Creole Festival 2010 concluded

Kampala, Uganda -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/04/2010 -- The cooperation between Seoul and Victoria in the Seychelles has been getting stronger since the visit to Seoul by the Seychelles President James Michel.

This has been seen in the witnessed at the Korean Fashion Show, jointly organized by the Seychelles Honorary Consul, Mr. Dong Chang Jeong and the Seychelles Tourism Board representative in Seoul, Ms Julie Kim.

The event attracted several Korean nationals a show sign of the positively growing relations between the countries.

Mrs. Myrna Michel, who now coordinates the marketing and sales efforts by the Korea Office of the Seychelles Tourism Board, was so optimistic at the just concluded Creole Festival 2010.

Mr. Alain St.Ange, the CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board appreciated Jeong and Kim the special event a clear testimony of the new cooperation.

"We are but a small country, and it is only by joining forces that we shall maximize our resources and have a better synergy for the benefit of our country," Alain St.Ange said.

A jovial-looking St.Ange also thanked the companies that facilitated the Korean evening saying that this is a spring board to the Seoul-Victoria growing market

"Tonight we have made another step in our drive for a cultural tourism campaign. Seeing Seychellois girls traditionally dressed in Korean fashion wear decorated with special Korean makeup was a clear example of accommodative cultures of both countries which needs to be promoted." said St.Ange

The Seychelles delegation at the Evening included Ministers Bernard Shamlaye and Peter Sinon for Culture and Minister for Investments respectively plus principle secretaries and director generals. The Seychelles Culture Minister applauded the organizers saying that show was a display of the beauty of Seychelles and did his country proud.

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Former Uganda Wildlife Authority Boss Challenges his Abrupt Dismissal from office in Courts.

Kampala, Uganda -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/24/2010 -- The country's wildlife boss who was recently suspended from office has now gone to the courts of law challenging the unclear circumstances surrounding his suspension.

Mr. Moses Mapesa, the suspended executive director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority has decided to take the matter to courts. This new twist however continues to deepen the controversy over the matter.

Mapesa is seeking an interim order restraining the UWA board chairman, Dr. Muballe Boysier Oumar from terminating his contract of employment.

Mapesa was sacked along with the director of cooperate affairs, Apophia Natukunda and Joseph Koluo Andrew, the managing director of Nature Safaris last month by Dr. Muballe Boysier Oumar, the UWA board chairman.

"We are challenging the appointment of the new board of trustees whose members we feel do not meet the qualifications" Moses and suspended colleagues said Thursday.

"We are going to sue the attorney general, UWA and the new board of trustee members." They added

The new board was immediately appointed by the Trade, Tourism and Industry, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire upon suspension of the then office bearers.

The petitioners are accusing Dr. Muballe led team of not having proven professional experience in finance or management of such a big body and that neither of the members has ever been involved in activities related to wildlife, which is a requirement for all board members.

"We feel incompetence of the new board is going to jeopardize the progress Uganda Wildlife tourism has made."

The case is before the High Court in Kampala.

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Burkina Faso is safe for tourists

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/14/2010 -- Earlier travel warnings issued by France which also saw several US citizens evacuate the northern-dominated desert regions of Burkina Faso have impacted tourism in the country and its neighbours.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have all had tourism in their desert regions plummet as a result of the threat. These countries' northern regions are close to the areas in Mali and Niger where militants are known to operate. Nearby Mauritania has also been caught up in the up tick in violence frequently.

The areas under fears of attacks by Islamists have been declared off-limits for U.S. government employees and late last week, the embassy evacuated its citizens, mainly Peace Corps volunteers, from the north to the capital, Ouagadougou citing threats of terrorism in Mali and Niger.

Similarly the French foreign ministry had also earlier warned its citizens against travelling to Burkina Faso's far north.

Burkina Faso is the latest West Africa nation to face the threat of al Qaeda's North African wing, where several kidnappings of foreigners and attacks on isolated soldiers seem to be on the rise.

Burkina Faso is safe

Reacting to threats late Thursday, Alain Yoda, the country's foreign minister said "Burkina Faso is safe. Our security measures have, up until now, have shown that they are effective."

"I can reassure you, we do not know of any particular security problems today in Burkina Faso so, naturally, we are very happy. But we must of course allow everyone to take the precautions they deem necessary" he added.

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Kampala, Uganda -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/19/2010 -- Turkish Airline which makes its maiden direct flight in Tanzania to today has been seen as a big step towards fostering stronger bilateral trade ties between Turkey and Tanzania.

The schedule direct flights from Istanbul to Tanzania bring convenience to travellers between the two countries.

"For those who want to proceed to other European destinations the departure and arrivals have been made very convenient," the Turkish Ambassador to Tanzania, Dr Sander Gurbuz said.

Speaking at his country office in Dar es Salaam, H.E. Ambassador Gurbuz said that between 20,000 and 30,000 Turkish holiday makers and businesspeople will be able to travel to Tanzania annually. A move he has applauded as a giant step towards stronger bilateral trade ties between his government and Tanzania.

For the business people, it is even easier for them to fly by Turkish airline especially from that region, as it is an important hub for many business people.

He also mentioned that other travellers from Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine and the other European Union countries will be eyeing the flight to visit the country.

Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete recently visited Turkey and aviation business cooperation was among key areas of cooperation between Tanzania and Turkey that was concluded.

Turkish Airline is expected to make a maiden flight here will arrive in Dar es Salaam at 11am.

The aircraft which is wide with a 200-passenger capacity will operate direct services between the two countries landing at the Julius Nyerere International Airport with three weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

The Airlines operates flights in 11 African airports including Nairobi, the newly established destination launched during last weekend's visit in Kenya by the Turkish president.

Other African destinations where the airline operates are Cairo, Addis Ababa, Khartoum, Lagos, Tripoli, Tunis, Algiers, Casablanca, Johannesburg and Cape Town

"Tanzania will be one of the 150 destinations that Turkish airline flies the world over," said Dr Sander Gurbuz.

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An educational centre set up in Kyabagambire to sensitize the local communities

Hoima, Uganda -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/05/2010 -- The executive director for Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT)- a Chimpanzee rescue body, Ms Lilly Ajarova has urged residents of the local communities neighbouring the wildlife parks and forest reserves in the areas of Kyabigambire, Muteme, Mparangasi, Budongo and Bugoma in Hoima District to appreciate Chimpanzees as their own resources.

"We want the people to appreciate chimpanzees as their own resources and stay harmoniously without conflict because they are of benefit to the community in one way or another." Ajarova said.

Ms Ajarova adds they have tried to create linkages between human and natural environmental management through a series of educational programmes and development initiatives for locals in theses areas to appreciate nature conservation. There were series of human-chimpanzee conflicts in the forest patches of these sites resulting from chimpanzees destroying farmers' crops. This also haunts the Uganda Tourism sector when such potential is destroyed.

"Wildlife is crucial to forest's ecosystems for dispersing seeds and fruit, creating gaps in the canopy that allow seedlings to grow, and serving as predator and prey," Ms Ajarova says, adding, "They play an important role in the biodiversity we should try hard to protect and are an appealing flagship species in our efforts to uphold environmental preservation".

To ensure that this vice doesn't re-occur, the body has set up an educational centre in Kyabagambire locality to enlighten the local communities, especially targeting the children and youth about the importance of co-existing with chimpanzees. The Uganda Wildlife Authority has also teamed up and it's repatriating 10 per cent of the money from their collections from the Chimpanzee tourists in the areas.

CSWCT is a body taking care of Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary established to care for chimpanzees rescued from within Uganda, in addition to providing a safe home and ensuring their welfare.

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Sector Demands Sh22 Billion to Boost Tourism

Kampala, Uganda -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/03/2010 -- Statistic reports still show that Kenya continues to dwarf Uganda in the tourist arrival figures.

According to the World Tourism and Travel Council (WTTC), tourism arrivals in Uganda increased from 512,000 in 2004 to 844,000 in 2008, an increase of 65% in five years whereas the neighbours Kenya had 1, 816,800 tourist visitors in the same year.

This variation has however been linked to the massive investment that Kenya puts into its tourism sector compared to Uganda and other regional neighbours.

According to a draft corporate strategy plan 2009-2012, Kenya spends sh27b (ksh1b) on marketing its tourism potential alone.

Uganda Tourism experts argue that unless additional promotional cash is invested in the sector to match its competitors internationally, the arrival figures into the country will remain meager.

Kenya and Egypt are some of the biggest spenders on tourism promotion to the tune of sh189b combined, according to the WTTC.

Sector Demands Sh22 Billion to Boost Tourism

The Tourism sector is asking for sh22b in next month's budget allocation to effectively market the country's tourism and boost foreign earnings. The sector acknowledges its third position on the list of the national primary growth areas recently released by the National Development Plan after agriculture and forestry.

Cuthbert Baguma, the new boss of Tourism Uganda-a tourism promotion agency said key on the agency's plan is to promote local and regional tourism.

"There is need to promote local and regional tourism if we hope to maintain our run in same the market with other competitor countries. Baguma said. "Uganda must fight limited visibility internationally." He maintained.

In 2008, tourism contributed 9.1% (about $1.2b) to the country's gross domestic product, while Kenya tourism contributed 10.8% (about $3.5b) to GDP – WTTC report.

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Entebbe, Uganda -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/28/2010 -- Members of the East African Community should focus on to promote tourism in each other's countries. Kenya Tourism Minister Najib Balala has said.

"We members of the East African Community should look at joint tourism promotion if the region is to achieve sustainable tourism." Hon. Balala said

"Several of his colleagues in the Kenyan cabinet visit tourism sites in the other member countries." Balala added.

He made this call during the launch of the Lake Victoria Serena Resort the second of the kind hotel in Uganda of The Serena Group of Hotels where he was invited as one of the guests at the function.

The new resort has 124 rooms and conference facilities. But work is going on to build 54 houses and 90 apartments. Also under construction are a golf course and a marina.

The launch was attended by Uganda's Cabinet ministers, diplomats, visiting Kenyan government officials, led by the tourism minister Najib Balala plus several members of the Ugandan business community.

The launch function was led by the trade and tourism minister, Kahinda Otafiire who represented President Museveni.

The resort, which is part of the Aga Khan economic empire, lies on an expansive piece of land measuring 275 acres on the shores of Lake Victoria and has been seen as a big boost to the tourism and hospitality industry in Uganda.

The land, which belonged to the Ranch on the Lake Hotel until about four years ago when Serena Group bought it, cost $20m (about sh40b). Another $30m (sh60b) is earmarked to complete the construction.

"They opposed it saying it will bring competition. But these people are not even selfish enough. Why would they not want to sell in a bigger market and stick to their small one?" Otafiire asked.

Otafire who re-echoed Balala's call of joint tourism, criticized those opposed to the East African Community, saying they erroneously thought they were protecting their own interests, yet they are undermine their progress in the industry.

Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo and Murchison Falls Parks for Investment

Otafiire also reaffirmed that Uganda had also resolved to open up Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo and Murchison Falls Parks for investment.

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Mozambique tourism and travel sector picking up

Kampala, Uganda -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/23/2010 -- Welcome to Mozambique, now one of Africa's up-and-coming tourists' hot-spots, with stunning beaches, excellent diving and magical offshore islands.

It has gained momentum as a premier destination in offering a tropical paradise ideal for a relaxed travel tour.

Mozambique has regained its natural beauty, wildlife, and historic heritage now with renewed potential of providing exceptional opportunities for beach holiday tours, walking safaris, cultural travel tourism, eco-tourism and trekking tours.

A simple tour of Maputo- the capital proves of late that this one of Africa's more appealing capitals. It has wide avenues, tranquil street cafes and a lively nightlife. This has come hand in hand with the country's vibrant culture and friendliness of the people to boost Mozambique tourism travel.

Current-day Mozambique has seen the government working with local people and tour operators to slowly restock the country's many game reserves with wildlife. The country has a very rich variety of both fauna and flora. Come for a superb bird watching spree, and get glimpses of the African Big Five including buffalo, elephant, hippos, zebra and much more. You will also wish to visit Maputo Elephant Park and Tembe National Park. Mozambique has also already become part of the Transfrontier National Park in its expansion campaign.

You longer have to have sleepless nights over where to sleep. Mozambique accommodation options are endless. It boasts a wide range of hotel accommodation for her growing tourist industry ranging from country hotels to park lodges and all of varying comfort, elegance and convenience to suit all tastes and budgets. There are several hotels in Maputo that have been refurbished to meet the international standards.

The best time to travel to Mozambique is from late may to November, during the cooler dry season. During the Christmas/New Years holidays, around Easter and in August, the southern resorts fill up with the vacationing tourists from neighbouring South Africa, Swaziland and Zambia. Public holidays are also perfect times for coming to Mozambique.

Surely with this variety at hand in only one country boundary, you should come for a holiday tour- a moment we guarantee you will cherish throughout your life!

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Turkish Airlines launches new Istanbul-Dar es Salaam Flight

Kampala, Uganda -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/21/2010 -- the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) has applauded the inauguration of the Istanbul to Dar es Salaam flight service by Turkish Airlines, saying that it is a timely boost for the peak tourism season in the country.

"Tanzania applauds this move by Turkish Airlines and it is going to ease travel tourism and trade for the citizens of both countries." Mr. Amant Macha, the TTB's acting Managing Director has said.

The direct flights between Istanbul and Dar es Salaam are expected to begin June 2010.

"We expect that this new direct flight will boost the number of Turkish visitors to close to 25,000. We also foresee another gateway for the American market, who would be interested in combining these two very popular, but different destinations." Macha added.

About Tanzania
Tanzania lies south of the equator and its East Africa's largest country and an enormously rewarding place for tourists. It boasts world-famous attractions such as the plains of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater -8th Wonder of the World, snow­capped Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa's highest mountain) and Zanzibar, with its idyllic palm-fringed beaches and historic Stone Town.

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Tip on Achieving Sustainable Travel tourism in Uganda

Kampala, Uganda -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/05/2010 -- The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a wildlife conservation body has been challenged to integrate local people in the tourism industry if the country is to achieve sustainable tourism.

There is dire need to involve local communities especially those in the park vicinities in tourism development plans. Not involving local people undermines the country of tourism success. These remarks were raised by tourism stakeholders at a recent Kampala workshop.

"With knowledge that tourism has the potential to contribute significantly to Uganda's economy, emphasis should not only be put to the development of infrastructure and tourism facilities." Geoffrey Baluku, a tourism consultant noted.

Baluku indicated that for tourism to be developed in a sustainable manner, efforts should be made to ensure enjoyment for the tourist and minimum impact or disruption for the local communities and environment. Benefits should be vivid among within the locals if we are to sustain tourism.

"Unless local people begin feeling tourism in their pockets and in their living standards, those Strategic Long-and-short-term tourism plans designed stand to be fruitless if they do not incorporate the local person." Baluku emphasized.

He urged UWA to ensure that tourism revenue stays in the host communities to enhance their livelihoods and generate a profitable source of income.

Conclusively Baluku advised that a symbolic relationship must be built with the locals staying close to the Wildlife conservation areas if UWA does not want the industry to be frustrated the low levels and there is need to emphasize the use of work with new technology, natural resource management and marketing concepts for the travel tourism industry in Uganda to prosper.

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