Russia is going to make it simpler for the citizens of 18 countries to enter the port city of Vladivostok with an aim to attract gamblers to new casinos and also investors to the resourceful and yet untapped region of the Far East.
Japan, China and Iran are among the nations that would be eligible for a four-day, online application process for ‘visas on arrival’.
However, Vladivostok is the only point of entry so far that has been approved, since travel is restricted to eight days and only within the Primorsky Krai region.
Out of the nations on the list, only two nations of Japan and China can be realistically expected to make a noticeable impact on the tourist arrivals in the Far East region of Russia as per Irina Tyurina, a spokeswoman for the Russian Tourism Industry Union.
She said that the e-visa would make travelling more convenient for business people especially those who visit Russia by themselves.
Tourists from countries like China increased to 15% last year to 1.29 million, surpassing the arrivals from other 17 nations, according to data published by the federal government of Russia.
Out of the 16 countries on the list, eight nations like Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Algeria, Brunei, Bahrain and UAE are not included in the leading 80 sources for visitors, as per the data of the Russian Border Service.
However, an easier visa regime might witness a larger number of tourists arriving from Persian Gulf, as per the deputy deacon of the international tourism faculty at the Russian State Financial University, Yuri Schegolkov.
This brand new arrangement is expected to commence in September, just in time for the third Eastern Economic Forum on the 6th and 7th of that month in Russky Island, Vladivostok.
Meanwhile, United Airlines says it will raise the limit — to $10,000 — on payments to customers who give up seats on oversold flights and will increase training for employees as it deals with fallout from the video of a passenger being violently dragged from his seat.
It is also vowing to reduce, but not eliminate, overbooking-the selling of more tickets than there are seats on the plane.
United isn’t saying whether ticket sales have dropped since the removal of a 69-year-old passenger by three airport security officers, but the airline’s CEO admits it could be damaging.
To head off customer defections, United had already announced that it will no longer call police to remove passengers from overbooked flights, and will require airline crews traveling for work to check in sooner. On Thursday, it added several other new policies including:
Raising the limit on compensation to $10,000 for customers who give up their seats. That is a maximum — it’s unclear how many, if any, passengers would see that much. The current limit is $1,350. Delta Air Lines earlier this month raised its limit to $9,950.
Sending displaced passengers or crew members to nearby airports, putting them on other airlines or arranging for car transportation to get them to their destinations.
United said it will reduce but not end the overbooking of flights. Munoz said if airlines can’t overbook flights there will be more empty seats and fares will rise. Delta CEO Ed Bastian called overselling flights “a valid business process.”
Politicians in Washington and elsewhere have called for a ban on overselling flights. Some critics have said airlines should leave a few seats empty if they think they will be needed by crew members.
Tourism, Travel, Hospitality, Conservation: News,Stories And Experiences From Allover The World
Showing posts with label Algeria. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Algeria. Show all posts
Thursday, 27 April 2017
Sunday, 23 April 2017
UAE: Are UAE Tourists Exempted From Traffic Fines?
A card with a Dubai Police logo has gone viral on social media, saying that tourists and visitors who flout traffic rules could be let off.
The General Department of Traffic of the Dubai Police denied rumours that the visitors and tourists in the UAE are exempted from minor traffic fines. The denial came in the wake of a card going viral on social media that the Dubai Police will pardon visitors who caught by radars.
The card, which was circulated in social media, read as follows: "Dear driver, as you are a guest in the UAE and came on visit visa to Dubai, you are welcomed and we wish you a good stay. We are sorry to inform you that you are caught by radars as you did not abide by traffic law. Despite that, we will not issue you a traffic fine. We do not want to issue a fine to you, but our goal is your safety."
Major-General Mohamed Saif Al Zafeen, Head of the Traffic Prosecution Council and Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police for Operations Affairs, said that the Dubai Police did not circulate the card that had a Dubai Police logo on it.
"A few years ago, the Dubai Traffic Department had exempted tourists who commit minor traffic violations from paying fines to make them happy. However, the Dubai Police have not taken any such decision recently and it is just a rumour. If there is any such decision, that will be announced by the Dubai Police through its official channels."
Maj.-Gen. Al Zafeen urged the public to confirm the news before circulating that to avoid legal action.
Citizens of UAE and India are eligible to visit Russia's Far East without visas, Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev announced on Monday.
Medvedev said tourists and businessmen from 18 nations can visit the Russian Far East without visas.
The list of 18 countries comprises UAE, India, Algeria, Bahrain, Brunei, Iran, Qatar, China, North Korea, Kuwait, Morocco, Mexico, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Tunisia, Turkey and Japan.
"I have recently approved the list of countries, whose nationals can take advantage of the preferential regime. Businessmen and tourists will not need to undergo the traditional procedure of Russian visas receipt," the Prime Minister said. It will be enough for foreigners "to enter their data on a special website in the Internet," Medvedev said.
"We are proactively forming the modern infrastructure and creating special regimes in the Far East; the law on visits to the Vladivostok free port was approved in March," Medvedev said.
Cancellation of visa procedures for tourists and businessmen "will promote growth of investment and tourist attractiveness of the Far East," the prime minister said. The region will earn more money from tourist traffic growth, he added.
Eighteen countries from various regions selected by the reciprocity principle were included into the list, Medvedev said. "This is not because these states are situated at a closer or longer distance - we are appropriately introducing bilateral agreements on visa-free travel for those ready to use such an approach for us," he was quoted as saying by TASS.
The General Department of Traffic of the Dubai Police denied rumours that the visitors and tourists in the UAE are exempted from minor traffic fines. The denial came in the wake of a card going viral on social media that the Dubai Police will pardon visitors who caught by radars.
The card, which was circulated in social media, read as follows: "Dear driver, as you are a guest in the UAE and came on visit visa to Dubai, you are welcomed and we wish you a good stay. We are sorry to inform you that you are caught by radars as you did not abide by traffic law. Despite that, we will not issue you a traffic fine. We do not want to issue a fine to you, but our goal is your safety."
Major-General Mohamed Saif Al Zafeen, Head of the Traffic Prosecution Council and Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police for Operations Affairs, said that the Dubai Police did not circulate the card that had a Dubai Police logo on it.
"A few years ago, the Dubai Traffic Department had exempted tourists who commit minor traffic violations from paying fines to make them happy. However, the Dubai Police have not taken any such decision recently and it is just a rumour. If there is any such decision, that will be announced by the Dubai Police through its official channels."
Maj.-Gen. Al Zafeen urged the public to confirm the news before circulating that to avoid legal action.
Citizens of UAE and India are eligible to visit Russia's Far East without visas, Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev announced on Monday.
Medvedev said tourists and businessmen from 18 nations can visit the Russian Far East without visas.
The list of 18 countries comprises UAE, India, Algeria, Bahrain, Brunei, Iran, Qatar, China, North Korea, Kuwait, Morocco, Mexico, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Tunisia, Turkey and Japan.
"I have recently approved the list of countries, whose nationals can take advantage of the preferential regime. Businessmen and tourists will not need to undergo the traditional procedure of Russian visas receipt," the Prime Minister said. It will be enough for foreigners "to enter their data on a special website in the Internet," Medvedev said.
"We are proactively forming the modern infrastructure and creating special regimes in the Far East; the law on visits to the Vladivostok free port was approved in March," Medvedev said.
Cancellation of visa procedures for tourists and businessmen "will promote growth of investment and tourist attractiveness of the Far East," the prime minister said. The region will earn more money from tourist traffic growth, he added.
Eighteen countries from various regions selected by the reciprocity principle were included into the list, Medvedev said. "This is not because these states are situated at a closer or longer distance - we are appropriately introducing bilateral agreements on visa-free travel for those ready to use such an approach for us," he was quoted as saying by TASS.
Thursday, 2 March 2017
Plans For A Continental Passport
President Jacob Zuma has arrived in Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia, to attend the 28th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
The summit will be conducted under the theme: "Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investment in the Youth".
The AU Assembly will be preceded, on 29 January 2017, by a retreat of AU Heads of State and Government, where the leaders will consider a report to be presented by the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, on institutional reforms of the AU aimed at enhancing the continental body's governance systems.
Amongst other things, the Assembly will consider and deliberate on reports focusing on the state of peace and security on the continent, the African Peer Review Mechanism and Climate Change.
The Assembly will also consider the 2016 Annual Report of the AU Commission, which is expected to focus on the implementation and domestication of Agenda 2063, economic integration, the continental passport as well as peace support and peace-keeping missions.
Integration on the African continent, through business and travel, is a major focus point for global and continental leaders at the moment.
In November last year, new research released by the global travel technology provider indicated that African air travel spend is expected to rise 24% with the introduction of the pan-African passport in 2018.
The new passport will enable African travellers to visit other countries on the continent without a visa, and will mean a seamless travel experience for especially business travellers on the continent.
A key obstacle to the much-anticipated passport is the access to biometric systems, needed to register the passports. Currently only 13 of the 54 AU members offer biometric passports. Algeria, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana and Tunisia, for example, do not have them. South Africa is currently on a mission to roll new biometric capturing system out with trials being piloted across SA's major international airports.
The summit will be conducted under the theme: "Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investment in the Youth".
The AU Assembly will be preceded, on 29 January 2017, by a retreat of AU Heads of State and Government, where the leaders will consider a report to be presented by the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, on institutional reforms of the AU aimed at enhancing the continental body's governance systems.
Amongst other things, the Assembly will consider and deliberate on reports focusing on the state of peace and security on the continent, the African Peer Review Mechanism and Climate Change.
The Assembly will also consider the 2016 Annual Report of the AU Commission, which is expected to focus on the implementation and domestication of Agenda 2063, economic integration, the continental passport as well as peace support and peace-keeping missions.
Integration on the African continent, through business and travel, is a major focus point for global and continental leaders at the moment.
In November last year, new research released by the global travel technology provider indicated that African air travel spend is expected to rise 24% with the introduction of the pan-African passport in 2018.
The new passport will enable African travellers to visit other countries on the continent without a visa, and will mean a seamless travel experience for especially business travellers on the continent.
A key obstacle to the much-anticipated passport is the access to biometric systems, needed to register the passports. Currently only 13 of the 54 AU members offer biometric passports. Algeria, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana and Tunisia, for example, do not have them. South Africa is currently on a mission to roll new biometric capturing system out with trials being piloted across SA's major international airports.
Wednesday, 17 August 2016
Strong Dollar And Overpricing, Threaten Tourism Growth
Speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the incentive travel consultants training workshop ahead of the Sanganai/Hlanganani that kicks off today, Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) head of business development manager Adrian Fourie said the issue of pricing was an albatross to the growth of local tourism industry.
“Most the incentive programmes that we are looking at are priced in dollar terms, some people might think that because of the exchange, we are doing ourselves a favour. We should know that our luxury products are pricing in dollar terms and by so doing, we are pushing ourselves out the market.
“As southern region we need to come together in marketing, the pricing of tourism products in Zimbabwe has and is a major stumbling block, the currency has been devalued. In Zimbabwe obviously the currency fluctuates quite a lot, which is also the case with South Africa,” Foure said.
SITE southern African chairperson Tes Proos said incentive groups were always looking for new and unique experiences, destination management companies and need to explore the “wealth of opportunities within their region and work closely with their suppliers to come up with fresh ideas”.
Fourie also took a swipe at the prevailing visa regime, which he said was a major hindrance to the free movement of tourists around the region.
Meanwhile, the Immigration Department recently announced new regulations and a relaxation on the visa regime.
Under the revised visa regime, Immigration department principal director Clemence Masango said 37 countries had been moved from Category C to B meaning that nationals would receive visas on arrival.
The immigration department operates a three-tier model classified into categories A, B and C. Category A refers to countries whose national are exempt from visa requirements, while category B obtain visas at the port of entry.
Category C refers to nationals that are required to apply for visas prior to travel. Among the countries that moved from Category C to B include China, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Algeria, Turkey and Cuba.
The 9th edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani runs up to Saturday at the ZITF grounds in Bulawayo.
“Most the incentive programmes that we are looking at are priced in dollar terms, some people might think that because of the exchange, we are doing ourselves a favour. We should know that our luxury products are pricing in dollar terms and by so doing, we are pushing ourselves out the market.
“As southern region we need to come together in marketing, the pricing of tourism products in Zimbabwe has and is a major stumbling block, the currency has been devalued. In Zimbabwe obviously the currency fluctuates quite a lot, which is also the case with South Africa,” Foure said.
SITE southern African chairperson Tes Proos said incentive groups were always looking for new and unique experiences, destination management companies and need to explore the “wealth of opportunities within their region and work closely with their suppliers to come up with fresh ideas”.
Fourie also took a swipe at the prevailing visa regime, which he said was a major hindrance to the free movement of tourists around the region.
Meanwhile, the Immigration Department recently announced new regulations and a relaxation on the visa regime.
Under the revised visa regime, Immigration department principal director Clemence Masango said 37 countries had been moved from Category C to B meaning that nationals would receive visas on arrival.
The immigration department operates a three-tier model classified into categories A, B and C. Category A refers to countries whose national are exempt from visa requirements, while category B obtain visas at the port of entry.
Category C refers to nationals that are required to apply for visas prior to travel. Among the countries that moved from Category C to B include China, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Algeria, Turkey and Cuba.
The 9th edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani runs up to Saturday at the ZITF grounds in Bulawayo.
Friday, 20 May 2016
Egyptair Crash Nationalities
A plant manager with Cincinnati-based Proctor & Gamble was one of 66 passengers and crew members aboard EgyptAir Flight 804 when it disappeared Thursday over the Mediterranean Sea.
Others on board included a Welsh geologist, the sister-in-law of an Egyptian diplomat, a Kuwaiti economist and a French photographer who, covered rock concerts.
People from a dozen countries were on the EgyptAir flight en route from Paris to Cairo when it vanished from radar. No U.S. citizens were on the plane, according to the airline.
There were 30 Egyptians and 15 French citizens listed on the manifest. Two infants and a child were on the flight. Other passengers included two Iraqis and people from nine other countries: Sudan, Chad, Portugal, Algeria, Great Britain, Belgium, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Ten crew members were also on board.
Two Canadians were on the flight, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Stephane Dion said in a statement.
Procter & Gamble spokesman Damon Jones identified its employee on the flight as Egyptian-born Ahmed Helal, a married father of two children and manager of the company's Amiens France manufacturing plant. He had worked for the company since 2000.
"We are in touch with the employee’s family and are offering them our full support during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, and all the affected families," Jones said.
Helal was 40, according to French public-radio network France Bleu. He was in charge of one of P&G's largest fabric care plants in the world, employing 930 workers and shipping Ariel, Mr. Clean, Febreze, Dash and Gama throughout Europe.
Helal's Facebook profile lists his hometown as Alexandria, Egypt. He studied mechanical engineering at American University in Cairo before graduating in 2000.
Welshman Richard Osman, 40, a geologist, was among those on the plane, British news outlets reported. He moved to Wales as a boy when his father, a doctor, set up a medical practice there.
A former neighbor, Audrey Jones, said: "He was such a nice lad and always very good to his mother."
Airport officials in Egypt identified two other victims as Hisham el-Maqawad, a sister-in-law of the deputy to the Egyptian ambassador in Paris, and Sahar al-Khawaga, a Saudi woman who worked at the Saudi Embassy in Cairo. Al-Khawaga was in Paris to follow up on her daughter's medical treatment there, the officials said.
Abdel Mohsen Al-Sohaili, a Kuwaiti economist with two disabled children, was headed to Cairo for a three-day break, his nephew, Mosharei al-Sohaili, said.
Pascal Hess, a photographer from Evreux, France, who covered rock concerts, also was a passenger.
Thursday, 12 May 2016
SAUDI ARABIA: Saudia To Sell Bonds To Buy Planes
The carrier known as Saudia is in negotiations with local banks to oversee its first-ever bond offering, Saleh Al Jasser, the director general of Saudi Arabian Airlines, said in an interview at the Sakhir airbase during the Bahrain Airshow on Friday. The plans are part of a wider Islamic bond program the company will turn to “as and when needed” for funding, he said.
“We will be initiating a sukuk program for the purpose of refinancing some of our existing loans and also to help finance our growth plans, to finance the acquisition of fleet,” Al Jasser said.
Borrowers in the oil-exporting nation are turning to debt markets in greater numbers amid a slump in crude prices that is worsening the nation’s budget deficit. Saudia’s sale comes as the airline, which bought 50 Airbus Group SE planes at the Paris Airshow last summer, seeks to boost its fleet to 200 by 2020. The carrier is following Dubai-based Emirates airline and FlyDubai in issuing sukuk.
The airline will take delivery next week of three Boeing Co. 787-9 and one 777-300ER, which will be used for flights to Paris, Guangzhou, Casablanca and Dubai, in addition to domestic routes, Al Jasser said. Saudia will add domestic and regional flights this year and in 2017, after announcing the start of services to Algeria, Ankara in Turkey, Munich, Germany and the Maldives, he said.
Saudi Arabia plans to raise as much as 20 billion riyals at a debt auction next week to finance its budget deficit, two people familiar with the plan said this week, asking not to be identified because the information is private. The International Monetary Fund predicts the country’s fiscal shortfall will reach 14 percent of gross domestic product this year.
Thursday, 14 April 2016
NAMBIA: Namibia To Benefit From Indonesia Visa-free Programme
Other African countries to benefit from the gesture are Malawi, Botswana and Lesotho.
Last year, Indonesia extended similar benefits to 45 countries including African states of Algeria, Angola and Ghana.
In total, Indonesia has granted visa-free entry 169 countries.
“The 30-day visa-free entry will only be valid for the purpose of leisure, tourism, family, social, art and culture, government visits, giving lectures, attending seminars, attending a meeting held by head office or representative office in Indonesia, attending an exhibition/explore/fairs, and in transit,” read the statement.
However the embassy noted that the visa-free entry is not valid for journalism-related visits and that “travellers’ passports must be valid with a minimum validity of six months and travellers must have a return ticket or through ticket when in transit”.
Wednesday, 13 April 2016
Chinese Tourists Invade Africa
When Chinese-looking persons enter the Nairobi City Market or Massai Market Fair in Kenya’s capital, they are often greeted with “Ni Hao” as they pass shops and stands. Some local shop-keepers have a broader Mandarin vocabulary, which helps them sell African woodcarvings, fabric, or other local souvenirs to Chinese tourists.
China has recently become the largest outbound tourist market in the world. The number of Chinese tourists traveling worldwide has grown to over a 100 million, likely to double by 2020. In 2013 Chinese tourists spent a total $102 billion dollars on their trips.
Those numbers are expected to keep rising. Many Chinese are weary of traditional destinations, such as Europe and North America. So they are turning to Africa as a great place to spend an exotic vacation.
The numerous bilateral exchanges between China and Africa have encouraged Chinese tourism in African countries. In 2008 only 2.8 % of Chinese tourists chose Africa as a destination.
In 2014, according to the China Outbound Travel Development Report, that number has reached 9.4 %. The annual growth rate of Chinese tourist traffic to Africa has been 50% since 2010 – higher than to any other part of the world.
The most popular destination for Chinese tourists is South Africa; with direct flights currently available between Beijing and Johannesburg. Derek Hanekom, Tourism Minister of South Africa, says China is one of the important sources of tourists for his country and pledges to help create more conveniences to welcome Chinese travelers.
Other destinations popular among the Chinese are Egypt, Kenya, Cameroon, Senegal, Algeria, Angola, Mauritius, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe.
Since the Chinese government has granted Kenya an Approved Destination Status for outbound tourism in 2004, the number of Chinese tourists going there has risen. In 2013, 37,000 Chinese visited Kenya. The same year, on a visit to China, Kenya’s president Uhuru Kenyatta said his country’s tourism industry had set the goal of attracting a record number of 1.3 million Chinese.
Tourism in Kenya is popular in the summer when migration of animals can be observed in its national parks. When China Central Television (CCTV) aired live broadcasts of the migration of rhinos, zebras, and wilder beasts in 2012-13, that became a well-known wonder in China. This has attracted thousands of Chinese during the summer season to Kenya.
Zhang Hongtao, director of AA lodges in Kenya, said, “Now Chinese tourists book hotels six months in advance to get a room nearby even when the accommodation price doubles or triples.”
The majority of Chinese tourists prefer big organized group trips within budget. About 10% of them, however, are high-end travelers who spend 4-5 times more money than the average tourist. People in this category travel in smaller groups and avoid rough roads by taking charter flights to national parks.
They use secluded private lodges instead of hotels. While in Europe they may buy luxury brands, in South Africa their interests are diamonds. Some of Kenya’s tour-operators, including Safari Collection, Governor’s Camp, and Loisaba Wilderness, cooperate with Chinese counterparts to promote luxury services.
There are some important tips from experts, which would be helpful to Africans in their attempts to attract more Chinese tourists and make their experience more enjoyable:
1.African governments should make tourism a greater priority on their national agenda by taking the following steps:
a). Improve safety measures around tourist sites.
b). Enhance tourism-related infrastructure.
c). Ease visa procedures for Chinese travelers.
d). Spend more on tourism promotion, which brings much easier and quicker economic returns than industrial investments. Currently, only few African countries, such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Morocco have set up tourist promoting agencies in China. If the Chinese overcome the stereotypical international fear of travel in Africa and realize what a great experience it could be, the number of their visits there would skyrocket.
2.African service and hospitality sector needs to:
a). Hire more Chinese-speakers. Many Chinese business travelers might know English, but their families members who come on a safari often might not.
b). Offer Chinese food at National Park lodges, porridge and noodles for breakfast, complimentary green tea, and hot water – all good gestures of Chinese hospitality. Many National Park lodges in Kenya, for example do not offer any Chinese food. Some Chinese tourists, especially seniors, may enjoy their safaris, but can’t wait to return to Nairobi for Chinese food.
Even though Chinese travelers, like others, might sometimes be discouraged by problems including the Ebola epidemic in 2013-14 or an occasional terrorist assault, Chinese tourism in Africa will flourish. Yang Jinsong, a professor of international tourism at the China Tourism Academy, considers this phenomenon astounding. “The number of Chinese tourists to Africa will rise, and rise greatly” said Yang.
China has recently become the largest outbound tourist market in the world. The number of Chinese tourists traveling worldwide has grown to over a 100 million, likely to double by 2020. In 2013 Chinese tourists spent a total $102 billion dollars on their trips.
Those numbers are expected to keep rising. Many Chinese are weary of traditional destinations, such as Europe and North America. So they are turning to Africa as a great place to spend an exotic vacation.
The numerous bilateral exchanges between China and Africa have encouraged Chinese tourism in African countries. In 2008 only 2.8 % of Chinese tourists chose Africa as a destination.
In 2014, according to the China Outbound Travel Development Report, that number has reached 9.4 %. The annual growth rate of Chinese tourist traffic to Africa has been 50% since 2010 – higher than to any other part of the world.
The most popular destination for Chinese tourists is South Africa; with direct flights currently available between Beijing and Johannesburg. Derek Hanekom, Tourism Minister of South Africa, says China is one of the important sources of tourists for his country and pledges to help create more conveniences to welcome Chinese travelers.
Other destinations popular among the Chinese are Egypt, Kenya, Cameroon, Senegal, Algeria, Angola, Mauritius, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe.
Since the Chinese government has granted Kenya an Approved Destination Status for outbound tourism in 2004, the number of Chinese tourists going there has risen. In 2013, 37,000 Chinese visited Kenya. The same year, on a visit to China, Kenya’s president Uhuru Kenyatta said his country’s tourism industry had set the goal of attracting a record number of 1.3 million Chinese.
Tourism in Kenya is popular in the summer when migration of animals can be observed in its national parks. When China Central Television (CCTV) aired live broadcasts of the migration of rhinos, zebras, and wilder beasts in 2012-13, that became a well-known wonder in China. This has attracted thousands of Chinese during the summer season to Kenya.
Zhang Hongtao, director of AA lodges in Kenya, said, “Now Chinese tourists book hotels six months in advance to get a room nearby even when the accommodation price doubles or triples.”
The majority of Chinese tourists prefer big organized group trips within budget. About 10% of them, however, are high-end travelers who spend 4-5 times more money than the average tourist. People in this category travel in smaller groups and avoid rough roads by taking charter flights to national parks.
They use secluded private lodges instead of hotels. While in Europe they may buy luxury brands, in South Africa their interests are diamonds. Some of Kenya’s tour-operators, including Safari Collection, Governor’s Camp, and Loisaba Wilderness, cooperate with Chinese counterparts to promote luxury services.
There are some important tips from experts, which would be helpful to Africans in their attempts to attract more Chinese tourists and make their experience more enjoyable:
1.African governments should make tourism a greater priority on their national agenda by taking the following steps:
a). Improve safety measures around tourist sites.
b). Enhance tourism-related infrastructure.
c). Ease visa procedures for Chinese travelers.
d). Spend more on tourism promotion, which brings much easier and quicker economic returns than industrial investments. Currently, only few African countries, such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Morocco have set up tourist promoting agencies in China. If the Chinese overcome the stereotypical international fear of travel in Africa and realize what a great experience it could be, the number of their visits there would skyrocket.
2.African service and hospitality sector needs to:
a). Hire more Chinese-speakers. Many Chinese business travelers might know English, but their families members who come on a safari often might not.
b). Offer Chinese food at National Park lodges, porridge and noodles for breakfast, complimentary green tea, and hot water – all good gestures of Chinese hospitality. Many National Park lodges in Kenya, for example do not offer any Chinese food. Some Chinese tourists, especially seniors, may enjoy their safaris, but can’t wait to return to Nairobi for Chinese food.
Even though Chinese travelers, like others, might sometimes be discouraged by problems including the Ebola epidemic in 2013-14 or an occasional terrorist assault, Chinese tourism in Africa will flourish. Yang Jinsong, a professor of international tourism at the China Tourism Academy, considers this phenomenon astounding. “The number of Chinese tourists to Africa will rise, and rise greatly” said Yang.
Saturday, 21 November 2015
MALI: Unrest In Northern Mali Has Devastated Tourism Industry
The siege appeared to be over by late afternoon on Friday.Citizens of many countries, including the United States, were among the hotel’s guests.It is still unclear who was responsible for the attack. Al Mourabitoun, a militant Islamist organization, has claimed responsibility.It is not known whether the assault on the hotel was connected in any way with the attacks in Paris last week.
Continuing unrest and doubts about security in northern Mali have devastated the country’s floundering tourism industry. About 142,000 international travelers visited the country in 2013, a drop from 160,000 in 2011, according to data kept by the World Bank.
Months before Friday’s attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako, the rise of violent extremism caused some Western governments to issue travel warnings.
“Terrorist groups have increased their rhetoric calling for additional attacks or kidnapping attempts on westerners and others, particularly those linked to support for international military intervention,” the U.S. Department of State said in May.
France has listed the northern part of the country in its so-called red zone, or places where it encourages citizens not to travel, since shortly after the government was overthrown in 2012.
Regarding the Bamako area, the French government has issued regular warnings to its citizens concerning past attacks and kidnappings in the region.
People from several nations — including the United States, India, Germany, Belgium, Algeria, France and China — are believed to have been taken hostage inside the hotel.
Wednesday, 11 November 2015
ALGERIA: Algerian Tourism Has Great Potential
The Algeria’s beleaguered tourism sector is in a kind of paradox situation. On one hand, we notice decline in tourist arrivals due to perceived risk of terrorist attacks, deficit in accommodation capacity, lack of knowledge in hospitality and restaurants, deficit in market, soviet-style bureaucratic visa requirements and lack of tourism infrastructure. On the other hand, we find a lucrative and attractive sector driven by ambitious tourism plans, government investments and foreign collaborations and partnerships.
The Algerian government and the private sector were slow to react to changes in the tourism markets. Very few professional bodies have been involved in the animation of this vital economic niche to enhance stronger coordination of actions at both regional and local levels.
Challenges to Algeria’s Tourism
The main challenge to the country’s tourism sector is insecurity, characterized by instability and constant threat of violence. Whereas the country is generally peaceful and safe, certain areas are still susceptible to Islamic extremists groups. The mountainous region of Kabylia, including the provinces of Bouira, Bejaia, Tizi Ouzou and Boumerdes, are still under risk of threat of terrorism and civil unrest, which takes on the form of banditry, drug trafficking, kidnapping, and attacks on government targets.
Terrorism still takes on a high media profile. Renewed violence and increasing presence of Islamic State and Algeria’s role in Libya add further pressure on the government and to the crisis facing the country’s vital tourism sector. The national government however has moved swiftly to assure all tourists of maximum protection throughout the country.
Despite the fact that tourism in Algeria still contributes a paltry 1% of the country’s GDP, the country has paved way to reach new heights in its tourism sector. The first approach was the establishment of a National Tourism Development Plan (Schema Directeur d’Amenagement Touristique, SDAT) in 2008 whose main aim is to increase the sector revenue from the current annual average of $445.2 million to at least $621.2 by the end of 2015. Under the same plan international tourist arrivals are expected to rise to 3.1 million by 2023 from the 2.6 million estimated to have visited the country, helping generate Algerian Dinar (DZD) 27.9 billion in revenues in 2013.
The Algerian government, in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization, has set the goal of boosting the number of foreign investors, including tourists by utilizing the potential opportunity involving adventure holidays in the south. Additionally, seven tourism centers are currently being constructed – three in the north (north-east, north-central and north-west) and four in the south (south-east, south-west, Tassili and Hoggar).
It is worth noting that Algeria sits on tremendous tourism potential, comprising of rich and diversified natural resources and historic sites, which to date are yet to be largely realized. However, through the NTDP, the country is planning to make the sector a motor for development, diversifying the economy, attracting foreign tourists and direct investment and simulating employment. Some of the identified potential tourist destinations include the unspoiled mountains, spectacular deserts and the long Mediterranean coastline.
Plans for the Future
"The Algerian authorities have ambitious plans to launch the tourism sector, aiming to raise the accommodation capacity from 90,000 beds to 160,000 beds in three years," Tourism Minister Smail Mimoune said during a regional tourism conference on the Tunisian island of Djerba. He continued, "We aim to receive 3.5 million tourists (per year) in three years and hope that income from the sector rises to $600 million in the same period."
Mr. Mimoune said that the tourism sector’s direct contribution to GDP is estimated to register a CAGR of 4.2% to DZD848.4 million (3.8% of GDP) in 2023 from DZD539.7 million (3.7% of GDP) in 2012. He also said that the Islamic extremists – the infamous al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) operating in the country did not pose a threat to these plans, as they do not have any strongholds within Algeria, but operate from neighboring northern Mali.
ALGERIA: A Country Closed In On Itself, Yet Seeks Tourists
Tourists visit a beach in Tipaza
With its ancient Roman ruins and golden beaches set against the lush hills of western Algeria, Tipaza should be a star of the Mediterranean tourist industry. Its proximity to North Africa’s conflicts, decrepit hotels and erratic water supply help explain why it’s not.
Unlike in neighboring Morocco and Tunisia, Algeria’s attractions were ignored for decades as it lived off its oil and gas, and civil war kept holidaymakers away. Faced with the plunging price of crude, it’s now seeking to tap other assets and build a tourist industry.
“The sector was on the fringes of the national economy for many years,” Tourism Minister Amar Ghoul said in an interview in Algiers. “Our mission today is to place it at the heart.” Nearly 1,000 tourist projects worth at least $3.9 billion have been approved, he said.
One of the region’s least-visited countries, there’s enough potential to have lured Intercontinental Group and Holiday Inn this year. But more investment is needed and the drive to catch up is badly timed, as Islamist violence scares people away from the region.
“Algeria is only beginning to emerge as a destination, and this new beginning will be especially difficult during a time like this,” said Nadejda Popova, a travel analyst at market research firm Euromonitor International. “Unfortunately, the circumstances are against them.”
Morocco is the best example of what a tourism industry can do for a North African country: it employs 400,000 people there and accounts for about 10 percent of the $107 billion economy. Algeria’s need for cash is less pressing -- it has $158 billion of reserves, amassed from energy exports. Still, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s government wants new sources of jobs for a youthful population, and revenue for a welfare system that helps keep the peace.
Tunisia, has also succeeded in building a mass tourism industry, but one that’s in crisis after dozens of holidaymakers were shot dead on a beach by Islamist militants. Egypt has experienced a similar reverse since the Arab Spring of 2011.
All those governments have know how that Algeria lacks. They use YouTube and Twitter for marketing campaigns, while the website of Algeria’s Tourism Ministry is often offline. And even if tourists do reach the country, there’s a shortage of places for them to stay: the capital, Algiers, has just 19,000 hotel beds.
Similar obstacles exist in Tipaza, an hour’s drive west. Besides the region’s natural beauty there’s nothing to attract visitors, provincial governor Abdelkader Kadi said at a meeting of local leaders. Taps often dry up, hotels and archaeological sites aren’t maintained and the local museum is often closed, he said.
“If we continue like this, no tourist will ever come,” Kadi said. “We all need to change how we do things, and here in Tipaza we have to lead the way.”
That requires major investment so even as the government cut spending this year by 9 percent, it pledged not to ax infrastructure that will support a more diversified economy, including the construction of ports and airports.
Didier Boidin, vice president of InterContinental Hotels Group, is among the believers. “It’s a country that has a huge economic and touristic capital,” Boidin said in an interview in Algiers. InterContinental and Holiday Inn will partner to open their first hotel in the capital by March.
The government knows it has to build an image as well as infrastructure. It sponsored Yann Arthus-Bertrand, the French photographer whose coffee-table book “Earth From Above” was a bestseller, to film the country’s snow-capped mountains, Saharan sand dunes and world heritage sites from the sky.
Officials say they’re having some success: last year, Algeria recorded 2.7 million arrivals, the most ever. But almost all were Algerian expats, while others were descendants of the so-called pied-noir, French-speaking natives whose families emigrated before the country won independence from France in 1962.
Algerians endured another brutal conflict more recently, the civil war between Islamists and the army that ended in 2000. Its legacy is a deeper reason why Algeria struggles to attract foreign visitors, said Cherif Amouche, who worked as a tour guide before the industry was decimated by fighting.
“Security is important, of course, it’s a consideration for foreign tourists, but in the case of Algeria it isn’t the only one keeping them away,” he said. “Algeria has become a country closed in on itself.”
The government must train more hospitality workers -- Algeria has just one state tourism college, though there are also private centers -- and ease bureaucracy that makes visa applications long and expensive, Amouche said.
The Basilica of St. Augustine illustrates the problem. Perched on a green hill near the eastern coastal town of Annaba and overlooking ancient Roman ruins, it was among the most-visited sites before the civil war. Some pilgrims still come to celebrate the life of St. Augustine, who was born in Algeria in 354 AD and helped formulate the doctrine of original sin.
It was empty on a recent Saturday, though, even after the government, with help from France and Pope Benedict XVI, spent $7 million to restore it. Bachir Aami, who lives nearby, said the community was hoping that the investment would revive interest.
“It’s been restored but we still haven’t had many visitors,” he said. “Tourists would be so welcome.”
With its ancient Roman ruins and golden beaches set against the lush hills of western Algeria, Tipaza should be a star of the Mediterranean tourist industry. Its proximity to North Africa’s conflicts, decrepit hotels and erratic water supply help explain why it’s not.
Unlike in neighboring Morocco and Tunisia, Algeria’s attractions were ignored for decades as it lived off its oil and gas, and civil war kept holidaymakers away. Faced with the plunging price of crude, it’s now seeking to tap other assets and build a tourist industry.
“The sector was on the fringes of the national economy for many years,” Tourism Minister Amar Ghoul said in an interview in Algiers. “Our mission today is to place it at the heart.” Nearly 1,000 tourist projects worth at least $3.9 billion have been approved, he said.
One of the region’s least-visited countries, there’s enough potential to have lured Intercontinental Group and Holiday Inn this year. But more investment is needed and the drive to catch up is badly timed, as Islamist violence scares people away from the region.
“Algeria is only beginning to emerge as a destination, and this new beginning will be especially difficult during a time like this,” said Nadejda Popova, a travel analyst at market research firm Euromonitor International. “Unfortunately, the circumstances are against them.”
Morocco is the best example of what a tourism industry can do for a North African country: it employs 400,000 people there and accounts for about 10 percent of the $107 billion economy. Algeria’s need for cash is less pressing -- it has $158 billion of reserves, amassed from energy exports. Still, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s government wants new sources of jobs for a youthful population, and revenue for a welfare system that helps keep the peace.
Tunisia, has also succeeded in building a mass tourism industry, but one that’s in crisis after dozens of holidaymakers were shot dead on a beach by Islamist militants. Egypt has experienced a similar reverse since the Arab Spring of 2011.
All those governments have know how that Algeria lacks. They use YouTube and Twitter for marketing campaigns, while the website of Algeria’s Tourism Ministry is often offline. And even if tourists do reach the country, there’s a shortage of places for them to stay: the capital, Algiers, has just 19,000 hotel beds.
Similar obstacles exist in Tipaza, an hour’s drive west. Besides the region’s natural beauty there’s nothing to attract visitors, provincial governor Abdelkader Kadi said at a meeting of local leaders. Taps often dry up, hotels and archaeological sites aren’t maintained and the local museum is often closed, he said.
“If we continue like this, no tourist will ever come,” Kadi said. “We all need to change how we do things, and here in Tipaza we have to lead the way.”
That requires major investment so even as the government cut spending this year by 9 percent, it pledged not to ax infrastructure that will support a more diversified economy, including the construction of ports and airports.
Didier Boidin, vice president of InterContinental Hotels Group, is among the believers. “It’s a country that has a huge economic and touristic capital,” Boidin said in an interview in Algiers. InterContinental and Holiday Inn will partner to open their first hotel in the capital by March.
The government knows it has to build an image as well as infrastructure. It sponsored Yann Arthus-Bertrand, the French photographer whose coffee-table book “Earth From Above” was a bestseller, to film the country’s snow-capped mountains, Saharan sand dunes and world heritage sites from the sky.
Officials say they’re having some success: last year, Algeria recorded 2.7 million arrivals, the most ever. But almost all were Algerian expats, while others were descendants of the so-called pied-noir, French-speaking natives whose families emigrated before the country won independence from France in 1962.
Algerians endured another brutal conflict more recently, the civil war between Islamists and the army that ended in 2000. Its legacy is a deeper reason why Algeria struggles to attract foreign visitors, said Cherif Amouche, who worked as a tour guide before the industry was decimated by fighting.
“Security is important, of course, it’s a consideration for foreign tourists, but in the case of Algeria it isn’t the only one keeping them away,” he said. “Algeria has become a country closed in on itself.”
The government must train more hospitality workers -- Algeria has just one state tourism college, though there are also private centers -- and ease bureaucracy that makes visa applications long and expensive, Amouche said.
The Basilica of St. Augustine illustrates the problem. Perched on a green hill near the eastern coastal town of Annaba and overlooking ancient Roman ruins, it was among the most-visited sites before the civil war. Some pilgrims still come to celebrate the life of St. Augustine, who was born in Algeria in 354 AD and helped formulate the doctrine of original sin.
It was empty on a recent Saturday, though, even after the government, with help from France and Pope Benedict XVI, spent $7 million to restore it. Bachir Aami, who lives nearby, said the community was hoping that the investment would revive interest.
“It’s been restored but we still haven’t had many visitors,” he said. “Tourists would be so welcome.”
Sunday, 8 November 2015
FRANCE: Aigle Azur
An Airbus A320 in the airline's new livery landing at Toulouse Blagnac International Airport
Société Aigle Azur Transports Aériens is an airline with its head office in Tremblay-en-France, France, near Paris. It operates domestic scheduled passenger services and international services to Algeria, Mali, Portugal, China, Senegal and France. It also operates charter, cargo and wet lease services. Its main bases are Orly Airport, Paris. Aigle Azur is also accredited by IATA with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) for its safety practices.
In April 1946, Sylvain Floirat established the original Aigle Azur as one of the first wholly privately-owned, independent airlines in post-war France. Between 1946 and 1955, the airline operated a large fleet of Douglas DC-3s.
During the early 1950s, Aigle Azur began operating long-haul scheduled routes linking metropolitan France with Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. France's Ministry of Public Works and Transport had transferred Air France's traffic rights for these routes to the country's newly created independent airlines, including Aigle Azur.
In 1970, the airline was re-constituted as a regional airline named Lucas Aviation. The re-formed airline's corporate and operational headquarters was at Paris Pontoise Airport,located in Boissy l'Aillerie.Lucas Aviation initially traded as Lucas Air Transport and operated regional scheduled services, including a year-round operation linking Deauville with London Gatwick. The name subsequently changed once more to Lucas Aigle Azur.
An Airbus A320 in the airline's new livery landed at Toulouse Blagnac International Airport,September 2013.
In May 2001, Groupe GOFAST acquired Lucas Aigle Azur from its previous owners, and reinstated the original name, Aigle Azur. The new owner refocused the airline as a mainstream short- to medium-haul scheduled and charter carrier. Aigle Azur began replacing its Boeing 737s with Airbus A320 family aircraft. It has 450 employees as of May 2007. A plane operated by Aigle Azur landed in Baghdad on 31-10-2010, becoming the first flight from a European airline to arrive in the city since the twenty-year-old international embargo began in 1990.
On 23 October 2012, HNA Group announced that it completed its acquisition of a 48 percent stake in Aigle Azur in Paris, becoming its second largest shareholder, after Group GOFAST.
In December 2012, Goldenflyer awarded the airline for "Best Cabin crew".
The airline's administrative head office is in Tremblay-en-France, near Paris. The airline's registered office is in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris.
The majority of Aigle Azur's international flights are to Africa and Europe (Algeria, France, Senegal, Mali, China and Portugal).
Aigle Azur has codeshare agreements with the following airlines as of March 2015:
Hainan Airlines
The fleet of Aigle Azur with Airbus A320-family (A319, A320), modular mono-class or bi-class.
There were several hull-loss accidents involving Aigle Azur aircraft between 1949 and 1954, most of which took place in French Indochina, today's Laos or Vietnam.
On 27 November 1949, an Aigle Azur Douglas C-47 Skytrain (registered F-OABJ) was shot down in a criminal occurrence near Dong Khe, where a major battle in the First Indochina War would take place 10 months later.
On 9 July 1950, an Aigle Azur Douglas C-47 Skytrain (registered F-BFGL) crashed shortly after take-off from Casablanca (then in France), resulting in the 18 passengers and 4 crew members on board being killed.
On 12 February 1951, another Aigle Azur Skytrain (registered F-OABK) was damaged beyond repair in a crash landing at Luang Prabang Airport (in today's Laos, then French Indochina). There were no fatalities.
On 17 March 1953, an Aigle Azur Douglas C-47 Skytrain (registered F-BEFG) crashed during a bad-weather landing attempt at Da Nang Airport following a flight from Hue-Phu Bai Airport, resulting in the death of the eight persons on board.
On 16 April 1953, another Aigle Azur C-47 (registered F-BESS) lost one wing shortly after take-off from Hanoi on a military charter flight to Nà Sản Airport. The aircraft subsequently crashed, and the 27 passengers and 3 crew members on board died.
On 19 June 1953 an Aigle Azur Douglas C-47 (registered F-BEST) crashed into a hill after a fire started on board, killing the 29 passengers and 5 crew members (which makes it the deadliest accident of the airline to date). The aircraft was en route from Vientiane Airport to Saigon Airport. The wreckage could only be found ten days later.
On 31 January 1954, the pilots of an Aigle Azur Skytrain (registered F-BGXD) which was due to operate a flight out of Dien Bien Phu Airport accidentally retracted the landing gear when the aircraft had not taken off yet, resulting in the airframe being damaged beyond repair.
On 4 March 1954, during the First Indochina War, at around 04:00 local time, an Aigle Azur Douglas DC-3 (registered F-OAPC) that was parked at Gia Lam Airport, Hanoi, was destroyed by Vietnamese rebels.
On 30 August 1954, an Aigle Azur Sud-Ouest Bretagne (registered F-BEHS) was damaged beyond repair during an emergency landing at Hanoi.
Recently, there was only one (non-fatal) incident involving an Aigle Azur aircraft:
On 8 January 2008 at 08:51 local time, an Aigle Azur Airbus A321-200 (registered F-GUAA) that was operating on Flight 258 from Paris-Orly Airport to Algiers Airport, was substantially damaged during a hard landing and subsequent tailstrike at its destination airport, during which a two-metre-long fuselage gash occurred. This was due to a faulty handling of the thrust lever by the commanding pilot who was sitting in the right seat instead of the usual left one he was accustomed to. There were no serious injuries to the 59 passengers and 8 crew members on board, and the aircraft was reparable.
Société Aigle Azur Transports Aériens is an airline with its head office in Tremblay-en-France, France, near Paris. It operates domestic scheduled passenger services and international services to Algeria, Mali, Portugal, China, Senegal and France. It also operates charter, cargo and wet lease services. Its main bases are Orly Airport, Paris. Aigle Azur is also accredited by IATA with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) for its safety practices.
In April 1946, Sylvain Floirat established the original Aigle Azur as one of the first wholly privately-owned, independent airlines in post-war France. Between 1946 and 1955, the airline operated a large fleet of Douglas DC-3s.
During the early 1950s, Aigle Azur began operating long-haul scheduled routes linking metropolitan France with Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. France's Ministry of Public Works and Transport had transferred Air France's traffic rights for these routes to the country's newly created independent airlines, including Aigle Azur.
In 1970, the airline was re-constituted as a regional airline named Lucas Aviation. The re-formed airline's corporate and operational headquarters was at Paris Pontoise Airport,located in Boissy l'Aillerie.Lucas Aviation initially traded as Lucas Air Transport and operated regional scheduled services, including a year-round operation linking Deauville with London Gatwick. The name subsequently changed once more to Lucas Aigle Azur.
An Airbus A320 in the airline's new livery landed at Toulouse Blagnac International Airport,September 2013.
In May 2001, Groupe GOFAST acquired Lucas Aigle Azur from its previous owners, and reinstated the original name, Aigle Azur. The new owner refocused the airline as a mainstream short- to medium-haul scheduled and charter carrier. Aigle Azur began replacing its Boeing 737s with Airbus A320 family aircraft. It has 450 employees as of May 2007. A plane operated by Aigle Azur landed in Baghdad on 31-10-2010, becoming the first flight from a European airline to arrive in the city since the twenty-year-old international embargo began in 1990.
On 23 October 2012, HNA Group announced that it completed its acquisition of a 48 percent stake in Aigle Azur in Paris, becoming its second largest shareholder, after Group GOFAST.
In December 2012, Goldenflyer awarded the airline for "Best Cabin crew".
The airline's administrative head office is in Tremblay-en-France, near Paris. The airline's registered office is in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris.
The majority of Aigle Azur's international flights are to Africa and Europe (Algeria, France, Senegal, Mali, China and Portugal).
Aigle Azur has codeshare agreements with the following airlines as of March 2015:
Hainan Airlines
The fleet of Aigle Azur with Airbus A320-family (A319, A320), modular mono-class or bi-class.
There were several hull-loss accidents involving Aigle Azur aircraft between 1949 and 1954, most of which took place in French Indochina, today's Laos or Vietnam.
On 27 November 1949, an Aigle Azur Douglas C-47 Skytrain (registered F-OABJ) was shot down in a criminal occurrence near Dong Khe, where a major battle in the First Indochina War would take place 10 months later.
On 9 July 1950, an Aigle Azur Douglas C-47 Skytrain (registered F-BFGL) crashed shortly after take-off from Casablanca (then in France), resulting in the 18 passengers and 4 crew members on board being killed.
On 12 February 1951, another Aigle Azur Skytrain (registered F-OABK) was damaged beyond repair in a crash landing at Luang Prabang Airport (in today's Laos, then French Indochina). There were no fatalities.
On 17 March 1953, an Aigle Azur Douglas C-47 Skytrain (registered F-BEFG) crashed during a bad-weather landing attempt at Da Nang Airport following a flight from Hue-Phu Bai Airport, resulting in the death of the eight persons on board.
On 16 April 1953, another Aigle Azur C-47 (registered F-BESS) lost one wing shortly after take-off from Hanoi on a military charter flight to Nà Sản Airport. The aircraft subsequently crashed, and the 27 passengers and 3 crew members on board died.
On 19 June 1953 an Aigle Azur Douglas C-47 (registered F-BEST) crashed into a hill after a fire started on board, killing the 29 passengers and 5 crew members (which makes it the deadliest accident of the airline to date). The aircraft was en route from Vientiane Airport to Saigon Airport. The wreckage could only be found ten days later.
On 31 January 1954, the pilots of an Aigle Azur Skytrain (registered F-BGXD) which was due to operate a flight out of Dien Bien Phu Airport accidentally retracted the landing gear when the aircraft had not taken off yet, resulting in the airframe being damaged beyond repair.
On 4 March 1954, during the First Indochina War, at around 04:00 local time, an Aigle Azur Douglas DC-3 (registered F-OAPC) that was parked at Gia Lam Airport, Hanoi, was destroyed by Vietnamese rebels.
On 30 August 1954, an Aigle Azur Sud-Ouest Bretagne (registered F-BEHS) was damaged beyond repair during an emergency landing at Hanoi.
Recently, there was only one (non-fatal) incident involving an Aigle Azur aircraft:
On 8 January 2008 at 08:51 local time, an Aigle Azur Airbus A321-200 (registered F-GUAA) that was operating on Flight 258 from Paris-Orly Airport to Algiers Airport, was substantially damaged during a hard landing and subsequent tailstrike at its destination airport, during which a two-metre-long fuselage gash occurred. This was due to a faulty handling of the thrust lever by the commanding pilot who was sitting in the right seat instead of the usual left one he was accustomed to. There were no serious injuries to the 59 passengers and 8 crew members on board, and the aircraft was reparable.
Tuesday, 3 November 2015
ETHIOPIA: Ethiopia On Her Way To Become Chain Hotel Hub
Ethiopia is ranked among the top 10 leading markets in Africa for international chain hotel developments while Egypt leads the group with 18 new hotel chains being developed. Currently, Ethiopia gripped 8th position with 84 per cent hotel development pipeline and under construction disclosed the survey presented at the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) in Addis Ababa.
The hotel business boom in Africa is topping the global market. Taking its share from the African market, Ethiopia has eight new global brand hotels under pipeline. Across the continent, 270 hotel chains are in the pipeline with the expected number of rooms, exceeding 30,000. Egypt is followed by Morocco, Nigeria, Algeria, Tunisia, South Africa, Libya, Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda. Although the leading nations are mainly from northern Africa, countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are gaining momentum in hotel development projects.
The information obtained from Bench Events indicates that, out of the top 10 global hotel operators, Hilton Worldwide leads with about 7,250 rooms in new hotels. However, Marriott leaps forward, leading with the development of 36 new hotels across the continent. Hotel Partners Africa also identified the top ten opportunities for investors keen to develop hotels in Africa. In West Africa, Nigeria presents the biggest opportunity, with the strongest economy on the continent with 34 branded hotel bedrooms per million population. Ghana with 59 bedrooms and Cote D’Ivoire with 61 bedrooms also present great opportunities with very strong demand.
Rwanda, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia present 29, 48, 63, 79, 122 bedrooms respectively. Despite the existence of great development potential in the region, the political and other risks tend to suggest that new international investment will be limited in the near future. However, Libya continues to attract investors despite the political unrest. Project returns also identified to bring high revenue.
Hotel values in the majority of these locations have been strongly growing. In African countries, 76 per cent of hotel investment returns have been higher than combined averages across other property investments. African countries have shown significant annual growth over the last six years including Zambia and Ghana at 6.5 per cent, Tanzania 6.3 per cent and Angola 6.2 per cent from the most under-supplied opportunity markets. Ethiopia is also listed among the top markets with several deals in process and new chain hotels venturing into the untapped hotel development. Hilton signed a deal for upscale Hilton Awassa Resort & Spa which is expected to open in 2020. Marriott International in partnership with Sunshine Business, opened Africa’s first Marriott Executive Apartments in Ethiopia’s capital.
“Hotel developments prove that it’s an exciting time for Ethiopia which is being transformed from the traditional market to a much developed and less riskier business environment. Investment by major operators evidenced that luxury is coming to the growing nation,” said Estelle Verdier, Managing Director of Jovago East and Southern Africa.
On the other hand, hosting the glamorized and biggest AHIF, which was attended by major global industry players and policy makers, placed Ethiopia in a better position to attract more investments. During the event, major brand operators such as Wyndham Group, Ramada Addis, Inter Continental Group, Accor Group, Western International Inn linked management agreements to run star-rated hotels which would open doors between end 2015 and 2018. The AHIF has also been seen as fresh negotiations expected to bring more chain hotels to Ethiopia.
The hotel business boom in Africa is topping the global market. Taking its share from the African market, Ethiopia has eight new global brand hotels under pipeline. Across the continent, 270 hotel chains are in the pipeline with the expected number of rooms, exceeding 30,000. Egypt is followed by Morocco, Nigeria, Algeria, Tunisia, South Africa, Libya, Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda. Although the leading nations are mainly from northern Africa, countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are gaining momentum in hotel development projects.
The information obtained from Bench Events indicates that, out of the top 10 global hotel operators, Hilton Worldwide leads with about 7,250 rooms in new hotels. However, Marriott leaps forward, leading with the development of 36 new hotels across the continent. Hotel Partners Africa also identified the top ten opportunities for investors keen to develop hotels in Africa. In West Africa, Nigeria presents the biggest opportunity, with the strongest economy on the continent with 34 branded hotel bedrooms per million population. Ghana with 59 bedrooms and Cote D’Ivoire with 61 bedrooms also present great opportunities with very strong demand.
Rwanda, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia present 29, 48, 63, 79, 122 bedrooms respectively. Despite the existence of great development potential in the region, the political and other risks tend to suggest that new international investment will be limited in the near future. However, Libya continues to attract investors despite the political unrest. Project returns also identified to bring high revenue.
Hotel values in the majority of these locations have been strongly growing. In African countries, 76 per cent of hotel investment returns have been higher than combined averages across other property investments. African countries have shown significant annual growth over the last six years including Zambia and Ghana at 6.5 per cent, Tanzania 6.3 per cent and Angola 6.2 per cent from the most under-supplied opportunity markets. Ethiopia is also listed among the top markets with several deals in process and new chain hotels venturing into the untapped hotel development. Hilton signed a deal for upscale Hilton Awassa Resort & Spa which is expected to open in 2020. Marriott International in partnership with Sunshine Business, opened Africa’s first Marriott Executive Apartments in Ethiopia’s capital.
“Hotel developments prove that it’s an exciting time for Ethiopia which is being transformed from the traditional market to a much developed and less riskier business environment. Investment by major operators evidenced that luxury is coming to the growing nation,” said Estelle Verdier, Managing Director of Jovago East and Southern Africa.
On the other hand, hosting the glamorized and biggest AHIF, which was attended by major global industry players and policy makers, placed Ethiopia in a better position to attract more investments. During the event, major brand operators such as Wyndham Group, Ramada Addis, Inter Continental Group, Accor Group, Western International Inn linked management agreements to run star-rated hotels which would open doors between end 2015 and 2018. The AHIF has also been seen as fresh negotiations expected to bring more chain hotels to Ethiopia.
Thursday, 8 October 2015
JAPAN: Japan Tops List Of Places For Avoiding Christmas This Year
FOR those who don't celebrate Christmas, be it for religious, personal or ideological reasons, and are looking to escape the frenzy of the holiday madness, consider countries like Japan, Thailand and Turkey.
Or, take the predictable route and book a definitively Christmas-free vacation by visiting Arabic and predominantly Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Iran, treasure troves of Persian history and the cradle of ancient civilisation.
Those are among the recommendations from online booking site Skyscanner, which has compiled a list of the top 10 places to avoid Christmas.
Topping the list is Japan, where Christmas is not a public holiday, and locals go about their business as usual on December 25. Though Tokyo may have its share of robot Santas, Kyoto and Nara – centers of traditional Japanese culture – remain for the most part Rudolph and Frosty-free, while Hokkaido offers snow bunnies some of the best powder in the world.
Also on the list is Iran, which was likewise named Rough Guides' top country to visit in 2015 for offering a fascinating lesson in ancient Persian history, bazaars, desertscapes, snow-capped mountains and "hauntingly beautiful mosques."
Here is Skyscanner's list of top 10 places for avoiding Christmas this year:
1. Japan
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Algeria
4. Iran
5. Thailand
6. Nepal
7. Turkey
8. North Korea
9. China
10. Bahamas
However, you will have to include:
1. Yemen
2. Iraq
3. Syria
That is for reasons you know, Islamic States Army.
Or, take the predictable route and book a definitively Christmas-free vacation by visiting Arabic and predominantly Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Iran, treasure troves of Persian history and the cradle of ancient civilisation.
Those are among the recommendations from online booking site Skyscanner, which has compiled a list of the top 10 places to avoid Christmas.
Topping the list is Japan, where Christmas is not a public holiday, and locals go about their business as usual on December 25. Though Tokyo may have its share of robot Santas, Kyoto and Nara – centers of traditional Japanese culture – remain for the most part Rudolph and Frosty-free, while Hokkaido offers snow bunnies some of the best powder in the world.
Also on the list is Iran, which was likewise named Rough Guides' top country to visit in 2015 for offering a fascinating lesson in ancient Persian history, bazaars, desertscapes, snow-capped mountains and "hauntingly beautiful mosques."
Here is Skyscanner's list of top 10 places for avoiding Christmas this year:
1. Japan
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Algeria
4. Iran
5. Thailand
6. Nepal
7. Turkey
8. North Korea
9. China
10. Bahamas
However, you will have to include:
1. Yemen
2. Iraq
3. Syria
That is for reasons you know, Islamic States Army.
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