​ BY KRISTIE OMAR  |  06 March 2018 14:04

WTM Africa 2018 recently announced its inaugural WTM Africa Tourism Investors' Forum, a platform dedicated to connecting ministers of tourism from countries across the continent, with eager investors. The Tourism Investors' Forum will take place on Wednesday, 18 April in the WTM Africa Conference Theatre from 10h30 – 11h15. The theme for the 2018 WTM Africa Tourism Investors' Forum will be 

​ BY NICOLE LESCHINSKY  |  26 February 2018 13:14

The African continent is the perfect playground. Southern Africa, in particular, remains the most popular watering hole for tourists with a thirst for thrills. Though Africa is home to fifty-four countries, fifteen member states of Southern Africa form the SADC region (the Southern African Development Community) frequented by tourists, bar Angola, namely South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Democratic 

BY NICOLE LESCHINSKY  |  15 February 2018 04:04

The term ‘ecotourism,’ or ecological tourism, was allegedly coined in the early nineties by Mexican Architect Héctor Ceballos-Lascuráin whilst campaigning for wetland conservation in his native country.  He claimed that he was the first individual to define a type of tourism which specifically benefited the environment.

​ BY MOTA MOTA  |  22 January 2018 02:09

2017 saw Emerging Markets (EMs) become the engine of global growth, creating a "demand shock" that must be welcomed for its potential to contribute to global inclusive growth and new economic opportunity. While it may not feel like it in South Africa, a fundamental economic shift is taking place in the wider emerging market world.

BY CHIKODI OKEREOCHA  |  14 November 2017 09:42

Despite boasting tourism destinations that could make other countries envious, Nigeria has yet to develop the industry to drive diversification, boost revenue and create jobs. But a strategic rethink on making tourism the economy’s mainstay has taken the center-stage. Nigeria is literally sitting on tourism and hospitality gold mine. According to Nigeria Hospitality Report 2016, the

BY BRUCE GERMAINE  |  15 October 2017 11:50

There can be no doubt in anyone’s mind, especially seasoned travelers, that Africa has a vast and diverse offering of tourist attractions, a very rich cultural heritage and natural beauty – and yet the feeling remains that Africa is an untapped goldmine. eons more fascinating, complex, mystifying and mysterious than mere unruly, gun-toting rebels on the one hand and ultra- luxury lodges sporting the so-called Big-5 on the other. This comes as no surprise as Africa is in a constant state of flux and innovation

BY JUSTIN SCHMIDT |  05 Sept 2017 06:48   

There has been a strong investment case for renewable energy worldwide for a number of years now, and this case has significantly gained momentum in the last two years. South Africa too has indicated a robust appetite for the uptake of renewable energy, not just at a macro, but also at a residential, commercial and industrial level. Much of the initial demand was driven by heightened interest following the widespread load shedding that was experienced across 

BY ACHIM BERG, SASKIA HEDRISH, BILL RUSSO  |  09 Aug 2017 00:48

East African countries—in particular, Ethiopia and Kenya—have the potential to become bigger players in garment manufacturing. But the road ahead won’t be easy. In the past two years, a number of European companies—among them, H&M, Primark, and Tesco—began sourcing some of their garments from Ethiopia. The rest of the apparel industry took notice: since 2013, there has been rising

BY JO KROMBERG  |  10 JUly 2017 07:29

There are two images most people conjure up when they hear the word “Africa”. And these could not be more polar opposite. The one consists of the poor, sickly emaciated child covered in flies in the middle of a refugee camp which in turn is in the middle of some horror civil war. Of course Africa is eons more fascinating, complex, mystifying and mysterious than mere unruly, gun-toting rebels on the one hand and ultra- luxury lodges sporting the so-called Big-5 

​BY NICOLE LESCHINSKY  |  26 JUNE 2017 03:42

In the traditional sense of the word, luxury has always meant status, which was characterised by possessing material objects. As global consumers have become more affluent and are spending more on luxury brands, masses of people have suddenly attained the same things, which create a perception of it being less exclusive. Today, luxury has become intangible. It is subjective. Luxury means

BY BRUCE GERMAINE   |    12 JUNE 2017 05:26

Industry insiders say a change is afoot, with more travellers personally redefining their definition of “luxury travel”. For a lot of travellers, luxury means a limousine transfer from an airport, 1,000-thread count bed sheets and three-star Michelin restaurants. The more a traveller is used to luxury, the higher up the pyramid their expectations are. Luxury travellers are generally at the level of expecting exclusive experiences. The VIP demands are limited to a small group,

BY MOSHE SEOKOMA  |   30 MAY 2017 17:25

I was at a primary school in my village, Sekororo, about 60 kilometres east of Tzaneen, in the former Lebowa homeland (now part of Limpopo Province in South Africa) at the time when Mozambicans were fleeing the civil war into the neighbouring South Africa in the 80s. At that time there was no need to integrate the Mozambican refugees into the communities because they lived side by side with the locals. It was easier for the refugees to relate to the local 

BY SUSAN DE BRUIN 17 MAY 2017 06:12

South African president Jacob Zuma has officially opened this year's Tourism INDABA, which is one of the largest tourism marketing events on the African calendar and one of the top three 'must visit' events of its kind on the global calendar. smooth movement of people between multitudes of travel destinations from Cape Town to Cairo. 

BY MARTIN CHEMHERE 08 MAY 2017 03:12

The advent of the internet has brought much more convenience to the traveller. Now, as Africa’s economies burgeon, with an estimated 300 million middle class, the continent is the next massive market for the travel booking industry. The boom in online travel booking business is paving the way for smooth movement of people between multitudes of travel destinations from Cape Town to Cairo. Most of the big online travel players are from South

BY BRUCE GERMAINE 12 APRIL 2017 06:58

One Africa – One Visa – One Passport – a much talked about concept and vision came to fruition at the recent 27th African Union (AU) summit in Kigali, Rwanda – however, a long road lies ahead for African countries who hope to get on board in what is expected to be a united Africa in terms of mobility for Africans on the continent as well as boosting trade and economic growth opportunities.

BY MARTIN CHEMHERE 13 MARCH 2017 01:57

The young business environment in Southern Africa and the African continent looks bright following the recent launch in Johannesburg of the Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs (CAYESA). 

The event was hosted by Young Entrepreneurs South Africa (YESA), with Nunnovation Africa Foundation, IgniteSA and InWeGo as partners.

BY BRUCE GERMAINE 20 FEBRUARY 2017 07:46

Vivian Ngwodo is part of a new generation of women, particularly women of African descent, who are using technology to take ownership of the entrepreneurial landscape. Born and raised in Nigeria, Vivian has always been a solutions provider, a problem solver and lover of food. In 2010, Vivian resigned from her Foreign Operations job in one of Nigeria's major banks and embarked on a 

BY NICOLE LESCHINSKY 25 JANUARY 2017 05:10

While Brexit recently shook the stability of the European Union, the African Union is planning to break boundaries and welcoming integration through the introduction of a common passport for all African citizens by 2020. The African continent has moved a step closer to having visa-free travel available to all African nationals, with the roll-out

BY NICOLE LESCHINSKY 05 DEC, 2016 09:17

Britain’s recent referendum and vote to leave the European Union (EU) has caused wide-spread concern from various sources as to what the implications will be for existing trade agreements and markets worldwide. Historically, Africa has benefitted from the EU in many ways, specifically through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), but some feel the restrictive trade agreements have impeded potential for growth in Africa.

BY BRUCE GERMAINE 18 NOV, 2016 08:52

Some decades ago Ethiopia was a starving country in dire need of international aid to help feed its citizens – but today, Africa’s second most populous country after Nigeria, has evolved into one of Africa’s fastest growing economies. Although many African nations are still struggling to cope with weak domestic currencies and declining revenue from commodities, the steady growth of Ethiopia’s 8 percent plus growth rate has been maintained

BY MONICA ASHLEY LE-COURE 17 OCT, 2016 03:43

While visa-free travel in the European Union is coming under fire, another part of the world is taking the first step towards a border-free travel. The African Union plans to distribute a common, electronic passport to all African citizens by 2018, granting them visa-free access to all 54 states in the union.

By connecting African countries, the initiative aims to jumpstart trade and socioeconomic development. Countries

BY JO KROMBERG 19 SEPT, 2016 07:54

From humble beginnings to owning his own helicopter company - David Simelane is headed for great heights. And egotistical is the last thing he is - even though he has reason to be. At age 36, this bright, charming, soft-spoken helicopter pilot and owner of his own helicopter charter company, has already accomplished what most people cannot pull off in a lifetime.

BY BRUCE GERMAINE 2 SEPT, 2016 09:46

Tanzania – an exotic name that rolls off the tongue like a well-intended metaphor. Certainly a country that has attracted international attention in terms of its economic growth and making its mark among the top 5  fastest growing economies in Africa. With a population of 49 million and the ninth largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa, it has maintained a steady growth rate of around 7 % for last couple of years. Among the advantages is the 

Mozambique – a country once ruled by the Portuguese counts itself among the top 5 fastest growing economies in Africa with a 7 % average growth rate over the last 5 years. Over the past two decades Mozambique has experienced significant economic growth at a pace matching that of other rapidly growing economic powerhouses such as India and China, a somewhat strange phenomenon among its neighbours.

BY MONICA ASHLEY LE-COURE 12 JULY, 2016 04:06

China’s massive growth has been one of the greatest stories over the past several decades. But the Chinese economy certainly isn’t the only one posting huge growth rates. Africa is on the move!

According to McKinsey 7 Company’s report, ‘Lions on the Move: The Progress and Potential of African Economies’, Africa’s combined Gross Domestic Product will be $2.6 trillion by 2020. The report further says that “Africa’s 

BY BRUCE GERMAINE 27 JUNE, 2016 08:42

The 26th World Economic Forum on Africa 2016 recently held in Kigali put the landlocked country of Rwanda in the spotlight. Ranked within the top five fastest growing economies in Africa among Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Tanzania, the IMF has attributed its growth to construction, services, agriculture and manufacturing and mining. Having vastly reduced the poverty rate from what it was before, more than 60% of the population still live in

BY MONICA ASHLEY LA-COURE 14 JUNE, 2016 02:31

Africa is bestowed with a young, fast-growing population. This population has been credited with the current economic boom all over the continent. In the past ten years, African countries have experienced unprecedented growth rates, with seven of the top ten fastest growing economies in the world being those of key African countries this year. This growth increase will be fuelled by domestic demand, continuing infrastructure investment and private consumption driven by lower oil prices.

BY ASHLEY ADDEH 23 MAY, 2016 16:25

Better cooperation and exchanges are expected in the field of tourism between Seychelles and South Africa after the two countries’ respective tourism boards signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the INDABA trade fair in Durban. The MOU was signed on behalf of Seychelles by the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St Ange and Sthembiso Dlamini, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of 

BY ALESSANDRO PARODI 20 APR, 2016 10:13

Discop Africa is the main yearly event for the professional workers of Film and Television in the continent. The 2016 edition will have place Abidjan, Ivory Coast, between the 31st May and the 2nd of June. The last gathering, held in South Africa, proved to be the stage of a pan-African cultural renaissance. Companies and private stake holders from the five continents met and mingled to pursue unique business opportunities and celebrate the awakening of cinema and popular culture in Africa.

BY ELAINE PORTEOUS 25 MAR, 2016 15:34

Enterprise development - the focus of the latest changes to B-BBEE legislation - will inevitably be bedevilled by the SME sector not being able to easily obtain finance, a sticking point that unless resolved, will see entrepreneurs still battling to establish sustainable enterprises that can create the thousands of jobs required to stimulate growth in South Africa.

BY ELAINE PORTEOUS 09 MAR, 2016 06:15

The banking sector in Africa is poised for take-off and is providing great growth opportunities to those organizations that are bold enough to climb aboard. Up until recently, global major banks like Barclays and Standard Chartered have led the way but mostly through focusing on safer and high-margin activities in corporate and business banking. This has been very lucrative; the average return

BY FREDERICK ERASMUS 22 FEB, 2016 12:55

The time was 1884 – 1885, 130 years ago and the place was Germany. During that period when Europe’s search for minerals and markets had become insatiable, greed and selfish acquisitiveness, supported by illusions of grandeur were also reasons for the Berlin Conference. One conquistador, protecting his ill begotten gains was the principal instigator; King Leopold II, and his gain was the Congo.

BY LEBOHANG MAFEREKA 15 FEB, 2016 04:21

It’s the final countdown to the year’s biggest business events on the African continent and a vitally important event from a business tourism perspective, Meetings Africa, which takes place at Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, from 22 to 24 February. Meetings Africa, this year celebrating its 11th anniversary, is a major showcase for Africa’s diverse offering of global meetings services and products and the ideal platform to expose Africa’s strengths

BY FREDERICK ERASMUS 27 JAN, 2016 09:02

On 09 September 1999, the Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of African Unity issued a Declaration calling for the establishment of an African Union (AU) Some of the primary objectives of the AU are to accelerate the process of integration on the continent and enable it to play its rightful role in the global economy; while also addressing multifaceted social, economic and political problems. It further seeks to: rid  the continent of the