Kenya: unlicensed Mara lodges closed

Kenyan government has shut down a number of safari lodges and camps in the wider Masai Mara area which were operating without licenses. More investigations are also underway into properties under construction to establish that they, too, have all relevant licenses, including clearance from National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and these findings are likely to produce more action against offenders.

The Masai Mara is one of Kenya’s best known tourism attractions and forms the extension into Kenya of the Tanzanian Serengeti National Park, and the annual migration of the wildebeest and zebras moves between the two parks every year, when the big herds follow the rains to find fresh pastures.

Source: eTurboNews, find article here>>.

Uganda: World Heritage site burned down

The nearly 130 years old Kasubi Tombs in Kampala , where several of the late Kings of Buganda are laid to rest and which was a focal point for tourists and the kingdom’s subjects for visits, burned down. It has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, and has always had a special place in the itineraries for tourists.

Source: eTurboNews; find article here>>.

Famous Victoria Falls to loose World Heritage status?

The Victoria Falls World Heritage Site was proclaimed in 1989. When the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe signed the agreement with UNESCO, they committed themselves to work together for the protection of the Victoria Falls and its surrounding area.

UNESCO required the governments to form a Joint Management Team and an Integrated Management Plan for the site. It also requested that certain issues were addressed. The report was first requested by UNESCO in 2002 and then again in 2006. Various deadlines have been passed and extensions given. The latest deadline of February 1, 2010 has again passed, and UNESCO has received no document.

The governments now are in a hurry to complete a document to be given to UNESCO on the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site. They want to take their last chance to submit the report before the 2010 session of the World Heritage Committee; all documents have to reach UNESCO by March 15.

Source: eTurboNews; find article here>>.

Kenya: New regulatory regime for hospitality sector

To ensure quality and compliance with relevant other laws and regulations and promoting excellence in the hospitality sector, all new hotel, resort, and lodge projects in Kenya require to be licensed first, before commencing any construction, by a newly-inaugurated Hotel and Restaurant Authority.

The authority will also embark on a nationwide exercise of grading and classification, using the East African Community regulatory regime now in place for all the five member states.

Source: eTurboNews; find article here>>.

UN Sanctions against Eritrea

In a 13-0-1 vote the UN Security Council opted for sanctions aganinst Eritrea until such time that the country "ceases arming, training, and equipping armed groups and their members including al-Shabab." Regime leaders and collaborating businesses are now also subject to travel bans, and a freeze of assets is reportedly underway for both individuals, as well as companies.

Source: eTurboNews; find article here>>.

Tanzania: towards a system for hotel classification

Tanzania is looking at modalities and ideas from tourist stakeholders on best options that would help to grade tourist accommodation facilities and make them match with those in other countries in the East African bloc. In November 2006, the East African Community (EAC)’s Council of Ministers approved the EAC classification and standardization criteria to be used in East African partner states in line with the EAC Treaty, Article 115(2), which gives a greenlight to the grading exercise of the accommodation facilities.

Source: eTurboNews; find article here>>.

UNTWO: Renewing Capacity for Tourism Development

UNWTO is actively supporting African destinations which have the capacity to renew their tourism development after having recently suffered from internal crisis or terrorist attacks. These efforts coincide with the overall support provided by the United Nations to foster social and economic stability in the region.

UNWTO Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli is currently visiting African countries (Côte d'Ivoire and Mauritania) to demonstrate the Organizations’ commitment to help re-launch their tourism development potential.

Source: UNTWO press release>>.

"Rwanda launches 'gorilla tax'"

According to iafrica.com, "Rwandan companies using the country's famous mountain gorillas' image for marketing purposes will have to pay a tax aimed at financing the endangered species protection, officials announced this week.
'We are launching this campaign to generate income earmarked for the species' protection,' said Fidele Ruzigandekwe, in charge of conservation at the Rwandan Office of Tourism and National Parks." Read more>>

"Eight African leaders speak on continent's travel opportunities"

"The Africa Travel Association (ATA), a 33-year old global travel trade association promoting tourism to Africa, held its Second Annual Presidential Forum on Tourism in New York City on Friday, September 28 at New York University’s Law School in Greenwich Village. Hosted by New York University’s Africa House, the theme of the event was 'positive news on Africa.'
The forum provided African leaders with the opportunity to present the continent’s rich travel opportunities to almost 200 leaders from government, non-government and business communities, the tourism industry, travel trade media, and education. Each leader spoke of the need to market 'Destination Africa' in a way that benefits both the continent as a whole and each individual country." Read more>>

Source: Travel Daily News International.

4th IIPT African Conference on Peace through Tourism

4th IIPT African Conference on Peace through Tourism
20-25 May 2007, Kampala, Uganda

Conference Goals:
Develop public and government appreciation of the central role of tourism in sustainable wealth creation, cultural enrichment, and preservation of biodiversity on the African Continent;
Enhance international public appreciation of Africa’s positive attributes including its rich mosaic of peoples, cultures, and biodiversity;
Identify and develop strategies for expanding market opportunities in Asia, Europe, North America, and domestic markets, and continue building the ‘Asia – Africa Bridge of Tourism, Friendship and Collaboration';
Encourage and facilitate collaborative public – private sector – donor – NGO and civil society strategies for new product development; and
Foster initiatives that contribute to reconciliation, peace and sustainable wealth creation in regions that have experienced conflict.

Find more information here.