PHOTOS OF THE DAY FROM SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

SAUDI ARABIA PRINCESS AND DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS LED SAUDI ARABIA AND TANZANIAN YOUTHS FORUM TOUR TO SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK AND NEARBY FACILITIES DEVELOPED AT COMMUNITY LAND (IKOMA WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA-WMA)

Adventure travel 2014: the year’s top trips

These are the best new adventure travel destinations and tours of 2014. Whether you’re a serious cyclist in search of challenging climbs, a dedicated yogi on a quest to find the next best meditation location, or a just an avid adventurer ready to plan your next bucket list expedition our list is bound to feature a trip that will have you packing your bags and booking a flight faster than you can say, “Pour me a drink.”

 

10. The Unexplored Coast in Tanzania

Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park and Lake Tanganyika make it one of the most visited countries in Africa, but with hundreds of miles of coastline on the Indian Ocean—not even counting the island paradise of Zanzibar—there’s plenty more wild to explore.

The coast north of the capital, Dar es Salaam—farther north, even, than the historic port town Tanga—is virtually unvisited when compared to the country’s southern shores, and yet features mangrove swamps, untouched beaches and fleeting sand islands that disappear at high tide. Infinite Safari Adventures is the only operator offering kayaking tours of the area. Paddle trips are based out of remote Fish Eagle Lodge and use handmade fiberglass boats. “If you kayak there you will be one of less than a 1000 [people] who has ever had the opportunity to kayak in this area,” says the company’s owner Alan Feldstein.

SOURCE;

Published January 20, 2014

TheActiveTimes

 

Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania's Overlooked Tourism Jewel

DAR ES SALAAM — Tanzania has a lot to offer: safaris, mountains, tropical islands. But hardly anyone knows about Dar es Salaam. The country’s largest city offers not only culture but also beautiful beaches.

In the early evening, before the tropical night sinks into the Indian Ocean’s deep blackness, the beach at the Oyster Bay fills up. Tanzanians arrive with their plastic chairs to chat, enjoy the colors of the waves at sunset and taste the specialties of different peddlers.
“You have to try the cassava. It tastes very good,” says Santay Uka, who works as a Dar es Salaam city guide. The potato-like tuber, which is also known as manioc, is cooked on an open fire and served with coleslaw and a spicy tomato-chili sauce. 

Amid all the white sand, blue sea and relaxed atmosphere, it is hard to believe that the center of this dynamic business city is just six kilometers away.

Unofficial capital 

Dar es Salaam counts about three million inhabitants and is by far Tanzania’s largest city, but inland, Dodoma has been the official capital since 1974. Nevertheless, the government, diplomatic missions and international organizations are still based in “Dar,” as the city is called colloquially. 

The literal translation of Dar es Salaam is “House of Peace.” And that it is, with the exception of its bustling center. As in most African cities, armies of cars struggle to make their way through the streets.

But Dar is often ignored or downplayed in tourism guides and among Tanzania experts, who tend to attract customers with safaris in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area or by offering ascents of Kilimanjaro or holidays in Zanzibar (a semi-autonomous region in Tanzania).

Most people pass by Dar because the ferries sail from there. But those who decide to stay for two or three nights will be amply rewarded and will have the chance to discover the true Tanzania.

History exhibition and more

The sightseeing tour should start with a stop at the National Museum, a temple of culture that first opened in 1940. It displays not only interesting historical exhibits that explain the history of the country, but also scientific discoveries. 

Among these are the bones found by Louis and Mary Leakey in 1959 at the famous Olduvai Gorge site of the Nutcracker man — “Australopithecus boisei” — who lived 1.7 million years ago in East Africa.

Above all for German tourists, it is interesting to see the exhibits and photo expositions related to colonial history. After all, Tanzania (Tanganyika) was, together with Burundi and Rwanda, part of the so-called German East Africa from 1885 to 1918.

A natural harbor-like fishing village

“The city center of Dar es Salaam is still mostly shaped the way the city was once planned by the Germans,” says German designer Annika Seifert, who has lived and worked here for several years.

The Sultan of Zanzibar had originally created Dar as a fishing village because of its fantastic natural harbor, but only the Germans recognized the strategically advantageous location and transformed the place into a typical three-part colonial city.

First, there is the old German residential and administrative district with long avenues, large properties and historical buildings that have been preserved. Then, almost as a buffer zone, there is a dense labyrinth of narrow streets, which is where the Indian community lives. They were once accepted by the Germans as “foreigners.”

At the end, a wide green belt expands into a kind of park, and then there is the African residential area, today called Kariakoo, Seifert says. 

Buildings from colonial times

Among the interesting and well-preserved buildings from the colonial period are the imperial government buildings in front of the Kivukoni area. The Catholic St. Joseph’s Cathedral built between 1897 and 1902 and the Lutheran Evangelical Church of Azania are also worth seeing. The altar still bears the German inscription: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.”

After so much culture, it’s also nice to get an idea of daily life in Dar with a visit to the fish market in Kivukoni’s Ocean Road.

The smell is strong, and on the floor is a mix of water, blood and chopped fins. A few meters further a cloud of smoke rises. Over an open fire, tiny fish — heads included — are fried in iron pots and eaten immediately. 

Here, far from the luxury resorts, is where the real Tanzania can be discovered. Nevertheless, the impressive Indian Ocean is omnipresent, determining the rhythm of people’s lives.  

Almost deserted beaches

Once past the tropical plantations, palm trees and small houses, Sunrise and South beaches appear, no less beautiful than the ones in Zanzibar. The sand is white and almost deserted as a Maasai sells traditional jewelry made of pearls, with the waves lapping gently onto the shore.

“The further you go, the more beautiful and empty the beaches are,” says the city guide Santay. 

Suddenly, a sign appears on the roadside: “Caution! Falling Coconuts!” Not many cities in the world have such exotic problems. 

At sunset the hungry and thirsty get ready to move to northern Dar, in the direction of Oyster Bay and Coco Beach. Here, on the classy Msasani Peninsula, is where many expatriates live. A breathtaking 180-degree view of the sea opens up at the Karambezi Café, where fresh seafood and tuna steaks are served.

As the African sun sinks into the sea, the waiter serves an ice-cold Karambezi Sunset: Campari mixed with lemon and cranberry juice. A good day is slowly coming to an end, a day in an underestimated, beautiful city.

Spice tour adds zest to Zanzibar trip

Bruce and Kris Erway, Alameda Photo: Courtesy Kris Erway

Bruce and Kris Erway, Alameda
Why we went: It sounded exotic and we wanted a few days of relaxation on the beach after our safari.

Don't miss: The Spice Tour on a local farm where you can see cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, etc. growing; buy locally grown spices; and taste delicious fresh fruits.
Don't bother: Taking fancy or fussy clothing or shoes that you care about. We were glad to have waterproof footwear during a brief downpour.
Coolest souvenir: Accessories woven from banana leaves: crowns, necklaces and purses for the women; tall hats and neckties for the men. These were made by local youth and presented to us on the spice tour.
Worth a splurge: A room with a view of the Indian Ocean. We spent an entire day gazing at that blue, blue water from the porch of our cottage, from the beach bar, and from the on-site infinity pool.
Wish we had packed: Cooler clothing. It's hot and humid, although we generally enjoyed a nice breeze off the water.
Other comments: Zanzibar is 95 percent Muslim, and women need to be careful about how they dress outside of the hotels and resorts, keeping shoulders and knees covered.
Got a great photo of yourself on a recent vacation? Submit it and details of your trip at www.sfgate.com/mytrip.

Indian Ocean spice island of Zanzibar pulls more airlines

Looking to compete with other Indian Ocean tourist islands, the spice island of Zanzibar is currently attracting regional and foreign airlines to fly there, hoping to welcome more visitors within Africa and from outside the continent.

In such a move, Zanzibar has attracted Zambian registered airline, Proflight, to fly its sky, hoping to attract more tourists from Southern Africa to pay visits to its exotic beaches, made up of warm Indian Ocean air and soft sands.

Proflight, a new generation of airlines flying in Southern African regional airspace had introduced a new through-service from Zambian capital of Lusaka to the spice island of Zanzibar, aiming at bringing together families to travel seamlessly from the Zambian capital to the beaches of Zanzibar.

Proflight, which flies three-times-a-week between Lusaka and Tanzania’s capital of Dar es Salaam, is rapidly making a mark on the regional aviation scene, airline officials said. The Lusaka to Dar es Salaam route was launched in October last year.

"Proflight service to Zanzibar is the latest destination in a strategy of steady route expansion from our hub in Lusaka, selectively adding new routes and offering a high quality value-for-money service to discerning travelers,” said Proflight Director of Government and Industry Affairs Capt. Philip Lemba.

In less than seven hours, travelers can find themselves transported from Lusaka to to one of the world’s premier beach holiday destinations - Zanzibar.

Zanzibar is an archipelago of islands in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Tanzania consisting of the main Zanzibar Island, Pemba Island and many smaller islands. Zanzibar Island itself is some 90 kilometers long and 30 kilometers wide.

Stone Town is Zanzibar’s vibrant capital and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the most unique cities in the world, in blending Moorish, Middle Eastern, Indian, and African traditions and architectures.

The island is rich in history. Known as the spice island, it was an important stop in the spice trade centuries ago, and now it is one of the few places in the world where saffron is produced, along with other spices such as cardamom, ginger, cloves and nutmeg.

The island’s beaches offer bright white sand and beautiful clear water for scuba diving, fishing, dhow boat rides, kite surfing, or simply relaxing.

The Zanzibar government is currently working closely with the private sector to improve marine transportation in order to improve the national economy through the tourism sector, which had seen an annual growth of 15 percent and contributed between 25 and 27 percent to the isle's gross domestic product.

Cruise shipping tourism is the other source of tourist income to Zanzibar due to the island's geographical position with its proximity in the Indian Ocean island states of Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, and Mombasa on the Kenyan Coast of Mombasa, Malindi and Lamu.

The Zanzibar commission for tourism was founded in 1987 to promote Zanzibar as a tourist destination, and in 1992 the Zanzibar investment promotion agency was created to encourage overseas investment, particularly in tourism projects.

Tourism currently represents about 20 percent of Zanzibar's gross domestic product for tourism was founded in 1987 to promote Zanzibar as a tourist destination, and in 1992 the Zanzibar investment promotion agency was created to encourage overseas investment, particularly in tourism projects.

Recent data by the Zanzibar Tourism Commission showed tourism to increasingly becoming a leading economic sector in the island, providing 11,500 workers with direct employment and an additional 45,000 people engaged in tourist activities. The income from tourism is rising and it is expected to be Zanzibar's largest generator of foreign exchange within few years to come.

SOURCE;  By Apolinari Tairo, eTN Tanzania Correspondent

Tanzania: Mara Road Repair Plan Focuses On Tourism

MARA regional leaders are planning to upgrade Tarime- Mugumu road from gravel to tarmac level in an effort to speed up tourism activities in western Serengeti.

The plan comes at a time when the number of tourists entering the country through the Tanzanian / Kenyan Sirari border and later using Mugumu route, on their way to Serengeti National Park (SENAPA), has increased sharply.

It is more of a strategic road that runs across the surroundings of North Mara Gold Mine and farming areas that produce various food and cash crops such as coffee, maize and bananas in Mara Region.

The leaders are now talking with the region's key development partners, requesting them to support construction of the 88 km road.

According to the Mara Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr John Tuppa, African Barrick Gold (North Mara) is one of the partners who have already been approached to finance the project.

Mr Tuppa made the remarks at the Mara Regional Road Board Meeting in Musoma on Monday. The meeting assessed the status of the road networks in the region.

The RC instructed Mara Regional Tanzania National Roads (TANROADS) office to fast-track the proposal. "Make it as fast as possible.

We are targeting strategic areas that will move our region's development forward," the regional chief instructed. Mara Regional TANROADS Manager Engineer Emmanuel Korosso assured the RC that the proposal would be ready in a few days' time. Engineer Korosso said, in a separate interview that around 102bn/- is required to upgrade the road covering 88 kilometres.

Mara regional leaders believe that construction of the road plus the much awaited international airport in Mugumu town, would help boost the region's economic development.

Serengeti officials say construction of the airport is set to commence this year at Uwanja wa Ndege ward on the outskirt of Mugumu town, about 40 km away from SENAPA.

"This year, the airport must be constructed. I'm saying this with confidence," Mr John Ng'oina, the Serengeti District Council chairman assured a full council meeting in Mugumu last week.

If the dream comes true, Serengeti will set a history of becoming the first district council in Tanzania to own an airport, according to Mr Ng'oina. Latest reports from Serengeti officials say a team of experts from the University of Dar es Salaam visited Uwanja wa Ndege ward and conducted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

They have submitted their final report to the National Environment Management Council (NEMC). Serengeti District and Mara regional leaders are waiting for feedback from NEMC. The airport will enable tourists coming from different parts of the world to have a direct landing in Mugumu.

From there they may travel by road to SENAPA to view a variety of beautiful wild animals, including the great wildebeest migration. Already, Mr Paul Tudor Jones, an American investor who has set up several luxurious lodges in western Serengeti has agreed to support construction of the airport, according to Serengeti leaders.

The US billionaire has of late invested heavily on tourism and conservation sectors, as well as injecting money every year to support local development after 'falling in love' with the Serengeti ecosystem.

His lodges have won global awards, after being named the best by Travel-Leisure Magazine of the United States for 2012, from a list of top 100 hotels in the world, the second time in a row.

The lodges included Sasakwa, Farufaru, Sabora Tented Camp and Singita Explore Mobile Camp. They attract highly paying clients from mainly overseas. They are operated by Singita Grumeti Reserves (SGR), an exclusive South African tourism company.

Last year alone (2013) the investor approved around 800m/- to support local development in about 22 rural villages of Serengeti and Bunda districts through Singita Grumeti Fund (SGF), a nonprofit making conservation and community development organization that receives funding from SGR.

The beneficiary villages are those located near a 350,000 acres wildlife-rich concession areas operated by the US investor in western Serengeti. According to the Serengeti District Council Chairman, upgrading Tarime- Mugumu road and construction of the envisaged Mugumu airport will bring more economic gains to area residents.

"Tourism in the western corridor is now open. Many tourists are passing through Tarime - Mugumu road. We must do everything possible to tap this opportunity", Mr Ng'oina said when contributing at the Mara Regional latest Road Board Meeting.

Tarime District Commissioner (DC) Mr John Henjewele also backed the two projects at the same meeting. "Many tourists are now entering the country through Tarime. Upgrading the road and construction of Mugumu airport will make tourism pay off", DC Henjewele said.

SOURCE;  Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)

East Africa: Mikumi National Park Wildlife Viewing Eased

News from the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), the custodians of Tanzania parks says to repair the road linking Mikumi and Selous has been received well from the travel and tourism players.

Andrew Malalika, the owner of Jackpot Safaris based in Arusha said, the road will provide another opportunity for the southern parks to attract many more visitors as the time and fuel expenses will be reduced to a significant level.

According to the Mikumi National Park's Chief Park Warden, Dattomax Sellanyinka, the road would result in less hours travelled between the two destinations by cutting the current distance of 150 kilometres.

It takes a drive of nearly 298 km to connect the two tourist gems at present, which will after the completion of the road will only mean 148 kms.

The road, set to be ready by the end of February, 2014, is a major boost to the tourists wanting to visit both Mikumi National Park, the fourth largest in the country and Selous Game Reserve, the largest protected area in Africa and a United Nation World Heritage Site.

Mikumi National Park owes its penchant for its profound ecosystem with the Selous Game Reserve, the biggest in Africa, larger than Switzerland, and reputed to hold some of nature's best-kept secrets.

Selous' beauty is largely due to its great measure and the indefinable thrill that is experienced far from civilization in primeval settings.

Naturally, the park benefits from the highest game density between the two ecosystems offering the best game viewing all-year round, in which a road network is being built one that will enable visitors to enjoy a twin visit of both Mikumi and Selous, one after another.

A drive through the route will also provide game viewing as animals such as elephants, buffaloes, zebras; antelopes (kudu, eland and sable) migrate to and from the northern pocket of the Selous into the Mikumi Park.

TANAPA invites tour operators in the country to start using the road and maximize on the potential of the Mikumi-Selous ecosystem.

Kwihala Camp in Tanzania's Ruaha National Park joins Asilia

Asilia Africa announces that Kwihala Camp in Ruaha National Park has joined the Asilia family. - See more at: http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/58660/kwihala-camp-in-tanzania-s-ruaha#sthash.nCgQAgRU.dpu

Asilia Africa announces that Kwihala Camp in Ruaha National Park has joined the Asilia family. 

Kwihala is an intimate, six tented camp set close to the Mwagusi Sand River in a valley rich with game. Kwihala holds true to Asilia’s most important values; excellent guiding, exceptional game viewing and leaving a light footprint on the environment, so is the perfect addition to the Asilia portfolio.

Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s undiscovered safari gem. Although it is the country’s largest national park it is probably its least known, which makes a safari here a wonderfully exclusive experience where other vehicles will be a rare sighting. Predators on the other hand will not.

Ruaha is home to over 10% of the world’s lion population, the world’s 3rd largest population of wild dog and home to one of the few sustainable populations of cheetah left in East Africa. Leopard and hyena are also regular sightings, as well as some of the rarer antelope; notably roan and sable. Ruaha is also a very scenically beautiful place to explore with the majestic baobab tree dotting the sky line.
Kwihala Camp is set deep in the bush on a hillside with stunning views, far away from other camps so as to remain undisturbed. The guest tents are furnished in an understated manner, but are spacious and comfortable with an en-suite bathroom with flush toilet. All the creature comforts are here though there are reminders everywhere that you are in the bush; be it a traditional safari bucket shower or the sound of hyenas calling after dark.
Guests will explore Ruaha with some of the best guides in the business. Game drives, walking safaris and night drives will reveal the beauty of this national park and the diverse range of creatures that call it home. -

Kwihala is an intimate, six tented camp set close to the Mwagusi Sand River in a valley rich with game. Kwihala holds true to Asilia’s most important values; excellent guiding, exceptional game viewing and leaving a light footprint on the environment, so is the perfect addition to the Asilia portfolio.

Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s undiscovered safari gem. Although it is the country’s largest national park it is probably its least known, which makes a safari here a wonderfully exclusive experience where other vehicles will be a rare sighting. Predators on the other hand will not.

Ruaha is home to over 10% of the world’s lion population, the world’s 3rd largest population of wild dog and home to one of the few sustainable populations of cheetah left in East Africa. Leopard and hyena are also regular sightings, as well as some of the rarer antelope; notably roan and sable. Ruaha is also a very scenically beautiful place to explore with the majestic baobab tree dotting the sky line.

Kwihala Camp is set deep in the bush on a hillside with stunning views, far away from other camps so as to remain undisturbed. The guest tents are furnished in an understated manner, but are spacious and comfortable with an en-suite bathroom with flush toilet. All the creature comforts are here though there are reminders everywhere that you are in the bush; be it a traditional safari bucket shower or the sound of hyenas calling after dark.

Guests will explore Ruaha with some of the best guides in the business. Game drives, walking safaris and night drives will reveal the beauty of this national park and the diverse range of creatures that call it home. - See more at: http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/58660/kwihala-camp-in-tanzania-s-ruaha#sthash.nCgQAgRU.dpuf

Precision Air signs codeshare with Air Uganda for DAR – JRO – EBB

Information was received yesterday that Precision Air and Air Uganda have signed a code share deal, which will see the two airlines book and sell each others’ tickets and widen the choice of departures and destinations for both carriers. Passengers can now expect to fly on one ticket to and from Dar es Salaam, or Kilimanjaro, irrespective of which airline will actually operate the respective flight, effectively offering both airlines a double daily connection between Tanzania’s commercial capital of Dar es Salaam and Uganda’s gateway Entebbe.

No comments were available from Precision Air following the departure of Linda Chizi who until the end of last year served in a senior capacity at Precision taking care of branding and to a good part PR too. Linda moved on to Smile Communications Tanzania it is understood, a company providing at present the fastest 4GLTE internet broad band connections anywhere in Tanzania and Uganda.

It could also not be established in time for filing this report if the code share has been extended to other Precision Air destinations like Zanzibar, Mtwara, Mwanza and Mbuya among others and if Precision in turn will have access to Air Uganda flights beyond Entebbe such as Kigali or Juba.

Tanzania Wildlife division to become authority

Lazaro Nyalandu, Newly appointed minister for Natural Resources and Tourism

Finishing touches are being put to a draft that will enable changing the Wildlife Division into the Tanzania Wildlife Authority.

Newly appointed minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Lazaro Nyalandu, said this is part of concerted efforts to put a stop to wildlife poaching in the country.
Nyalandu was speaking at his first news conference after being sworn in by President Jakaya Kikwete following the Sunday Cabinet reshuffle by President Jakaya Kikwete.

Nyalandu, who was the deputy minister in the ministry, has taken over from Khamis Kagasheki. The latter resigned late last month along with three other ministers on allegations of mishandling the anti poaching Operation ‘Tokomeza’.
Other ministers were those of Defence and National Service (Shamsi Vuai Nahodha), Home Affairs (Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi) and Livestock and Fisheries (Dr Matayo David Matayo).

Nyalandu said the draft will soon be submitted to the Parliament for endorsement before becoming an Act.
He said establishment of the authority will, among other things, increase the number of employees. Ultimately this will reinforce the fight against elephant poaching which has claimed the lives of many animals, he said.
Apart from this, he explained, it is also expected that the authority will increase revenue for the government.
Nyalandu said poaching is a war that everyone should participate in if the malpractice is to stop.
However, he said cooperation among the staff working under the wildlife department is required if the anti-poaching war is to be successful.
Nyalandu called upon heads of department to make their juniors feel proud of working in the ministry. He said those in high positions should inspire the juniors instead of demoralising them, appealing:
“Let us cooperate for the interest of the nation. I learnt a lot from you when I served as deputy minister. You are good people and I ask you to continue being so and cooperate with each other,” he said.
In the press conference also attended by his deputy, Mahmoud Mgimwa, the minister called upon the staff to be creative and find new techniques of fighting against poaching.
He challenged the department heads to give room to young university graduates for internship in the ministry so that they can gain experience instead of rejecting them.
“A number of graduates have a desire to work in this ministry. So, I ask you heads of departments to support them; be exemplary to such youths,” he told them.
Meanwhile, deputy minister, Mahmoud Mgimwa, said during his tenure he won’t favour any member of staff.
If there is a problem, they have to follow procedures to solve it. He said he was appointed to work in the ministry and nothing else.
Mgimwa said when President Kikwete appointed him as a deputy minister, a number of people cautioned him saying there are many challenges in the ministry.
However, he said he is brave enough to work in the ministry. Mgimwa noted that he will not tolerate any unbecoming behaviour, including gossips.
He called for cooperation from members of staff in ensuring that the ministry’s obligations are fulfilled. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Local tour companies urged to take part in US-Africa tourism seminar

Tanzanian tour firms have been urged to participate in the Africa Travel Association's Seventh Annual US-Africa Tourism Seminar where they would have the opportunity to promote the country’s tourism potential.
The seminar is slated for next month in New York, according to a report availed to this paper yesterday by Africa Travel Association (ATA).
During the event, tourism stakeholders will focus on the unique US-Africa travel connection, new travel trends and niche tourism products in Africa, airline connectivity, and hotel growth.

Besides, there will be ample time for venture networking and building business-to-business connections.
“In a bid to help Tanzania to be well-known, ATA encourages Tanzanians to use this opportunity to discuss various issues relating to growth of the sector as well as promote the tourist attractions,” a statement issued by said.
ATA is a leading industry event in the US and attracts government tourism leaders and diplomatic community representatives from Africa and the US, travel agents and tour operators and diaspora community leaders, among others.
The seminar is organised by ATA with support from Travel and Adventure show.
The report also notes that on February 22 to 23, this year, there will be a travel and adventure show, to which ATA seminar participants will receive a complimentary ticket.
Africa Travel Association (ATA) is a leading global trade association promoting travel and tourism to Africa and strengthening intra-Africa partnerships.
Established in 1975, it serves both the public and private sectors of the international travel and tourism industry.
Its membership comprises African governments, their tourism ministers, tourism bureaus and boards, airlines, cruise lines, hotels, resorts, front-line travel sellers and providers, tour operators and travel agents and affiliate industries.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Marriott clinches deal to buy biggest African hotel chain f

 JOHANNESBURG, Jan 22 — US hotel giant Marriott announced today it had finalised a deal to buy the Protea group, Africa’s largest hotel chain, for US$186 million (RM618 million).

“Marriott and Protea plan to close the transaction on April 1, 2014,” the firm said in a statement.

Based in South Africa, Protea manages 10,148 rooms in 116 hotels in eight African countries — South Africa, Zambia, Nigeria, Namibia, Malawi, Uganda and Tanzania.

The Nasdaq-listed Marriott Group has 3,900 properties around the world and is worth around US$15.5 billion at current market prices.

After the deal was announced, Protea CEO Arthur Gillis told AFP that he expected Marriott to “sprinkle professionalism” on top of an already well-functioning business.

“One cannot compare the resources of a company with 120 hotels with the resources of a company with 3,900 hotels.”

The deal gives Marriott a formidable position in a rapidly growing market, nearly doubling its footprint in Africa to 23,000 rooms.

Last year, a record 56 million travellers visited Africa, according to UN statistics.

That was up six per cent from the figure for the previous year and a similar increase is expected for 2014.

Business travel is also picking up on the continent as the sub-Saharan region grows at an average of five per cent a year.

Gillis said the deal placed Marriott at an advantage over global competitors which had decided to build African hotels themselves, rather than acquire them.

Marriott, he said, “looked at what the other global players had said they were going to do in Africa, then what the other global players have done in Africa.”

“Sadly they are two entirely different things. I’ve got many newspaper clippings, (detailing plans for) ‘50 hotels in five years,’ ‘75 hotels in 10 years’”, said Gillis.

“Marriott have said something completely different” in going for a takeover, he said.

The US firm had undertaken to take on all of Protea’s staff, who number around 15,000, he added.

Responding to suggestions that Marriott may have got Africa’s most prized hotel chain at a bargain, Gillis laughed.

“Both Marriott and Protea are moderately unhappy about the price that was paid,” Gillis joked.

“We have left a lot of value on the table, but that value is going to be unlocked by Marriott.”

“It was an absolutely unanimous board decision.”

The deal is subject to regulatory approval.

On the Nasdaq in New York, Marriott’s share price rose a modest 0.5 per cent in the first half hour of trade. — AFP

JOHANNESBURG, Jan 22 — US hotel giant Marriott announced today it had finalised a deal to buy the Protea group, Africa’s largest hotel chain, for US$186 million (RM618 million).
“Marriott and Protea plan to close the transaction on April 1, 2014,” the firm said in a statement.
Based in South Africa, Protea manages 10,148 rooms in 116 hotels in eight African countries — South Africa, Zambia, Nigeria, Namibia, Malawi, Uganda and Tanzania.

The Nasdaq-listed Marriott Group has 3,900 properties around the world and is worth around US$15.5 billion at current market prices.
After the deal was announced, Protea CEO Arthur Gillis told AFP that he expected Marriott to “sprinkle professionalism” on top of an already well-functioning business.
“One cannot compare the resources of a company with 120 hotels with the resources of a company with 3,900 hotels.”
The deal gives Marriott a formidable position in a rapidly growing market, nearly doubling its footprint in Africa to 23,000 rooms.
Last year, a record 56 million travellers visited Africa, according to UN statistics.
That was up six per cent from the figure for the previous year and a similar increase is expected for 2014.
Business travel is also picking up on the continent as the sub-Saharan region grows at an average of five per cent a year.
Gillis said the deal placed Marriott at an advantage over global competitors which had decided to build African hotels themselves, rather than acquire them.
Marriott, he said, “looked at what the other global players had said they were going to do in Africa, then what the other global players have done in Africa.”
“Sadly they are two entirely different things. I’ve got many newspaper clippings, (detailing plans for) ‘50 hotels in five years,’ ‘75 hotels in 10 years’”, said Gillis.
“Marriott have said something completely different” in going for a takeover, he said.
The US firm had undertaken to take on all of Protea’s staff, who number around 15,000, he added.
Responding to suggestions that Marriott may have got Africa’s most prized hotel chain at a bargain, Gillis laughed.
“Both Marriott and Protea are moderately unhappy about the price that was paid,” Gillis joked.
“We have left a lot of value on the table, but that value is going to be unlocked by Marriott.”
“It was an absolutely unanimous board decision.”
The deal is subject to regulatory approval.
On the Nasdaq in New York, Marriott’s share price rose a modest 0.5 per cent in the first half hour of trade. — AFP
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