On Monday was one long awaited piece of the puzzle, how to improve aviation safety on the continent of Africa, launched when in the presence of ICAO Secretary General Mr. Raymond Benjamin the new Africa wide training organization association was formally baptized.

Said a senior staff of KCAA met during last weeks launch of the Kenya Airways share rights issue, when asked directly, though on condition of not being named for not being an official spokesperson: All over Africa we have a serious problem with getting more pilots. It is a bigger problem even in countries where aviation is growing at a fast rate, like here in Kenya, in East Africa. We do not have enough capacity yet to produce more ATPL license holders. When we launch the new association on Monday it is meant to inject quality criteria, set standards and promote the creation of government owned and private owned aviation academies. You in Uganda have the Soroti school but even there it is underfacilitation which constraints the output of pilots and engineers. Those are two critical areas. Kenya Airways now has their Pride Academy and simulators which helps in training but for most they send pilot student trainees abroad until they are ready. I think here we need to see the long term savings and job creation for East Africans when we say we must have more such aviation schools here in our part of Africa. Aviation grows almost faster than many other sectors and we can produce highly skilled individuals who can work anywhere in the world. And when you look at it, skilled manpower in engineering, which these schools also teach, attracts international manufacturers to consider putting up some significant MROs (maintenance and repair organizations) here in East Africa but so far they go to South Africa or North Africa for lack of enough homegrown and qualified personnel..

At the same function it was also mentioned by the Chairman of Kenya Airways Evanson Mwaniki that the airline has sought permission from the authorities to recruit captains from abroad to have enough crews for their growing fleet, until young Kenyans have acquired the skills and experience needed to step up and get their four stripes.

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Members of the Tourism Development Initiative and other groups came together to map out how best this will be possible and amongst the key issues mentioned to this correspondent was the upgrading of Mwanza airport. Said the source in an email received yesterday: We heard that Kisumu is now a big international airport with more flights and more visitors. We in Mwanza would also like to see such efforts by our government. The plans to build another international airport near the Serengeti are rubbish really. We have Mwanza already in place and with some upgrading it can go a long way to serve our part of Tanzania. From here it is two hours’ drive to the Serengeti, or with the smaller aircraft even less than half an hour to some of the park airfields. From Arusha it is a long way by road and takes a longer time to fly into the park. But from Mwanza it is so much easier and as an extra attraction we have Lake Victoria right here. Most tourists to Tanzania never see the biggest lake in Africa. We are losing visitors and revenues and TTB and others must now shape up and promote us as much as they promote the parks. Lake Victoria gets very little promotion from the tourist board and yet there is fishing, bird watching, sunset cruises, island visits. We should also try to have more airlines from Uganda and Kenya come here with extra flights to bring passengers. Let’s work together to achieve better results here for us.

Another periodic source from Arusha added: Government could do a lot for us here. Instead of talking about a new railway to Musoma they should fix up and modernize the rail link from Arusha to Mwanza. That way tourists could even use the train which right now is too slow. That would be a better option and much cheaper too. And at the same breath I add our opposition to the highway plans through Serengeti. They should build the road around the south part of Serengeti as a good highway and then link Mwanza too. That way the road used now through Ngorongoro and Serengeti can be relieved of heavy traffic. This government should stop making so much noise about things which are not happening anyway and concentrate to develop and modernize what we already have and what they have let go into disrepair for too long. And they should also stop listening to pressure from KADCO (Kilimanjaro Airport Development Company) and allow more flights from Arusha airport which is easier for people to reach than driving so far out almost to Moshi. Sentiments often heard yes seemingly so far fallen on rather deaf ears.

Precision Air is operating several flights a day between Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro International and Mwanza and a source close to the airline made it known that they would support any initiative to promote greater travel to the Lake Victoria town should the tourist board roll out a campaign.

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Game watcher Safaris also earned another award when Outside Magazine handed them their rating as Best Safari Deal recently for 2012, giving the company which also operates Porini Safari Camps, a priceless boost in publicity and visibility for their budget tented safaris. It is the first time Outside Magazine is doing such ratings combined with travel awards and it is understood that this will now be an annual event to give their readership top tips on where to go and whom to go there with. Gamewatchers Safaris is honored to receive this award from Outside Magazine said Dr. Mohanjeet Brar, the Commercial Director at Gamewatchers. This Adventure Camping Safari was designed to offer travelers a high-quality safari experience in big game areas of Kenya at an incredible value. We do believe that it is one of the best safari deals for an active traveler available for 2012!

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The Chairman of the Tourism Chamber at PSF, Edwin Sabuhoro (L) handing a certificate to one of the trainees, Bilima Innocent.

During a dinner organised to recognise 36 tour guides who had completed three weeks’ training on how to protect birds living in Nyungwe National park, Rwigamba made the remarks.

This  training was sponsored by United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

“We have considered what is in the region and we came up with requirements that also include skills that can transform the industry through effective service by the guides,” said Rwigamba.

She explained that consultations are being made to involve tour guide associations from the region.

“After acquiring the necessary skills, guides will be categorised because we want them to offer quality services that will promote tourism or encourage tourists to visit,” she said.

The Chairman of the Tourism Chamber at the Private Sector Federation (PSF), Edwin Sabuhoro, promised that more trainings was to be conducted soon.

“Tour guides are our ambassadors to tourists since they spend a lot of time with them. It is, therefore, important to have the best ambassadors,” Sabuhoro said.

He explained that the first measure that was taken is to put guides under one umbrella–Rwanda Tours and Travel Association (RTTA)

“Tour guides should be able to interact with tourists and explain or respond to concerns that tourists may have in the various areas they visit,” he said.

The Chairman of RTTA, Manzi Kayihura, called on tour guides to implement what they learnt.

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Dubai has been considered among the premium tourist destinations in the Middle East for over a decade. Now, with new airlift, hotels and attractions on offer, the emirate is cementing its place among the leading tourism markets around the world.

Officials at the Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) have announced figures outlining the local tourism industry’s impressive performance in the first three quarters of 2011, thereby consolidating the position of Dubai on the world tourism map.

Khalid a bin Sulayem, DTCM director general, said: “The stellar performance of Dubai’s tourism industry is a testimony to the aggressive promotional and marketing drive the department has been pursuing to enhance the number of tourists to the destination by tapping established and emerging markets across the world.

“The impressive gains made during the January-September period last year reflect the inspiring public-private sector partnership to tap the tourism potential of Dubai.”

Dubai hotels played host to a total of 6.64 million guests in the first three quarters of 2011, up by 11 per cent compared with the corresponding period in 2010.

Guest nights rose by 26 per cent over the period to reach 23.9 million, while the average length of stay increased by 14 per cent. Revenue at hotels in the emirate also increased by 19 per cent to AED10.96 billion.

The number of hotel establishments increased by one per cent to 573.

With new airlift coming on stream, hotels opening and new events being added to the already impressive events calendar, it is little wonder Dubai has bounced back this year.

Hotel Boom

Despite some shaky moments in the last two years, hoteliers in Dubai have been rediscovering their optimism of late. Some 13,200 new rooms are presently under construction in the emirate, with suppliers confident demand will be sufficient to make new properties viable.

The emirate is developing a reputation as something of a safe haven in a region rocked by insecurity, with Al Habtoor Group unveiling the $1.33 billion mega project – Habtoor Palace – earlier this year.

Opening in 2015 and comprising three luxury hotels with a total of 1,612 rooms, the development will add to a number of new hotels opening along the Sheikh Zayed Road.

In the same area, the JW Marriott Marquis will become the tallest hotel in the emirate when it opens later this year, with the first of the 1,614 rooms scheduled to receive guests in the fourth quarter.

“The hotel will fill a long identified gap in the market where groups, meetings and conventions of up to 1,000 people can meet, sleep and dine under one roof, in one location,” explained Rupprecht Queitsch, general manager of the hotel.

“There are businesses of this size choosing various cities around the world in which to meet, but until now, Dubai has not had a single location of this size to accommodate this type of group. In simple terms, we will establish Dubai on the global conference market landscape.”

Emirates Drives Dubai’s Success

One of the key drivers in the success of Dubai as a tourism destination has been the development of airline Emirates – recognised as the offering the Middle East’s Leading Airline Business Class by the World Travel Awards – which has allowed guests from around the world ease of access.

Among the many recent developments at the carrier was confirmation of an improved service to Amsterdam, with an Airbus A380 to fly the route from August 1st this year.

“To upgrade an A380 in a relatively short space of time demonstrates the strong demand from travellers to fly with Emirates and experience our superior products and services,” said Salem Obaidalla, Emirates’ senior vice president, commercial operations, Europe & Russian Federation.
Cruising in Dubai

In late 2011, the Dubai Department of Tourism (DTCM) organised a celebration in honour of the maiden calls of the Costa Favalosa and Aida Blu cruise ships at the Dubai Cruise Terminal. Both vessels are presently offering week-long itineraries in the region with Dubai as the home port.

The ceremony, at the largest and best-equipped cruise tourism facility in the Middle East, was a milestone in the development of the sector in Dubai. Hamad bin Mejren, executive director for business tourism at DTCM, said: “It has been over a decade since DTCM began to promote cruise tourism to Dubai.

“Our continued efforts in conjunction with our 18 overseas representative offices and the opening of the first state-of-the-art cruise terminal in Dubai in 2001 began to draw the attention of the cruise lines around the world when we received 17 ship calls and 6,900 passengers in the first year.

“In collaboration with its partners, DP World, we will build additional cruise terminal facilities to cater to the anticipated growth of the business. We forecast 150 ship calls a year, with a passenger turnaround of more than 600,000 passengers by 2015,” he added.

In May 2011, Dubai Cruise Terminal was voted Middle East’s Leading Cruise Port for the fourth consecutive year at the World Travel Awards.

World Travel Awards

Dubai is set to host the World Travel Awards in April, with the industry leading event headed for Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa in April. The event will mark the fifth year in succession WTA has hosted its Middle East Gala Ceremony in the emirate, underlining its sustained significance to the regional tourism sector.

World Travel Awards founder Graham Cooke explained the selection of hosts is fundamental to the success of the world’s most influential travel awards programme. He said: “I am delighted that we will be retuning to Dubai for what promises to be the most exciting and competitive Middle East Gala Ceremony yet.

“The emirate is a hotbed of fresh ideas being put into practice, as exemplified by our host, Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa. The resort has remained the market leader for families throughout its illustrious 30-year history by continually reinventing itself and staying ahead of the curve.”

The event will take place on April 30th, 2012, with over 400 industry leaders from across the region expected in town.

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The criminal complaint filed by Dr. Julius Kipngetich against Eco-Tourisms Kahindi has been dropped, following an apparent change of heart but very likely also because of the massive protests and opposition the action generated in the first place.
A meeting between Eco-Tourisms CEO and Board with a delegation from KWS had taken place last week and contentious views and opinions were reportedly candidly addressed and resolved.
While Kahindi stood by his assertion, that the real poaching figures were significantly higher than those reflected in published KWS statistics, Dr. Julius in turn assured the Eco-Tourism leaders, and the public at large, that his organization was doing all in their power to control poaching, combat it, disrupt the illegal ivory trade and establish exactly how many elephant have been killed in the past. Both organizations also agreed on an improved flow of information from both sides to share intelligence and data in the future with the aim of providing the public and stakeholders in conservation and tourism with accurate data.
When the news broke the Kenyan, and in fact East African conservation fraternity took a combined breath of relief that this unsavoury and potentially hugely damaging situation was amicably resolved, which could have seriously damaged the otherwise positive and engaged partnership between Kenya Wildlife Service on one side and conservation NGOs on the other hand.
In the meantime it was also confirmed from a usually well informed source at KWS in Langata that the wildfires in the Aberdare Mountains and on Mt. Kenya have been put out with the combined efforts of KWS personnel, government personnel, firefighters from nearby and a huge contingent of volunteers who put their own lives at risk to save the fragile environment. Congratulations and sincere thanks to all of them.

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Fiji has closed its door to international tourism while it battles devastating floods which have swept across the island.

Officials have also warned the situation could deteriorate further as Cyclone Daphne bears down on the South Pacific island.

Flash floods have already claimed three lives, while thousands have been forced into emergency shelters.

Permanent secretary of information Sharon Smith Johns told reports power was down in much of the country, while food supplies in some areas were dwindling.

Airports Fiji Limited was accepting incoming passengers over the weekend, in what should have been a busy period in the build up to Easter.

Passenger planes were arriving empty in order to ferry passengers out of danger.

This embargo has now been lifted, but the situation remains fluid.

Fiji has not yet called for international assistance.

However, Australia and New Zealand have said they are standing by to offer help.

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As a Friend of Seychelles Press I get a regular news bulletin, tailored towards the writers out there seeking more than the usual PR release and media statements. For once I thought why not share it with my regular readers who otherwise only hear my views and see events on the archipelago through my eyes or read what comes out of my pen, these days aka keyboard.

Enjoy the variety of news and updates from the Seychelles, which continues to be not just a tag line but for me truly another World.

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It is a very cowardly act but that is what these people do. We Kenyans cannot be scared off from what we are doing in Somalia, they should know that by now. But also to be honest, this is the week ahead of Easter and we expect a big inflow of visitors from upcountry. Such incidents are bound to have an impact on bookings and of course the anti-travel advisories will be sure forthcoming again and bad for business. This statement was given by one prominate person in Kenya.

Other sources in regular contact echoed these sentiments and expressed their fear that with such incidents spreading to the coast it could have a significant impact on tourism arrivals. Former Minister of Tourism, Najib Balala, who is in Mombasa at present, was swift to condemn the attacks and drew on the parallels of the Lamu situation of last year, which was also overcome by determined responses from Kenyas security organs while the tourism stakeholders presented facts and details without panicking.

The timing of the attack could not have been worse though as the local dailies in Kenya will needless to day of course provide full details in coming days and Easter at the Kenya coast will for many suddenly not be such a fancy proposition, inspite of no tourist attractions or facilities having been targeted.

While in Nairobi it was also evident that added security precautions are now in place in banks, public offices, shopping centres, restaurants, hotels and government offices as part of prevention but also to reassure the general public that indeed all is being done what can be done to keep them safe from Somalias militant Islamist terror groups, which on the battlefield are now suffering one set back after the other as the combined forces of AMISOM, Ethiopia and Kenya continue their relentless advance on the remaining terror and piracy strongholds.

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Celebrity Cruises has announced its full summer 2013 and winter 2013-14 itinerary line-up including exciting new options for cruising to Alaska, Australia and New Zealand and a brand new Pacific Coastal Wine Cruise.

Summer 2013 marks Celebrity Cruises’ most comprehensive season ever in Europe, with Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Infinity and Celebrity Reflection – which debuts in October of this year – all sailing European waters. Other cruise options throughout the summer season include:

·    The award-winning, 2,850-guest flagship of the Solstice Class fleet, Celebrity Solstice, will become the first of its class to offer cruises in Alaska in the summer of 2013, joining Celebrity Century and Celebrity Millennium in pairing Celebrity Cruises’ modern luxury experience with the region’s breathtaking and inspiring scenery.
·    Celebrity Summit, which recently became the third in Celebrity Cruises’ Millennium Class fleet to be refurbished, will once again offer Celebrity Cruises’ popular sailings to Bermuda from Cape Liberty (Bayonne, New Jersey).
·    Celebrity Xpedition will continue to offer the “must do” holiday experiences the brand has offered year-round since 2007 in the Galapagos Islands.

During the winter season, Celebrity Cruises will feature six of its award-winning ships in the Caribbean and five further ships around the globe in Australia and New Zealand, the Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, South America and the South Pacific. The fleet will visit 170 ports in 42 countries from 20 different departure ports. Celebrity Cruises will also offer a variety of cruisetour holiday options, pairing a land-based experience with a cruise to create the ultimate winter getaway. New elements of Celebrity Cruises’ 2013-14 winter destination offerings include:

·    A 35-night circumnavigation cruise of Australia and New Zealand onboard Celebrity Solstice, departing from Auckland (New Zealand) in February 2014 and ending in Sydney (Australia) in March 2014.
·    Celebrity Solstice also will offer two Pacific Island cruises from Sydney in October 2013 and April 2014, featuring stops at ports such as Lautoka and Suva (Fiji), Lifou (Loyalty Islands) and Noumea and Isles of Pines (New Caledonia).
·    Four- and five-night Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida) on Celebrity Constellation, which was refurbished last year to include the Tuscan Grille speciality restaurant, CellarMasters wine bar and Café al Bacio and Gelateria, among other venues. Prior to the 2013-14 winter season, new AquaClass accommodations with exclusive access to the Mediterranean speciality restaurant, Blu, will be added to the ship. Celebrity Constellation will offer Bahamas cruises featuring stops in Key West (Florida) and Nassau (Bahamas), and Western Caribbean itineraries featuring stops in Key West (Florida) and Cozumel (Mexico), all from Fort Lauderdale between December 2013 and April 2014.
·    Celebrity Century’s October 2013 to May 2014 West Coast season will feature a series of cruises from Los Angeles for the first time since 2010, Hawaii departures and an entirely new Pacific Coastal Wine Cruise itinerary which will visit the new port of Santa Barbara (California), and include an overnight stay in San Francisco. While in the region, Celebrity Century will offer 15-night Hawaii sailings out of San Diego and Los Angeles (California), and 15-night Panama Canal cruises between San Diego and Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale (Florida) in December 2013 and January and February 2014.

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