Author: Chukwu Godlove
Monrovia — Stakeholders and participants at a one-day Public Policy Dialogue on Tourism, organized by the Governance Commission (GC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs & Tourism (MICAT) and the Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA), have called for enhanced measures to strengthen Liberia’s tourism sector. The dialogue, held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex, focused on strategies to unlock the full potential of the multibillion-dollar industry, including the role of government, financial institutions, and public-private partnerships in promoting tourism. During panel discussions, participants highlighted the importance of promoting tourism from the grassroots to allow counties to…
When people think of a Tanzanian island escape, Zanzibar almost always takes the spotlight. Its spice-scented markets, iconic dhows and white-sand beaches have made it one of Africa’s most famous destinations. Zanzibar, Tanzania/Humphrey M/Unsplash From remote marine reserves to forest-covered islets, these islands encourage you to slow down and explore a quieter kind of paradise, still filled with beauty and charm. Pemba Island: The green jewel Vumawimbi Beach, Pemba Island/Marcel Oosterwijk from Amsterdam, The Netherlands/Wikimedia Commons Often called Zanzibar’s wild sister, Pemba is everything Unguja (Zanzibar’s main island) isn’t: rugged, forested and blissfully untamed. It’s famous for its hilly landscape,…
Stakeholders at a one-day Public Policy Dialogue on Tourism have called on the government and its partners to make meaningful investments in Liberia’s tourism sector, describing it as a potential driver of economic growth and national reawakening. The dialogue, organized by the Governance Commission (GC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) and the Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA), was held under the theme, “A Review of Liberia’s Tourism Sector for Sustained Economic Growth.” The event brought together policymakers, financial institutions, tourism operators, and development partners at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex. Participants agreed…
Sometimes, all you need to recharge is a good tune. Nikola Đuza/Unsplash Across South Africa, live music venues are keeping the mid-week spirit alive with intimate performances and local talent. Here are some of the country’s best local venues for a mid-week wind-down. Johannesburg The Orbit, BraamfonteinThe Orbit quickly established itself as one of Johannesburg’s leading jazz venues, attracting both local and international musicians. Its modern yet relaxed atmosphere provides an ideal setting for music lovers looking to escape the weekday rush. Guests can enjoy smooth jazz, fusion, and soulful performances while sampling a curated menu of wine and light…
Wine tourism has long put South Africa on the agritourism map, but a new generation of farm experiences is redefining indulgence. Beyond the vineyards, olive groves, honey farms, and truffle trails offer visitors immersive, multi-sensory adventures that combine food, nature, and culture. These three artisanal treasures are not only delicious—they tell stories of place, season, and sustainability. Olives: Liquid gold from the Karoo and beyond Image of olive tree used for illustrative purposes/Lucio Patone/Unsplash South Africa’s olive estates are flourishing in the Western Cape and Karoo, where sun-drenched valleys produce fruit that rivals Mediterranean classics. Farms like Olijvenhof in Montagu…
From golden plains where ancient stone cities rise to mossy fjords carved by millennia of ice, 2025 has unveiled a world rich in texture–think Zimbabwe’s thunderous gorges, Lithuania’s midsummer meadows and Sri Lanka’s jungle-wrapped railways. Soulful countries like South Korea invite quiet reflection amid temple-laced forests and volcanic island trails, while Morocco shimmers in desert hues and Norway gleams with waterfalls and glinting glaciers. To help narrow your search, I’ve spoken to experts from a world-leading travel site, Kayak, to choose its best countries to visit in 2025. Partly based on insights laid out in the company’s Travel Check-in report,…
Nobody loves pumpkin quite like South Africans. Andrew Robinson/Unsplash This enduring, versatile ingredient is a staple that appears in homes, farm kitchens and restaurants across the country. From sweet fritters in the Western Cape to pumpkin curries in KwaZulu-Natal, each region adds its own touch to this versatile vegetable. Here’s where to explore the country’s diverse pumpkin traditions. Western Cape The Western Cape is a treasure trove of pumpkin-based dishes that reflect both farm-style cooking and Cape Malay heritage. Travellers can start in Stellenbosch, where Oom Samie se Winkel serves traditional pampoenkoekies which are light pumpkin fritters sprinkled with cinnamon…
Tunis, Oct. 12 — Tunisia is number one in the top five international “Safe Choice” destinations for Chinese tourists in the mid-autumn holidays (October 1-18), a recent ranking released by Tongcheng Travel showed. Tunisia comes ahead of Japan, Spain, Vietnam and New Zealand, China’s leading online travel agency said. Chinese visitors are mainly turning towards high-quality and long-haul destinations, the report also highlighted. The Middle East and Africa posted the highest growth in booking rates, the same source further said. Source link
Steenberg Farm in the Constantia Valley has completed the restoration of its historic Manor House, one of South Africa’s oldest registered farm buildings. ~ souTH AFRica ~/Wikimedia Commons According to Tourism Update, the building is believed to be the earliest known example of Cape Dutch architecture, originally constructed in 1682 and was once home to the farm’s founder, Catharina Ras. The restoration project, led by Managing Director Catherine Schulze, set out to preserve the building’s heritage while introducing modern touches that reflect Steenberg’s reputation for understated luxury. Preserving Original Features The team focused on retaining the Manor House’s authentic character.…
Gaborone — Botswana nationals will require an entry visa to visit the United Kingdom (UK) with effect from October 14. According to the press statement from the Ministry for International Relations, the announcement comes in response to the ongoing illegal and irregular migration of Batswana to the UK, including the significant number of asylum applications from Batswana since 2022. Therefore, the UK government has revoked the ‘visa free status’ and introduced a visitor visa requirement for Batswana planning to visit the UK. Furthermore, Batswana transiting through the UK, will also require a direct airside transit visa, which similarly comes into…