Author: Chukwu Godlove
Santorini is safe and prepared to welcome tourists again. As reported by Tourism Update, this comes after recent seismic activity prompted evacuations for both visitors and residents. Between the 26th of January and the 22nd of February, the Interdisciplinary Committee for Risk and Crisis Management at the University of Athens recorded over 20,000 minor earthquakes in the vicinity of the island. Photo by Tânia Mousinho on Unsplash According to CNN, seismic activity has decreased, allowing for evacuees to return home, schools to reopen and hotel construction to resume. ALSO READ: Thousands flee Santorini as earthquakes rattle Greek island The state…
South Africa hosted a successful first G20 Tourism Working Group meeting virtually from the Head Office of the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO) today. The Director General of the South African Department of Tourism, Mister Nkhumeleni Victor Vele chaired the first Tourism Working Group meeting which was attended by senior officials and experts in the tourism sector of the G20 countries, invited guest countries and international organisations. Delegates deliberated on and agreed to work on four priorities for the year, namely: People-Centered Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Innovation to enhance Travel and Tourism Start-Ups and SMMEs; Tourism Financing and…
Titanic Rock, an epic, jutting cliff, salutes you as you enter Clarens. Mountain ranges wrap around you from left and right. This small town’s beauty is awe-inspiring. It is chock-full of picturesque views, good food and drinks, and a bounty of art galleries and artisanal shops. It is no wonder creative souls find inspiration and solace in the jewel of the Free State, writes Werner Labuscagne. ALSO READ: Four small towns you probably did not know A highlight of any visit to Clarens is the surrounding wilderness. It is the closest town to the Golden Gate Highlands National Park,…
Image: Instagram / @jayroode Videos and photographs that have surfaced online capture a young male leopard leaping onto the hood of a safari vehicle during a game drive in the Kruger National Park (KNP). ALSO READ: Not all heroes wear capes, some wear safari uniforms and wield garden rakes The unusual sighting, which occurred within a private concession in the KNP, captures the leopard as it lands onto the head of the safari vehicle, less than a meter away from the safari guide, and but a few paces away from guests, who whip out their phones and cameras as the…
My family and I moved to Glen Eden, on the East Coast of East London, 10 years ago and joined the local Crossways Church. The couple who run the church, Tracy and Jonathan King, founded the Kings Children’s Home in 2008 after forming a bond with an abandoned baby the police had asked them to take in. They realised many more children were in the same situation, so, from their own home, they provided other options for mothers who couldn’t care for their offspring. We often visit Kings, interact with the children and have seen Tracy and Jonathan’s positive impact.…
A new tourism levy that was introduced recently by the government is set to benefit the sector, Godfrey Kabera, Minister of State for National Treasury at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, has said. The new tourism levy, which introduces a 3 per cent tax on accommodation services (excluding VAT), applies to hotels, motels, lodges, apartments, and Airbnb facilities. Once enacted, all accommodation businesses will be required to register for the tax and remit payments monthly. Following Parliament’s approval of the draft law’s relevance on March 19, the government is now set to finalize its details and implementation strategy…
The enchanting world of astro-tourism offers travellers the opportunity to broaden their knowledge of the universe as they explore the beautiful night sky. From seasoned stargazers to those who are simply curious, astro-tourism is often enriching and worthwhile to many. Picture: Unsplash/Rahul Bhosale Here are a few things to consider for a memorable astro-tourism experience: Location Selecting the perfect location can enhance your overall experience. Choose a place with minimal light pollution. Remote mountains, national parks and designated dark sky reserves are ideal for astro-tourism. Proper planning Planning is crucial. If you intend to visit a popular astro-tourism destination, book…
Transcorp Hotels Plc, the hospitality subsidiary of Transcorp Group has been awarded “Hospitality Company of the Year 2024” at the Independent Newspapers Awards. In a statement, the organisers noted that the award is in recognition of the transformation that the Transcorp brand has undergone over the years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. “Such feat has come through deliberate asset renewal, planning and reinvesting that has ensured that the company is not only able to grow revenue sustainably but also remains profitable to the admiration of shareholders and other stakeholders,” a letter signed by Independent Newspaper’s Editor-in-Chief, Steve Omanufeme said. The…
Image: Facebook / DRONE FANATICS SA A heartbreaking incident unfolded at Hartenbos Beach in Mossel Bay, where a beaked whale was found stranded on the shore, sparking immediate rescue efforts from concerned bystanders and marine enthusiasts. Despite attempts to guide the animal back into the ocean, the whale repeatedly returned to the beach, leading to the difficult decision to euthanise it. The stranded whale was identified as a member of the elusive beaked whale family, known for their deep-diving habits and preference for remote ocean waters. These marine mammals are notoriously difficult to study due to their rare surfacing behaviour…
Travelers to the US are being reminded of the serious consequences of overstaying their visa, with officials warning that violators could face a permanent ban from re-entering the country. According to U.S. immigration authorities, consular officers have full access to an individual’s immigration history and can detect past violations, making it nearly impossible to evade penalties for overstaying. Officials emphasised that there is no leniency for those who claim ignorance of visa regulations, as travelers are responsible for complying with the terms of their stay. “If you overstay your U.S. visa, you could face a permanent ban on traveling to…