Women Are a Driving Force for Travel & Tourism, says WTTC.

London, UK: To celebrate International Women’s Day, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) underscores the pivotal role of women in the global Travel & Tourism sector.

According to WTTC data, women in tourism comprise a significant portion of the sector’s workforce, accounting for nearly 40% of the total employment.

This marks a substantial increase from 2010 to 2019, highlighting a 24% surge in direct female employment within the sector, increasing from 38.6 million to 47.8 million.

Key findings reveal that hospitality stands out as the leading employer of women within the Travel & Tourism sector, with over half (52%) of all female employment in 2019 attributed to this segment.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, emphasises the positive impact of women in the sector, stating: “Women in Travel & Tourism play a vital role. We are proud that our sector is one of the largest employers of women in the world.

“As our sector continues to grow, women have a key role to play; we have the opportunity to make Travel & Tourism more resilient and inclusive. Putting women at the heart of Travel & Tourism will be critical to securing a sustainable future for the sector.”

The global body’s data also reveals women in Travel & Tourism surpass the average workforce participation in other sectors globally. In regions such the Americas, women make up a larger share of employment in the sector compared to the economy-wide workforce.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, this data underscores the significant contribution of women to the Travel & Tourism sector, portraying it as a catalyst for gender inclusivity and empowerment on a global scale.

WTTC remains committed to provide high-wage jobs, gender equality, and fostering entrepreneurship through SMEs, as well as generating more high-level opportunities for women within large corporations.

Source: WTTC

Kindiki Approves Passport Fee Hike: Cheapest Now Ksh7,500

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has announced a significant rise in fees for obtaining passports and other essential documents, just a few months after the High Court suspended the implementation of new charges in November last year.

As of March 1, individuals applying for an ordinary 34-page passport will now face a fee of Ksh7,500, a significant rise from the previous Ksh4,500. Meanwhile, the cost of a 50-page passport has increased to Ksh9,500 from the prior Ksh6,000.

A memorandum from the Ministry of Interior, dated February 29 and addressed to regional coordinators, outlined the updated charges. Notably, the fee for a 66-page passport has surged from Ksh7,500 to Ksh12,500.

Simultaneously, Kenya has revised visa fees, with the cost of a single-entry visa doubling to $100 from the previous $50. The fee for a multiple-entry visa has increased to $500 from $100, while transit visas now cost $50, up from $20.

Furthermore, parents applying for permanent residence for their children born outside Kenya will now be required to pay Ksh750,000, up from the previous Ksh500,000.

Similarly, spouses of Kenyan citizens seeking permanent residence will see an increase to Ksh150,000 from the prior Ksh50,000.

This move comes after Prof Kindiki, in November, revoked the gazette notice for the upward revision of charges, fees, and levies related to services provided by the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services.

The revocation aimed to allow more public participation, responding to legal challenges against the initial increment.

Prof Kindiki had directed the State Department for Immigration to conduct public participation on the matter by December 10, 2023 before the new changes are effected.

Source: Business Day Africa.

Businesses Reconsider Travel Amid Cost-Cutting and Environmental Concerns

Business travel has changed for thousands of workers, thanks to COVID, cost-cutting and environmental worries.

That’s according to a Sunday (Feb. 25) Financial Times (FT) report, which says some big companies in the U.S. and Europe have stopped allowing nonessential trips, while many business travelers are taking longer trips to reduce the need for repeat visits.

“You have to have a real story behind the trip to have it approved now,” one London-based banker told the FT. Another said that senior staff are traveling nearly as regularly as before the pandemic, while junior employees have seen trips cut back.

Elsewhere, companies are changing the way they travel, often with an environmentally conscious goal in mind, the report said.

For example, the American pharmaceutical company Parexel has a travel policy that encourages staff to go by train instead of by air when possible. In Germany, where the firm has more than 750 employees, 96% of domestic trips are now taken by train.

Still, the report notes that business travel isn’t dead, with global bookings coming to 70% of 2019 levels in October 2023, compared to 63% in April, according to survey data by the Global Business Travel Association.

Lawyers and bankers still hit the road to close deals, sales reps still value face-to-face meetings, and many industries cannot function without moving large numbers of workers.

Last month, United Airlines said that it was looking to the return of business travel to provide an industry-wide tailwind.

“Domestic demand remains strong with increases in business traffic volumes year over year,” said United Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella, adding that the airline is “particularly bullish about what Asia looks like going forward.”

“We’ve all sat on calls and predicted the recovery of business traffic more times than I can count over the last few years,” he said. “And I will say Q4 was OK. It wasn’t spectacular in any way. But as we started January in the new budget season, for all of our big corporate clients, we did notice a significant step up.”

Delta CEO Ed Bastian noted a similar corporate travel recovery during that airline’s earnings call in January.

“We are seeing continued improvement in the corporate sector,” Bastian said. “We had a number of laggards, tech being the largest, and we’re finally starting to see tech companies traveling again as a result of return to office, the consultancies as well. We are seeing it across the board. The auto and entertainment sectors have rebounded nicely following the strikes in the fourth quarter.”

Source: PYMNTS

Hostile Territory: The Effects of Somalia and Somaliland’s Airspace Dispute

Since the start of the year, tensions between Somalia and Somaliland (an independent but internationally unrecognized state) have been high. While the two territories have been going at it for years, tensions have increased since the signing of an MoU between Ethiopia and Somaliland on January 1.

The MoU would see landlocked Ethiopia gain access to the Red Sea through the Port of Berbera in exchange for recognizing Somaliland as an independent country and granting it a stake in Ethiopian Airlines. Seeing this as an attack on its sovereignty, Somalia immediately rejected the arrangement, causing further tensions between the Horn of Africa countries. This was followed by an airspace dispute, which has resulted in several incidents and raised concerns about airline safety in the region.

Who controls the airspace over Somalia?

The unstable political situation in Somalia seriously impacted the country’s aviation sector for many years. The previous national carrier, Somali Airlines, also suffered due to a civil war in the early 90s. However, following improvements in certain areas, the airspace over Somalia was reclassified to “Class A” last year. This saw the return of air traffic control services in the country after three decades. Also highlighting how far the air transport sector has come, Somalia recently opened its first Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) center in over 30 years.

The airspace over Somalia and the surrounding ocean is managed by the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) from the Mogadishu Area Control Center. “This airspace, known as the Mogadishu Flight Information Region (FIR) and its controlling authority are defined under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Air Navigation Plan for the Africa and Indian Ocean (AFI) Region, which recognizes Somalia as the controlling State, by extension the Somali Civil Aviation Authority,” explained a spokesperson from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to Simple Flying.

On the other hand, Somaliland has control over its airports but not the upper airspace. Egal International Airport (HGA) is the state’s main airport, serving the capital of Hargeisa. Following the signing of the Ethiopia-Somaliland MoU, Somali authorities began restricting flight activity in Somaliland to assert its authority over its airspace.

Consequences of the ongoing dispute

On January 17, the SCAA blocked an Ethiopian Airlines Dash 8 carrying Ethiopian delegates from entering the airspace, saying it had no permission to enter the country. The SCAA also reportedly blocked an air ambulance that was carrying a Somaliland citizen who “needed urgent help.” However, the Somali authorities denied the last claim.

In return, Somaliland claimed independence over its territory and surrounding areas, issuing an international aviation advisory and a statement on its X (formerly Twitter) page. It is attempting to control air traffic in the region from Hargeisa. With both states claiming the right to control traffic, there have been multiple reports of airlines receiving conflicting instructions while overflying the area.

Crews receiving instructions to climb and descend

Over the past month, airlines flying over Somalia have reported receiving conflicting instructions from different air traffic controllers. Last week, an Ethiopian Airlines (ET) Airbus A350 and a Qatar Airways (QR) Boeing 787 narrowly avoided a collision as TCAS intervened. The Qatar Airways crew had been wrongly instructed by ATC in Mogadishu to climb from 38,000 ft to 40,000 ft while the ET aircraft was flying at 38,000 ft, about 180 NM from Hargeisa. Some experts suggest this might have been a mistake on the ATC’s part.

OPSGROUP notes that it received at least ten reports of aircraft flying over Somalia “being contacted by a ‘fake controller’ on the same frequency, issuing conflicting instructions.”The Horn Observer also reported that on February 14, a Qatar Airways A320 crew received conflicting instructions from air traffic controllers on a flight from Doha to Mogadishu via Djibouti.

An El Al 787 crew flying from Phuket to Tel Aviv on February 18 reported receiving communication disturbances while overflying Somalia. It is believed that a hostile group attempted to hijack the flight radio. El Al explained that “the disturbances are not aimed at El Al planes and that this is not a security incident.” It is not entirely clear if this was also a result of the disputing controllers in Mogadishu and Hargeisa.

Somali authorities issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning of unlawful VHF interference in the area over Somaliland (150NM radius of Hargeisa). It indicated that flights in the area should not expect altitude adjustments unless directed by authorities in Mogadishu. This was followed by a statement on February 19, accusing Somaliland of disrupting “the lines used by airplanes over parts of the airspace of the northern regions of Somalia.” It added that “if these offensive measures continue,” the Somali government would have to “take strong measures to ensure the security and safety of the Somali Civil Aviation.”

The mysterious death of an air traffic controller

One of the most significant developments in this dispute was the death of Abdinasir Muse Abdirahman, a Somaliland-born air traffic controller working with the Somali Civil Aviation Authority. He was found dead in his apartment in Mogadishu on February 18, and his body showed signs of strangulation and severe torture. Six suspects were immediately detained by Somali police officers.

While there are ongoing investigations in both states, the Somaliland Civil Aviation and Airports Authority (SCAAA), in a statement from February 20, accused Somalia and its Civil Aviation Authority of a “conspiracy to kill AHN Abdinasir Muse Dahale, and the illegal detention of his friends to cover up the involvement of the government agencies.”

The fate of operations over Somali airspace

The area over East Africa is one of the busiest on the continent. The region is also home to some of Africa’s most prominent airlines, including Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways. Some of the busiest airways, connecting the African subcontinent south of Ethiopia with destinations in the Middle East and Indian subcontinent, pass through Somali airspace. The same applies to air links between Western Europe and the Indian subcontinent and Indian Ocean islands.

As the IATA spokesperson said, no airline would fly in “unsafe airspace.” The risks of flying over Somalia have been assessed by the Air Navigation Service Provider and the operators, who have implemented mitigation measures. Yesterday, Ethiopian Airlines announced that it would change some of its routes to avoid Somali airspace. The carrier will now fly over Djibouti, affecting some flights to Asia and the Middle East. However, it has maintained its schedules to Mogadishu and Hargeisa.

For airlines still flying over the country, crews have been advised to be wary of the environment and follow instructions in the NOTAM issued by Mogadishu authorities advising them to contact the Mogadishu Area Control Center through additional methods like controller pilot data link communications (CPDLC) or satellite communication (SATCOM), particularly in the area within a 150 NM radius of Hargeisa.

Source: Simple Flying.

Sky Without Borders: How Africa’s Single Air Market Could Revolutionize Continental Travel

Explore how the SAATM initiative is breaking barriers in African aviation, fostering economic growth, and reshaping the continent’s air travel landscape.

Imagine boarding a flight in Lagos, making a brief stop in Nairobi to pick up more passengers, and then heading straight to Cairo – all on a single ticket. This vision, once a distant dream, is inching closer to reality with the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) initiative.

Spearheaded by aviation authorities across the continent, including insights from Mr Ronnie Balongo of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), the SAATM is set to redefine what interconnectivity means for African nations.

Breaking the Chains of Point-to-Point Travel

For decades, air travel within Africa has been constrained by a rigid point-to-point model. Direct flights between African countries are few and often expensive, deterring both business and leisure travel.

The SAATM seeks to dismantle these barriers by allowing airlines the fifth freedom of traffic rights. This essentially permits them to operate flights that pick up and drop off passengers in third-party countries not their own. It’s a game-changer that promises to transform the continent’s aviation landscape radically.

Fostering Greater Connectivity and Economic Growth

The benefits of the SAATM extend beyond mere convenience for travelers. By enhancing interconnectivity, the initiative is poised to stimulate economic growth, foster business expansion, and promote tourism across the continent.

Airlines will have the opportunity to explore new routes, thereby increasing their operational scope and potentially reducing costs for passengers. It’s a win-win situation that could see Africa’s aviation industry soar to new heights, making air travel more accessible and affordable for millions of people.

Challenges and Potential Setbacks

Despite the optimistic outlook, the journey towards a fully integrated African airspace is not without its hurdles. Regulatory challenges, infrastructure limitations, and concerns over market competition and security are just a few of the issues that need to be addressed.

Moreover, the success of the SAATM hinges on the willingness of individual countries to open their skies, a move that requires both trust and cooperation among nations with diverse interests and capabilities.

As the SAATM initiative moves forward, its implementation will undoubtedly be closely watched by industry stakeholders and travelers alike. The dream of a ‘sky without borders’ within Africa is on the horizon, promising to usher in a new era of air travel that could reshape the continent’s economic and social landscape.

Source:  BNN

Last Year Was Safest Ever for Commercial Air Travel: Airline Industry Body

The only fatal accident of a passenger plane was the crash of an ATR turboprop operated by Nepal’s Yeti Airlines during a domestic flight, killing 72 people, according to the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) annual report.

Paris: Last year was the safest ever for commercial air travel, despite a massive rebound in passenger flights, an airline industry group said Wednesday.

The only fatal accident of a passenger plane was the crash of an ATR turboprop operated by Nepal’s Yeti Airlines during a domestic flight, killing 72 people, according to the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) annual report.

The IATA said it counted another 29 accidents in 2023 that did not involve fatalities or loss of the plane.

In 2022, there was a total of 42 accidents, of which five were fatal and took 158 lives.

The IATA counts a non-fatal accident as an event that causes damage of at least $1 million or equal to 10 per cent of the plane’s value.

IATA statistics do not cover business, military, private, maintenance or training flights.

The IATA said, “2023 saw the lowest fatality risk and ‘all accident’ rate on record.”

“On average a person would have to travel by air every day for 103,239 years to experience a fatal accident.”

The low crash rate came despite the number of flights last year rising 17 per cent to 37.7 million, the IATA said.

The IATA represents some 320 airlines comprising 83 per cent of global air traffic.

“Even if flying is among the safest activities a person can do, there is always room to improve,” said IATA Director General Willie Walsh, citing “two high-profile accidents in the first month of 2024.”

In January, a Japan Airlines A350 Airbus was safely evacuated after bursting into flames at a Tokyo airport.

In the United States, a panel blew off the fuselage of a Boeing 737 MAX during an Alaska Airlines flight, again without any serious injuries.

Source: NDTV   

Russia and Tanzania to Open Direct Flights

Tanzania and Russia are planning to open direct flights, and an agreement to this effect is planned to be signed in the near future, Tanzania’s Ambassador to Russia Fredrick Ibrahim Kibuta told the media, Sputnik reports.

“We are in the final stages of signing an agreement of mutual understanding and cooperation between our airlines in order to organize direct flights from Russia to Tanzania, even from St. Petersburg there will be direct flights,” he said.

The ambassador also expressed hope that this will boost the flow of Russian tourists to the African country, as until recently Russians were actively traveling to Tanzania.

Kibuta further noted the existing need for direct flights between the countries.

“In fact, there is a need for direct flights, and we have requests from very different directions about organizing such flights,” the diplomat said.

Source: VMT News  

KQ Eyes Eldoret, Maputo In Expansion Plans.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 23 – Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced that it will add flights to Eldoret and Maputo, Mozambique, amid growing demand for air travel.

The airline will be flying to Eldoret five times a week as well as three times per week to Maputo.

It will also increase frequencies to five destinations, including two extra flights to New York in the United States of America.

This is in addition to another two weekly flights to Paris, France, ahead of the Olympics later this year.

Furthermore, KQ says that it will deploy B787-8 aircraft to drive up capacity to Accra and Freetown, providing passengers with more comfort and convenience.

The airline will also add three additional flights to Lagos, Nigeria.

All these new destinations and increased frequencies are now available for booking on Global Distribution Systems (GDS).

In a statement on Thursday, the national carrier said that the expansion is aimed at meeting growing demand while ensuring the airline’s bottom line revenue growth.

“The network expansion is reflective of our mission of propelling Africa’s growth by connecting its people, cultures and markets,” its Chief Commercial and Customer Officer Julius Thairu said.

Source: Capital Fm  

5 key trends for air travel in 2024

A record-breaking 2023 for international passenger traffic at Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) heralded a very positive start to 2024 and all expectations are that growth will continue throughout the year. As we look to build on this impressive achievement, it is vital to take note of the key trends that are expected to shape the aviation industry in 2024.

The race to meet demand

Globally, the air travel industry has made impressive headway in 2023 with many airlines and airports showing robust growth, driven by strong passenger demand, and supported by extensive destination marketing initiatives.

In turn, capacity has struggled to keep up. The shortage of new aircraft has been exacerbated by manufacturers delaying delivery of newer models due to supply chain issues, forcing the industry to turn to leasing companies to fill gaps in the interim.

In addition, the conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East have created global uncertainty with a knock-on effect of increased aviation fuel prices. This has led to carriers becoming more selective when choosing destinations, with a preference for routes with high returning yields. Staff acquisition will remain a challenge in 2024 with higher labour costs and training backlogs putting pressure on airlines and airports alike.

The local air travel industry is not immune to these challenges. For CTIA, the addition of new international and African carriers and routes as well as the returning peak season capacity saw the international terminal achieve record passenger numbers for 2023. Year-on-year growth equalled 48%, with 2.8 million two-way passengers processed, eclipsing the previous benchmark of 2.6 million recorded in 2019.

On the domestic front, year-on-year passenger growth for 2023 stood at 16% and it is expected that incremental capacity additions by the domestic carriers will stimulate growth, despite the expectation that passenger numbers will remain below 2019 levels this year.

Due to the exceptional international terminal growth, we hope to see much-needed infrastructure expansion at CTIA, with an announcement on plans expected soon. Another interesting development in the local aviation space is the recently announced development plans for a privately owned Cape Winelands Airport.

Finally, to make South Africa’s tourism target of 21 million visitors by 2030 a reality, growth and accessibility should be supported by the pending release of the National Aviation Policy by the Department of Transport (DoT).

The hope is therefore that a less restrictive stance on especially international Air Service Agreements will be adopted. These treaty-level agreements outline, for instance, the number of flights that can be operated between countries. Should these agreements remain restricted or outdated, it may lead to stagnation of passenger and cargo flows as well as missed economic growth opportunities for the country.

Promoting the African agenda

The Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) is a key project of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which aims to liberalise and unify African skies by promoting increased air travel and economic integration. Notable initiatives rallying behind the project include the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Focus Africa initiative and the SAATM Pilot Implementation Project (PIP). The success of SAATM will also be heavily influenced by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Focus Africa initiative aims to promote collaboration, streamline operations, and enhance aviation infrastructure across Africa. Similarly, the PIP allows participating countries to identify challenges, assess feasibility, and fine-tune their regulatory environment. Even with these supporting initiatives, the African aviation sector has struggled to operationalise SAATM, and the African aviation sector has therefore not grown as fast as it could have.

By the end of 2023, 38 out of 54 African countries pledged participation in SAATM, representing more than 80% of Africa’s population. However, more still needs to be done as many issues remain like the absence of Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights between African countries or unnecessary costs and delays in issuing Foreign Operator Permits (FOPs).

However, with the implementation of AfCFTA, the United Nations expects that use of air freight across the continent will nearly double from 2.3 to 4.5 million tonnes per year. The increased use of air freight for intra-African trade across the continent will surely drive the need for a successful SAATM initiative.

As the continent strives for greater air travel integration, addressing accessibility challenges and fostering a spirit of collaboration will be crucial in ensuring the sustained growth and success of SAATM.

Air cargo’s stabilising trajectory

The global air cargo market has experienced a strenuous 2023 as demand flattened while rates and revenues declined throughout most of the year. Adding to the pressure is the continued imbalance in supply and demand with air cargo capacity outstripping volumes, the exact opposite of the passenger market.

According to Accenture, air cargo capacity increased by 7% year-on-year in 2023 whilst volumes stood at negative 10% between January and October 2023. The increase in supply was mainly driven by the return of belly-freight capacity in widebody passenger aircraft, which is set to continue this year.

On the demand side, almost all air trade industries recorded steep volume declines for the first 10 months of 2023 with the only growth experienced in temperature-controlled goods, especially seafood and fruit.

However, towards the end of 2023, both yields and demand saw significant increases in the global air cargo market. According to DHL, the surge can be attributed, in part, to a booming e-commerce sector in Asia and the increased use of air cargo by retailers. This is echoed by Accenture which estimates that global cross-border e-commerce growth reached 40% in 2023 vs 2022, making up 9% of international air trade (up from 6% in 2022). In addition, IATA predicts that air cargo volumes will rise by 4.5% in 2024.

It is expected that the air cargo market will stabilise along with an equilibrium of supply and demand in 2024, However, external factors including global conflict could negatively influence or hamper the growth of the industry. Despite this, the recent diversion of container vessels around Africa could present an opportunity for increased air cargo volumes, in the short term, if businesses choose to avoid long shipping delays.

Closer to home, the congestion experienced at the Port of Cape Town has caused air cargo volumes to increase at CTIA, with many airlines reporting positive increases in air cargo volumes over December and January. Exporters and shippers of high-value fruit and perishables will continue to look for alternatives in 2024 of which air cargo, although more expensive, is a viable option.

Growth is on the horizon for the market however the question remains; is the air cargo supply chain – and the current infrastructure in South Africa – mature enough to absorb and adapt to the budding growth? If not, one might expect some teething issues and steep learning curves which could result in lost opportunities. However, for companies ahead of the curve great growth prospects are available this year.

A shift towards tangible sustainability

Although sustainability has been a hot topic for the better part of three decades, the aviation industry – as a 2% contributor to global carbon emissions – is finding itself under exponential pressure and scrutiny to reduce emissions as we draw nearer to the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 goal.

The biggest intervention to emerge is the introduction of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), as a replacement for fossil fuels, and airlines are likely to increase their investment in production and usage. Simultaneously, airports are expected to collaborate with energy providers and invest in the necessary facilities for the production, storage, and distribution of SAF.

Establishing a robust SAF infrastructure is crucial for ensuring a steady and scalable supply of eco-friendly fuels. South Africa is well poised to be a potential market leader in this field if enough government and industry support can be garnered.

Sustainable practices in aircraft design and manufacturing are expected to be prioritised. Lightweight materials, advanced aerodynamics, and innovative manufacturing processes will be leveraged to create more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly aircraft.

Moreover, carriers are examining airport sustainability when planning their network operations. Airlines are likely to prioritise partnerships with airports that demonstrate a commitment to environmentally responsible practices. One key trend shaping the sector in this regard is the accelerated adoption of electric ground-handling vehicles to reduce emissions and noise pollution on airport premises.

Sustainability trends in aviation are grounding the “head in the clouds” perspective, with a greater propensity towards more tangible and cross-cutting solutions. The industry’s commitment to these initiatives reflects a collective effort to address environmental challenges and pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future in aviation.

The transformative effects of innovation

The global aviation sector is undergoing transformational developments, focusing on efficiency, sustainability, and passenger experience. In Africa, innovation is largely driven by critical infrastructure development and increased air connectivity. The integration of airports into urban planning to create more interconnected cities is also taking centre stage.

Digital technologies are increasingly being used in the industry to streamline operations, enhance passenger experiences, and boost efficiency. This includes the use of artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT). The aviation sector is also advancing with the development of electric aircraft and autonomous flight technology.

African aviation is also embracing digitalisation and e-commerce solutions with airports like Addis Ababa Bole International Airport currently developing the largest e-commerce facility on the continent. It is immensely important for airports and destinations alike to future-proof themselves by adopting international best practices.

The importance of integrated planning when developing existing or new airport infrastructure within city boundaries is of utmost importance to create a sought-after and sustainable destination.

For instance, the “20-minute city” concept aims to create urban centres with all essential services within a 20-minute commute, promoting economic growth and shortening travel times. Major cities are investing in technology and infrastructure to achieve this. The air travel landscape is also reshaping itself by incorporating multimodal transport options, like airports incorporating high-capacity, land-based, public transport options for efficient connectivity within and between cities.

These actions underscore a commitment to creating more connected, sustainable, and economically vibrant aviation and destination ecosystems that benefit both passengers and the communities they serve by implementing the latest innovative technologies.

The global aviation industry in 2024 will be characterised by robust growth and a focus on innovation and sustainability, despite some persistent challenges. Ongoing issues such as infrastructure constraints and supply chain disruptions will become more prominent as efforts to expand capacity and streamline operations remain a key focus. Initiatives like SAATM aim to promote integration and open skies across the African continent while the sustainability agenda drives investments in eco-friendly fuels, aircraft design, and airport infrastructure.

Innovation, a buzzword in every sector, is set to reshape the aviation landscape, promising more efficient and connected travel experiences. If the aviation sector can remain poised in the balancing act of addressing challenges through innovation, then we expect that record-breaking numbers will only continue to climb in the years ahead.

Source: Biz Community

Celebrating Collaboration: KATA’s Perspective on the Visit of Jordanian Minister of Tourism

Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) warmly received a special invitation to a dinner in honor of the official visit by Jordanian Minister of Tourism, Makram Mustafa Queisi. Among the esteemed attendees were Dr. Joseph Kithitu, Chairperson of KATA, and CEO Nicanor Sabula, alongside John Chirchir, CEO of Kenya Tourism Board (KTB).

The visit of Jordanian Minister of Tourism presents an exciting opportunity for both Kenya and Jordan. The emphasis on “mutual growth” and “enriching experiences” suggests a collaborative approach that benefits both tourism industries. This could involve joint marketing campaigns, exchange programs for tourism professionals, and the development of multi-destination itineraries combining the unique offerings of both nations.

At its core, tourism serves as a bridge between people and nations. This partnership has the potential to promote global understanding and appreciation for different cultures and environments. By fostering connections between individuals, it creates lasting memories and friendships beyond borders. KATA is committed to ensuring mutual collaboration between Kenya and Jordan, facilitating seamless travel policies and enhancing the partnership between the two nations.

In celebrating this collaboration, KATA looks forward to the shared prosperity and cultural exchange that will enrich the travel experiences of visitors from both Kenya and Jordan.