Mountain Kilimanjaro has finally entered into the top 10 list in the land features category as Africa’s highest peak races to become one of the new “Seven Wonders” of the world, the local Sundaynews reported on Sunday.

Kilimanjaro has experienced a jump start from the previous 32nd position to the eighth in the category rankings, after Tanzania finally signed endorsement contract forms, announced Tia Viering, information officer for the New Seven Wonders organization.

Africa’s highest peak almost missed out when Tanzania had previously failed to sign contract forms sent from the New Seven Wonders organization with the deadline of July 7, 2009, according to the report.

The mountain is now well positioned to fight for a spot among the Top 77 nominees in the global campaign to choose the official New Seven Wonders of Nature. The race includes over 260 locations to compete to become one of the eligible for finalist selection, it added.

In Africa, the Capetown based-Table Mountain of South Africa leads at No. 7 in the land features category, while the Sahara desert leads in the world under another category of landscapes, according to the report.

Seven wonders are normally voted by people and over 226 million people have been mobilized to vote for this new list. The first New7Wonders campaign chose the man-made Official New 7 Wonders of the world with more than 100 million votes in the world’s first- ever global vote in 2006 via Internet, SMS text messages and telephone. The result was officially announced in July 2007 in Portugal.

The winners and participants have recorded increased tourism and economic benefits with a 70 percent rise in some cases.

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CAIRO, Egypt – The Hon. Zoheir Garranah, Egyptian Tourism Minister, and Edward Bergman, ATA executive director, announced today the Egyptian Tourism Ministry, in cooperation with the Egyptian Tourist Authority, will host the Africa Travel Association’s 34th Annual Congress in the capital city of Cairo from May 17-22, 2009.

Under the banner of “Connecting Destination Africa,” ATA’s hallmark event will be attended by African tourism ministers, directors of national tourism boards, leaders from Africa’s private sector, travel agents, tour operators, heads of nongovernmental organizations, scholars and members of the media, who will address local and global challenges related to global tourism promotion to Africa.

“It is with great pride that we are now working with ATA to welcome the world to Egypt for ATA’s Annual Congress,” said Minister Garranah. “We look forward to welcoming the world to our country.” Continue Reading

As part of its effort to build the premier Africa tourism seminar in the United States, the Africa Travel Association (ATA) announced today that it will host the second edition of its newest program, the US-Africa Seminar, in Washington, DC from February 19-20, 2009. This year’s seminar will highlight sport and adventure tourism, Africa’s fastest-growing travel and tourism sectors, as opportunities for growth and investment. The seminar will also highlight the role of the African Diaspora in the development of Africa’s tourism industry.

“With 53 countries on the continent, Africa’s travel and tourism sector opportunities are boundless,” said ATA executive director Edward Bergman. “It is our mission to make these opportunities known to the US travel industry trade community, as well as to tourists looking for unique travel opportunities.” Continue Reading

The number of Russian tourists visiting African destinations is steadily increasing due to rising incomes and the desire to have uncommon wildlife experiences, according to travel agencies.

Preferred destinations for Russians are mainly Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia in North Africa; Senegal and Gambia in West Africa; and various countries in Southern and East Africa.

Russians enjoy travelling to natural environments without compromising luxury, Felly Mbabazi, executive director of Moscow-based Safari Tours that specialises in eco-tourism to East African countries, told IPS.

“Apart from the abundant flora and fauna, the African continent has a lot of historical sites like Elmina in Ghana; Timbuktu, a city dating from the 12th century; Fort Jesus in Kenya — to mention but a few. We have friendly people,” Mbabazi said. Continue Reading

There is a distinctive Mediterranean feel about Maputo which is the capital of one of Africa’s best loved holiday destinations, Mozambique.

Maputo, formerly known as Lourenço Marques, is Mozambique’s largest city and its economy is centred around its bustling Indian Ocean harbour. Its vibrant day markets and an exotic nightlife typify the Mozambican experience.

These days, Maputo is a world away from the civil war that threw this prosperous African city in to chaos and poverty in the 70s and 80s. Today this city is one of Africa’s true gems and a stay in Maputo is a fantastically colourful experience. Continue Reading

For travel before June 30, 2008, safari-goers can now spend two nights at Samburu Intrepids and two nights at Mara Intrepids for only US$1,563.00 per person, including flights between Nairobi and the game parks. For more details visit http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/junespecial.pdf . July through October 2008, travelers can enjoy this safari at US$1,940 per person. For more information please visit http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/2008summerspecial.pdf.

“We are thrilled to announce that the famed Maasai Mara is green and in peak condition for the fast-approaching Great Wildebeest Migration, during which 1.2 million wildebeest migrate north into Kenya from the Serengeti plains.” Said David Stogdale, Managing Director for Heritage Hotels. “Mara Intrepids camp offers a front-row-seat to this migration, one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles, and our Kenya luxury camp is ideally situated above a sweeping bend in the Talek River, at the confluence of the Maasai Mara’s four game-viewing areas. Mara Intrepids now surely enjoys one of the most spectacular and luxurious locations in the entire Mara ecosystem!” Continue Reading

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InterContinental Hotels Group and the Royal Airport Hotel Party have opened the Holiday Inn Accra Airport. The hotel is the group’s first property in Ghana.

The new seven-storey hotel boasts 168 rooms and is located next to both Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport and the thriving new business district in the city.

Holiday Inn Accra features six Executive Suites and two Presidential Suites complete with contemporary amenities. The in-house conference facilities include five function rooms accommodating up to 180 guests, as well as state-of-the-art video, audio and telecommunications equipment plus a fully-equipped business centre with free internet access.

Leisure facilities at Holiday Inn Accra Airport are extensive and include a swimming pool, a fully-equipped gym, health centre, spa and even a casino. Dining options comprise an all-day dining venue serving both buffet and a la carte styles, as well as a pool terrace restaurant for al fresco meals. Continue Reading

The annual travel show for South African Tourism has already surpassed its precedent participation, attracting 14 percent more visitors than 2007 with two months to go.

With a registered number of 3777 compared to 2922 in 2007, the country manager for Domestic South African Tourism, Sindile Xulu notes “while registration is still open, we already have an indication of the level of interest in the show with an increase of participants”.

International interest is evident, as media registrations have also collectively risen by 17 percent from 316 to 385 and international delegates have grown by 19 percent from 1713 to 2108.

International buyers have increased by 38 percent, and local tourism trade maintains a 26 percent increase from 2007.

These numbers are promising for South African tourism, as Xulu notes that the world’s travelers and travel trade are recognizing South Africa as a world-class, value-for-money destination. Continue Reading

ImagineXpeditions, which specializes in indulgent trips to South Africa, today announced its 2008 season schedule of group trips. Highlighting this year’s choices of adventures is the first-ever Singles-Only trip this spring.

ImagineXpeditions stands apart from other travel and tourism companies by making each African Safari journey first-class and truly all-inclusive. Every detail of each trip is planned by incorporating each traveler’s personal taste and style, from the temperature of their hotel room to their favorite music playing in the background when they arrive. Intimate group itineraries are limited to eight people or less with a host available for immediate service. While in South Africa, guests can choose from a variety of activities including cage diving with Great White sharks, hot air balloon rides and exclusive wild life viewing with twice-daily game drives or walking safaris.

This season, ImagineXpeditions is introducing a Singles-Only trip from May 17th to June 1st. This all-inclusive adventure begins with a luxury safari in a private game reserve and continues with a luxury railcar ride overnight to the Western Cape, where guests can take private tours and visit beaches or local craft markets. Animal encounters include horseback riding, whale watching and viewing South African penguins, cape seals, ostriches and baboons. Travelers can also ride the cable-car atop Table Mountain and visit Robben Island. Continue Reading

Russia’s prime tourism extravaganza, the Moscow International Travel and Tourism Fair, ended last week with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority scheduling follow-up road shows for May to drum up destination awareness for its attractive tourism tapestries.

After successfully sealing several tourist marketing deals with Russian companies that should see an influx of tourists starting in May, ZTA has scheduled road shows in Moscow in mid-May as a follow-up to the deals and as a way of managing destination awareness, perception and image in a market that has about 28 million outbound tourist every year.

“Zimbabwe as a tourist destination is known very little by the ordinary Russian tourist and we need to drum up awareness and manage the bad perceptions created by the Western media on those who have been victims of the propaganda before they can start seriously flocking home.

“It is a good and promising big market that we cannot afford to lose. It is a market that we will fight to win and we see ourselves as being on the path to win huge tourist arrival, given the type of deals we have sealed so far. Continue Reading

Vergelegen Wine Estate is South Africa’s winner of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network Best of Wine Tourism Awards for the second year in succession. The winner was announced at a gala event in Oporto, Portugal, this week, adding to Cape Town’s globally acclaimed wine tourism experience accolades.

Vergelegen’s outstanding wine mixed with its rich arts and culture offerings, meticulously maintained 18th century gardens, historic buildings, library and archival assets, presented to visitors from all over the world through its innovative visitor programmes, made it an easy choice for the judges. Last year, Vergelegen won in the arts and culture and architecture categories. Continue Reading