Author: Chukwu Godlove
Purposeful travel transforms trips into meaningful journeys. It prioritises authentic connections, local impact, and personal growth over luxury and indulgence. Image used for illustrative purposes/Thivanika Uthayakumaran/Unsplash Every destination visited with intention becomes a space to learn, give back, and experience life differently, writes Lee-Ann Steyn. Why purposeful travel matters now Travellers are increasingly seeking experiences that benefit both themselves and the communities they visit. Research shows many want their travel to support sustainable tourism and meaningful cultural exchange. Purpose-driven travel prioritises contribution and connection rather than consumption and indulgence. Core principles of purposeful travel that do not feel like work…
A leading travel agency, Dees Travels and Tours, has reinforced its commitment to innovation and strategic collaboration with the unveiling of an AI-powered travel assistant, as part of efforts to remain competitive in Nigeria’s evolving travel industry. The managing director of the company, Daisi Olotu, disclosed this at an exclusive Travel Partners and Stakeholders Roundtable Session held in Lagos, which brought together key players across the travel value chain. The high-level engagement provided partners with a platform to align expectations, review system updates, and explore growth opportunities amid changing industry dynamics. Olotu described the roundtable as a deliberate gathering of…
Travel is often planned around pin drops and bucket list destinations. A different kind of journey begins when movement becomes the organising principle. Image used for illustrative purposes/Claudio Schwarz/Unsplash When travel is designed around walking, riding the rails, moving by water or driving yourself, the journey stops being a means to an end and becomes the story itself. Routes matter more than resorts. The way you arrive changes how deeply you connect. Trips shaped by movement invite travellers to slow down, look closer and travel with intention, writes Lee-Ann Steyn. Why the way you travel matters Movement determines rhythm. It…
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille says South Africa is strengthening its tourism growth strategy through investment promotion, improved air connectivity and visa reforms, as the country deepens engagement with key Asian markets. De Lille was speaking in Singapore this week during a visit that included engagements with the Singapore Tourism Board, Singapore’s Minister of National Development Alvin Tan, and tourism sector stakeholders. She said discussions focused on increasing tourist arrivals from Singapore and the broader South-East Asian region, as well as presenting bankable tourism investment projects in South Africa. In 2025, South Africa welcomed 9 827 Singaporeans in the country,…
Every good trip starts with good intention, writes Miriam Kimvangu. Image used for illustrative purposes/Josh Nezon/Unsplash Ethical travel has become a practical framework for anyone who wants their holidays to contribute positively to the places they visit. At its most useful, ethical travel is about making informed, realistic decisions before and during your trip. This practical guide breaks ethical travel down into manageable choices that can be applied to almost any destination. 1. Choose accommodation that reflects local values Your choice of accommodation has a direct impact on local economies and environments. Ethical accommodation prioritises fair employment, responsible resource use…
Ndalatando — The Government of Cuanza-Norte will make better use of 63 tourist attractions to diversify the local economy, announced the provincial governor, João Diogo Gaspar. Tourist attractions include the Zanga caves, the Muanda waterfalls, the Santa Isabel water source and the Kilombo tourist center, in the municipality of Cazengo. According to the governor, who was speaking to the press on Sunday after visiting these tourist attractions, the 63 locations identified are on the government’s list for greater publicity and attracting tourists to the province. The government, he maintained, will continue to invest in improving access roads to tourism areas,…
Cape Town is often praised for its natural beauty — the mountain, the ocean, the light — but look a little closer and you’ll find a city whose architecture quietly commands just as much attention. Miguel Martins / Unsplash From sleek contemporary builds to timeworn Victorian façades, Cape Town’s architectural landscape is layered, expressive, and deeply tied to its social history. These are the buildings and spaces that make you slow your pace, crane your neck, and appreciate the artistry of the city itself. The Zeitz MOCAA: industrial Brutalism reimagined Magda Ehlers / Pexels Few buildings in Cape Town have…
Art has become one of the most compelling reasons to travel, turning cities, small towns, and even remote landscapes into destinations in their own right. These are not just places to look at art but places to linger, wander, and plan an entire trip around. Image used for illustrative purposes/Artur Matosyan/Unsplash From converted grain silos and sculpture gardens in South Africa to creative districts and world-class museums abroad, these galleries, studios and spaces reward travellers willing to follow their curiosity, writes Lee-Ann Steyn. South Africa: Creative spaces that shape the journey Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town Housed in a former grain…
President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is “determined to strengthen the regulatory and policy environment to further grow” the tourism sector. The President addressed the nation through the weekly newsletter following the Tourism Department’s announcement that South Africa welcomed some 10.48 million international visitors last year, an increase of some 17.6% compared to 2024. It is also the highest number of arrivals on record – surpassing pre-COVID-19 numbers in a “vote of confidence in a sector that continues to show great potential for further growth”. “An increase in international visitors is also a vote of confidence in South Africa’s brand appeal,…
Time leaves footprints that are waiting to be followed, writes Miriam Kimvangu. Petra, Jordan/Filippo Cesarini/Unsplash Across the world, the remains of ancient civilisations endure as physical records of how societies once organised power, belief and daily life. Long before modern borders and tourism routes, these cities and ceremonial centres were shaped by trade, astronomy, religion and the demands of landscape. Today, they function as destinations because they continue to offer insight into the complexity of past worlds. Visiting them gives travellers and opportunity to understand how human civilisation has repeatedly risen, adapted and, in some cases, disappeared. Here are seven…