Author: Chukwu Godlove
The United Kingdom (UK)’s Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood yesterday threatened to impose crippling visa sanctions on Namibian citizens, as well as those from Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The looming visa ban, Mahmood announced in that country’s House of Commons yesterday, will result in a Trump-style blockade of tourists, VIPs and businesspeople from travelling to Britain from all three countries. Unless Namibia and her southern African neighbours improve their co-operation on removals and agree to take back their citizens who migrated to the UK illegally, Mahmood said they will be left with no choice but to apply sanctions.…
The government has reduced passport application fees by 30 per cent, bringing the cost down from GH¢500.00 to GH¢350.00, effective today. The new fees, approved by Parliament, form part of efforts to make passport acquisition more affordable and accessible to all Ghanaians. Announcing this at a press conference in Accra yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the reduction would not affect the quality of passport booklets, nor compromise the security and convenience of the application process. He also disclosed the introduction of a new one-day passport service for applicants with urgent travel needs, enabling them…
Luxury travel takes flight at Cape Town International Airport, where South African Airways (SAA) and Discovery have officially unveiled their newly refurbished domestic departures lounge. Image: Supplied Opened this August, the revitalised space sets a new benchmark in airport hospitality, offering an elevated experience for travellers departing from Cape Town. Discover the upgraded space in action – view the video. This launch marks the third transformation in the rollout of the premium The Lounge concept, following successful redesigns at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport in Gqeberha. A new standard in airport comfort and…
Uganda’s tourism industry is set for a major injection of resources following the announcement of more than USD 8 million in new investment by the International Trade Centre (ITC), working through the Global Gateway initiative with funding from the European Union. The four-year programme will be implemented in partnership with the Sustainable Business for Uganda (SB4U) platform and the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, with a focus on closing long-standing financing gaps in the sector. It will also strengthen key export areas and support the growth of green value chains, a rising priority in global tourism markets. According to…
There’s a moment each day when South Africa blushes into stillness. Marlin Clark / Unsplash The light softens, the sky deepens into cobalt, and the world takes on a cool, cinematic quality. Photographers call it the blue hour—that short window just before sunrise or after sunset when the sun sits below the horizon, scattering light that paints everything in dreamy blues and purples. Whether you’re a content creator, a traveller with a camera phone, or someone who simply loves slow, quiet beauty, South Africa offers countless places to soak in this fleeting glow. Here’s your guide to the best blue…
The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, is set to launch the Travel Ready 2025 Campaign at the brand new Baywest Mall at the Home Affairs office in Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape, today. “The Travel Ready 2025 Campaign aims to prepare citizens for the upcoming festive season travel period by encouraging South Africans to ensure that their essential travel documents are up to date,” said the Department of Home Affairs ahead of Monday’s event. The campaign forms part of the department’s commitment to delivering dignity for all, by providing efficient, accessible, and people-centred services. Following the launch, the…
Each year the Highveld shifts into one of South Africa’s most atmospheric destinations as immense summer storms sweep across vast grasslands. Ayorinde Ogundele/Wikimedia Commons Afternoon skies begin to build with tall cloud towers that glow white against deep blue horizons. A soft rumble soon travels across the veld and the air thickens with the scent of dust and warm earth. For many travellers this seasonal drama is a signature of the region and a chance to experience nature in its most expressive form. The Highveld stretches across Gauteng, Mpumalanga, the Free State and the North West. This broad plateau offers…
The federal government at the weekend said it was set to launch the ‘National Tourism Policy’ in a renewed push to reposition the industry as a central pillar of economic growth, declaring that the long-awaited transformation of the sector is now underway. Delivering her keynote address at the ‘Destination Nigeria Governors Tourism Conference’ in Abuja, Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, said the current administration has identified tourism as one of Nigeria’s strongest pathways to economic diversification. She noted that the National Tourism Policy, which had remained stalled for years, is now before the Cabinet…
Across South Africa, a new wave of hotels and lodges are celebrating art as part of the travel experience. Whether the setting is a waterfront warehouse, a former power station, or a luxury villa, these spaces invite travellers to experience the story rather than merely observe it. Image used for illustrative purposes/Zalfa Imani/Unsplash Below are some of the most inspiring stays where art, design and architecture come together in unforgettable ways. Ellerman House celebrates fine South African art Few hotels curate art as thoughtfully as Ellerman House in Bantry Bay. Its private collection spans the entire property, from historic South…
Dodoma — TANZANIA, and China have begun discussions to strengthen professional collaboration in research, conservation, and the promotion of forest tourism. The collaboration done between the Tanzania Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI) and a delegation of forestry experts from China will also include the establishment of a botanical garden and research on rare and endangered species. The delegation from Hunan Province, which is in the country for a special visit, toured around, intending to understand the institution’s mandate and identify areas with potential for scientific cooperation. ALSO READ: Tanzania seeks to address unemployment challenges in Arusha, Manyara Keep up with the…