Author: Chukwu Godlove
Following a series of high-stakes engagements in Mumbai, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) has signaled a shift in its global strategy to attract more Indian travellers. The milestone event, OTM 2026, was officially inaugurated by a distinguished panel of leaders, including Hon. Christian Harold Richard Duval, Minister of Tourism, Mauritius, who served as a Guest of Honour, inaugurating the event alongside other notable international dignitaries. The MTPA delegation, led by MTPA Chairman, Mr. Dinesh Burrenchobay and Director, Mr. Benoît Harter, unveiled an actionable strategy designed to potentially elevate India from its current position as the fifth-largest tourism source market…
South Africa’s long-discussed high-speed rail project is once again moving forward. Image used for illustrative purposes/James Collington/Unsplash In his 2026 State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirmed government’s commitment to developing a high-speed bullet train network that would link key economic hubs across the country. The project aims to modernise long-distance travel and significantly cut journey times between major provinces. According to the President, improved rail infrastructure is critical to economic growth and regional connectivity. He pointed to the lengthy travel time between Johannesburg and eThekwini, which can exceed five hours by road, as an example of why…
The true beauty of historic architecture lies in its accessibility, where you can take it all in without the pressure of booking or listening to a guide on a headset; you get to be your own guide and experience history through a different lens. Lee-Ann Steyn explores the joy of discovering historic buildings on foot, where layered histories unfold one block at a time, and no formal tour is required. Why self-guided heritage walks are having a moment The freedom to move at your own pace Structured tours offer insight, yet they also dictate rhythm. Self-guided walks allow travellers to…
The newly constituted Human Resource & Organisational Development (HR & OD) Committee of the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) has held its inaugural meeting, marking an important step towards strengthening human capital, institutional efficiency and staff welfare across Ghana’s tourism and hospitality sector. The meeting, held yesterday at Coconut Grove Regency Hotel, focused on clarifying the Committee’s mandate, discussing its Terms of Reference, and outlining a strategic workplan to guide its activities for the year. The Committee is tasked with providing strategic guidance, advisory support and practical interventions aimed at enhancing organisational effectiveness and workforce professionalism within the tourism industry. Presiding…
Only a tour guide would think it’s reasonable to invite someone for a coffee at 6:45 on a weekday without blinking, writes Miriam Kimvangu. View of Table Mountain from V&A Waterfront/Miriam Kimvangu Maybe I’m as crazy as he is because it didn’t take me more than a second to accept. I met tour guide, Gideon was been sharing the infectious energy of the city with visitors since 2016. I arrived barely awake and still defrosting, but thinking I would be the first to arrive, just to see him sitting with a coffee and people-watching like it was as normal as…
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has launched the 2026 National Chocolate Month, a flagship national initiative aimed at promoting domestic cocoa consumption, value addition, and the growth of Ghana’s chocolate industry as part of the country’s tourism and creative economy agenda. The initiative forms part of the authority’s efforts to reposition Ghana not only as one of the world’s leading cocoa producers but also as the home of authentic chocolate experiences, while strengthening linkages between agriculture, tourism, and the creative arts sector. The launch ceremony took place yesterday at the Nationalism Park in Accra, on the theme: ‘Eat Cocoa, Stay…
Cape Town’s appeal isn’t only in its mountains and oceans, writes Zoë Erasmus. It’s in the smaller, quieter spaces where people gather to read, make, exhibit and exchange ideas. Jean van Wyk / Unsplash Independent bookshops, contemporary galleries and creative hubs are what give the city texture. They’re where conversations start, artists build careers, and communities form. If you want to understand why Cape Town continues to feel culturally alive, start here. Where books still matter Viktoria Alipatova / Pexels Independent bookshops remain some of the most consistent cultural anchors in the city. The Book Lounge in the CBD has…
Popular destinations often arrive with fixed narratives, writes Miriam Kimvangu. A city becomes known for one landmark, a country for one experience and a region for a single postcard view. However, after spending a holiday lounging on a gorgeous beach in Dar Es Salaam despite being so close to Zanzibar, it made me think. Surely there were other destinations that were overlooked in favour of more popular options within their region. Here are 4 places worth considering while on your bucket list adventures. Dar es Salaam instead of Zanzibar, Tanzania Dar Es Salaam/Miriam Kimvangu When I travelled to Tanzania, most…
Wide horizons, dusty roads, and sheep farms stretching to the skyline define the Karoo. Yet the real magic of travelling through this semi-desert lies in what waits at the next stop. Houw Hoek Farm Stall/Olga Ernst/Wikimedia Commons Pull off the N1, drift along the R62 or veer towards a gravel road, and you will find farm stalls perfumed with fresh bread, cafés humming with local gossip and dining rooms where Karoo lamb remains the undisputed hero. The best way to experience this region is one bite at a time. This guide follows a classic Karoo road-trip route and highlights where…
Africa’s wildlife is magnetic, from elephants tromping through savannahs to lions lounging in the shade of acacia trees, writes Zoë Erasmus. Pixabay / Pexels But as tourism rebounds across the continent, travellers and operators alike are asking a vital question: how can we experience wildlife in ways that place dignity, conservation and local communities at the heart of the journey? The answer lies in ethical wildlife experiences that deliberately shift the focus away from sheer access (think “seeing everything at any cost”) to respectful, responsible encounters that minimise disturbance, maximise conservation impact and honour the intrinsic value of fauna and…