Destination Spotlight – Discover Harare: The Heartbeat of Zimbabwe

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  A City That Moves to Its Own Rhythm

Nestled in the northern part of Zimbabwe, Harare is more than just the country’s capital — it’s the cultural and economic heartbeat of the nation. For travellers seeking an authentic African experience, Harare opens the door to vibrant culture, heartfelt hospitality, and some of the continent’s most underexplored travel gems. From its bustling streets and historic landmarks to peaceful gardens and nearby natural wonders, Harare lives up to its title as the "heartbeat of the nation."
 

A City Alive with Culture and History

Harare’s cultural richness is woven into its daily life. The city’s art scene is led by the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, where contemporary African works and striking sculpture exhibitions draw visitors from around the world. Nearby, the Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences traces the country’s roots through displays on archaeology, ethnography, and pre-colonial history.

Music and dance are everywhere in Harare — from traditional mbira music played on street corners to jazz performances and sungura bands electrifying local venues. Culture here is not just seen and heard; it’s felt.

Must-See Attractions in Harare and Surrounding Areas

Harare 

Harare boasts an impressive selection of tourist attractions. Nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries offer close encounters with local wildlife just minutes from the city centre. A visit to the National Heroes Acre reveals the stories of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, alongside sweeping views over the capital.

The Harare Botanical Gardens feature over 900 species of native trees and shrubs, making it a must for plant lovers. For a peaceful escape, Cleveland Dam and Haka Game Park, located just outside the city, offer serene walking trails and wildlife viewing in a quiet, natural setting.

Activities to Enjoy

There’s more to Harare than sightseeing. City tours provide deeper insights into the capital’s colonial architecture and vibrant neighbourhoods. For food lovers, traditional Zimbabwean dishes such as sadza and braaied meats offer an authentic taste of the local culture, served in traditional restaurants and roadside eateries.

Golfers will find premier courses set in lush green landscapes, while night owls can enjoy Harare’s upscale lounges, jazz clubs, and rooftop bars — a growing scene that blends local rhythm with international style.

Exploring Beyond the City

Domboshava Caves

Harare also makes the perfect starting point for adventures beyond the city. Just under an hour away, Domboshava Caves invite visitors to explore ancient rock art and climb granite outcrops for scenic views and stunning sunsets.

Mazowe Dam and its resort area offer a tranquil getaway with options for boat cruises, zip-lining, and birdwatching. Lake Chivero is another family-friendly destination, especially for wildlife spotting and lakeside relaxation.

Why Visit Harare

Harare is an excellent destination for travellers in search of something fresh and genuine. The city blends urban sophistication with a deep cultural spirit and easy access to nature. English is widely spoken, and visitors often comment on the friendliness and warmth of the local people.

With reliable mobile and internet coverage, a growing selection of quality hotels, vibrant markets, international cuisine, shopping malls, and world-class healthcare, Harare is well-equipped to welcome both leisure and business travellers.

Whether your interests lie in culture, adventure, food, or relaxation, Harare invites you to experience Zimbabwe from the heart. This is a city that doesn’t just host visitors — it embraces them.

For travel information about Zimbabwe and Harare tourism, visit:
https://zimbabwetourism.net/

For more information, visit www.flysaa.com or contact us on:
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For more travel inspiration read the daily online "The Holiday and Travel Magazine"
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The World’s Hottest Spa Destinations for 2025

Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa

Wellness travel is on the rise, and according to the third annual Spa Trends Report by SpaSeekers.com, Vietnam has emerged as the top destination for spa seekers in 2025. With a staggering 175 percent increase in searches, the Southeast Asian gem is leading a global movement toward relaxation and rejuvenation.

Vietnam’s appeal lies in its stunning natural landscapes, from serene beaches to lush tropical jungles, providing an immersive setting for wellness retreats. Visitors can indulge in traditional Vietnamese massages, herbal therapies, and meditation sessions, or unwind in natural thermal springs for a truly restorative experience.

Morocco follows closely behind, securing second place with an 84 percent increase in searches. The country’s spa culture is deeply rooted in history, with its iconic hammams offering centuries-old rituals of cleansing and relaxation. More recently, thalassotherapy—a treatment using seawater and marine-based products—has gained popularity, adding another layer to Morocco’s diverse wellness offerings.

Tied in third place, Albania and Romania are emerging as top choices for spa travelers, each experiencing an 83 percent increase in interest. Albania’s mix of coastal and mountainous landscapes makes it an ideal setting for relaxation, while Romania boasts one of Europe’s richest reserves of mineral and thermal springs. The country is also home to Therme Bucharest, a renowned spa complex that has gained fame on social media for its impressive facilities.

Africa is also making waves in the spa travel scene, with Gambia and Zimbabwe tying for fifth place at a 56 percent rise in searches. South Africa follows at seventh place, offering a unique blend of safari wellness experiences and high-end spa retreats set against breathtaking natural backdrops.

The trend extends across the globe, with destinations such as Barbados, Cambodia, Seychelles, and South Korea all seeing significant growth in spa-related searches. These countries offer a mix of luxury resorts, traditional healing treatments, and nature-based wellness escapes, catering to a wide range of spa-goers.

Whether it’s soaking in mineral-rich hot springs, experiencing time-honored wellness rituals, or indulging in state-of-the-art luxury spas, 2025 is shaping up to be a year where travelers prioritize self-care in some of the world’s most beautiful locations.

The Top 20 Trending Spa Destinations for 2025:

1. 

   Four Seasons Nam Hai

   Vietnam (+175%)
2. Morocco (+84%)
3. Albania (+83%)
4. Romania (+83%)
5. Gambia (+56%)
6. Zimbabwe (+56%)
7. South Africa (+52%)
8. Barbados (+50%)
9. Cambodia (+50%)
10. Panama (+50%)
11. Qatar (+50%)
12. South Korea (+50%)
13. Seychelles (+50%)
14. Tunisia (+50%)
15. Singapore (+49%)
16. China (+49%)
17. Greece (+46%)
18. Spain (+46%)
19. Jamaica (+30%)
20. Mexico (+26%)

With wellness tourism booming, these destinations are redefining the spa experience, offering travelers a perfect balance of relaxation, culture, and adventure.

Karangoma, which is Wild Expeditions newest camp, will open in May 2024

The 6 tented rooms are located in the Okavango Delta, and will provide opportunities for land and water-based safaris amid large herds of wildlife, with excellent sightings of predators. 

The new camp is a partnership with local elder Olatotse Sarefo and will be rooted in Bukakhwe San and Hambukushu culture. 

The name itself is a Sembukushu word describing ‘drum beating, ancestral healing, bringing good future to the tribe, or, when one is ill, cure dancing’. 

Wild Expeditions offers safari camps and mobile expeditions in remote corners of Africa from Madagascar and Ethiopia to Zimbabwe and now Botswana. 

* www.classic-portfolio.com/home/members/wild-expeditions/wild-expeditions-karangoma and www.wildexpeditions.info 

* Suzanne Bayly at info@classic-portfolio.com

Zimbabwe Tourism Minister appoints APO Group’s Beatrice Tonhodzayi to the Board of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading Pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is delighted to announce that its Account Manager Beatrice Tonhodzayi has been appointed to the Board of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) (https://ZimbabweTourism.net/).

Beatrice was appointed to the ZTA Board by Zimbabwe’s Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, the Honourable Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu, due to her vast experience and knowledge of the African media landscape.

Whilst continuing to work full-time at APO Group, Beatrice will, as part of her role, offer strategic direction and guidance to ZTA’s executive team. Her media relations expertise will allow ZTA to build upon Zimbabwe’s reputation as a tourist destination, attracting positive international coverage and driving economic growth.

Other members of the ZTA Board include Precious Munzara, a Lecturer at Zimbabwe's Midlands State University, and Ray Mawerera, a Marketing and PR expert who is the former President of the Zimbabwe Institute of Public Relations.

ZTA is responsible for tourism promotion, planning and development, research, and enforcement of standards and services. Its overarching goal is to promote the sustainable growth and development of tourism in Zimbabwe through market research, product development, investment promotion and destination marketing.

Beatrice brings extensive experience to the Board, and her appointment demonstrates the value of media relations in the promotion of tourism.

Beatrice holds a Masters' in Business Administration from Zimbabwe's Midlands State University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Media Studies from the Zimbabwe Open University as well as Diplomas in Public Relations and Marketing.

She has worked in media and communications for many years across a number of disciplines including Print and Broadcast Journalism, Public Relations, Corporate Communications, Corporate Social Responsibility, Stakeholder Relationship Management as well as HIV and Gender advocacy.

For five years prior to joining APO Group, Beatrice was the Head of PR and Corporate Communications for the Zimpapers Group, Zimbabwe’s largest media company.

She has also worked extensively in newspapers and radio, starting off as a reporter with The Herald and also becoming Head of News and Current Affairs at Star FM between 2012 and 2016. She has produced and presented radio shows on several issues including Health and Gender.

Beatrice has also worked in the NGO sector, providing HIV programming and training to media across southern Africa while with the Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS).

For the last year, Beatrice has worked on some of APO Group’s biggest Public Relations accounts, including Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Rugby Africa, and Paradigm Initiative, providing dedicated support as these prominent, diverse organizations looked to establish and develop their Pan-African operations.

APO Group’s model for African Public Relations is unique in the industry. Like Beatrice, all APO Group Account Managers operate ‘on the ground’ in their native countries, providing local knowledge and expertise, and building deep relationships with local media. In the case of Zimbabwe, this has resulted in Beatrice being asked to offer advice at the highest level of government, which demonstrates the level of talent working for APO Group across Africa.

APO Group has always been committed to the African hospitality and tourism industry, which it sees as crucial in helping to drive investment across the continent. Its clients in the sector include Radisson, Marriott, and SA Tourism in South Africa, while APO Group Founder and Chairman Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard (www.Pompigne-Mognard.com) is on the Advisory Board of the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF).

“In the last year working with APO Group I have relished the opportunity to build greater relationships with African media - both in Zimbabwe and beyond,” said Beatrice Tonhodzayi. “I’m really excited to be able to bring some of that experience to support tourism in my home country. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority is doing fantastic work in branding Zimbabwe as a leading tourist destination in Africa, and it is wonderful to be a part of that mission.”

“We were looking for a dynamic Board, with a diverse set of skills that could help us package this beautiful tourism destination called Zimbabwe in a way that would encourage people - both locals and foreigners - to visit and explore our country. Beatrice’s fantastic Pan-African media experience will help us utilize multiple media platforms, including digital media, and will hopefully allow the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority to achieve all its Public Relations goals,” said Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry.

“At APO Group, we are all extremely proud that Beatrice has been recognised by her country’s government as a leading expert in her field,” said Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder and Chairman of APO Group. “She is extremely passionate about Zimbabwe, and that has shone through in the work she has done for APO Group. Her appointment to the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority demonstrates the value of her experience and expertise, and I am sure she will be a tremendous success in this role.”

Great Plains Foundation : rewilding the Zambezi Valley

The Great Plains Foundation, the conservation and community charity founded by Great Plains’ founders, Dereck and Beverly Joubert, has announced a new rewilding initiative in Zimbabwe’s Zambezi Valley. 

In one of the largest wildlife relocations, Project Rewild Zambezi will see 3,000 animals moved from Zimbabwe’s Savé Valley Conservancy to Great Plains’ 280,000-acre private Sapi Reserve. 

The reserve is located at the heart of the UNESCO world heritage site, including Mana Pools and Great Plain’s newest camp Tembo Plains.

A combination of overpopulation at source due to years of drought and underpopulation at Target (Sapi Reserve) has led Great Plains to advance plans to restore, rewild and protect this essential ecosystem. 

The initial consignment of animals includes 400 elephants and iconic species like lions, buffalo, impala, zebras, painted dogs and eland. 

Once released in the Sapi Reserve (with wildebeest and giraffe into other regions of Zimbabwe,) the animals will be free to roam into the broader 1.6 million acres of the UNESCO site. 

Great Plains is working on expanding its ranger operations in Sapi at the same time to protect this influx of wildlife, prevent human-wildlife conflict, and support broader wildlife monitoring and anti-poaching in the Zambezi Valley. 

Tembo Plains Camp Tembo Plains Camp is located in a thick riverine forest on the edge of the Zambezi River, within the private 128,000-hectare Sapi Private Reserve, east of Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park. Painted dogs (wild dogs), lions and leopards are common around Tembo Plains, while buffalo are regularly seen up and down, and sometimes swimming the Zambezi River itself, as are elephants. 

www.greatplainsconservation.com and www.greatplainsfoundation.com 

Charlotte Rous at charlotte@charlotterous.co.uk

Singita Pamushana is ready to welcome guests once more

After a year during which travellers yearned for restorative experiences in nature, the continent’s most remote wilderness settings offer an undeniable spirit of joy, hope and rejuvenation. The recently reopened Singita Pamushana Lodge* and exclusive-use villa Malilangwe House, located in the 130,000-acre Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in Zimbabwe’s remote southeast, are perfectly positioned to provide guests with exclusivity, comfort and connection – and they encapsulate the essence of an African safari.

As is the case at all Singita’s other lodges and camps, the health and wellbeing of guests are top of mind, and complete privacy and essential COVID-19 safety protocols ensure peace of mind and a carefree return to nature.

After abundant recent rains, the reserve’s vast landscapes are bursting with new life and greenery and the unparalleled game-viewing in this lush wilderness is now even more exceptional than ever before.

For guests who’ve had to postpone special celebrations during COVID-19 lockdowns, or those who long to reconnect with nature, loved ones and themselves, Singita Pamushana provides the ultimate backdrop for shared experiences – and a much-needed sense of grounding and togetherness. From Singita’s locally inspired farm-to-table food journey to rejuvenating wellness activities and enlightening bush walks – a stay at Pamushana seamlessly combines the kind of stillness and healing travellers have come to value most.

* Singita Pamushana Lodge was recently featured in the Condé Nast Traveller 2020 Readers' Choice Awards at No. 5 for Africa Resorts.

Singita Malilangwe House – an exclusive-use villa with an inimitable cliffside setting

As one of Africa’s most remote hideaways, Singita Malilangwe House offers breathtaking views and every conceivable comfort, and this stately African home is now also open.

Epitomising seclusion and serenity on the edge of the wilderness, this elegant home features five-bedrooms – each with its own private deck – as well as an interactive kitchen and large rim-flow pool overlooking the Malilangwe Dam below. Guests have the relaxed freedom to tailor-make their stay any way they want and Malilangwe House comes with a full staff complement, including a dedicated private Chef, Field Guide and Host catering for every need.

Featuring relaxed, light and airy shared spaces, the villa’s free-flowing living areas provide a sense of seamless ease and a convivial setting for a contemporary safari that is both casual and sophisticated.

Discover, experience and explore

The area’s rich cultural history invites explorations of its vast and captivating archaeological heritage – including visits to the Malilangwe Reserve’s 107 rare and unique rock art sites. Among these precious records of the past are fascinating San Bushman rock art paintings and three newly discovered archaeological sites, dating back hundreds of years, documenting one of the oldest cultures in Africa.

While Singita has always offered guests the opportunity to draw from the physical and emotional nourishment that comes with wide open spaces, privacy, wholesome food and the unhurried pace the bush, the need for complete restoration is greater than ever.

Guests have exclusive access to explore the reserve’s thriving wildlife – including endangered white and black rhino, large prides of lions, wild dogs, elephants and an astounding variety of birds. Days are spent on game drives, fishing on the picturesque Malilangwe Dam and visiting rock art sites, while boma dinners, world-class wine-tasting and stargazing make for magical evenings. Singita Pamushana is an ideal long-stay destination courtesy of the abundance of activities. Experience the wonder of Singita safari in Zimbabwe by booking a long stay offer. Either Book seven nights and receive one complimentary night or book 10 nights and only pay for eight. Singita can arrange private charters. Federal Airlines flies from OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, to/from Buffalo Range International Airport on Mondays and Thursdays. This is followed by a short flight to Lonestar airstrip. Alternatively, a private charter can land at Lonestar, just 12 minutes from the lodge.

Singita is a conservation and ecotourism brand that has been helping to preserve Africa’s wildlife and wilderness for the past 27 years, offering guests exceptional safari experiences at 15 luxury, award-winning lodges and camps across four countries. In partnership with non-profit Funds & Trusts who implement strategic conservation projects in each region, Singita’s 100-year purpose is to preserve and protect large parts of African wilderness for future generations. www.singita.com

For reservations: +27 21 683 3424, enquiries@singita.com

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

AFAR Media Launches Travel Tales Podcast and Celebrates The Power of Travel By Pushing Boundaries of Storytelling

AFAR Media, the critically acclaimed travel media company, announced on Thursday that Travel Tales by AFAR is available via podcast, adding the medium to its programming across print, digital, video, and social media. Now in its third year, Travel Tales is a collection of sometimes funny, always heartwarming stories by travelers. Together with our presenting sponsor, The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase, AFAR will bring this award-winning, first-person series to life through a podcast.

In a time when most Americans are unable to travel, the Travel Tales series provides audiences with deep, rich travel stories told by esteemed writers and photographers, who personally narrate their experiences. Since its launch in 2018, Travel Tales has connected travelers via intimate, live storytelling events as well as hand-illustrated video animations featuring voiceovers by recognized writers and photographers. In 2019, both the MPA Kelly Award and Imagination Award recognized Travel Tales as a finalist.

This year, listeners will get an inside look at the ways in which travel can change our lives. You will hear from Ryan Knighton, a blind writer, who narrates his experience navigating a safari in Zimbabwe. The story won gold in the 2017-2018 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism competition. Francis Lam, an award-winning food writer and the host of the beloved NPR podcast “Splendid Table,” shares his journey with a Malaysian chef struggling to embrace her roots. Sally Kohn, CNN's frequent guest commentator, took a spontaneous trip to Amsterdam, a city renowned for its coffee shops and progressive ideals, only to find that tolerance there isn't as straightforward as she thought.

“Travel changes lives and opens minds,” says Julia Cosgrove, VP and Editor in Chief at AFAR. “The Travel Tales by AFAR podcast highlights the very best of AFAR's stories over the years: ten storytellers share their tales of transformative travel. At a time when many of us aren't traveling, it's an inspiring reminder of what's to come as the world opens up through our contributors' most surprising and moving experiences.”

Travel Tales is exclusively empowered by The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase, which shares AFAR's belief in the power of travel.

“Travel literally is a moving experience – from the connections you make with people and cultures, to the memorable stories you'll share time and time again,” said Greg Stranz, Marketing Director of the Chase Marriott Bonvoy cards. “Chase and Marriott Bonvoy believe in the power of travel, and the AFAR series provides a welcomed escape for listeners while inspiring them as they contemplate future travel plans.”

Explore Travel Tales stories at afar.com/traveltales and subscribe to the Travel Tales by AFAR podcast on your favourite platform now with new episodes releasing every Thursday. Travel Tales will be accompanied by a new travel itinerary each month on afar.com/traveltales, providing readers with additional inspiration for future travel experiences like those in the stories.

How Many Elephants

How Many Elephants is a design-led charity ‘educating a global audience about the devastating impacts of the African elephant ivory trade and raising vital funds for front-line rangers’.

It has been founded by Holly Budge, is an adventurer, Everest Summiteer and the first woman to skydive Everest. At the current rate of poaching the elephant will be extinct in the wild within a decade.

Losing these important ecosystem engineers will be of extreme detriment to the environment and beyond. If the elephants go extinct, entire ecosystems could follow.

The charity supports : Akashinga, Zimbabwe Akashinga meaning The Brave Ones in the local language, are fully armed female rangers who tackle poaching through raids and sting operations. 

The Black Mambas, South Africa 

The Black Mambas are South Africa’s all-female anti-poaching team. Armed with pepper spray and handcuffs, they patrol hunting grounds of armed poachers. 

National Park Rescue, Zimbabwe 

The NPR is a direct-action conservation organisation in Africa’s most-threatened national parks and protected areas.

It engages local communities in conservation and investing in frontline law enforcement, stopping poachers before they have made the kill. 

The Elephant in The Room: talk series on demand

The Elephant in The Room talk series provides the media with accurate reporting from the front line of conservation and eco-tourism in Africa. They are available via live streaming and then download. There is a £10 subscription fee for each talk with 100% of the proceeds going to the rangers.

Eleporium 

Holly has fundraised over £400K for her charity through the sale of a range of elephant focussed artwork, gift cards, stationery and bags. There is the Nacy Tschtner collection of sand art prints and the ‘96 Elephants A Day’ necklace, displaying the 96 elephants that is the daily poaching rate in Africa.  www.eleporium.myshopify.com

Website: www.howmanyelephants.org

Singita Malilangwe House Celebrates a Striking New Look

Set in the private, remote Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in southeast Zimbabwe, the newly redesigned Singita Malilangwe House is perched on a rocky outcrop with spectacular views of the dam below. Located alongside Singita Pamushana Lodge, this sole-use five-bedroom villa, which reopened in July 2019, makes optimum use of its magnificent location and takes its design and architectural cues from nature and local Shangaan culture.

Spacious interiors are connected, flowing seamlessly to a raised outside dining platform and stylish interactive kitchen – and onto oversized decks offering the ultimate in outdoor living. Surrounded by magnificent boulders and ancient fig trees, the villa allows guests to immerse themselves in the tones and textures of the reserve’s dramatic landscape.

Transforming the former master bedroom into a double-volume space, the redesign also includes the addition of a large automated panel of frameless glass which drops away for an indoor/outdoor shower experience with unsurpassed views.

An expansive rim-flow pool on the main deck is positioned on the extreme edge of the villa’s cliffside setting – maximising views and creating a visual connection with Malilangwe Dam.

Each of the five luxurious suites also features its own private deck. This tranquil home was designed to provide families or small groups the relaxed freedom to create days on safari any way they wish, with a dedicated chef, butler, private game vehicle with experienced Field Guide catering to their every need.

All elements chosen by leading design team of Cécile & Boyd and GAPP Architects, are sympathetic to the original essence of the villa, which drew inspiration from the rich tribal heritage of Ancient Zimbabwe.

An emphasis was placed on creating fluid transitions between in- and outdoor areas, which enhances the entire guest experience. The décor conveys refined luxury with rich textures, geometric patterns, tile inlays, hammered brass and woven leather in tones of deep olive, tan, black and white create a striking backdrop for contemporary African artefacts, in keeping with the nearby Singita Pamushana Lodge.

The private 130,000-acre Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve is conserved by Singita’s non-profit partner, The Malilangwe Trust. Bordering Gonarezhou National Park, it boasts an exciting diversity of wildlife.

Home to one of the highest concentrations of endangered black rhino in Zimbabwe, as well as healthy populations of elephant, cheetah, wild dog, lion and leopard and abundant birdlife, the reserve is a game-viewing paradise.

More than a traditional safari, guests can immerse themselves in wellness experiences and fill days with fishing, sundowner cruises on Malilangwe Dam, in-room yoga and massages, stargazing, wine tasting, community visits, bush walks and visits to ancient rock art sites. The virtually untouched Zimbabwean wilderness makes for an idyllic long-stay safari for families.

This exclusive-use retreat forms part of Singita’s Private Villa Collection, a series of seven extraordinary lodges designed for privacy and flexibility for families and groups to connect in iconic wildlife locations. Itineraries, activities and meals are tailored as guests set the rhythm of their safari vacation according to their interests.

Rates for Malilangwe House start from US$11,670 per villa per night, accommodating up to ten guests. The lodge can be accessed from Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo International Airport), followed by a Federal Airlines scheduled flight from O.R. Tambo Airport to Buffalo Range International Airport - available on Mondays and Thursdays only. Connections are available through Victoria Falls between May and September on Thursdays. Guests can also book private air charters to the lodge.

Singita is a conservation brand that has been preserving African wilderness for the past 26 years, offering guests an exceptional safari experience with 15 luxury, award-winning lodges and camps across six regions. In partnership with non-profit Funds & Trusts who implement strategic conservation projects in each region, Singita’s 100-year purpose is to protect and preserve large areas of African wilderness for future generations.

Reservations can be made as follows:
Singita, Tel: +27 21 683 3424
Email: enquiries@singita.com
 www.singita.com

Tucan Travel Announce Game-Show Style Adventure Tours

Tucan Travel are delighted to announce a range of game-show style tours, where customers have to compete to remain on the trip. The ultimate winning couple will win esteemed roles within Tucan Travel as Directors of the Unbelievable Adventures Department. They will also be refunded the full total price of their tour.

The three brand new itineraries see customers take part in unique and fun challenges, winning points to keep their spot on tour. Travellers work in two's and are able to vote each other off as the days go by, with the winning couple announced on the final day.

These fantastic tours will go live on Monday 1st April 2019.

Tucan Travel have been operating since 1987. They are known for their authentic adventure tours in Latin America, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Noticing the general public's obsession with game shows,Tucan Travel felt it was the right time to launch a tour range that really allowed people to get their game face on.

CEO Matt Gannan was quoted, “We are always looking for fun-tastic ways to improve our tours and itineraries. We are aware that the current market have a keen competitive streak and love a good game-show, which is why we wanted to take it to the next level. We are certain these exciting itineraries will attract travellers from all over the world, eager to take on our challenges. Let the games begin!”

The three new tours are below:
Ha-Long Bay Hustle / Hanoi to Siem Reap / 11 Days / Price on request

This brand new tour shows you the best of Vietnam and Cambodia as you take part in some amazing challenges. Catch fish in Halong Bay and put your taste buds to the test as you fight your way to becoming crowned the Tucan Travel Directors of the Unbelievable Adventures Department! Jokes on you if you don't take part, this is one holiday to remember!

Ultimate Challenge List: Catch a fish with your bare hands in Halong Bay and cook up a feast, food tasting challenge in Cambodia (complete with tarantulas!), Fashion show contest in Hoi An, create Vietnamese spring rolls blind folded in Ho Chi Minh City and impersonate Lara Croft in Siem Reap.

Walk on the Wild Side / Nairobi to Victoria Falls / 11 Days / Price on request

Prepare yourself for a once in a lifetime holiday as you battle African wildlife, taste test various Zanzibar spices and get your cameras out to capture way more than the Big 5. We promise this will leave you with memories to last a lifetime, if you make it out alive.

Ultimate Challenges: Safari survival challenge, photograph 10 different animals in one image, drink from the watering hole, Spice plantation taste test, silent bungee jump contest.

Escar-GO / London to Venice / 12 Days / Price on request
Get ready for this fun-tastic European adventure! Travel around the top cities of Europe as you take on challenges in an attempt to be crowned the Head of Unbelievable Adventures at Tucan Travel. Eat snails in Paris, sail through Venice and parody the night away in Berlin.

Ultimate Challenges: Get a selfie with Theresa May, snail eating contest in Paris, talk yourself into being a DJ in Berlin, take part in an opera in Vienna, Amsterdam bridge biking challenge and pose as a gondolier in Venice.

Email: emmanelson@tucantravel.com

Resolve to Travel More Sustainably in 2017

Hands Up Holidays releases inspiring luxury travel ideas for families who resolve to travel more sustainably and meaningfully, some new for 2017

Award winning ethical luxury family travel specialist Hands Up Holidays (www.handsupholidays.com) has trips for families to travel and give back and help those less fortunate. And with Hands Up Holidays, all trips are 100% tailor-made to enable travelers to create their ideal ethical luxury family trip that changes lives…not just their own.

These give-back trips are so popular with families because:

• Children appreciate how fortunate they are (some have even foregone their Christmas presents so that children they interact with can have gifts);
• Families bond closer together;
• Families get to interact with and gain insights into another culture
• Volunteering can increase the chances of university entry

New destinations for 2017 where families can resolve to travel more sustainably are:

Italy 

– serve meals to refugees and other homeless people in Rome, gain insights to what it is like to sleep rough, and combine this with your chosen highlights, such as Florence, Sicily, Sardinia, Venice, Amalfi Coast, Puglia or Lake Como.

Zimbabwe 

– help build a home for a needy family, interact with them and hear their stories, then finish off with exploring Victoria Falls and Big 5 safari in pristine game parks.

St Lucia 

– assist at a remedial reading program and help with homework in the library afterschool, and provide mentoring and support to disadvantaged youth…blend this with hiking, sailing, zip lining, aerial tram rides and beach relaxation.

Barbados – make a difference with the Variety Children's Charity selling Christmas tree decorations, wrapping gifts, host a Christmas party for children, and feed the homeless…combine this with a submarine trip, catamaran and snorkeling excursion, wildlife parks, rum distilleries and beach relaxation.

USA (Texas) 

– help at a center for riding for the disabled: interact with horses, clean the stalls and get your hands dirty with horticulture and facility projects, and learn about the incredible human-horse bond and the therapeutic benefits to the disabled…combine this with enjoying the highlights of Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, finishing up in the wilds of Big Bend National Park and quirky Marfa.

USA (Florida) 

– make a difference at the bird hospital in Key West and assist with maintaining the outdoor bird habitats, with bird rescues and yard maintenance…combine it with exploring Key West, catamaran trips, Dry Tortugas National Park, Everglades National Park and Miami

Perennial Family Favourites

Other (established) destinations where families can make a difference are:
Costa Rica: assist at a rescue center for injured, orphaned or illegally traded animals: prepare meals for monkeys, cleaning parrot enclosures, introduce new sloths to their new living quarters, and assist the resident vet on his rounds. Combine this with white water rafting, hiking around a volcano, hot springs, spot wildlife in one of the many national parks, or take in some beach time.

Suggested itinerary: www.handsupholidays.com/suggested_itinerary/costa-rica/ - 10 days from $6,650 (£5,350) per person excluding flights
Zambia: build a house for a widow and her children, which can be combined with the splendour of Victoria Falls, white-water rafting, kayaking and 'Big 5' safari in South Luangwa National Park, or neighbouring Botswana.

Suggested itinerary: www.handsupholidays.com/suggested_itinerary/zambia/
10 days from $9,890 (£7,995) per person excluding flights
New Zealand: help maintain the habitats of endangered penguins in the South Island, which can be combined with cultural encounters, geysers, sailing, hiking, wine-tasting, bungy jumping, zorbing, glaciers and beaches.

Suggested itinerary: www.handsupholidays.com/suggested_itinerary/new-zealand/
15 days from $15,595 (£12,755) per person excluding flights
Cambodia: build a house for a family in need, who could never afford to have a decent place to live to call their own, which can be combined with bike rides through the temples of Angkor, spotting Irrawaddy dolphins, and island relaxation.

Suggested itinerary: www.handsupholidays.com/suggested_itinerary/cambodia/
10 days from $9,525 (£7,660) per person excluding flights
Brazil: renovate a community center that has run out of money to complete its building in a Rio favela, which families can blend with exploring the Amazon, delving into cultural Salvador, or relax on one of the plethora of stunning beaches.

Suggested itinerary: www.handsupholidays.com/suggested_itinerary/brazil/

10 days from $5,490 (£4,500) per person excluding flights
Hawaii - build a playhouse in the playground of a pre-school center in a low income part of Honolulu, and combine this with your choice of Pearl Harbor, surf lessons, scenic heli-flights, golf, spa, and beach relaxation.

Suggested itinerary: www.handsupholidays.com/suggested_itinerary/hawaii/
10 days from $7,795 (£6,300) per person excluding flights
Mexico - Help at a center in Cancun: a day-care at the women's shelter. Play, color, and practice English with the children; prepare and serve lunch at the Elderly Home; assist in the Bread and Shelter home by sorting donations and organizing their bazar…finish up by exploring Chitzen Itza, Tulum, Islas Mujeres or try your hand at Mexican cooking or beach relaxation.

Suggested itinerary: www.handsupholidays.com/suggested_itinerary/mexico/
7 days from $5,890 (£4,750) per person excluding flights

Family Friendly

All of these trips are suitable for families, and can be tailor-made to suit their preferences, such as length of trip, activity, and accommodation.

Founder of Hands Up Holidays, Christopher Hill, says “by incorporating an element of 'giving back' to a luxury family trip is a powerful way to bring families together, and also for children to appreciate how fortunate they are, and as get immersed in another culture in a safe context. When this is combined with fantastic activities and relaxation, this makes for a memorable and meaningful way to travel better in 2017.”

About Hands Up Holidays

With offices in London, Auckland and San Diego, Hands Up Holidays is an award winning responsible luxury tour operator dedicated to offering luxury tours that blend sightseeing with meaningful, hands-on ways to make a difference.

Hands up Holidays offers trips in 40 countries throughout the world, with a special focus on luxury family travel.

www.handsupholidays.com

Christmas Is a Time for Giving (Back)

Hands Up Holidays announces inspiring new luxury travel ideas for families to make the Christmas Season even more meaningful and fulfilling.

Award winning ethical luxury family travel specialist Hands Up Holidays (www.handsupholidays.com) has trips for families to travel and celebrate the essence of Christmas: giving back and helping those less fortunate. And with Hands Up Holidays you can make a difference in style, and in sunny locales, tailor-made for you, to create your ideal festive family trip that changes lives…not just your own.

These give-back trips are so popular with families because:

• Children appreciate how fortunate they are (some have even foregone their Christmas presents so that children they interact with can have gifts);
• Families bond closer together;
• Families get to interact with and gain insights into another culture
• Volunteering can increase the chances of university entry

New destinations for families are:

Italy

– serve meals to refugees and other homeless people in Rome, gain insights to what it is like to sleep rough, and combine this with your chosen highlights, such as Florence, Sicily, Sardinia, Venice, Amalfi Coast, Puglia or Lake Como.

Zimbabwe 

– help build a home for a needy family, interact with them and hear their stories, then finish off with exploring Victoria Falls and Big 5 safari in pristine game parks.

St Lucia 

– assist at a remedial reading program and help with homework in the library afterschool, and provide mentoring and support to disadvantaged youth…blend this with hiking, sailing, zip lining, aerial tram rides and beach relaxation.

Barbados 

– make a difference with the Variety Children's Charity selling Christmas tree decorations, wrapping gifts, host a Christmas party for children, and feed the homeless…combine this with a submarine trip, catamaran and snorkeling excursion, wildlife parks, rum distilleries and beach relaxation.

USA (Texas) 

– help at a center for riding for the disabled: interact with horses, clean the stalls and get your hands dirty with horticulture and facility projects, and learn about the incredible human-horse bond and the therapeutic benefits to the disabled…combine this with enjoying the highlights of Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, finishing up in the wilds of Big Bend National Park and quirky Marfa.

USA (Florida) 

– make a difference at the bird hospital in Key West and assist with maintaining the outdoor bird habitats, with bird rescues and yard maintenance…combine it with exploring Key West, catamaran trips, Dry Tortugas National Park, Everglades National Park and Miami

Perennial Family Favourites

Other (established) destinations where families can make a difference over Christmas include:

Costa Rica: 

assist at a rescue center for injured, orphaned or illegally traded animals: prepare meals for monkeys, cleaning parrot enclosures, introduce new sloths to their new living quarters, and assist the resident vet on his rounds. Combine this with white water rafting, hiking around a volcano, hot springs, spot wildlife in one of the many national parks, or take in some beach time.
Suggested itinerary: www.handsupholidays.com/suggested_itinerary/costa-rica/ - 10 days from $6,650 (£5,350) per person excluding flights

Zambia: 

build a house for a widow and her children, which can be combined with the splendour of Victoria Falls, white-water rafting, kayaking and 'Big 5' safari in South Luangwa National Park, or neighbouring Botswana.
Suggested itinerary: www.handsupholidays.com/suggested_itinerary/zambia/
10 days from $9,890 (£7,995) per person excluding flights

New Zealand: 

help maintain the habitats of endangered penguins in the South Island, which can be combined with cultural encounters, geysers, sailing, hiking, wine-tasting, bungy jumping, zorbing, glaciers and beaches.
Suggested itinerary: www.handsupholidays.com/suggested_itinerary/new-zealand/
15 days from $15,595 (£12,755) per person excluding flights

Cambodia: 

build a house for a family in need, who could never afford to have a decent place to live to call their own, which can be combined with bike rides through the temples of Angkor, spotting Irrawaddy dolphins, and island relaxation.
Suggested itinerary: www.handsupholidays.com/suggested_itinerary/cambodia/
10 days from $9,525 (£7,660) per person excluding flights

Brazil: 

renovate a community center that has run out of money to complete its building in a Rio favela, which families can blend with exploring the Amazon, delving into cultural Salvador, or relax on one of the plethora of stunning beaches.
Suggested itinerary: www.handsupholidays.com/suggested_itinerary/brazil/
10 days from $5,490 (£4,500) per person excluding flights

Hawaii:

build a playhouse in the playground of a pre-school center in a low income part of Honolulu, and combine this with your choice of Pearl Harbor, surf lessons, scenic heli-flights, golf, spa, and beach relaxation.
Suggested itinerary: www.handsupholidays.com/suggested_itinerary/hawaii/
10 days from $7,795 (£6,300) per person excluding flights

Mexico:

Help at a center in Cancun: a day-care at the women's shelter. Play, color, and practice English with the children; prepare and serve lunch at the Elderly Home; assist in the Bread and Shelter home by sorting donations and organizing their bazar…finish up by exploring Chitzen Itza, Tulum, Islas Mujeres or try your hand at Mexican cooking or beach relaxation.
Suggested itinerary: www.handsupholidays.com/suggested_itinerary/mexico/
7 days from $5,890 (£4,750) per person excluding flights

Family Friendly and Tailor-made Luxury

All of these trips are suitable for families, and can be tailor-made to suit their preferences, such as length of trip, activity, and accommodation.

Founder of Hands Up Holidays, Christopher Hill, says “by incorporating an element of 'giving back' to a luxury family trip is a powerful way to bring families together, and also for children to appreciate how fortunate they are, and as get immersed in another culture in a safe context. When this is combined with fantastic activities and relaxation, this makes for a memorable and meaningful luxury family trip.”

About Hands Up Holidays

With offices in London, Auckland and San Diego, Hands Up Holidays is an award winning responsible luxury tour operator dedicated to offering luxury tours that blend sightseeing with meaningful, hands-on ways to make a difference.

Hands up Holidays offers trips in 40 countries throughout the world, with a special focus on luxury family travel.

Rise of tourists’ arrival at Victoria Falls by 15%

Victoria Falls

Tourist arrivals in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe’s prime resort, is seen surging 15% up above last year due to a stable political environment in the country, as told by an official. Clement Mukwasi, president of the Employers’ Association of Tourism and Safari Operators, said that the tourism industry was on a recovering path.

“Things look good at the moment as we have seen a surge in tourist arrivals between June and July attributed to the South African school holidays. Last month only, we recorded a 23% growth in tourist arrivals above last year in the same period, which is a very good development,” said Mukwasi who is an executive of the Shear water Adventures group.

“Between now and December, we would be very busy because of Australian, European and Asian markets and we are projecting an annual average of 15% above last year. Numbers are also expected to swell after the completion of Victoria Falls Airport,” he added.

Mukwasi said due to political stability in Southern African countries, tourist arrivals from traditional markets such as Australia, Asia, Europe and the US had started turning to Zimbabwe. However, Mukwasi said the industry needed to further stretch its capacities.

He said some players in the tourism industry would not recover following the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa in March last year. “We have companies that were heavily affected by the Ebola virus out-break in West Africa and are currently overburdened by debts as there were lots of trip cancellations. As such, some of them might not be able to recover as they are insolvent,” he said.

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority last year said Zimbabwe lost business worth $6 million since the outbreak of the highly contagious virus in March which has resulted in limited international travel. The virus triggered a spate of trip cancellations, while several foreign buyers withdrew from Zimbabwe’s premier tourism expo last year.

Zimbabwe’s tourist arrivals increased by 2,6% to 1 880 028 in 2014 from 1 832 583 recorded the previous year, but the figure was still below the overall regional growth rate. The country recorded a marginal 3% decline in total annual earnings to $827 million from $856 million in 2013.

Zimbabwe the world best tourist destination for 2014

The European Council on Tourism and Trade has unanimously adopted the recommendation of the panel of experts to name Zimbabwe as the world best tourist destination for 2014 as well as the favourite cultural destination of the year.

However, Zimbabwe’s success story is one that must be shared by the rest of its neighbours in the SADC region whose tranquil environment synchronised with that of Zimbabwe making it possible to be accorded the prestigious title for 2014.

This comes against the backdrop of the country’s successful co-hosting of the 2013 UNWTO General Assembly with Zambia which cleared negative perceptions which had been disseminated prior to the event by Western and some sections of the local media.

Although the award is expected to see an influx of foreign tourists in the foreseeable future, much of the work now lies in the hands of the country’s tourism stakeholders and the SADC region as a whole in order to see the growth of the sector and generation of sustainable revenue which has potential to make the region Africa’s tourism hub.

The region boasts of Great Zimbabwe, the second largest ancient man-made structure in Africa, Victoria Falls, one of the seven wonders of the world which is shared by Zimbabwe and Zambia, the Namib desert in Namibia, which is the only desert in the world to be inhabited by lions, elephants and rhinos and a rich cultural mosaic evident in the rest of Southern African community.

According to Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), the tourism industry in the region has grown rapidly in recent years contributing US$940 billion to the world economy in 2010, but the region has receipted only a small percentage of this figure.

This is hugely due to lack of meaningful policy structures to intensively harness from this lucrative sector by the respective governments in the region as it is well endowed with some of the unique tourist attractions on the African safari.

The SADC region has an edge over other parts of the region in being a favoured tourist destination in a number of ways. Firstly, the region enjoys socio-political stability which is an absentee in other parts of the continent. West Africa, for instance, has been hit by a wave of instability which compromises the security of prospective tourists.

The restless quest of destruction by the Boko Haram in Nigeria where state security seems to be overwhelmed by the terrorist activities including the recent abduction of over 200 girls deters tourists from visiting that part of the region.

In East Africa, South Sudan continues to be at war and the rest of that region has been hit by terrorist activities and civil wars as well, with the Westgate mall bombing in Kenya still fresh in our memories, the instability in Libya also stains North Africa and the marauding Seleka rebels in Central African Republic. This leaves the Southern African region as the only secure tourist destination on the continent hence the need to capitalise on marketing our destination to the rest of the world.

Secondly but not lastly, the SADC region has two of the continent’s economic powers, South Africa and Angola, who are second and third respectively and if intra – SADC cooperation is implemented they can help with lending other less fortunate states with funding to boost tourism infrastructure.

Victoria Falls Rainforest draws thousands of tourists

Parks and Wildlife Management Authority says nearly 17,000 tourists, a third of them international visitors visited the famed Victoria Falls Rainforest during the festive season, earning $270 000 in fees.

Statistics from the authority showed that of the 16,573 tourists who paid to explore the rainforest in the 10 days to January 2 this year, just over 5,000 were from outside Africa.

In terms of earnings, the international visitors spent $147,510 at the rainforest while tourists from regional countries paid $75,410 while earnings from locals, who pay less than their foreign counterparts, stood at $49,709.

There were no comparative figures available, but tourism executives told that the just ended festive season was among the best for the industry.

The rainforest had an average 542 daily visitors in 2012, according to Zimbabwe Tourism Authority statistics, compared to nearly 1,700 daily visitors over the peak 2013 Christmas season. A total of 198,000 toured the rainforest in 2012, according to the ZTA.

The festive season was made of two halves – the Christmas period had more locals while the New Year period had more of regional and international tourists. All these helped in raising arrivals into this destination. It is assumed that the rise in tourists could be attributed to the global exposure generated by Zimbabwe’s co-hosting of the 20th United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly with Zambia.

Zimbabwe to Host Inaugural African Marketing Summit in 2014

Zimbabwe has won another opportunity to host a high-profile event that is set to bring in more recognition to the country as marketers will host the inaugural African Marketing Summit in the country next year.

The summit which comes hard on the heels of the successful co-hosting of the UNWTO General Assembly in Victoria Falls, will run under the theme “Making Africa a Better Business Giant through Marketing” from March 26-28.

The African Marketing Confederation, the host, is a pan-African body of marketing professionals aiming to spearhead the development of the highest possible marketing standards across Africa.

It recognises that the continent’s unique and varying cultures, languages, standards of education and levels of development require home-grown marketing approaches designed and nurtured by Africans themselves.

The body comprises a membership of partners in six countries including South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya, Ghana and Zimbabwe.

AMC secretary-general Gillian Rusike said the hosting of the summit would promote the local marketing industry and the country as a destination.

“Our vision is ambitious and it completely challenges the way in which Africa has been thought of before. We want to provoke Africans marketing professionals to champion the development of Africa through home grown solutions as we better understand our continent than outsiders,” he said.

He added that hosting of the event in Zimbabwe posed a greater challenge for local professionals to prove that they were a cut above the rest in Africa and beyond.

Rusike said besides being able to bring visitors to the country, hosting of such events in the country would facilitate the image building of the nation hence also contributing to national development at large.

Hundreds of delegates from emerging and developed markets are expected to participate, including CEOs, academics, marketing practitioners, government officials, entrepreneurs and world-renowned thinkers, among others from around the world who share a common interest in sustainable development through business as a whole, and through marketing in particular.

The event will also feature leading multinational companies, African marketing institutions, universities, Chambers of Commerce and other bodies.

ILTM AFRICA 2014 EXPANDS - THIRD DAY ADDED TO BUILD EXCLUSIVE LUXURY TRAVEL BUSINESS MEETINGS

Following the success of the first ILTM Africa held in Cape Town earlier this year, Reed Travel Exhibitions has announced that ILTM Africa 2014 (www.iltm.net/africa) will expand to include a third day of mutually matched, pre-scheduled appointments for the elite of the African luxury travel industry to meet with up to 150 Africa specialists from across the globe.

Over 8,500 targeted luxury travel business meetings are planned to take place during ILTM Africa (28 – 30 April 2014), a key event during Africa Travel Week 2014 (www.africatravelweek.com: 28 April – 3 May) in Cape Town.

With the continued growth of Sub-Saharan travel destinations, inbound tourism arrivals to Africa reached a new record figure of 53 million in 2012. The number of African luxury travel specialists creating luxury travel itineraries for high net worth individuals worldwide is also increasing from emerging and established markets across Europe, Asia and Latin America. ILTM Africa 2013 alone welcomed 71 buyers from 30 countries and the 2014 edition is set to double in size.  Confirmed participants include Wilderness Safaris, Dare to Explore, Victoria Falls’ Elephant Camp, Western Cape’s Grand Dedale and Virgin Limited Edition, returning to build on their business success at ILTM Africa earlier this year.

Peter Allison, Wilderness Safaris commented “We have a long history of success with ILTM shows all around the world. ILTM Africa 2013 was such a targeted, great show for furthering new and existing relationships – we achieved not just a corporate connection with people, but a personal one too and cannot wait for ILTM Africa 2014 to build on this success.”

Janet Hoolohan, Group Sales & Marketing Director for Virgin Limited Edition added “We are so appreciative of what ILTM is doing in Africa as it affords us an opportunity to establish new and also develop and build on existing relationships.”

Newcomers to the guest list at ILTM Africa 2014 include Zimbabwe’s Baines’ River Camp who will introduce their new river cruise Matusadona. Owner Sabine Featherby said “To be invited as an exhibitor to ILTM Africa 2014 is an absolute honour. We are delighted to have the opportunity to introduce both Baines’ River Camp and our new venture Matusadona to the world’s top travel specialists. With the focus on luxury travel to Africa, a stress-free diary of appointments and no added cost to dress your stand, the question of participating was simply a no-brainer for us.”

ILTM Africa will be one of three co-located travel industry events at the Cape Town International Conference Centre (CTICC) that form Africa Travel Week 2014. The others will include IBTM Africa (Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings) 28 - 30 April, and WTM Africa (World Travel Market), which will take place from 2 – 3 May.

For further ILTM Africa information, please see www.iltm.net/africa or contact david.paterson@reedexpo.co.uk

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. LIVINGSTONE

March 19 marks the 200th birthday of David Livingstone: pioneer, humanitarian, and the man who discovered one of Africa's greatest natural wonders, Victoria Falls. The upcoming edition of BESPOKE magazine follows in Livingstone('s footsteps at Royal Chundu on the Zambezi.

Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe to Host 37th Annual World Congress.

The popular tourist town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe will host this year’s Africa Travel Association’s (ATA’s) 37th Annual World Congress.

The announcement was made yesterday (23 January), by a delighted Zimbabwe minister of tourism, Engineer Walter Mzembi, and ATA executive director Edward Bergman.

“It is indeed an honour to be the proud host of the ATA’s 2012 World Congress,” said Mzembi. “The 37th annual Congress in Zimbabwe will afford the delegates an opportunity to experience our many attractions.”

The five-day congress will kick off in Victoria Falls, on 18 May. Among the expected 300 participants are tourism ministers, tourism board heads, private sector leaders, travel industry professionals, including product buyers and sellers, travel trade media, scholars and African Diaspora leaders.

“ATA was last in Zimbabwe in 1988, when the congress was held in Harare and, after 23 years, we’re proud to be heading back,” said Bergman. “We are positive that the 2012 congress will attract leading tourism experts from across the globe. It will surpass all expectations and is an event not to be missed.”

The 2012 Congress will address key industry topics, such as web-based PR and online communications tourism promotion, and the latest travel trends in Africa. The Congress will also offers a wide range of networking events, including receptions and gala dinners. ATA’s Young Professionals Programme, representing travel, tourism and hospitality students and young professionals from North America and Africa, will also participate in the event.

For more details, visit http://africatravelassociation.org/events/ac.html