The Congolese start-up Korongo Airlines, which launched last week in partnership with Brussels Airlines, added the first international destination to its network just three days after the launch of domestic operations on 16 April. The start-up airline, which launched with only one domestic route, now offers twice-weekly flights to Johannesburg (JNB) in South Africa from the copper-mining city of Lubumbashi (FBM) in the south-eastern Katanga Province of DR Congo. The 1,600-kilometre route will be operated with 126-seat 737-300 equipment. South African Airways provides competition on the route, offering five weekly flights.
Botanical Gardens a Splendid Tourist Attraction of Durban
Author: Peter Claussen
The Botanical Gardens of Durban is regarded as one of the major tourist attractions of Durban. The Botanical Gardens in Durban is spread across a massive area of 145 ha encapsulating loads of varieties of flora and fauna. The Botanical Gardens of Durban was established in the year 1849 and is located on the eastern slope of the Berea Ridge. The location is a site which is used as an experimental land for tropical crops. The garden is also a great example of 19th-century enterprise and zeal.
The guests can have an on-hand experience with the original specimens of Encephalartos woodii which is a cycad and is regarded as the rarest plant in the world. The garden is also famed for its unmatched and a comprehensive collection of various other Southern African cycad species.
The ‘orchid house’ at the gardens is among the major attractions for the tourists which was named after Ernest Thorp. The person is credited with the laurel to have built the orchid house to be the first “naturalistic” display house in the world. The orchid house is at its best during the springs when it remains open from 9:30 am to 5 pm. The car park at the Botanical Gardens of Durban is on the Sydenham Road and the location of the garden makes it easily accessible from the various corners of the city.
The tourists coming down to have a splendor of a natural tour can enjoy the freshness of the garden at the charity tea garden which serves with teas and light refreshments. The service of the food products continues from 9:30 am to 4:15 pm. The guests can also visit the information centre to resolve their queries about the Botanical Garden.
To experience the excitement of Botanical Garden you must plan your trip during off season when there is less rush and you have plenty of time to have more fun and things to do. You can also get cheap flights to Durban to get in this splendid city.
The Botanical Gardens of Durban remains open daily from 7:30 am to 5:15 pm during 16 April – 15 September and from 7:30 am to 5:45 pm during 16 September – 15 April. To enjoy and explore the garden one can look forward to enjoy the guided tours which are organized every month and advanced booking is advised for the tourists. Another specialty of the garden is the herb garden along with the garden for the blind. The Natal Herbarium houses an unmatched collection of 100000 specimens of dried and cataloged plants.
Durban is served by major airlines like South African Airways, British Airways and Emirates Airline with one stop over from London. For further details regarding tourist destinations in Durban and booking cheap flights to Durban you can call our reservation experts on 02079936219 or visit our website www.flightsmaster.co.uk.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/exotic-locations-articles/botanical-gardens-a-splendid-tourist-attraction-of-durban-5840275.html
Durban and KwaZulu-Natal win right to host 2013 International Congress on small and medium enterprises
Osiba Research, the city of Durban and province KwaZulu-Natal have won the right to host the 2013 International Conference on Small and Medium Enterprises. The Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau, EThekwini Business Support Unit and Department of Economic Development and Tourism successfully assisted a Johannesburg based organisation, Osiba Research, that has been particularly successful in the realm of Small and Medium Enterprise research, development and workshop organisation, to put forward a winning bid to host the 2013 international Conference on Small and Medium Enterprises.
This event is organised through the World Association of Medium and Small Enterprises. Mr Bakula’s, who is the only South African members of WASME, bid was initially short-listed. He was then expected to deliver a formal bid presentation regarding the ability of Durban and province of KwaZulu-Natal to host the 2013 international Conference on Small and Medium Enterprises on the 7th of April in Cairo, Egypt. This presentation secured the bid for Durban.
“This event is expected to lure some 700 foreign delegates to the city and province and just the spend of these delegates is expected to generate well in excess of R5mn of economic impact for the metropolitan area of Durban in terms of direct tourism spend”, said an elated James Seymour, CEO of the Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau. “The most important impact of this event, will however be the fact that it will heighten the level of awareness of the need to stimulate more SME economic activity in KZN, South Africa and Africa and bring about important training and capacity in this regard”.
This congress is expected to be integrated into the Durban Business Fair which will take place in at the Durban ICC in September 2013.
“This congress is the 27th bid which the recently established Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau has assisted in securing. The total impact of these events is expected to be in excess of R1 billion”, stated James Seymour.
To get participate in this event you have to secure your flights to Durban. So to get cheap flights to Durban and get more details regarding accommodation and hotels you can call our reservation experts on 02079936219.
Air Mauritius will increase flights to Cape Town
Air Mauritius will increase its flights to Cape Town from Mauritius, from two a week to three in November.
It will also increase the number of flights to the island from Joburg. But it will stop its service from Durban on October 26, leaving Emirates as the only airline flying overseas from Durban’s new King Shaka International Airport. Its departure will be a further disillusionment for people living in Durban, who hoped for more international flights without the inconvenience of having to change planes in Joburg.
The airport was opened as one of the preparations for hosting the Fifa World Cup, despite the fact that international airlines warned that they would not use it – preferring to end their flights in Joburg to avoid having to change crews for the short onward flights to Durban, and allowing domestic airlines to carry their passengers further.
Taxes and advice
Comair considered starting a service between Durban and London/Gatwick, hoping to extend its British Airways (BA) franchise in SA to cover that route.
But it dropped the idea after research by BA – perhaps fortunately in view of the 8 percent rise in the already high air passenger duty that passengers are charged entering or leaving the UK, on top of the new EU carbon trading scheme. This effectively penalises passengers arriving on long-haul flights by forcing airlines to buy units to offset emissions of CO2 from the moment of take-off.
The combined effect of these two taxes on tourism to Britain may be disguised this year by the two major attractions – the queen’s diamond jubilee celebrations and the London Olympics. It is likely that the effect on the British tourism industry next year may shock the government into dropping or severely reducing the air passenger duty.
For those who do travel to Britain this year, the British Civil Aviation Authority has some advice for all passengers. Some of it seems obvious, such as “write down exactly where you parked if coming to the airport by road”, but it may be hard to remember if you left in a hurry and return days later to search in a crowded parkade.
Another, less obvious, is the warning that “code-share agreements mean that the airline you book with isn’t always the one operating your flight, which may affect your rights if you are denied boarding or the service is cancelled or delayed”.
Others include the fact that check-in times can differ from airline to airline. If you make a mistake you can miss your flight, and that if you don’t take the outbound flight originally booked for, contact the airline immediately to ensure your return booking is not cancelled.
TAP-ing voyager miles
South African Airways and Portuguese National Airline TAP, which are both partners in the international Star Alliance, have expanded their code-share agreement.
SAA passengers who earn Voyager miles on flights with TAP from Joburg to Lisbon can now earn them on TAP flights between Lisbon and Funchal in Madeira and other domestic destinations in Portugal.
Africa’s top airport
Cape Town International Airport will receive the annual Airports Council International (ACI) award for the best-performing airport in Africa on May 24 in Singapore. Awards include best improved airport and the Skytrax award for staff service excellence last year.
Deon Cloete, the airport’s general manager, told a destination marketing conference last month that “it hopes to attract more airlines to fly to the city”.
An African royal merger
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, which flies to Cape Town all year round, has added Luanda, the capital of Angola, to its intercontinental destinations with two scheduled services a week from Amsterdam.
KLM and Air France, which now flies to Cape Town in summer as well as to Johannesburg all year round, have merged, but with each airline retaining its separate identity. They have announced plans to devote “special attention to Africa” this year. KLM will add Lusaka to its list of destinations next month.
Visit Striking Destinations in Durban and enjoy the colorful side of your life
Author: Peter Claussen
Durban is visited by tourists from all across the globe for its rich and diverse cultural history which is punctuated further by the Durban Tourist Attractions. The city in the Kwazulu Natal region of South Africa boasts of some of the most picturesque places. The beauty of the place is doted by the natural wonders which include the greens spread all around along with the beaches and the nature parks. The city has something to offer to its every visitor irrespective of their age or taste. The visitors can enjoy the best times of their lifetime while on a trip to Durban. The place itself is unique in itself.
When tourist around the world comes to travel in Durban a visit to the splendid tourist destinations of Durban is a must. The renowned tourist hubs of Durban are the Durban City Hall, Seaworld, Jumma Mosque, The Golden Mile, Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World, and the Kings Park Stadium.
The Durban City Hall: The Durban City Hall, a major tourist haunt is a splendid edifice built in the modern Renaissance style of architecture. Established in 1910 A.D. the Durban City Hall is the address of the Durban Art Gallery; the Durban Art Gallery houses the South African as well as the international artworks.
Seaworld: The Seaworld is one of the premier tourist destinations of Durban. Located in the vast stretch of the Golden Mile the Seaworld is connected by an underground passage to the dolphinarium, where dolphin and seal shows are held on a regular basis.
Local History Museum, Durban is one of the best among the Durban Tourist Attractions. This Museum’scollection focuses on the history of the city and the socio political and economic scenario from the Anglo Boer and the Anglo Zulu wars.
Located at the northern portion of the golden Mile, Durban the Sun coast Casino and Entertainment World attracts thousands of tourists throughout the year. In addition to the famous casino you can also find a private beach, a movie hall, a beach bar and splendid restaurants here.
The region of Kwazulu Natal, of which Durban is part, boasts itself as a popular region in the country for tourism. The region is highly popular among the travelers from South Africa and around the globe as well. The region offers a fine blend of sophistication along with the exciting attractions that makes Kwazulu Natal one of the most attractive regions of whole of the continent. The city of Durban sits as the jewel in the crown of Kwazulu Natal and has been instrumental in attracting travelers from all over the world. The travelers can catch up with some breathtaking moments with the activities and the Durban Tourist Attractions. The Tourist Attractions in Durban are truly magnificent that ensures of a great tour for the travelers.
The city offers the services of the long stretch of beaches where the tourists can enjoy the warmth of the waters of Indian Ocean or can look forward to the natural parks along with the Botanical Gardens and Bird parks.
Durban is served by major airlines like South African Airways, British Airways and Emirates Airline with one stop over from London. For further details regarding tourist destinations in Durban and booking cheap flights to Durban you can call our reservation experts on 02079936219 or visit our website www.cheapdurbanflights.co.uk.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/exotic-locations-articles/exotic-tourist-destinations-in-durban-south-africa-5836658.html
India as a source market for tourism to South Africa
“The number of Indian tourists travelling from India to South Africa has steadily increased by over 122 percent between 2005 and 2010 and South Africa is continuing to attract Indian tourists in great numbers – with 67 039 Indian tourists travelling to South Africa between January and September 2011, 29% more than over the same period in 2010.”
So said tourism minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk on his two-day visit to India form January 30, 2012. Van Schalkwyk hopes to promote South Africa as a tourism destination and highlight the potential and importance of India as a source market for tourism to South Africa.
“The importance of India as a source market for South Africa cannot be underscored as India is an emerging travel market with massive growth potential. India’s economic growth is also expected to continue over the next 40 years and by 2050, India is expected to be among the top-three global economies,” he said.
India is ranked 7th in overseas top 20 source markets for South African Tourism. Rising incomes, changing attitudes and a desire to travel abroad increase demand for outbound travel. Since 2005, South African Tourism has been promoting the destination very successfully in India.
Air connectivity between the two countries comprises South African Airways operating four frequencies a week, while Jet Airways operates five times a week. There are also daily flights to South Africa from eight different cities via Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways.
According to Bua News, South Africa recently won the bid to host the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) Convention which attracts an average of 1 000 delegates, excluding accompanying parties.
The conference serves as a platform for professional development, tourism information and intelligence exchange as well as a super familiarisation trip where delegates get to explore the tourism potential and attractions of the hosting region.
This will be held in KwaZulu-Natal in November this year. The TAFI Convention is a major milestone and the first of landmark events following the alliance formed between TAFI and Southern Africa Tourism Association (SATSA), and it will give the Indian Travel fraternity great exposure to South Africa. South Africa is also bidding to host the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) Convention in 2013.
SATSA is currently training over 1 000 Indian travel agents and tour operators to ensure they have the necessary skills and experience to sell South Africa.
Etihad Airways to add 4 flights to Cairo route
Etihad Airways, the flag carrier of Abu Dhabi, unveiled plans to further expand flights to Egypt, Arabian Business reported.
The carrier said it will add four additional flights, taking its total weekly flights to Cairo to 18, starting from June.
Despite the Arab Spring’s impact, this route has continued to perform strongly, James Hogan, Etihad Airways president and CEO said.
He also expected to see continuing strong demand on this route, particularly from government and business travelers, as well as the Egyptian expatriate population living in Abu Dhabi and across the UAE.
The extra Airbus A320 services will also significantly improve connectivity over the airline’s Abu Dhabi hub to key destinations in Southeast Asia and Australia, Etihad said.
Etihad Airways started flight operations to Cairo in November 2004.
Qatar Airways launch Flights to Kilimanjaro
QATAR Airways has announced the launch of flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) from Doha starting July this year.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said this at the ITB Berlin, the world’s largest travel show that took place in the German capital last week.
A statement issued by Qatar Airways and a copy availed to the ‘Daily News’ in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday said the airliner will serve KIA with Airbus A320 via Nairobi. On his part, CEO of Kilimanjaro Airport Development Company (KADCO), Mr Marco van de Kreeke, said the link with Qatar Airways which enjoys strong global network will improve connections to the Middle East, India, China and other Asian destinations.
He was optimistic that the daily service to Doha will further stimulate the growth and help the airport fulfill its mission of becoming the most preferred gateway to the Northern tourism circuit of Tanzania.”We are very happy with the Qatar Airways move to fly to KIA. Flights to Australia and New Zealand will also improve.
Travellers from Europe and America will have another option to reach Kilimanjaro”, he said. He said the Doha hub provides many connection opportunities to big capitals and cities around the world. “For example, London which will be soon served from Doha by Qatar Airways five times a day is the biggest market source for Kilimanjaro”, he added.
The Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) Managing Director Dr Aloyce Nzuki while commenting on the importance of the new route, said there are plenty of benefits for the Northern Tourism Circuit. “Kilimanjaro, Tanga, Arusha and Manyara regions host some of the most unique and important tourist attractions in the country. We expect the benefits to spread over to the entire area”, he said.
He said the Kilimanjaro route is one of the fastest growing hubs in today’s aviation industry and for the development of tourism potentials in the country. Qatar Airways has been voted best airline in the world. We believe this quality product matches the many unique experiences that our National Parks offer to the discerning traveller of today,” he added.
The announcement of Qatar Airways comes shortly after the company had secured 35 million US dollars (about 56bn/-) boost to give the airport a facelift. The renovation work which covers upgrading of runway, taxiways and aprons started in January this year. The project will also include building of a new taxiway to increase the capacity of the airport, upgrading and expansion of the terminal building to meet the growing number of passengers.
Kilimanjaro International Airport currently serves 650,000 passengers per year with the number of international arrivals increasing consistently by nearly 15 per cent per year since 2003. Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 105 aircraft to 112 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.
Turkish Airlines Launches flights to Mogadishu Somalia
Turkish Airlines started flying into Somalia’s war-torn capital Tuesday, becoming the first international company to launches flights to Mogadishu in more than 20 years.
Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag announced the development as he arrived in Mogadishu on the first Turkish national flag carrier flight from Turkey’s Ataturk airport.
“After 20 years of a lack of international flights to Europe, Asia and America, the Turkish government has facilitated for the Somalis to travel by Turkish Airlines to the world again,” Bozdag said. “Somalia will restore its lost international air lane again with the help of the Turkish government.”
Turkish Airlines is scheduled to fly to Mogadishu twice a week.
“We thank our Turkish brothers for the assistance and we receive it with an open heart” said Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.
Civil war and insurgency have forced international airlines to shy away from flying into the Horn of Africa nation. Somalia has been without a functioning government since 1991.
Mogadishu has long been a battleground during Somalia’s civil war. But al-Shabab withdrew from most of its bases in August and recent pushes by the African Union and Somali troops have helped bring partial security to more of the city.
Etihad Airways Increases Flights to Kuwait and Dammam
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will substantially boost its Middle Eastern operations next month with the addition of new flights to both Kuwait and Dammam.
Starting from 1 April 2012, Etihad Airways will increase flights to Kuwait from 21 to 25 flights per week, and to Dammam from 13 to 16 flights per week, subject to regulatory approval.
The additional services will be operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft in a two-class configuration, and will increase capacity by approximately 20 per cent across both routes.
The timing of the new services will provide greater access for business travellers to explore commercial opportunities in the two cities. In particular, guests travelling between Abu Dhabi and Kuwait will be able to take advantage of the new conveniently timed evening departure.
The new flights will also significantly improve connectivity through the airline’s Abu Dhabi hub to key destinations in the rest of the Middle East, and across Asia, Europe and North America.
Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer James Hogan said: “Kuwait and Dammam are important strategic destinations for us due to the established cultural and commercial ties between the UAE and both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
“The additional flights will open new horizons for commercial activities in both cities and will further strengthen our Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) network. Our guests will now have more flexibility in their travel to Abu Dhabi and onto the airline’s worldwide network.”
Etihad Airways launched flights to Kuwait in July 2006. Dammam was launched in December 2004 and continues to be operated in partnership with Saudi Arabian Airlines.
In addition to serving Dammam, Etihad Airways also offers 13 flights per week to the Saudi Arabian cities of Jeddah and Riyadh.