Poll results: Businesses impeded by ongoing NPTR delays
In light of ongoing delays by the NPTR in issuing operating licences Tourism Update asked readers last week if their tourism businesses in particular had been directly affected. From 67 respondents, the majority (69%) voted ‘yes’, while 31% said ‘no’. This week, we’re continuing to our informal salary survey, asking:
New rules in the pipeline for foreign workers
Having identified a number of gaps or shortcomings for employment of foreign nationals – including in the tourism and hospitality sector – the Department of Labour has developed a new National Labour Migration Policy and has proposed amendments to the existing Employment Services Act. The proposals will be released in February/March and stakeholders will have three months to comment.
Feelgood Friday: Zim conservation top of mind at ranger training
Wilderness Safaris recently teamed up with the Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) and Zimbabwe Professional Guides Association (ZPGA) to conduct a five-day Rangers’ Training Course at Davison’s Camp in Hwange National Park. Guide trainers and mentors worked from January 10-15 to tutor 12 rangers on the training course initiated by Chief Examiner for ZimParks, Isaac Nyamutora; Deputy Chief Examiner, Power Mupunga; and Chief Examiner for ZPGA, David Carson.
Comment of the Week: Unified welcome needed for KAZA region
Responding to news that the KAZA region of southern Africa is lobbying for standardised testing rules for inbound travellers, owner of Centre Stage Travel, Colin Fryer, commented: “The KAZA region encapsulates some of our top African attractions. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, has been, and continues to be, one of the most-requested and -visited destinations in southern Africa.
All City Lodge properties open by next month
The City Lodge Hotel Group (CLHG) has announced that, from February 7, all South African-based hotels and most others elsewhere in Africa will be open. This comes nearly two years after the start of the pandemic, when all 63 CLHG properties were forced to suspend their services. Hotels have gradually been reopening in a phased manner, based on COVID-19 lockdown travel regulations, international borders being opened or closed, and customer demand.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Kevin
Contact Kevin, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack