Travel News

[The Star]THE hotels and restaurants sector's growth slowed down last year expanding only by 2.6 per cent compared to 4.9 per cent in 2011 due to lower tourism numbers and earnings, the latest government data shows.

[The Star]SETTING up of parastatal boards, infrastructure upgrade on tourism routes and implementation of a national tourism strategy are top the list for the new Cabinet Secretary in charge of the tourism industry.

[The Herald]ZIMBABWE National Army commander Lieutenant General Philip Valerio Sibanda, has commended efforts being made by Sadc member states to ensure that the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly to be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia is successful.

[SW Radio]The government has been urged to put a stop to illegal hunting taking place in the protected Hwange National Park, where the Environment Ministry has been accused of granting hunting quotas.

[Daily News]AFTER leaving Tarangire National Park in Tanzania, we spotted a group of women and children on the side of the road, each carrying a container of water on top of their head.

[Daily Trust]Six people and 20 cows died in an auto crash on Wednesday on the Yola-Mayo-Belwa highway in Adamawa State. The accident occurred at about 5 p.m. when a vehicle with registration number XA 753 MUB conveying cattle from Adamawa to Abia State lost control and entered the bush.

[Times of Zambia]It is a common practice in Zambia that certain changes have to take place in a home whenever one is expecting important visitors or when one is about to host an important event.

[Namibia Economist]The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) says it continues to explore avenues of marketing Namibia and creating a platform for the tourism trade to network and exchange business with other international tourism operators. During this month, the NTB first exhibited at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, then shifted its target to the region's premier event, the Tourism Indaba that took place in Durban, South Africa.

[Observer]At the inauguration of a new Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) in Kampala recently, the minister of Tourism, Maria Mutagamba, called on the members to find alternative ways of funding the all-important sector, given that the government's current allocation is insufficient.

[The Star]Local leaders are demanding that the Kenya Revenue Authority and the Laikipia county government do thorough tax collection audit of the mushrooming conservancy hotels.

[Zambia Reports]PF youths erecting structures at the makeshift market for street vendors in Livingstone.

[The Point]The Gambia International Airlines, GIA, on Monday held a stakeholders meeting on Hajj preparations at its office in Yundum.

[Premium Times]Ogun State is regarded as a leading municipal in the country. This is in recognition of its pioneering role in education, medicine, law, divinity among others.

[Namibian]PROSPECTIVE car buyers will be spoilt for choice for shopping for a variety of vehicle brands under one roof at the Bank Windhoek and Republikein Motor Show on 29 May to 1 June. The Motor Show will take place in conjunction with the Namibia Tourism Expo.

[New Vision]Tourism minister Maria Mutagamba has urged the new Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) to find alternative funding methods to promote Uganda as an attractive tourism destination.

[Times of Zambia]ZAMBIAN bargain hunters have an opportunity to make their Kwacha stretch, thanks to a special Emirates promotion that brings the price of a shopping trip -- return flight and accommodation - to under KR5,000.

[The Herald]Rainbow Tourism Group has embarked on a major refurbishment drive that is set to bring a refreshing look to the facilities run by the leisure group, chief executive Mr Tendai Madzivanyika has said.

[Premium Times]The Federal Executive Council has approved a new policy.

[Daily Trust]Former Bayelsa State governor Timipre Sylva, who is standing trial for money laundering offences before an Abuja Federal High Court, has filed an application seeking leave to accompany his wife on a medical trip abroad.

[The Herald]Lack of direct flights from source markets is stifling the country's potential to reap maximum benefits from tourist arrivals, an expert said on Monday.