With Africa’s Travel Indaba behind us, Tourism Update offers a round-up of some of the highlights, and the latest news and developments from the exhibition halls.

Some highlights

• Indian Ocean Rim Association (Iora) met to discuss coastal and marine tourism.
• A theatrical production by renowned SA playwright James Ngcobo showcased the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela, in celebration of the icon’s 100th birthday.
• BONDay sessions highlighted that locals need to travel and tell their stories to paint a picture of their destinations.
• The tourism industry is urged by ministers of the continent to help fight youth unemployment.
• Amadeus and SA’s tourism industry enter into an innovative private-public collaboration, for transformational growth of tourism in SA.

News bites

• “Knysna is launching its #spiritofknysna campaign to showcase the natural beauty and mystery of the region, and also to reinforce that Knysna is open for business following last year’s fires” – Elmay Bouwer, Chairperson of the Knysna Tourism Board.
• Lakato Safaris, a DMC based in Uganda recently launched in February.
• A new route is being developed in the Kalahari, namely, Ghaap Gateway.
• Skydive Tandem Company launched in Victoria Falls late last year and plans to start charters between Victoria Falls, Hwange and Chobe in six weeks.
• Sun City activities in partnership with Mankwe Gametrackers have launched a bespoke heritage tour in the North West province, the Leeto-Kgolo Village Tour.
• Southern Africa 360 to zone in on the Northern Cape, updates to follow.
• Wetu reveals latest innovation with its upgraded Theme Customiser which boasts a variety of new functionalities.
• One of this year’s Hidden Gems, namely Native Minds is conducting renovations on its gallery.
• City Blue Hotel and Suites adds a third edition to Rwanda’s CityBlue family: ‘Epic’ offers 76 edgy rooms and outstanding conference and banqueting facilities.
• New battlefields tour to be launched in Angola, later this year.
• Africa Albida announces the completion of a US$600 000 (€503 220) refurbishment to its Safari Club in Victoria Falls.
• Malawi repositions itself as a ‘Big Five’ destination.
• ‘Lake of Stars’ music and arts festival happening in Salina in September.
• The Zanzibar Collection, through the only PADI five-star Gold Palm and National Geographic Dive Center in Zanzibar, brings Raid Diving to its guests – offering rebreather dive training and experiences.
• The mining town of Alexander Bay in the Northern Cape has ‘reopened’ to tourism, offering fishing, wetlands, birding and diamond boats experiences.
• Bugesera International Airport in Rwanda aims to complete Phase 1 of its construction by the end of 2018. The new airport will have capacity for 1.8m passengers.
• Qualito Craft Distillery urges tourists to visit the Limpopo gin, vodka and whisky distillery, a growing tourist experience on Route 71.