THE World Tourism Organisation (WTO) has welcomed the end of the public health emergency phase for COVID-197. WTO believes this recent announcement represents a major milestone in the global effort to combat the virus. “We welcome WHO’s decision to end the emergency status for COVID-19,” said WTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. WHO is an acronym for the World Health Organisation. “This is an important signal and a moment to stand back and reflect on how we can overcome challenges only in…

MORE than US$56 million the Zimbabwean government has invested in the tourism industry in Mashonaland West province, post-pandemic appears to be money down the drain. This is much to the concern of authorities who are dissatisfied with the return of investment. Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu, the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality, disclosed the government had invested over US$18,49 million in 2021 and in excess of $37,66 million in 2022 torevive the sector. That was at the height of the…

REGISTRATIONS are now open for a unique annual campaign for South Africans to explore their country. Tourism businesses have been urged to register for the initiative, dubbed Sho’t Left Travel week, which has been launched in Durban at Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI). During her opening speech at ATI, the Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille has encouraged the businesses to participate. The campaign is an important part of ATI, offering South Africans a seven-day promotion of discounted travel related deals…

THE rebranding of Holiday Inn Sandton to Southern Sun Sandton is hailed as a new era of hospitality for business travellers, meetings, conferences and events in the area’s Central Business District. That is according to Southern Sun, which is delighted to extend its presence in Sandton with this addition to one of the area’s most well-established business and conferencing hotels. “In addition to re-branding the hotel, we have fully refurbished the restaurant and bar, and refreshed the reception area and…

MAVHUTO BANDA TOURISTS are encouraged to visit Malawi and not to be deterred by the recent devastation by tropical Cyclone Freddy. The Southern African country is recovering from the floods, which impacted on some infrastructure. The Central African Wilderness Safaris provided an update on the Liwonde National Park. Mvuu, located in the north of Liwonde, was spared from the devastating effects of Freddy. After a surge of rainfall, the Shire River level has begun to drop slowly and the wet…