Separating fact from fiction Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | According to official figures, tourism contributed up to US$1.35 billion into Uganda’s export basket in 2016, and was the single highest foreign exchange earner; contributing 23.5% of total exports. Based on those figures, the tourism lobby; which has advocates on …
Read More »Gambia apologises to Thailand for sex tourism slur
Banjul, Gambia | AFP | The Gambia Tuesday apologised to Thailand after its foreign minister said the Asian country was a haven for sex tourists, sparking a strongly worded protest from Bangkok. Hamat Bah said on state television in January that The Gambia, a sunny beach destination favoured by Western tourists …
Read More »Hundreds stranded in cable car accident on Malaysia’s Langkawi
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | AFP | Hundreds of tourists were stranded for hours after a cable car broke down on the Malaysian island of Langkawi, authorities said Monday, with some left dangling in cabins over a jungle-clad mountain as night fell. Over 1,000 tourists, including some Western and Chinese visitors, …
Read More »‘Welcome Mwandha, well done Seguya’
ATC News by Wolfgang H. Thome: Change at the helm of the Uganda Wildlife Authority Kampala, Uganda | WOLFGANG THOME | News emerging from Kampala indicates that Sam Mwandha has been selected as the new Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) as Dr. Andrew Seguya prepares to step …
Read More »Cambodia arrests foreigners for ‘pornographic dancing
Phnom Penh, Cambodia | AFP | Cambodia has charged 10 foreigners arrested for “singing and dancing pornographically”, officials said Sunday, as the kingdom cracks down on racy behaviour at popular tourist sites. The group appeared in court three days after police arrested them Thursday at a villa in Siem Reap, …
Read More »Local platform Deiplaces to boost tourism
Kampala, Uganda | ISAAC KHISA | Magoola Matthias, is the CEO Dei Group International, the firm behind social marketing platform, Dei places. He spoke to The Independent’s Isaac Khisa about social marketing to drive Uganda and Africa’s tourism potential. What is your management style as a manager? Management is a very …
Read More »Spanish tourists ‘raped, robbed’ in southern Senegal
Ziguinchor, Senegal | AFP | A group of Spanish tourists were robbed and raped in Senegal’s restive Casamance region by armed men, a security source and state media said on Friday. The tourists’ vehicle was stopped near the village of Karonge, around 60 kilometres (37 miles) from the regional capital …
Read More »SEATINI calls for more funding to trade and tourism sector
Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | As the budget making process for FY2018/2019 continues at different fora, several players are taking part by coming out with several proposals. The latest player is Southern and Eastern African Trade, Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI). It is calling on Parliament to increase allocation to …
Read More »Rwanda expands gorilla home
Targets more from growing population of tourism magnet Kampala, Uganda | FRANCIS BYARUHANGA | Rwanda has got a new additional habitat for its growing population of rare mountain gorillas, the Gorilla Berengei Berengei. The 27.8-hectare property (about the size of 70 standard football fields, was donated by the AWF (African …
Read More »Making tourism work
Tourism cannot aid economy unless some things are done right Kampala,Uganda | SUSANNE BECKEN | Would it not be great if something as simple and pleasurable as international travel could help end something as grinding and enduring as poverty? After all, the industry is booming, globally growing at least 4% …
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