A think tank report released on Wednesday offers an in-depth analysis of how the world is invited to experience a real China up-close, as foreign tourists swarm into the country buoyed by a raft of facilitation measures. The report, “China Travel — Inviting the World to Experience a Real China,” was issued by New China Research, a think tank under Xinhua News Agency. The report summarizes and explains the domestic and global relevance of China’s inbound travel boom. It notes…

African Times has published this article in partnership with Xinhua News Agency

Strolling through the winding streets of the ancient city of Kashgar in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, you will come across a cozy café called Dili & Diya. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifts through the air, much like the heart-warming love story of the café’s owners, spreading warmth to all who visit.   The young owners, Dilshat Tursun from Kashgar, and his wife Hadiya Msham Abdulla from Tanzania, are well-liked by the locals as well as visitors, adding…

After graduating in Beijing in 2020 during the tumultuous period of COVID-19, I didn’t think that I would be able to return to China anytime soon. The pandemic had disrupted lives globally, and like many international students, I was not sure if I would be able to ever set foot in China again. Travel restrictions were stringent, and the idea of returning seemed like a distant dream.  However, life has a way of surprising us. In May this year, I…

The provincial governments of Limpopo and Gauteng have taken a significant step forward in their plans for a high-speed rail network that will connect the two provinces. According to a joint media statement released on October 9th, 2024, Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi met at Euphoria Golf Estate & Hydro in Mookgophong, Waterberg, where they approved the implementation protocol document for the project. The two provinces also committed to joint consultations with key national bodies,…

The Mpumalanga Tourism Expo has emerged as a landmark event for promoting sustainable tourism practices in South Africa. Organized annually by Jakada Holdings in partnership with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), the event showcases the province’s rich biodiversity, cultural heritage, and tourist attractions, positioning Mpumalanga as a premier tourist destination. This year’s expo was held from 04 to 06 October 2024 at the Riverside Mall in Mbombela, and featured more than 60 exhibitors from across the country, including Gauteng,…

The Rustenburg local municipality in the North West Province has announced plans to leverage the local entertainment industry as a key driver of economic growth and position the city as an entertainment tourism hub in South Africa. This announcement was made by Executive Mayor Sheila Mabale-Huma at the official media launch of the ‘Rusty White’ annual festival on Wednesday. Speaking at the launch, Mayor Mabale-Huma said the municipality will work with various stakeholders in the entertainment industry to enhance collaboration…

Several countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have expressed interest in joining forces with tourism authorities in Mpumalanga, eSwatini and Mozambique aimed at selling their areas as preferred tourism and investment destinations. This emerged at the 4th Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) media launch in Mbombela on Thursday, August 15. The partnership, known as the Triland Cooperation, is an initiative by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), the Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA) and the Mozambique Tourism…

Within the framework of the Russian BRICS Chairmanship, the first online meeting of the Contact Group on Tourism was held. In addition to the permanent members of the association, new BRICS members Egypt, UAE and Ethiopia took part. This is reported by the official website of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. “We are actively working to promote interesting tourist destinations in the BRICS countries,” said Nikita Kondratyev, Director of the Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation and…

The beach rankings were compiled and published by BeachAtlas, a London-based startup, used an algorithm to shortlist 100 beaches according to six criteria. The evaluation criteria included aspects such as value to the local community, natural uniqueness, diversity, inclusiveness, environmental friendliness and cultural and historical significance. Boulders Beach (South Africa) was ranked 2nd in the ranking. It is not just a sandy beach, but a bustling metropolis for African penguins. Copacabana (Rio de Janeiro) also entered the top ten and…