Author: Chukwu Godlove
Is 2026 the year we embrace high-tech travel or head for the hills in search of a digital detox? Global trends even have us taking our pets on holiday with us, all planned and booked by AI. From new pet travel technology to AI-powered trip planning, faster-than-ever plane travel to hyper-personalised hotel stays, a wave of innovation is reshaping travel. So says tech provider Amadeus in its Travel Trends 2026, released together with Globetrender, a travel trends forecaster. They outline six trends, one of which is called Travel Mixology, where travellers get to be the alchemists of their own trips,…
Creative activities are no longer reserved for art students or hobbyists with years of experience. Taylor Heery/Unsplash Across South Africa, studios and facilitators are offering accessible, welcoming art experiences designed specifically for adults who want to slow down, switch off and try something new. From ceramics wheels to wine fuelled paint sessions, these creative adventures are as much about the process as the finished piece. Ceramics studios and pottery workshops Pottery continues to lead the adult art movement thanks to its tactile, grounding nature. Beginner friendly workshops introduce wheel throwing, hand building and glazing in short, guided sessions. These experiences…
Zanzibar — President Samia Suluhu Hassan has highlighted that Tanzania’s diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, water bodies and peaceful, hospitable people continue to attract visitors from across the globe. Dr Samia made the remarks yesterday while receiving three major international tourism awards won by Tanzania at the 2025 World Travel Awards, during a ceremony held at Tunguu State House in Zanzibar. She said the achievements reflect the country’s rich natural endowments, sustained conservation efforts, and strategic promotion of tourism products. Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines The President commended institutions and professionals in the tourism and conservation…
Durban is reimagining its coastline with an ambitious new attraction designed to become a flagship destination for both local visitors and international travellers. eThekwini Municipality/Facebook According to Tourism Update, the eThekwini Municipality has confirmed plans for a large scale amusement and family entertainment park that will introduce modern rides, immersive digital experiences and upgraded public spaces along the beachfront. The development will rise on the site of the former Funworld amusement park, which closed in 2023. Once completed, the new precinct is expected to deliver a vibrant mix of adrenaline driven attractions and accessible family entertainment. Planned highlights include a…
Viago Booking, a company that recently took Namibians to Angola and left them stranded, has apologised to clients, saying all outstanding money will be refunded. The company posted on its social media last month inviting Namibians on a 14-day trip to Angola. The trip, which was expected to begin on 22 December and end on 4 January, left 70 Namibians stranded in Angola’s Luanda. Each person was required to pay N$5 000 which was expected to cover transport, food, accommodation and daily activities but they ended up paying all expenses on their own. The company’s founder, Walter Mucungui, in a…
South African low-cost carrier FlySafair has once again proven that reliability is its strongest selling point, emerging as the most on-time airline in the Middle East and Africa and technically outperforming every airline in the world. Image: Supplied According to the Cirium 2025 On-Time Performance Review, FlySafair achieved an impressive 91.06% on-time arrival rate, securing the top spot in its region. While this figure is slightly down from the airline’s 93.82% score in 2024, it still places FlySafair ahead of all airlines assessed globally. Cirium’s annual rankings are widely regarded as the gold standard for airline performance, drawing on more…
The Presidency says President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Mauritius holiday was not secret and followed the rules. Gwede Mantashe acted as president from 21 to 27 December while Ramaphosa was out of the country. The Presidency says President Cyril Ramaphosa’s short holiday to Mauritius was not hidden and did not leave the country without leadership. Questions were raised last week about the president’s trip over the Christmas period. Reports said Ramaphosa travelled to Mauritius with his support team to rest. He later appeared in his New Year’s message to the country. In that message, Ramaphosa thanked South Africans for their sacrifices during…
Dreaming of your next great escape? Tyler Leigh Vivier / Pexels 2026 is shaping up to be an excellent year for South African travellers thanks to a generous slate of visa-free options around the world. According to the latest Passport Index, folks with a South African passport can now jet off to 59 destinations without the hassle of applying for a visa, making spontaneous itineraries and bucket-list adventures easier than ever. Sitting comfortably in the mid-range of global passport rankings, South Africa’s travel reach now spans continents—from sun-soaked islands to vibrant cities and cultural hubs—with fewer entry barriers, lighter paperwork,…
Nairobi — More than 300,000 visitors explored Kenya’s national parks and wildlife reserves during the December 2025 festive season, reflecting the growing popularity of the country’s wildlife destinations among both local and international tourists. According to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the strong turnout marked a successful close to the festive season, thanking visitors who chose Kenya Parks for their holiday experiences. “Over 300,000 visitors experienced our parks and reserves during the festive season,” KWS said in a statement. Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines According to the agency, 231,000 of the visitors were Kenyan citizens…
Travellers flying through Johannesburg’s busiest airport can breathe easier — air traffic at O.R. Tambo International Airport has returned to normal after disruptions on Sunday, January 4. Adem Percem / Pexels According to reports by IOL, the Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) confirmed that operations were running to schedule again by Monday morning, with flights taking off and landing as planned across the airport. The weekend delays came at a particularly busy time, as many families were returning home after the festive season. Initial statements from ATNS suggested temporary human resource constraints at the airport’s air traffic control centre…