Kenyan Safari firm-Twiga Tours named the best in the world

Twiga Tours is basking in glory after it was named as the World leading Safari company during the World Travel Awards (WTA), 2022 held in Muscat, Oman on Saturday night.

The Kenyan company emerged the best among other world best hospitality industries during the 29th anniversary Grand Tour – an annual search for the finest travel and tourism organisations in the world.

Founded in 1980, the firm which prides itself on offering highly personalised African Safari experiences in Kenya and the East Africa region, has stood the test of time, winning prestigious awards in the global arena.

“This is a great achievement for the company and the entire team. Winning this award on a global level is a testament to what our company stands for-quality and unique experiences. We take this opportunity to thank our amazing guests and partners across the globe for their confidence in us,” the company’s Chief Executive Officer Minaz Manji told the Nation.

” It has been a hard journey since our company’s inception 42 years ago but sheer hard work, dedication and the passion to create and provide the highest level of personal service has seen the growth of the company. We are proud of our achievements on the global platform,” he added.

Other winners in the ceremony include Maldives which claimed the ultimate honour of ‘World’s Leading Destination’ with Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) taking the title of ‘World’s Leading Tourist Board’.

Vietnam also claimed the headlines winning five major honours:. ‘World’s Leading City Break Destination’ went to Hanoi, ‘World’s Leading Nature Island Destination’ was presented to Phu Quoc, ‘World’s Leading Town Destination’ was won by Tam , ‘World’s Leading Regional Nature Destination’ was awarded to Moc Chau, with Vietnam winning ‘World’s Leading Heritage Destination’.

Other big destination category winners included Jamaica which took a hat-trick of honours, winning ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’, World’s Leading Family Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Wedding Destination’. 

Saint Lucia, Dubai took the title of ‘World’s Leading Business Travel Destination for honeymoon

Abu Dhabi won ‘World’s Leading Sports Tourism Destination’ and Oman claimed top honors for ‘World’s Leading Nature Destination’. ‘World’s Leading City Destination’ went to Porto with the exciting title of ‘World’s Leading Emerging Tourism Destination’ being awarded to Batumi.

Speaking during the award ceremony World Travel Awards founder Graham Cooke told all the winners and hospitality industry to continue raising the benchmark in the industry.

Voting audience

“I would like to personally thank all of the winners tonight. You have been recognised by our global voting audience as the leaders of tourism excellence. I know that your commitment to becoming the very best will in turn serve to drive up standards across the industry and will raise the collective benchmark.” Mr Cooke said.

In the aviation sector, Qatar Airways  was named as the ‘World’s Leading Airline’ while Emirates took the title of ‘World’s Leading Airline Brand’ together with ‘World’s Leading Airline to the Middle East’, ‘World’s Leading Inflight Entertainment’ and ‘World’s Leading Airlines Rewards Programme.

Oman Air claimed the awards for ‘World’s Leading Airline – Business Class’, ‘World’s Leading Airline Lounge – Business Class’, and ‘World’s Leading Airline – Customer Experience’.

‘World’s Leading Airline – Economy Class’ was presented to Etihad Airways which also won the prize for ‘World’s Leading Airline Lounge – First Class.’ Oman Airports claimed a double honour by taking the awards for ‘World’s Leading Regional Airport 2022 (Salalah Airport), and World’s Leading Airport – Customer Experience (Muscat International Airport).

Sandals Resorts International were once again crowned ‘World’s Leading All-Inclusive Company’ with Beaches Resorts awarded ‘World’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort Brand’. The title of ‘World Leading All-Inclusive Resort’ went to Sandals, Grenada.

Source: Nation

Dubai to attract 40 million new hotel guests under Sheikh Mohammed plan

Dubai tourism looks set to boom amid plans to attract 40 million new hotel guests by as early as 2031.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the new national strategy.

He said: “We are among the top 10 tourist destinations in the world and our goal is to accelerate our competitiveness by attracting Dhs100billion in additional tourism investments to this vital sector and receiving 40 million hotel guests in 2031.”

HH Sheikh Mohammed stressed the importance of tourism to the UAE economy – and hopes the new plan will see the sector’s contribution to GDP rise to Dhs450billion overall.

If that is to be achieved, tourism’s contribution must increase by Dhs27billion annually.

According to the plan, 25 initiatives and policies will be introduced to support tourism.

Investment will also be encouraged in the travel, aviation and hospitality sectors with the hope of attracting international companies.

HH Sheikh Mohammed continued: “Tourism is an important part of diversifying our national economy and an important tributary to consolidating our global competitiveness.

“Our airports received 22 million passengers in the first quarter of this year alone.

“Our goal is that the tourism sector’s contribution will be Dh450bn of our GDP in 2031.”

The UAE has enjoyed a surge in tourism numbers this year, with revenue exceeding Dhs19billion during the first half of 2022.

The total number of hotel guest numbers reached 12 million – a 42 percent increase.

In a Cabinet meeting last week, HH Sheikh Mohammed said: “Our indicators today are stronger than our indicators before the pandemic, and our economic growth is faster than before the pandemic, and our tourism, commercial and development sectors are larger than before the pandemic.”

This was particularly clear in Dubai, where a 182 percent year-on-year increase in international visitors was reported.

And this looks likely to increase dramatically over the coming weeks, too.

Hotels in Dubai and Abu Dhabi expect occupancy levels to rise by 80 to 100 percent, with demand surging due to the proximity to tournament hosts Qatar.

Source: Time Out Dubai

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Kenya, Uganda Seek to Build New Synergies in Tourism Sector

With up to 60% of tourism arrivals in Uganda originating in Kenya, the country’s Consulate General in Mombasa has called for new synergies to reap even more for the sector.

Uganda’s Consul General to Mombasa Amb. Paul Mukumbya revealed Thursday at the Uganda – Kenya Coast Tourism Conference and Exhibition held at Pride Inn Paradise Resort that between January and March 2022 alone, close to 95,000 Kenyans visited Uganda. He said they travelled to attend golf and rugby tournaments, and also for festivals and music concerts.

Mukumbya said that if the tourism stakeholders and officials of Uganda and Kenya worked closer together, tourist numbers could double in the next one year.

“It is my sincere hope that by the end of the conference and the fam trip, a strong foundation for cooperation will have been built between key tourism players in Uganda and the Kenya Coast,” he said.

Tourism arrivals in Uganda, as of 2021; stood at 512,945. Out of these, 326,387 were from Kenya, which translates to 63.63% of all arrivals in Uganda.

Tourism stakeholders drawn from Uganda and Kenya are meeting in the Kenyan port city of Mombasa at an event dubbed ‘Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference and Exhibition’. The theme is “Strengthening Networks, Synergies, and Diversity to maximize the tourism potential between Uganda and the Kenya Coastal Region”

The Chairman of Kenya Coast Tourism Association (KCTA) Victor. M. Shitakha described the conference as historic because it is the first-ever regional tourism conference and business to business engagement to be held at the Kenya Coast. He added that this conference offers an opportunity for a structured discourse towards developing Kenya Coast tourism and Uganda circuit where foreign tourists to the region can visit both the two nations under one circuit while also accelerating cross border tourism.

“As Kenya Coast, Uganda is one of our major Africa trading partners and tourism source market. Both the two nations enjoy mutual and peaceful coexistence that supports growth of the regional economy,” he said.

“It is also important to note that both Kenya Coast and Uganda offer unique memorable and complimenting experiences, I therefore call upon the regional tourism stakeholders to seize the opportunity and work together in enhancing the regional tourism trade and investment,” Shitakha explained.

This conference has been organized by the Consulate General of the Republic of Uganda in Mombasa, in partnership with key tourism players in Uganda and the Kenya Coast: the Uganda Tourism Association, the Private Sector Foundation Uganda, the Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Airlines, the Kenya Coast Tourist Association, the Counties of Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale.

At the same event John Mulimba the Minister of State for Regional Cooperation Foreign Affairs noted that, “the importance of tourism in our economies cannot be underestimated. It is insurmountable.”

According to analysts, these numbers can even go higher once the tourism players in the two countries join hands.

Promotion and popularization of the Entebbe-Mombasa route plied by Uganda Airlines is also on the agenda.

It is worth noting that Kenya’s coastal region is home to various attractions that include Fort Jesus that was built between 1593 and 1596 on the orders of Portugal’s King Felipe II unique safaris, beaches and historical heritage making the two nations ideal for travel.

Other facilities within the coastal belt, Kwale County to be particular; include Baobab Beach Resort, The Residence at Leopard, Diani Reef Beach Resort and Spa, Kinondo Kwetu which scooped various awards at the 2022 World Travel Awards which were held in Nairobi.

As if that is not enough, Kwale Governor Fatuma Mohamed Achani says efforts are underway to develop other attraction sites; Majimoto, Wasini Boardwalk, Shimoni and Fikirini caves and First World War Memorial graves at Mkongani among others.

Source: Independent (Kampala)

ICAO advocates for decarbonization of aviation at COP 27

Participating in a round table of Heads of State, Prime Ministers and Chiefs of International Organizations during COP 27, ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano advocated for the realization of the ICAO Assembly’s decision to reach net zero emissions from air transport by 2050.

“Achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 will require substantial and sustained investment and financing over the coming decades. We must furthermore assure reliable and affordable support and capacity-building for the many developing countries and States with particular needs, who will be depending on it to help play their part,” Mr. Sciacchitano said. “An important part of my message to you here today is that the work to begin addressing these objectives for our sector has already started.”

This goal is to be achieved collectively, without attribution of specific obligations or commitments in the form of emission reduction goals to individual States. One of the key features of the agreement is the recognition that each State’s special circumstances and respective capabilities will inform each State’s ability to contribute, and within its own national timeframe.

“ICAO is fully cognizant of its global responsibilities towards the sustainable future of the international aviation sector, and of the planet. We also remain deeply cognizant of the critical importance of international air connectivity to the civil societies and economies of Small Island Developing States, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Least Developed Countries,” remarked the Council President. “As aviation continues to explore and adopt the incredible new technological innovations arising today in aeronautics and renewable energy propulsion, ICAO also recognizes how imperative it is to start putting in place the right policies, legal frameworks and modernized infrastructure to enable this evolution to emissions-free flight.”

For example, ICAO launched its Assistance, Capacity-building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (ACT-SAF) programme in June. It will provide tailored support to States on sustainable fuel development and deployment, and facilitate related partnerships and cooperation around the world. An increasing number of States and international organizations are becoming actively involved in this programme, which recognizes the key role to be played in this endeavour by sustainable fuels, and we expect many more States and organizations to join in the coming months.

To reduce the impacts of aviation on the global climate, States, the industry, and all other relevant stakeholders have in fact been pursuing a basket of CO2 reduction measures through ICAO for many years now. This contributed to modern aircraft being 70% quieter and 80% more fuel-efficient than their early predecessors.

The introduction of radical, disruptive, and in many cases revolutionary innovations in technologies and operations is now required to deliver the overall decarbonization needed to keep global temperatures in check.

“This transition, fuelled by frontier technologies and featuring many new entrants to the aviation ecosystem, holds tremendous economic potential for developing States. We are greatly encouraged at ICAO that it can also help establish a more level playing field toward an inclusive and effective global green transition in aviation in the coming decades,” Mr Sciacchitano said. “We will be proud to leverage our 78 year history of driving international consensus and progress in air transport to assure that this is realized.”

In the immediate term, ICAO Member States and industry will continue pursuing additional sustainability objectives, notably through the aforementioned expanded use of sustainable aviation fuels and the ongoing implementation of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

Source: Travel Daily News

Don’t overlook the long-term value of younger travellers

Countries must see younger travellers as an investment despite new obstacles to growing this market sector, experts have urged. A WTM London audience heard how younger travellers were the first to return after Covid and collectively had the most disposable income.

Sally Cope, Tourism Australia’s regional general manager, UK & Northern Europe, said Australia had long seen the value of younger travellers, backpackers and those taking a working holiday: “It gives people their first taste of travel, it’s an investment.”

She said pre-Covid, 250,000 jobs were filled in Australia under the working visa scheme and that only 40,000 of these workers had remained when borders closed. “Our industry noticed that.”
Long-stay visitor spend often exceeded that of luxury travellers, she said, with the average at around AUS $10,000. Recognising this, Australia has extended its working visa scheme to those aged up to 35 and for three years. The requirement to do farm work in the second year has been removed.

“That opens up a whole new audience of digital nomads and those with a mid-career gap.”

Steve Lowy, chair of the British Educational Travel Association (BETA), said there were other benefits to communities from youth travel. More than other types, youths ended to stay in more suburban locations and buy locally, spreading the benefits, he said.

There were more spin-offs: “I have 1,000 students in London. I would say 40% of their parents have come and visited them. There is no marketing needed.”

Andrew Brown, the World Travel & Tourism Council’s New Zealand-born director of commercial and membership, said his country’s attitude to backpackers was not as positive as Australia’s. “They are seen as low value travellers, but they are not, because they spread awareness.” This meant parents often visited after their children had shown them what there was to see.

The panel advised countries to offer ‘landing packages’ which sorted out initial accommodation, banking and safety worries for young visitors. This was an issue now parents were in constant touch on social media. “Smooth that out and you will go for gold,” said Brown.

He praised Portugal’s traveller employment scheme. “Portugal looked at the gap in the market that they didn’t have yet.” He added Canada was also proactive, with 35 job schemes for overseas youth, while the UK had six.

Source: Breaking Travel News

Is tourism the answer to rebuilding Africa’s aviation industry?

As global air travel positions to outperform 2019 levels, there is a surge in initiatives across Africa’s aviation industry to improve domestic and international air connectivity and increase air traffic within Africa and between Africa and neighbouring regions. 

The trends emerging in pursuit of this focus, while being implemented on a state-by-state basis, reveal a strong correlation between Africa’s air travel recovery and growth, and tourism in and out of the continent.   

These trends can be classified under three main areas: 

  1. African states respond to international tourism demand with initiatives to improve tourism channels. 
  2. Increasing Foreign-Direct Investments (FDI) and Public-Private-Partnerships (PPP) in Africa’s aviation sector. 
  3. African airlines restructure to adopt operating models better suited to their regions traffic. 

The airspaces of African countries have often been modelled with little consideration to neighbouring regions and their traffic patterns. The outcome has been a fragmented airspace with policies that limit the free movement of air travel passengers from country to country. 

Despite these limitations, tourism has, for a significant part of three decades, played a key role in driving air traffic to, from and within Africa.  

Tourism and aviation in Africa – two sides of the same coin  

Tourism, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), is a social, cultural, and economic phenomenon that involves people traveling to countries or places outside of their usual environment for personal or business reasons. These people are known as visitors (tourists or excursionists; residents or non-residents), and tourism refers to their activities, some of which involve tourism expenditure. 

In 2021, a United Nations Conference on Trade and Development report estimated that losses to Africa’s tourism sectors because of the Covid-19 pandemic were between US$170 billion and US$253 billion. Projections further revealed that travel to Africa would return to pre-pandemic levels between 2023 and 2024. 

However, as of early 2022, international tourist arrivals in Africa have more than doubled compared to 2021. Data from the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer shows that between January 2022 and July 2022, Africa recorded 171% growth in international tourist arrivals compared to the same period in 2021. 

International tourist arrivals in Africa are comprised of two passenger categories: 

  • Passengers travelling to an African country originating from a country outside Africa. 
  • Passengers travelling to an African country from an African country that is not their origin destination. 

Today, international tourist arrival levels in Africa are at about 60% of 2019 levels (more than 30 million international tourist arrivals).  

The impact of international tourist arrivals is further highlighted when measuring the recovery of Africa’s air connectivity with neighbouring regions outside Africa. 

From the perspective of a passenger, air connectivity refers to the ability to seamlessly travel by air from point A to point B in the shortest amount of time; from the perspective of cargo operators, it refers to the most efficient routes to deliver freight quickly and efficiently from point A to point B; and from the perspective of airports, it is helpful in determining the worth of individual air connections. 

In May 2022, International Air Transport Association (IATA) revealed that air connectivity between Africa and the Middle East (106%), and Africa and North America (102%) had exceeded May 2019 levels, while Africa’s air connectivity with Europe in May 2022 stood at 96% of May 2019 levels. 

Africa’s air connectivity with regions outside the continent outpaced domestic air connectivity within African countries, which stood at 99% of May 2019 levels, and even more so for air connectivity between African countries which lagged at 77% of May 2019 levels. 

Despite this regional connectivity lag, activity across Africa’s aviation industry is shifting towards tourism development and the realization of the services and infrastructure required to meet this demand. The sector’s approach to tourism is mapping out the capacities, strategies and infrastructure being deployed across the continent which will influence Africa’s aviation industry over the next two decades. 

But how is the African continent responding and where does tourism and its development fit in? 

Where does Africa’s tourism traffic come from and where does it go in Africa? 

The passenger traffic arising from tourism in Africa plays a crucial part in mapping Africa’s air travel patterns. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the air transport trend in Africa showed consistent growth in the number of passengers carried within and across African countries per year. 

Between 2000 and 2019, data suggests that the number of passengers carried through air transport services in Sub-Saharan Africa grew from about 18 million passengers to more than 66 million passengers, nearly quadrupling in the space of two decades.  

Similarly, data sourced from the World Tourism Organization highlights a near identical pattern revealing that the number of international arrivals to Sub-Saharan Africa grew from about 14 million in 1995 to over 56 million in 2019. 

The final destination of international tourist arrivals in Africa can be categorized into two main subgroups. Tourists arriving to Northern Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, Western Sahara), and tourists arriving to sub-Saharan Africa (African countries below Northern Africa). 

In Northern Africa, estimates show that two out of 10 international tourists originate from within Africa, while in Sub-Saharan Africa two out of three international tourists originate from within Africa. A UNCTAD study shows that between 2010–2013, about four out of 10 international tourists who traveled to Africa originated from within Africa. 

Vice versa, eight out of 10 international tourists in Northern Africa, one out of three international tourists in sub-Saharan Africa, and six out of 10 international tourist arrivals to Africa as a whole originate from outside Africa. 

In 2016, 27 million out of 58 million arrivals to African destinations originated from source markets within the region (neighboring African countries).  

By 2030, the UNWTO estimates that the number of annual tourist arrivals to Africa will grow to about 134 million. 

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Expo City Dubai kicks off COP28 countdown with range of climate-focused events

Expo City Dubai on Monday announced a jam-packed calendar of events – including forums, exhibitions, and performances – as it kicks off its one-year countdown to COP28.

Home to the Expo 2020 mega-event for six months last year, the site will hold a sustainability-themed event calendar, culminating activations that will be held over the coming 12 months before the climate conference next year.

COP28 is set to take place from November 6 to 17 next year at the Expo City Dubai site. Like previous editions, the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will address global warming and climate change issues.

The state-of-the-art ‘green’ destination Expo City Dubai shares COP28’s objectives of achieving greater sustainability and enabling action to push for a more climate-secure future.

“Tackling climate change remains at the top of the global agenda, a priority for the UAE, and a conversation we are actively engaged in as a city and educational hub. It is clear that every individual must bear the responsibility to learn more about the challenges we face and how we can each play a role to help address them,” said Expo City Dubai’s chief of education and culture, Marjan Faraidooni, adding that the sustainable-centric site was “proud” to host COP28.

The Next Gen World Majlis

The Next Gen World Majlis, an Expo School Program platform for youth to discuss issues that impact all our futures, will make its post-Expo 2020 comeback on 21 November.

A group of students aged between nine and 12 years old, selected from schools across the UAE, will explore the climate crisis, probing who, if anyone, can be held responsible; what should be asked of world leaders; the current role and potential of schools in tackling the crisis; and the risks of inaction.

The event is in line with World Children’s Day, commemorated annually on November 20 to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and the improvement of children’s welfare.

Youth also takes center stage in the return of Expo Young Stars on November 24 and 25 at Al Wasl Plaza, where students will express their thoughts and present an interpretation of climate issues through sustainability-themed performances.

Exciting performances and events

Part of the Expo School Program, the Expo Young Stars performances are open to the public, and attendance is free of charge.

The events will then be followed by the ‘Reflections on Climate Change’ exhibition which will invite visitors to learn about the history of previous COP summits and the goals that were set out, global crises, and initiatives in place to maintain a more sustainable, climate-secure future. Dates for the exhibition will be announced at a later stage.

Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion continues to welcome visitors as it brings Expo City Dubai’s commitment to sustainability to life, taking them on a journey under the ocean or through the forest, and empowering individuals of all nationalities, ages and interests to make more sustainable choices in their own lives.

An example of sustainability in action, Expo City Dubai retains 80 percent of the Expo 2020 site’s built infrastructure, including 123 LEED-certified buildings and eight infrastructure projects rated ‘Excellent’ under CEEQUAL.

“Designed as a blueprint for green urban planning, Expo City Dubai is spearheaded by the same team that delivered one of the most sustainable World Expos in history and rallied all segments of society around topics that matter to humanity,” Faraidooni added.

“Leveraging our signature creative storytelling and expertise as a convener, our diverse programming will engage everyone, regardless of age, background or awareness, in wider efforts to mitigate climate change, building momentum to COP28 and beyond as Expo City continues its journey to net zero.”

Source: AlArabiya News

Kenya Airways to clear salary backlog by 2H23, strike ends

Kenya Airways has promised to clear a KES6.5-billion-shilling (USD53.4 million) backlog in deferred salaries by June 2023 to diffuse staff unrest at the airline, according to Chief People Officer Tom Shivo.

A four-day pilot strike that ended on November 9 was expected to have cost the airline KES300 million (USD2.4 million) a day, or KES1.2 billion (USD9.8 million).

After downing aircraft on November 5, the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) on November 8 called off the strike, saying its members would resume duties first thing on November 9. This came after Kenya’s Employment and Labour Relations Court ordered pilots to resume work, resulting in KALPA withdrawing an October 19 notice of industrial action.

Kenya Airways Chief Executive Officer Allan Kilavuka earlier warned of a severe economic impact on different economic sectors of what he termed an “illegal” strike that was also “ill-timed and unnecessary” as it would impact the airline’s ability to recover and meet its obligations.

“At a minimum, the unlawful industrial action will cost Kenya Airways approximately KES300 million a day, translating to KES2.1 billion (USD17.2 million) in one week,” he warned in a statement. He said the industrial action negated strides Kenya Airways had made this year to improve its financial position following the Covid pandemic.

The airline has been under pressure over outstanding salaries. The backlog accumulated since April 2020 and in 2021, when the carrier was hit by travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic. “The outstanding amount in deferred salaries to workers is KES6.5 billion, and we expect to clear this by June 2023,” Shivo told Business Daily Africa. “It is important to note that of this amount, we have paid up to 40% to date.”

The airline last year opted to pay workers earning KES45,000 (USD370) or more monthly between 70%-95% of their monthly pay, promising to settle the balance once it offset accrued payments to lenders and suppliers in early 2023. KALPA, representing 414 Kenya Airways pilots, demanded the airline settle 100% of the pay.

Meanwhile, Nation newspaper reports that Kenya Airways has secured KES2.5 billion (USD20.5 million) in annual savings starting 2023 after negotiating 21% lower aircraft leases as it continues a restructuring programme to bring down its high-cost base, mainly high fleet ownership expenses. Kenya Airways targets an overall cost reduction of KES8 billion (USD6.5 million) or 10% of its total operating expenses of KES79.9 billion (USD656 million) in 2020.

Kilavuka said the airline was negotiating the return to lessors before the end of their contracts aircraft that were too expensive to maintain. “We are in the process of returning four (excess) aircraft,” he told the Nation. “We are also currently in the process of negotiating a termination of some of our wide-body aircraft, the B777s [being sub-leased to Turkish Airlines], which are extremely expensive for us to run. These were contracted in 2014, and we would like to terminate them because they are very expensive for us,” Kilavuka said.

The re-negotiated leases will help the carrier break even by 2024. “This will help the airline grow,” he said.

Source: Ch-Aviation

Visa Free Travel – Kenya, South Africa Pact Boosts AfCFTA

Kenya and South Africa, some of the two strongest economies on the African continent, have agreed to reduce barriers to cross-border movement by allowing visa free travel between them.

The pact agreed upon by Kenya’s President William Ruto and his South African counterpart on November 9, 2022, will resolve a long-standing visa dispute between the two countries. With the formalisation, Kenyans will, from January 2023, be eligible for visa free travel to South Africa for up to three months (90 days) in a calendar year.

Already, South Africans get free visas on arrival in the East African nation, a gesture Kenyans have wanted to be reciprocated for a long time. For Kenyans travelling to South Africa, they were required to pay US$40 for the visa while they also had to provide proof they had sufficient funds and had booked return flight tickets.

The Kenya and South Africa visa deal will take effect on January 1, kicking off the visa free travel arrangement.

At the time of the announcement, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was in Kenya for his first official trip to the country at the invitation of President Ruto.

Ramaphosa said they discussed the visas issue between Kenya and South Africa to allow Kenyans to visit the Southern African nation visa-free basis.

“This will officially start on January 1, 2023, and it will be available to Kenyans for a 90-day period per year,” he said.

In addition, the Kenyan and South African leaders directed their respective trade ministers to work on removing barriers limiting trade between the two African countries. The two countries are also working to address trade barriers to increase business and trade cooperation which will now be easier with visa free travel.

Following a meeting between Presidents Ruto and Ramaphosa, they said that Kenya and South Africa will deal with non-tariff barriers like the bureaucracy in licensing, regulation restrictions and sanctions which will allow the opening up for business in industries, export of agricultural produce and logistics.

The two leaders signed four instruments, and the removal of the trade barriers agreement was part of this to foster cooperation.

President Ruto said that with his counterpart they agreed to develop a sustainable mechanism for the identification, monitoring and resolution of non-trade barriers that limit trade potential between Kenya and South Africa.

Additionally, three memoranda of understanding between Kenya and South Africa were signed and a cooperation of correctional sciences agreement was inked on housing and human settlement and cooperation between the Kenya School of Government and the South African National School of Governments on audio-visual co-production.

The decision to allow Kenyans visa-free travel to South Africa could boost Kenya’s passport which was ranked among the favourite passports in Africa in July by the Henley Passport Index Report.

Kenya was ranked 76th globally, having improved by one point from 77th last year.

The Henley Passport Index mobility score stood at 72. The score measures the number of countries a passport holder from a certain nation can travel to without a visa.

In Africa, the Kenyan passport was ranked the most powerful after Seychelles, Mauritius, South Africa, Botswana, eSwatini, Malawi and Lesotho.

Even as Kenya and South Africa relax their visa requirements, Africans continue harbouring hope that there will be an African Passport for every African to enable visa free travel on the continent.

An African passport would be instrumental in relaxing travel restrictions and breaking barriers in mobility and intra-African trade.

The African passport is a flagship project of the African Union (AU)’s Agenda 2063, which envisions an integrated continent that is politically united and based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism with the vision of Africa’s Renaissance.

An African passport would help collapse both physical and invisible barriers that have thwarted and limited the integration of the African people. It would be a key component of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which could immensely benefit from visa free travel.

To test the systems, the AU unified African passport was launched in July 2016 at the 27th Ordinary session of the AU held in Kigali, Rwanda. It was scheduled to be availed to Africans by 2020, but with the pandemic, the plans seem to have been shelved.

Currently, only AU officials, diplomats and government leaders have been issued the passport, which holds the potential to bring down Africa’s physical barriers to visa free travel.

On successful launch, the African passport will become a common document that will replace the nationally issued AU member states’ passports. It will exempt bearers from having to obtain any visas for all 55 African states easing visa free travel.

Just like it has been happening with nationally issued documents, the three types of AU passports to be issued will include the Ordinary Passport, which is 32 pages and valid for five years. This document will be issued to citizens intended for occasional travel like business trips and vacations making visa free travel a reality.

Government institutions with officials travelling on official business will be issued the official or Service passport will be issued to officials attached to.

At the same time, the two leaders hailed Ethiopia’s peace agreement signed last week brokered by the African Union in South Africa.

Ruto and Ramaphosa appealed to the Ethiopian parties to fully implement the agreement for a lasting political settlement.

Source: The Exchange