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KIGALI, RWANDA – Rwanda is preparing to introduce ‘convention tourism’ targeting business travellers to increase revenue from the limited tourism sector.A convention bureau will be launched this year to market Rwanda as a top destination for meetings and conferences, according to the head of Tourism and Conservation at Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Ms. Rica Rwigamba.Creation of the convention bureau comes... Read more

KIGALI, RWANDA – Rwanda’s hospitality sector closed 2011 and ushered into 2012 with good news after the long-awaited grading for accommodation facilities finally arrived with only 30 hotels receiving their stars.Kigali Serena Hotel and Nyungwe Forest Lodge, a new facility in western Rwanda owned by Dubai World were crowned ‘the only existing five star hotels in Rwanda.’  In other categories,... Read more

MURCHISON, UGANDA- Uganda has developed a long term plan to fence off its National parks in a measure to curb human-wildlife conflicts surrounding them.Uganda’s minister of tourism wildlife and heritage Mr. Ephraim Kamuntu, the explained that though this is not a simple task, the government plans to embark on a long term plan to fence off the parks as there... Read more

KAMPALA, UGANDA- Gulf Air says that it has set its eyes on the launch of the Juba Route in Southern Sudan after successfully re-launching flights last week to Entebbe airport adding it to its growing network. The Entebbe destination is the airlines’ third East African operation with four non-stop weekly flights between Entebbe and Bahrain, while the Juba operation will be... Read more

Kampala, Uganda – Air traffic at Entebbe International Airport is expected to increase as interest by international airlines grows. Dr. Rama Makuza the Managing Director CAA expects that there would be growth from 1.1million passengers by about 7% this year. He said this at the launch of the inaugural Gulf Air flight to Uganda last week. “There are now 20 airlines... Read more

  DAR ES SALAM, TANZANIA – When everything comes up together and seems to go against you, usually the old folks would refer to that as bad omen and in the event, one had to cancel whatever errands they had to run on the day. Well, I didn’t subscribe to that notion and almost failed to get to my final destination, which... Read more

KAMPALA, UGANDA- Bahrain’s national carrier Gulf Air has appointed “Let’s Go Travel” as its Passenger Sales Agent to its recently announced non-stop service between Bahrain and Entebbe which will commence on 5 December 2011.  The travel agency has been selected to promote tourism, leisure travel and corporate traffic from Entebbe across Gulf Air’s network via its efficient Bahrain hub. Mr.... Read more

KIGALI, RWANDA – Rwanda has announced that rehabilitation of Kigali-Gatuna highway on the northern corridor that links the country to Uganda and Kenya will start next year. Rwanda is behind Uganda, which has already started works to rehabilitate Mbarara- Katuna road that is linked to the one in Rwanda. The highway is the main channel through which most of Rwanda’s... Read more

Last week, Air Uganda started direct flights to Bujumbura from Entebbe. In the same week, South African Airways (SAA) announced that it would start flights to Bujumbura via Kigali. Then in the same week, Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) has resumed flights and Burundi fliers are part of their target market.Air Uganda plans to fly to Bujumbura three times a... Read more

KIGALI, RWANDA – RwandAir, Rwanda’s national airline has announced it will launch direct flights to Lagos, Nigeria in December making the vast West African City its 13th destination.RwandAir CEO John Mirenge made the revelation recently in the Rwandan capital Kigali when the national carrier was marking delivery of its brand new Boeing 737-800NG airplane from the United States adding to... Read more

The mountain gorilla census for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which began in mid September this year successfully ended on October 22,2011 with Dr.Martha Robbins of the Marks Planck Institute  announcing that it  would take at least a year to come up with a more accurate figure of the gorilla numbers from the exercise.In the closing days, the census group which... Read more

Entebbe, Uganda – As Entebbe Airport passenger numbers close to a record 1.5million at the end of the year more airlines are flying in. For airport users, the competition means prices to some of the key destinations are likely to reduce. This year alone Uganda has so far attracted new Airlines with Qatar Airways launching daily flights last week and... Read more

KAMPALA, UGANDA- Qatar national carrier, Qatar Airways is on track to provide the fastest flights from Entebbe airport to the Gulf countries with no stopovers, as its expand its operations in Africa.The airline is expected to launch its maiden flight to Entebbe on November 2.Travelers to the gulf countries will need just five hours daily from Entebbe to Doha compared... Read more

NAIROBI, KENYA-Kenya Airways shareholders have approved plans by the airline to raise additional capital by way of a rights issue to finance its 10-year expansion planShareholders argued during the airline’s 35th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Nairobi recently, that the move will pave the way for the airline to acquire additional aircraft to drive its fleet and route expansion programme. Rights... Read more

Reports from Mombasa tell a story different from what many global media organizations would want their readers to believe as occupancies remain high and forward bookings have remained steady, while Kenya has, with the consent of the Transitional Federal Government in Mogadishu, crossed into Somalia to hunt down Al Shabab militants.The mood among the polled hoteliers was cautiously optimistic, attributing... Read more

Kampala, Uganda-Emirates airlines has rewarded its top Ugandan travel agents for the year 2011. The awards that were based on substantial contribution to Emirates’ business in 2011 doubled as a hand over to the new Country Manager of the airlines in Uganda.The outgoing Country Manager of Emirates Uganda Jabr Al Azeeby said that the awards were held in commemoration of... Read more

ARUSHA, TANZANIA: Ngorongoro Serena Safari lodge in Arusha, Tanzania has won this year’s Annual World Travel Award.The announcement was made on September 16, 2011 at the 18th annual travel awards ceremony that was held in Sharm El- Sheikh, Egypt. “Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is this year’s winner of the prestigious World Travel Award for the year 2011 as Tanzania’s leading... Read more

KAMPALA, UGANDA- The tourism industry that recorded an increase in tourists in flow from 806,658 in 2009 to 946,000 in 2010 has set yet another target of ensuring the Uganda receives over 1,7500,000 million tourists by 2014.Mr. Justus Tindigarukayo, the director tourism, wildlife, museums and monuments in Uganda’s tourism ministry told stakeholders in Kampala mid last week that this will... Read more

DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA - Tanzania has inaugurated a US$10.6 million state-of-the art tourism college that is expected to enroll 605 students annually from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in an effort to modernize tourism services in the region.The National College of Tourism that was funded jointly by the Tanzania Government ($2.7 million) and Japan ($7.8 million) will conduct... Read more

KAMPALA, UGANDA- Uganda has vigorously embarked on a campaign to train safari guides to ensure that they meet the East African Community tourist guiding standards.According to Mr. Herbert Byaruhanga the president of the Uganda Safari Guides Association (USAGA), a grouping of all safari guides, the measure is aimed at ensuring that Ugandan guides can be able to acquire jobs anywhere... Read more

Kenya Airways Chief Operating Officer Bram Steller has left the airline to go and head Air Seychelles. Steller who has been with KQ since 2008 will be the new Chief Executive Officer of Air Seychelles beginning October 1 following a recent restructuring. At Kenya Airways, Steller oversaw crucial operations of the airline. He was previously the Chief Operating Officer of Kenya Airways... Read more

Much has been written about Bagamoyo as an Arab slave trading post and transit port for slaves to the Zanzibar slave market. I had the privilege to travel to this historic place that lies 72 kilometers along the northern coast of Dar es salaam city. The township of Bagamoyo itself dates back to slavery period and was Tanganyika colony’s German... Read more

KIGALI, RWANDA- The Arrival of Boeing 737-800 last week from Seattle, United  States of America directly from Boeing Manufacturers has boosted Rwanda’s aviation industry.The Rwanda CEO, John Mirenge said that the coming of the new model Plane bought by Rwandair was  a process that began 2 years ago.” The idea of buying the plane began 2 years and it has... Read more

DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA – The Tanzania Government is not saying it bluntly, but word has gotten out that it has sold off an ancient Forodhani Hotel building to the Kilimanjaro Kempinski hotel to give way for a parking lot. The building overlooks Dar es Salaam harbour – a building that now houses the Appeal Court of Tanzania is due... Read more

Kampala, Uganda-The growth of Uganda’s tourism sector is in part dependant on the promotion of domestic tourism. The Budget Analysis report indicates that the tourism industry in Uganda is still lagging behind its neighbours calling for the need to develop it domestically. Despite the growth of the industry in the recent years, the industry has the lowest estimated contribution to... Read more

ARUSHA, TANZANIA-Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) has this financial year set aside a total of Tsh700m meant for supporting community initiative projects throughout the country.“The funds were allocated in this year’s budget totaling Tsh700m to support community initiative projects in and around the national parks and the aim is to make society feel that they are also responsible for conservation... Read more

KAMPALA- Uganda should turn to the drawing board and make comparative studies to review strategies that were adopted in the 1960′s, modify them for better positioning in the international tourism market now. The country is competing against new destinations and new products a call for exhibition of quality and unique marketing. Interest information and resource centre, modern stop-over points, restaurants,... Read more

KAMPALA, UGANDA – Last month saw the launch by another community tourism initiative by COBATI, the Community Based Tourism Initiative founded by Maria Baryamujura. The Nubian villages, over 30 of them are located in the Bombo area outside Kampala en route from the highway to the north of the country, better known for the location of the army headquarters than... Read more

Kampala, Uganda- Sounds of traditional drumming and whistling welcomed you to Lubiri, the Buganda  king’s palace in Kampala. People respond in droves,  joy and expectation written on their faces.It was time for the Third Annual Buganda Tourism expo. The theme for this year’s expo was to increase people’s knowledge about the cultural diversity and common heritage in the country. The... Read more

KAMPALA, UGANDA- Uganda’s wildlife conservation and management body, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) last week announced increases in the fees charged to enter national parks with effect from July 1. The body attributed their increases to the weakening Uganda Shilling against the Dollar, increase in fuel prices and the cost of living which is going up.Mid last week, the Dollar... Read more

KAMPALA, UGANDA – Uganda lacks decent stop-over points to support the tourism industry, said Makerere University tourism don Richard Drama. The absence leads to many tourists ending up as short stay visitors. He added that most tourists have to drive directly to national parks to see animals and then, back to their respective countries for lack of desent stop overs.... Read more

ENTEBBE, UGANDA - Entebbe International Airport is now able to accommodate the world’s biggest airplane, the Airbus A380 after the simulation tests carried out at the airport concluded. This was disclosed by Mr. Rama Makuza, the Managing Director of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) during the opening of Emirates airways’ sales office at the Entebbe International Airport last week.The Airbus A380... Read more

Kampala, Uganda-Despite being one of the fastest growing sectors in Uganda with an annual growth rate of 21% and a contribution of $662 million in 2010, the tourism sector is still riddled with numerous challenges.Limited marketing due to insufficient funding, high competition from neighbouring countries and poor service delivery particularly in hotels, tours and travel have been cited as some... Read more

NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya Airways, has moved to expand its capacity with the addition of a new Embraer E190 to its fleet. The aircraft will be deployed to operate within Southern and Central Africa.The new long-range plane joins the growing family of Embraer jets that Kenya Airways uses for its regional operations in Africa. The acquisition is part of a... Read more

Kenya Wildlife Services has recently announced that they have raised and secured enough funds to commence the fencing of the Mt. Kenya National Park, due to start later in the year. The cost for the project is estimated to be over US$12 million, with a tendency to rise considering present inflationary pressures and the decline in value of the Kenyan... Read more

For decades under the current regime, Uganda has played third in exploiting tourism resources in the East African Community.Surprisingly the third largest economy in the region has the biggest tourism potential compared to its two leaders, Kenya and Tanzania.Both countries basically have two, at most three basic tourist attractions while Uganda has a diversity of options. Apart from animals and... Read more

KAMPALA UGANDA- In announcing his new cabinet, President Yoweri Museveni, created two new ministries in the country. That of Karamoja Affairs that was elevated from a state ministry and that of tourism, separated from trade and industry. The third new ministry, that of Kampala city, did not appear on the president’s cabinet posting. It puzzled many and since, the matter... Read more

WEST NILE, UGANDA – The skies are clear. There is no sign that it will rain soon. It is at this time that I and five other journalists embark on the 440 kilometre journey to Arua from Kampala. The journey would also take us to Yumbe, Moyo and Adjumani towns, at the extreme north-west end of Uganda.Our mission is to... Read more

KAMPALA, UGANDA-President Yoweri Museveni recently announced his new cabinet, creating two new ministries and two new state ministries. Museveni’s new cabinet, is the third largest cabinet in the world behind that of North Korea and Kenya. Karamoja region was given a full ministry as was Tourism and Wildlife that was separated from that of trade.The oil rich area of Bunyoro,... Read more

KIGALI, RWANDA – The  Kigali Marriot Hotel in Rwanda will be ready in the next 14 months after the first phase of the 254-room facility, which includes six floors, is completed. Kigali Marriot Hotel is 75% and 25% Chinese and Rwandese owned.Marriot, is a US Hotel managing g. New Century Development (NCD), a Chinese owned firm promotes the hotel in... Read more

Kampala, Uganda- After downsizing flights to six following the global economic recession in 2009, South African Airways (SAA) has now resumed daily flights. The airline resumed daily flights in April 2011, with convenient connections via Johannesburg to Southern Africa, Europe, The Americas, Far East and Australia.On the regional services SAA now flies to 20 destinations in Africa which  include: Abidjan,... Read more

KAMPALA, UGANDA- The Friend a Gorilla campaign that was launched in Uganda in 2009 is yet to pick up though efforts are being done to ensure that it prospers, East African Business Week understands.The Uganda Wildlife Authority in partnership with the Uganda Tourism Board started the campaign as a result of a global demand for conservation tourism and promotion of... Read more

Nairobi , Kenya – Technology adoption provides a viable channel to growth in the tourism sector in the east African region, a sector expert has said. Talking ahead of the e-tourism conference in Nairobi, South Africa Tourism Global E-Marketing Manager William Price said faster internet connections, development of e-commerce and m-commerce and the growth of social media sites would accelerate growth... Read more

KAMPALA, UGANDA- Thousands of pilgrims have started trekking to Namugongo the place where Christians and Muslims were killed for their religion. The annual vent which has developed into an International pilgrimage is marked on June 3, a public holiday in Uganda. Pilgrims come from around East Africa, Sudan, the DR Congo, South Africa and Nigeria, among many countries. Scores more... Read more

NAIROBI - Kenya Airways says it has finally achieved its long sought after goal of flying three million passengers a year.Releasing its operating results for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2011, the carrier says it achieved a major milestone when the cumulative annual passenger count hit recorded three million passengers across the network on March 16, 2011 Like most... Read more

NAIROBI, KENYA - The Kenya Tourism Board faces a daunting task in marketing the country as one of the best tourism destinations in the world mainly because of stiff competition from ot her African countries and inadequate budgets.KTB gets only Sh1.4 b ($49m) annually for its operations. Compare this to countries like South Africa which are investing more than Sh10b... Read more

NAIROBI, Kenya - Kenya Airways says it has finally achieved its long sought after goal of flying three million passengers a year.Releasing its operating results for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2011, the carrier says it achieved a major milestone when the cumulative annual passenger count hit recorded three million passengers across the network on March 16, 2011 Like... Read more

Kampala, Uganda – The  Walk-to-work riots that engulfed Uganda, have already caused massive losses to the economy with the tourism sector reporting more than US$100m losses in cancellation of booking to hotels and the tour operators.Figures show that over 300 hotels in Uganda have lost 30% of their occupancy since riots mostly in April causing tourists cancelling and postponing their... Read more

KIGALI, RWANDA — Rwanda’s tourism sector is benefiting from an influx of visitors from its neighbours Uganda, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tanzania and Burundi. Government statistics show that from January to March 2011, 75% of visitors to Rwanda came from the six neighbours, who are member states of the East African Community (EAC) except DR Congo.Rwanda is also... Read more

What do you do when you were given a desert for a country? You love green but don’t have water? You love animals but they cannot live in the simmering heat? And there is scarcity of land? What do you do?Well, you recreate your landscape. That is what the United Arab Emirates has done over four decades and the results... Read more