Author: Chukwu Godlove
WWF South Africa is rallying the nation to unite for Earth Hour 2025, billed as “The Biggest Hour for Earth.” This global movement, set for March 22, encourages individuals to dedicate at least 60 minutes to sustainable actions supporting the environment. Picture: WWF South Africa Since its launch in 2007, Earth Hour has grown into a worldwide event, raising awareness about critical environmental issues. In 2024, WWF South Africa secured a spot among the top 10 most engaged countries in the initiative. Building on this momentum, WWF hopes to make Earth Hour 2025 an even greater success. Pedzi Gozo, Executive…
Nairobi — Kenya welcomed 7.5 million tourists last year, latest data shows, with the government targeting 5 million international visitors and 10 million domestic tourists by 2027. Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano revealed that the country received 2.4 million international visitors in 2024, compared to 2 million visitors in 2023. “In 2024, Kenya’s tourism sector reached historic milestones. Our total visitor numbers stood at 7.5 million as we welcomed 2.4 million international visitors. This reflects a 14.6% growth from 2023,” she stated. Miano stated that the top 5 tourism source markets, including the United States, Uganda, Tanzania, the…
Jet lag can be a challenging issue when flying across time zones taking away precious time from our holidays, which is why we put together this list of tips and tricks to get over jet lag. Picture: Unsplash 1. Understanding Jet Lag Jet lag is a disruption of the body’s circadian rhythm caused by travelling across three or more time zones. It leads to symptoms like sleep disturbances, daytime drowsiness, reduced performance, and gastrointestinal issues. The severity and duration of jet lag can vary based on factors such as travel direction, number of time zones crossed, total travel time, and…
Global leaders must take urgent, concerted action to end road carnage World leaders meet for the Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety to recognize road safety as an urgent public health and development priority and advance actions to halve road deaths by 2030. If you had to guess the leading cause of death for children and young people globally, what would you say? Malaria? Pneumonia? Suicide? They’re all up there, but no, it’s road crashes. Cars have been around for over 120 years, and we know how to prevent these tragedies. Yet road crashes still claim more than two lives…
When the sun sets, a world of fascinating adventure unfolds beneath the stars. Overnight hiking offers a unique opportunity to escape the bustle of daily life, inviting adventurers to immerse themselves in nature’s serene embrace. Picture: Sourced/iStock However, before you lace up your boots and hit the trail, it is essential to be well-prepared for the journey ahead. Consider this guide to overnight hiking: Route Planning Planning your route is one of the most important things you will have to do in preparation for your hike. Research trails and choose one that is suitable for your skill level and physical…
The Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) has warned government against increasing income tax rates, decrying that the strategy could hinder the recovery of the tourism sector. The warning is contained in HATAB’s position paper titled “HATAB 2025/2026 Budget Expectations,” released ahead of the recent budget speech by Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe. According to HATAB, the tourism industry is still struggling to rebound from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and requires more time to fully recover. “A tax increase would hamper the recovery. We, therefore, expect government to maintain the current tax rate and not raise it,” reads…
‘Let’s take a flight to Graaff Reinet’ –– not something you hear everyday, right? Usually, a beautiful yet dreaded 6+ hours long drive from Cape Town will have you arriving in one of South Africa’s oldest towns. But, thanks to Air du Cap, you can skip the long drive and fly private. It is not just a fragment of your luxury travel dreams. With an unwavering commitment to personalised and exclusive experiences, Air du Cap is a private charter operator that holds an aviation speciality for when you are embarking on your next business trip, romantic getaway, family vacation or…
Mavinga — The Minister of Tourism, Márcio Daniel, on Friday defended the need to reduce bureaucracy in the business environment in Cuando province in order to speed up private investment in the region. Speaking to the press at the end of a visit to Cuando province, the minister said that tourism in the region has great potential to boost the development of different segments of the national economy, especially agriculture, security, health and commerce. The minister defended the need to work harder at the local level to remove all the red tape that hinders private sector investment. “We have met…
Posted on 12 March 2025 The announcement of a VAT increase in the 2025 Budget, presented on March 12 by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, has disappointed tourism stakeholders, according to TravelNews. While the increase—rising in two phases to reach 16% by 2026/27—adds financial strain to the sector, the government’s commitment to infrastructure investment offers a silver lining. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. (Picture: Phando Jikelo / RSA Parliament) Godongwana revealed that public infrastructure spending over the next three years would exceed R1 trillion, with 77% allocated to transport, logistics, energy, and water and sanitation. FEDHASA Chairperson Rosemary Anderson emphasized that improved…
Kenya’s experience can help countries balance practical realities with Africa’s goal of open borders and regional connections. In January 2024, Kenya announced it would become a visa-free country for African visitors, as a step towards open borders and regional integration. However, as with many ambitious policies, the challenge lay in execution. Instead of abolishing visa requirements altogether, Kenya introduced an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system to modernise entry into the country by enhancing accessibility and security. But instead, the process became a bureaucratic obstacle, complicating travel for many. Kenya’s experience exemplifies how well-intended policies can falter without clear communication, stakeholder…