Ghana best place to do business – Mahama

In all of West Africa, Ghana is the best destination for both expatriates and indigenes to do business, President John Dramani Mahama has said.

According to him, the hard work of his government had ensured a booming economy, hence the attraction of several foreign companies to the country.

Mr Mahama on Sunday October 30 tweeted: "All our hard work is paying off. Economy is growing, investment is flowing & jobs are being created. Ghana will prosper."

He added: "Best place to do business in West Africa means more investment, a growing economy and jobs for all our people."

classfmonline

Source: Ghana best place to do business – Mahama

Turkish Airlines continues to ‘Widen Your World’ with the addition of Zanzibar

Already a globally recognized brand, Turkish Airlines continues to strengthens its presence in Africa and will have a presence of 50 destinations in 31 African countries, making it one of the leading carriers to the continent.

Zanzibar, the most prominent tourism destination of Tanzania, will be the 3rd gateway of Turkish Airlines in the country, with existing services to Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro.

Beginning from Dec. 12 , roundabout flights to and from Zanzibar will be operated 3 times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Introductory round trip fares are available from Istanbul to Zanzibar starting at $636(including taxes and fees).

Additionally, for the operations to Zanzibar, Miles&Smiles members will be able to earn 25% extra status miles.*

To view the flight schedules please visit www.turkishairlines.com, contact the call center at +90 212 444 0849 or visit any Turkish Airlines sales office.

Source: Turkish Airlines continues to 'Widen Your World' with the addition of Zanzibar

In A Down Market For New Car Sales, Cape Town Motor Show Appeals To African Aspirations

Ferrari GTC 4 Lusso. Photo: Cape Town Motor Show

Location is important when you're in an ailing economy and trying to pull off an inaugural motor show with the promise that it will rival motor shows in Paris, Tokyo, Dubai and New York.

With new vehicle sales continuing to fall in South Africa, and other African countries stepping up auto manufacturing, South Africa needed a creative idea to invigorate its local auto market and excite domestic motor enthusiasts.

It needed an event that could attract international attention, draw participation across multiple sectors, and promise loads of fun. Mostly, it needed to hold an event in a really, really great place.

The result is the Cape Town Motor Show, a three-day extravaganza planned for Jan. 27-29 at GrandWest Entertainment World.

Cape Town is an event capital in Africa, consistently ranking high or No. 1 as a global business and tourism destination in publications like Condé Nast and BBC Travel.

With a fast-growing supply of hotel rooms to fill, local tourism officials are enthusiastically promoting the Cape Town Motor Show. The event kicked off with an Oct. 19 launch party, attended by local media, celebrities, and a who's who of South African auto and tourism stakeholders.

South Africa has other motor shows. There's one held every two years in Johannesburg. This is the first time an international-caliber show will be held in Cape Town.

Both cities have a large enough motor industry to warrant their own motor shows, said Garth Rhoda, who heads up marketing and public relations for the Cape Town Motor Show.

The South African auto industry has had a few difficult years in an economy plagued by a commodities price slump, political turmoil, corruption scandals and currency devaluation. New car sales are down about 17 percent year-on-year.

The country's per capita income is among the highest of African countries, reaching an all-time high of $7,609.54 USD in 2013, according to Trading Economics. Elsewhere on the continent, income is still relatively low.

As a result, demand for vehicles is mostly met by a robust used-car market throughout the continent including South Africa, according to Abdul Majeed, an assurance partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the Big Four auditors.

Auto manufacturing, on the other hand, is a bright spot in the South African economy.

South Africa plays an important role as an African auto production hub. Finished vehicles are shipped out from here to 85 destinations including the U.S., U.K., Japan, France and Australia, Majeed said in a Business Online report.

South Africa is expected to continue leading African auto production, increasing from 584,000 vehicles in 2015 to 690,000 in 2022, according to PwC Autofacts. However, its share is expected to shrink as other regions ramp up production:

Nigeria, for instance, is projected to nearly triple light vehicle production from 27,000 units in 2015 to 75,000 units over the next seven years. Morocco, likewise, is expected to see numbers grow from 288,000 units to 423,000 in 2022 while Algeria will grow from 19,000 to 112,000 units. Egypt is projected to nearly double output from 89,000 to 153,000 vehicles in 2022.

Africa accounted for just over 0.9 percent of global automotive production in 2015, according to Deloitte Africa Automotive Insights 2016.

"Our industry may be small by international standards but we believe something like this (Cape Town Motor Show) will do its part to help get it back on track," Rhoda told AFKInsider. "That's why we're doing this — to invigorate the industry.

"Not only will we excite the local market but we hope to attract international guests," Rhoda said.

Described as the largest entertainment destination of its kind in South Africa, the GrandWest venue chosen for the motor show is home to Cape Town's only casino.

January is peak summer tourist season in Cape Town. Visitors flock there for the weather, beaches, food and wine. "The motorshow adds something quite unique and different,"  Rhoda said.

Rhoda is expecting 35,000 people to attend the motor show. Here are some exhibits and entertainment you can expect to see there:

Domestic and imported passenger cars, bikes and trucks, sport utility vehicles, and experimental or concept cars.

Accessories.

Competition vehicles.

Vintage and collector cars.

Engine modifications (pimped-up rides)

Sound-off beats competitions.

Virtual simulations.

Car wrapping.

Live music, food and entertainment.

Based on ticket sales so far, motor enthusiasts from all over South Africa plan to attend, Rhoda said. Tickets are 100 rand (less than $7.50 US) for adults but it's a family show, Rhoda is quick to add.

"It'll also be a good opportunity to showcase our food," Rhoda said.

Local brands in bike apparel and car accessories will be showcased at the Cape Town Motor Show.

One example is Shelby South Africa, a new company that sprang up in response to the arrival of Ford's new right-hand-drive Mustangs, which hit South African streets in December. Ford said at its South Africa launch in December that 35-to-40 cars would be arriving in the country monthly.

Shelby customizes Ford Mustangs. "They see our show as an important marketing piece," Rhoda said.

Jaguar Land Rover plans to be there, along with BMW and Mini and Audi. For bikers, Harley Davidson will be there. "All the international brands you'd expect to see," Rhoda said. "We'd like to have a Lamborghini…"

Owning a new car in South Africa isn't becoming easier, Rhoda said. An exchange rate that favors the dollar doesn't help. The motor show will be important in appealing to the aspirational hopes and dreams of South African drivers.

People interested in attending the Cape Town Motor Show may not be in the market for a new car, Rhoda said. "They may have a second-hand car. But people are hungry. People always want to drive a better car. The mood is very positive."

Sign up for the AFKInsider newsletter — the most compelling business news you need to know from Africa and the African diaspora, delivered straight to your inbox.

Source: In A Down Market For New Car Sales, Cape Town Motor Show Appeals To African Aspirations

Tunisia is only 18th most popular destination for Russian tourists

Though it has registered an increase of almost 700% in Russian tourists, Tunisia appears only in the 18th place of most popular destinations for Russians, according to figures from

Rosstat, the Statistical Service of the Russian Federation, which shows that 13.2 million Russians traveled abroad for tourism purposes during the 1st half of 2016, a decrease of 13.1% compared to 2015.

The most popular destination for Russian tourism is Abkhazia, once known as a holiday destination for the Soviet elite.

Countries that have experienced a significant increase include Cyprus (+50%), China (+45%), Thailand (+24.2%), Bulgaria (+23.8%), Greece (+22.1%) and Abkhazia and Georgia (both 21.2%). Spain registered an increase of 14.6%; part of this increase is a result of the stagnation of outflow to Egypt and Turkey.

The main beneficiary of the situation in Egypt and Turkey is Tunisia. In the first half of 2015, 27,800 Russian tourists visited the small African country.

This year Tunisia registered 186,000 Russian visits, an increase of almost 700%. All of this despite the fact that in 2015 the outflow to Tunisia decreased by 72% due to terrorist attacks.

The top 10 most popular destinations among Russians are: Abkhazia (1.5 million), Finland (1.26 million), Kazakhstan (1.25 million), Ukraine (816,000), China (712,000), Estonia (698,000), Poland (581,000), Germany (468,000), Thailand (441,000), and Spain (321,000).

Then follows Cyprus (314,000), Italy (313,000), Lithuania (303,000), Georgia (298,000), Azerbaijan (267,000), Greece (260,000), UAE (240,000), Tunisia (186,000), Bulgaria (182,000) and France (180,000). Turkey and Egypt are not in the top 20.

Source: Tunisia is only 18th most popular destination for Russian tourists

Citrus Management Committee claims South Africa “avoiding” Spanish ports

Citrus Management Committee claims South Africa "avoiding" Spanish ports

October 27 , 2016

Spain's Citrus Management Committee (CGC) has accused the South African citrus industry of avoiding Spanish ports in a bid to reduce detections of citrus black spot (CBS). 

In a release, the organization claimed since a "symbolic" temporary closure of the European market to South African citrus in 2013, arrivals of the country's fruit in Spain had been cut down to "practically nothing".

The CGC noted South African citrus arrivals in Spain were just 120 metric tons (MT) from January, 2015 to August, 2016, out of a total of 1.1 million MT shipped to the European market.

In a graph within the release it was noted South Africa shipped 19,437MT to Spain in 2013, but this was just 3% of the fruit sent to the EU in the same period, illustrating how in recent years the Mediterranean country has not been a major destination for the sector.

The CGC also accused South Africa of sending fruit to "satellite" entry ports such as Portugal with the intention of reaching the Spanish market, while sending more fruit to the U.K. and the Netherlands where it alleges phytosanitary controls are "more lax".

South African Citrus Growers Association (CGA) CEO Justin Chadwick declined to give an official comment in reponse to the accusations, but previous interviews with the group's representatives have indicated spending of ZAR1 billion (€66 million) per annum on associated spraying, market access and fruit deviation costs from CBS-related measures.

Chadwick estimated the amount spent was likely higher now given the weaker rand.

Europhyt interception data shows South Africa had four cases of CBS in Europe between August and September, of which all took place in the Netherlands. This is out of a total of 22 of which 10 were from Argentina and the remainder came from Swaziland (4), Cameroon (2), Vietnam (1) and Bangladesh (1).

While the CGS acknowledged South Africa was not the only country that posed a phytosanitary threat for European citrus production, it claimed the country had a "doubly aggravating" difference as the only major citrus player that has always been within the top three countries for shipment rejections in Europe over recent years.

The group reiterated its allegation that South Africa was avoiding Spanish ports, which it claims did not happen with countries like Argentina, Uruguay or Brazil, which "export much lower figures but dispatch a good part of their shipments to Spain".

"A trade agreement recently signed by the EU and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), while representing an extension to Nov. 30 for orange shipments with reduced tariffs and the progressive elimination of tariffs, will make South African citrus more competitive," the CGC said in the release.

"This will probably translate into a greater tonnage exported.

"Therefore, regardless of the unfair competition this would mean for the Spanish citrus sector – with production and harvesting costs that are much higher – the CGC alerts that this agreement will also exponentially trigger the contagion threat of South African diseases that are unknown in the Mediterranean but as devastating as black spot."

CGC also raised the alarm about what the deal might mean for potential incursions of the moth Cryp­to­ph­lebia Leucotreta, and even the South African version of citrus greening.

"This is why, in consonance with the rest of the sector's representatives, the CGC demands an urgent revision from the EC [European Commission], a strengthening of the phytosanitary protocol with South Africa and the establishment of measures or actions to incentivize Spanish ports to recover their inspection activities while giving guarantees of the right phytosanitary controls in the main ports of Europe (in the Netherlands, the U.K. and Portugal mainly)."

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

www.freshfruitportal.com

Source: Citrus Management Committee claims South Africa "avoiding" Spanish ports

Best in Travel: Lonely Planet names South Australia, Los Angeles among is best destinations for 2017

 Never failing to court controversy with its annual best-of roundup, Lonely Planet have named South Australia as one of the world's best regions for 2017, and Los Angeles as one of the world's best cities.

 Never failing to court controversy with its annual best-of roundup, Lonely Planet have named South Australia as one of the world's best regions for 2017, and Los Angeles as one of the world's best cities.

Sydney may not be as good as it thinks, and Melbourne may be the world's most liveable, but it is South Australia that has the best mix of wine country, produce festivals, stunning landscapes and empty beachs that "could even make the Bahamas jealous,' Lonely Planet's Chris Zeiher said.

And those keen to poke fun at little 'ol Adelaide, Zieher points out that even the Queen Mary 2 is putting SA on the map by choosing to dock at its artistic capital. "It's a delicious feast suitable to anyone's taste,' he says.

See also: Eight great things in Adelaide most visitors miss

Winner of the world's best region went to Peru's Choquequirao, which is it's lesser known 'lost city'. Not for long, however - there's a cable car slated for 2017 which will whisk visitors straight to the ruins in 15 minutes or similarly to Machu Picchu, you can do a four day trek. Either or, one thing is for certain - the only people you'll encounter are archaeologists and jungle, which still covers two-thirds of the ruins. Get there before everyone else does.

See also: The world's scariest hotel room

World-famous wine city Bordeaux topped the best cities list, soon to be linked to Paris via a high speed train which will escort you there in a mere two hour jaunt. If you've been there before, now is the time to head back - the redevelopment of its Garonne riverfront with a state of the art wine lover's experience should be completed and its food continues to wow the gastronomy world.

Edging its way to the top of this list is Los Angeles, a city so jam-packed it never fails to surprise and delight repeat visitors. Far away from the glitz and glamour of its celebrity haunts and tatty Hollywood boulevard is a city that's brimming with culture - from Thai Town to Little Armenia and its beloved Mexican, these neighbourhoods reach right across to its stunning pacific coastline that laps wide sandy beaches under sunny blue skies, beckoning visitors twelve months a year. Mock it if you will - but the 50 new hotels that are in the works suggests that Lonely Planet aren't the only one singing its praises; adding to an already impressive smorgasboard that caters to every traveller. Throw in the Metro expansion helping people get from its re-energised Downtown to Santa Monica, an excellent bus service and new initiative Car Free LA and you have one city anxious to shed its bad rep for getting around without wheels.

See also: The best city in the US for food

Where else should you go next year? It's hard to overlook Cape Town's natural good looks, ranked the second best city, but the South African bucket list destination also gets the nod for its food and wine, art and design scene. Lisbon should no longer be sidelined for Rome or Barcelona; and the tiny, little-known city of Ohrid in Macedonia sneaks in at number five, renown for its position overlooking an extraordinary blue lake.

The world's second largest country Canada has got Justin Trudeau to thank for its bolt to the top of Lonely Planet's favourite countries for 2017, followed hot in its heels by surprise entry Colombia. No longer just for the hardcore, this is one place about to shed its bad boy reputation, for it vibrant culture, nature and hospitality is a 'rich tapestry'. Should you also have time swing by Mongolia, and sample the country's rapid modernisation (but maybe not its milk); and Oman to see how well it is competing with its Arabian neighbours for who has the best new luxury accommodation. Over in Africa, Ethopia rounds out Lonely Planet top ten list of countries with its overwhelmingly beautiful landscapes and its wildlife that 'roams nowhere else on Earth'.

See also: 20 reasons to visit Canmore

Lonely Planet's top ten countries for 2017:

1. Canada

2. Colombia

3. Finland

4. Dominica

5. Nepal

6. Bermuda

7. Mongolia

8. Oman

9. Myanmar

10. Ethiopia

Lonely Planet's Top 10 Regions 2017:

1. Choquequirao, Peru

2. Taranaki, New Zealand

3. The Azores, Portugal

4. North Wales, UK

5. South Australia

6. Aysén, Chile

7. The Tuamotus, French Polynesia

8. Coastal Georgia, USA

9. Perak, Malaysia

10. The Skellig Ring, Ireland.

Lonely Planet's top ten cities for 2017:

1. Bordeaux, France

2. Cape Town, South Africa

3. Los Angeles, USA

4. Merida, Mexico

5. Ohrid, Macedonia

6. Pistoia, Italy

7. Seoul, South Korea

8. Lisbon, Portugal

9. Moscow, Russia

10. Portland, Oregon

Where are you headed next year?

See also: The secret to having a good time in Los Angeles

See also: The world's most spectacular train journey

The story Best in Travel: Lonely Planet names South Australia, Los Angeles among is best destinations for 2017 first appeared on The Sydney Morning Herald.

Source: Best in Travel: Lonely Planet names South Australia, Los Angeles among is best destinations for 2017

Travel: What’s Trending in 2017

We know that the way that people travel is constantly changing; we see this in the places that we choose to travel to where a destination that was once 'off the tourist map' is now a hot and happening place to be. In other ways we see it in the reasons why people decide to travel; who they choose to travel with and what they hope to achieve through their journey. With demanding modern lifestyles, the need to travel, to escape and to experience, is something that we look for when we decide to book a vacation.

So with all that said, what can we expect in 2017? Will travel trends remain or will we see some new ones creeping in?

Below are a few travel trends related to African travel that we foresee for next year:

An increase in travel to African destinationsWilderness Safaris US Sales Manager, Craig Glatthaar believes that we will see an increase in travel: "Both southern and East Africa are growing in popularity as destinations of choice across most of our markets, not only due to the incredible variety of experiential travel options available in each region but also due to various global political and macro-economic factors at play. The variety of experiences and quality lodges, new hotels and exceptional guiding have made Africa a must-see, safe and adventurous experience; certainly not a once-in-a-lifetime destination but a regular travel option with a variety of incredible experiences to choose from."

The desire to disconnectAfrica's wilderness areas offer an escape from the bustle of big city life. It is here where we can kick back and readjust to nature's pace. The need to disconnect from our everyday lives and connect to the wilderness is becoming increasingly sought after. We are seeing more people opting for experiences that are good for the soul and not purely for travel consumption. People are also seeking out places where they can disconnect from technology. The idea of disconnecting in order to reconnect has always been a part of Wilderness Safaris' promise to guests – offering space, intact ecosystems and the opportunity to connect with nature, family and friends – and indeed, yourself.

Conscious Travel

There is a rise in responsible travellers who hope to create positive change and give back to both conservation and community empowerment. We have recently introduced our "Living the 4Cs" campaign to entrench our sustainability ethos of Commerce, Community, Culture and Conservation and showcase these projects to our guests in a way that imparts knowledge and hopes to influence positive action.

Family Experiences

Multigenerational travel continues to grow with more families travelling to Africa. Being in a wilderness area, we can truly 'disconnect to reconnect' and enjoy extraordinary areas and experiences together. We have also recently enhanced our Bush Buddy programme for our young guests by launching a new activity-packed interactive children's booklet called "My Wilderness Journey," ensuring the safari experience is not only fun but educational for the entire family.

Experiential travelExperiential travel remains popular with active and adventurous travellers looking for unique experiences that go beyond the game drive vehicle. Experiences that are popular include our hot air ballooning safaris in various regions, as well as walking safaris and sleep-outs. Paul Kao, CEO of Tripverse.com says, "People, especially young people, appreciate and prefer experiential travel, by which I mean having a unique experience rather than just going to the landmarks, experiencing a destination like a local, or seeking a secondary city as a destination." This trend is part of a growing movement of travellers looking to experience travel as authentically as possible.

Cultural destinations

According to Trip Advisor's 2016 trends, "globally, 27% of travellers say they have visited a destination because of the culture and people of the specific country." As globalisation flattens the uniqueness of culture, more travellers to Africa are seeking authentic cultural experiences. Culture plays into every part of our safari experience – from traditional fireside dancing and singing to cultural excursions that give you the opportunity to meet the residents of local communities.

New Technologies

US Sales Manager, Craig Glatthaar also feels that technology trends are also likely to influence the safari business landscape for 2017. "With online booking platforms so key for companies to canvas new buyers, this has led to numerous cross-bookings from, for example, America to the UK. Becoming more 'mobile' has also made the promotion of special offers much more spontaneous, allowing companies to showcase attractive pricing almost immediately which can then lead to strong sales. It is vital for the African safari industry to keep up with the growing trends in technology.

We are also seeing growth opportunities from our non-traditional markets such as Asia, with more discerning and independent travellers interested in experiencing an authentic African safari."

We look forward to seeing what lies ahead for us in 2017... Watch this space.

Source: Travel: What's Trending in 2017

Turkish Airlines adds Zanzibar to its network

in Route Planning & Tourism

Posted 24 October 2016 · Add Comment

Turkish Airlines continues to "Widen Your World" with the addition of its 293rd destination, Zanzibar (Tanzania).

Zanzibar will mark the third gateway location in East Africa offered by Turkish Airlines. Existing services fly  to Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro.

Available from the December 12,, flights to Zanzibar will operate three times per week, flying on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, in either direction.

Source: Turkish Airlines adds Zanzibar to its network

New Air Routes Busting Out All Over Africa

Turkish Airlines 777 with mural of Istanbul on the fuselage. Photo: Chris McGinnis/travelskills.com

Emirates, the world's largest airline by international passengers, could reduce the frequency of flights to Africa or cut them altogether because of African fuel shortages and currency declines, Reuters reported in The National.

The airline, which has 27 African destinations and had planned to link to almost every African market, is suspending flights between Dubai and Nigeria's capital Abuja, and reducing flights to Lagos.

Other international airlines, however, say they're coming to the continent and intra-Africa routes have been announced by local carriers.

Here's a rundown of some recent airline announcements in and around Africa:

Durban and Cape Town International flights

Several international airlines showed an interest in flying to Durban and Cape Town, South Africa, at the recent World Route Development Forum in China, Tourism Update reported. Local governments have been credited with incentivising carriers to fly to South Africa.

Travelers will be able to fly Cape Town-U.S. direct by 2018, said Paul van den Brink, project manager of Cape Town Air Access. Three U.S. carriers are interested in a route to the city.

Durban has also seen interest from international carriers with passenger growth increasing by 16 percent from July 2015 to July 2016.

Durban-London and Durban-Mumbai are the most likely routes, said Hamish Erskine, CEO of Dube TradePort, a special economic zone 30 kilometers north of Durban that is home to the King Shaka International Airport.

Dube TradePort has had discussions with Air India and South African Airways about a Mumbai route, Erskine said in a Tourism Update interview.

Turkey to  Zanzibar, Seychelles, Guinea

Turkish Airlines wants to be No. 1 in the world, and Africa will help it get there, said airline Chairman Ilker Ayci this week at a press conference in Istanbul. "Istanbul will rise and Africa will rise. We will rise together."

Turkish Airlines already flies to 41 destinations in Africa, with three more coming soon. Turkey-Zanzibar is expected to be added at the end of October, Seychelles will be added Dec. 12, and Guinea will be added in 2017, Independent Online reported.

"We will continue to grow in Africa," Ayci said.

Brazil to South Africa

LATAM Airlines, the only Latin American carrier to operate flights between Brazil and Africa, landed its first flight to South Africa  on Sept. 26 at Johannesburg's O. R. Tambo International Airport, Travel Daily News reported.

"This flight marks the first new international service outside of Latin America since the launch of the LATAM brand in April, which will connect two regions that have much to offer to tourists and business travelers," said Claudia Sender, president of LATAM Airlines Brazil.

LATAM expects to fly more than 50,000 passengers per year on the São Paulo-Johannesburg-São Paulo route. Connections will be available to destinations throughout South America including Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires and other Brazilian cities.

Swaziland to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Dubai, Mumbai

African start-up Swazi Airways plans to begin operations in November with initial routes to Durban, Cape Town and Harare from Manzini King Mswati III International airport, Flight Global reported.

The airline will be based at King Mswati III and will operate its first routes with regional, 50-seater aircraft, said Sabelo Dlamini, the airport's marketing and corporate affairs director, at the World Routes conference in Chengdu.

The airline plans to start flights to Dubai and Mumbai with larger jets at a later date.

Airlines operating at the airport include Airlink, which flies to Johannesburg, and cargo carrier Aghaleouko, which operates flights between Kenya, Swaziland and Namibia, Dlamini said.

Sign up for the AFKInsider newsletter — the most compelling business news you need to know from Africa and the African diaspora, delivered straight to your inbox.

Source: New Air Routes Busting Out All Over Africa

Airline improving connectivity in Africa

"We will be going to Conakry, Bamako and Dakar to improve connectivity within Africa," said RwandAir CEO, Mr. John Mirenge, last evening at the launch party hosted by his airline in Abidjan on the Ivory Coast, as he greeted invited guests to a fun-filled evening.

The CEO also mentioned other destinations which will be added in due course, when a second Airbus A330-300 arrives in Kigali next month. The delivery of another Boeing B737-800NG in November and one more in Q2 of 2017 will further strengthen the airline's ability to offer additional flights across Africa and uplift traffic into its East and Southern African network via Kigali and also on to Dubai and Mumbai.

Guests from the Ivory Coast government, civil aviation, diplomatic corps, business community, travel agents, and corporate clients joined invited guests who came with the launch flight and had plenty of networking opportunities before the show went on the road with the launch party being officially kicked off to the sound of Rwandan drums and the performance of traditional dancers who traveled from Rwanda across the continent to Abidjan.

This was the second inaugural flight by RwandAir in a month, as just weeks ago the airline also launched Cotonou, bringing the number of West African destination to seven as of today and serving Brazzaville, Libreville, Cotonou, Douala, Lagos, Accra, and Abidjan.

Source: Airline improving connectivity in Africa

Happy travellers spend more - study

Fri, 21 Oct 2016 11:39 AM Credit: micro10x / shutterstock.com    

The better your travel experience at a destination, the more likely you'll end up emptying your pocketbook.

That's the conclusion of a new JD Power report which makes a connection between travel experiences and tourist spending.

And the destination where visitors are particularly happy with their experience and carefree with their money? Perhaps not surprisingly, that city is Las Vegas, the gaming capital of the US.

For the 2016 Destination Experience Satisfaction Study, analysts measured overall visitor satisfaction to the top 50 US destinations based on six factors - activities, cost and fees, food and beverage, infrastructure, lodging and arrival.

Satisfaction rates were then measured against traveller spending.

Sin City earned the highest score on the index at 827, with tourists giving high marks for arrival conditions, lodging, infrastructure, cost and fees.

On average, analysts found that visitors spend $1,169 on a trip, or $301 a day.

But when visitors are particularly smitten by their travel destination (an overall satisfaction score of 10 out of 10) spending was seen to rise 24 percent to $1,446 per trip. 

The inverse was also true, with disappointed travellers less inspired to part with their money. 

After Las Vegas, the highest-scoring cities include Austin, Texas; Orlando, Florida; New York and Columbus, Ohio the last known more for being a college and football town than a traditional travel destination.

AFP-Relaxnews

Source: Happy travellers spend more - study

Xasa: SA open for business

Cape Town - South Africa as a repeat destination for American travellers is a key source market, not only for leisure travel but as a source of leading business events and conferences, says the National Department of Tourism.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Tokozile Xasa is attending IMEX America 2016, a leading platform for conducting business on an international scale, taking place in Las Vegas - in order to showcase South Africa's world-class attractions, infrastructure and affordable venue and accommodation costs.

According to the minister, South Africa remains open to doing business.  

"South Africa is an exceptionally capable, infrastructure-rich, experienced, cost effective, welcoming and globally competitive business event destination.  

"Our participation demonstrates that South Africa remains open for business and that we are determined to increase our business events arrivals and to put the business events sector to work to create jobs and contribute substantially to economic growth."    

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Tokozile Xasa with Chairman of IMEX, Ray Bloom Source: (Department of Tourism)

Moreover, the Deputy Minister will utilise the opportunity to engage with trade in New York and Washington to supplement SA as a destination of choice and also, to leverage economic growth.  

What to read next on Traveller24?

- Wild Coast: A complete guide to Port St Johns

- Controversial Wild Coast Toll Road: Environment will be first priority - SANRAL

- WATCH: To infinity and beyond! Humans go to Mars

Source: Xasa: SA open for business

Flying African airlines: Colonial travels and travails

By Takura Zhangazha

Travelling by airplane across borders on the African continent is an interesting experience.  It is always an encounter with what we have always been politicized with as Pan Africanism, even if it is no longer as ideological or identity driven. 

Takura Zhangazha

Especially if it's that typical flight that leaves one capital for another before it arrives at a major air transport hub such as Addis Ababa, Johannesburg or Nairobi.  And I will confess to a feeling of pride every time I hear pilots announce an approach to OR Tambo or Jomo Kenyatta international airports.

Sometimes, circumstances such as airline inefficiency or bad weather prolong the encounter with fellow African travelers.  These delays, postponements or cancellations make being an African in transit in an African country the more interesting.

Travelers are compelled to talk to each other.  Be it  about final destinations, professional interests, family or  complaining about the landing or the take-off. Or even to try and find alternative routes, solutions or make the culprit airline pay by threatening to sue them or how such a thing would never happen in a persons country of origin.

Their reasons for being on a flight will however differ in interesting ways.  A couple of decades back, flying was perceived by many an Africa as a status symbol.  By way of class, prestige or seeking to be as 'modern' as our human colleagues in the Global North.

These days, and probably into the future, being a frequent flyer is no longer seen as evidence of sophistry let alone as a sign of wealth.  Not only because there are more airline companies that are (exorbitantly for now) seeking out the African market but because of that oxymoronic term 'globalisation'.

This is not to say that flying is affordable let alone availed for a majority of Africans.  Far from it.  But it is increasingly something that more and more Africans across class and social status can claim to know at least one of their close family members has experienced at least once.

As Africans, we fly across our national borders mainly for business and trade.  And this is not only for corporate business.  Any flight you take and if you are in economy class, the majority of Africans on board will be doing so to go to either South Africa,  China or Dubai to transact in buying goods (clothing, cloned technological gadgets, cars)  to sell back home.

Other African passengers are also Diasporans going back to former colonial capitals where they have 'made it'.  In tandem with their children who have citizenship of the countries of destination, these Diasporans save a lot of money to make these travel and travail arrangements.

Hence their trips are not always frequent but when they do happen, they help demystify flying significantly.  If its not them travelling it is their relatives (parents/brothers/sisters/aunts) who are paying them a long planned (and expensive) visit.

And our African airlines know this.  Hence their priority has never been inter-Africa flight for its own sake.  It is always the more lucrative cross continental flight that they prioritise in a manner that not only reinforces the Global North as the 'promised land' but also undermines the pursuit of positioning African lives as normal.

It is an astounding reality that African passengers in Africa are not necessarily treated with as much respect as African travelers travelling to the global North or even the far east.  The courtesy and professionalism of airlines and their staff is markedly different between a trip to Abuja and a trip to London.

The derision with which airlines treat a threat to sue after a delayed flight between two African destinations and the seriousness they imbue a similar threat for a flight in for example North America  is not only sad but dehumanizing  to the African traveler.

Africans want to fly. The only problem that because of the complicity of the airlines, flying is still considered the exception rather than the rule.  That is why it remains so expensive and why airlines (state owned/commercialized or private) tend to treat the African flyer as second class passengers.

The more professional flights are those to the global north.  Not those between African countries.  It is a throwback to colonial times that a flight from Harare to Lusaka can be casually delayed and passengers forced to stay overnight without due explanation and diligence.  That would not happen on a flight from Berlin to Paris with such nonchalance.

*Takura Zhangazha writes here in his personal capacity (takura-zhangazha.blogspot.com)

Source: Flying African airlines: Colonial travels and travails

What is Asia's leading travel destination?

Tue, 18 Oct 2016 7:28 AM Lazy days on Langkawi, Malaysia.    

Queenstown, New Zealand and Malaysia emerged the big winners at the World Travel Awards Asia and Australasia over the weekend, after being crowned the leading destinations in their respective regions.

Industry leaders gathered at the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort in Vietnam to recognize the best in Asian travel over the weekend.

Award winners are voted upon by major players in travel and tourism including senior executives, travel buyers, tour operators, agents as well as the general public.

In the category of airlines, Chinese carrier Hainan took the coveted title of Asia's leading airline, while Air New Zealand trumped Qantas and Virgin Australia to take the same title for Australasia.

Malaysia was named Asia's leading destination over Macau, Singapore and Thailand, while the waterfront city and mountain scenery of Queenstown, New Zealand helped it nab the title of leading destination for Australasia.

The winners of the regional awards will go on to qualify for the World Travel Awards grand finale, which takes place December 2 in the Maldives.

Here are a few of the major winners:

Asia Asia's leading beach destination: PhilippinesLeading boutique hotel: The Sarojin, ThailandLeading city break destination: Hong KongLeading hotel brand: InterContinental Hotels & ResortsLeading luxury hotel: The Peninsula Hong KongLeading hotel: The Oberoi Udaivilas, IndiaLeading new resort: Studio City MacauLeading resort: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, Indonesia 

AustralasiaLeading hotel: The Hotel Windsor, Melbourne, AustraliaLeading resort: Pacific Resort Aitutaki, Cook IslandsLeading romantic resort: The Remote Resort, Fiji IslandsLeading boutique hotel: Gaia Retreat & Spa, Australia

AFP

Source: What is Asia's leading travel destination?

Djibouti Attractiveness As Military Base For Global Powers In Africa Grows

Chinese army in Africa (Image: activistpost.com)

Djibouti, the tiny African nation near the Gulf of Eden, is fast becoming an attractive destination for the global military powers.

The eastern African nation hosts the biggest America naval base in Africa, Camp Lemonnier which is the hub of America's counter-terrorism war in the horn of Africa and the Middle East. It has about 3,200 U.S troops.

France has the second biggest foreign military camp in the nation. It is the European's military power largest military base outside the nation, with about 1,900 troops.

China, the world's third-biggest military super-power, is also building its first ever base in  the horn of Africa country. China's camp will be home to Special Forces, store weapons and ship and helicopter maintenance facilities. The base is being built on a 90-acre plot.

The Chinese plan brings to five the number of military powers with camps in Djibouti alongside the U.S, Japan and France. Saudi Arabia is also plans to establish its base in the nation, Sputnik reported.

Djibouti has an area of 23,000 square kilometers and no natural resources to attract the globe's economic powers but its Gulf of Aden-Suez Canal is a key route in the global economy.

About 20,000 ships and 20 percent of the global exports pass through the route. About 10 percent of the ships are Japanese.

China's trade with the European Union worth about $1 billion annually mainly depends on the sea route for transport.

The two Asian giants have set up bases in efforts to secure area which is crucial in their global interests as they battle for both economic and military supremacy over each other, Sputnik reported.

Scramble for Africa

Djibouti's location is in close proximity to some of the most restive regions in the world. The nation neighbors Somalia, which is home to Al-Shabaab, one of Al-Qaeda's foreign cells and Yemen, which collapsed into a civil war last year.

The U.S. has in the past launched drone attacks in Yemen and against Islamist groups in Mali, Libya and Central Africa Republic from the base.

France has conducted major military operations in Ivory Coast and Democratic Republic of Congo from the Djibouti base, The National Interest reported.

The Special Operations Command, America's military wing that conducts the most sensitive counterterrorism operations globally is based here.

After the Benghazi attack where the U.S ambassador to Libya was killed, the nation set up a 150-member rapid response unit team to handle future threats facing the US diplomats abroad.

The Gulf of Aden Suez-Canal, handling at least 20 percent of the global exports faces piracy as one of its major security concerns. The Strait of Bab el-Mandab is one of the world's most important shipping points for oil transits.

The nation provides a convenient base for the global economic powers to conduct attacks against pirates in the Indian Ocean waters, spending a total of $1.4 billion in the fight last year, according to data by Oceans Beyond Piracy.

The German, Italy and Spanish militaries joined France in Djibouti when piracy started threatening the shipping industry. Djibouti's stability is strategic in the anti-pirates war.

Two of Asia's biggest economies, Japan and China, are locked in a fierce battle for influence in Africa for the continent's rich mineral resources.

China's establishment of military base in Djibouti and plans by Japan to increase its camp are at the heart of the two Asian giants' battle for economic and military supremacy, both at home and globally.

Growing influence

Japan is expanding its base as part of efforts to counter China's growing influence in the region. The Japan Self Defense Force has a contingent of 180 troops, next to the U.S camp.

The Chinese government, reacting to the expansion plans by Japan urged for a peaceful development path by its neighbor, Reuters reported.

China committed $60 billion to the continent last year, while Japan pledged $30 billion in public and private support of the continent.

Xi Jinping, the Chinese president's ambitious 'One Belt, One Road' initiative to establish greater economic and political footprint across the globe made the establishment of a base in Djibouti a key part of the campaign, The Diplomat reported.

Saudi Arabia has led the attacks against rebels in neighboring Yemen since civil war began last year.

Its decision to set up a camp in Djibouti is likely to aid the war against the rebels and help protect Saudi communities bordering the poorest nation in Middle East from the militants.

The civil war in Yemen presents a big security concern to Saudi Arabia, who must decisively act to prevent mushrooming of Al-Qaeda factions or other Islamist militants next-door.

Djibouti's attractiveness to the world's powers faces better fortunes as Russia, the second biggest military power in the world and India, a rising powerhouse, both economically and militarily are interested in setting bases in the nation, The Economist reported.

The tiny Eastern African nation is also reaping big economically from the presence of the world's superpowers. The U.S pays an annual rent of $60 million while China will pay $20 million.

Sign up for the AFKInsider newsletter — the most compelling business news you need to know from Africa and the African diaspora, delivered straight to your inbox.

Source: Djibouti Attractiveness As Military Base For Global Powers In Africa Grows

African Energy Resources Guernsey : Investor Presentation

Developing Multiple Power Projects in southern Africa; Company Update

October 2016

AFR: Company overview

AFR is participating in the development of three large-scale power projects in Botswana

African Energy has built a portfolio comprising over 8.5 billion tonnes of thermal coal* in three projects in Botswana, the safest and most stable investment destination in Africa

All three projects are being developed as 300- 600MW fully integrated power projects to supply the chronically power starved SADC region

All three projects are to be funded to investment decision point by development partners,

minimal cash required from AFR

Sese JV: managed by First Quantum Minerals Ltd, targeting power sales to Zambia

Mmamabula West: Term sheet executed with a South African developer to enter into a Joint Venture Agreement to rapidly progress a 600MW power project for South Africa

Mmamantswe: Agreement to sell project to South African developer (TM Consulting) for US

$20M at financial close

* Refer to Appendix 1 Resource Statement

2

Corporate summary

Directors and Senior Management

Alasdair Cooke Executive Chairman, >25 years experience in project development, mining and resource sector

Frazer Tabeart Managing Director, >25 years experience in international exploration and development projects,

Bill Fry Executive Director, >25 years experience in finance, funds management and commercial management

Valentine Chitalu Non-executive Director, >25 years experience in finance and funds management, based in Zambia

Phil Clark Non-executive Director, >35 years experience in international coal industry, largely with BHP Billiton

Wayne Trumble Non-executive Director, >35 years experience in power generation and financing, including Bluewaters (WA)

Ian Hume Non-executive Director, >35 years experience in international finance, one of the founders of Sentient Group

John Dean Non-executive Director, Commercial Manager at First Quantum's Sentinel copper operation in Zambia

David Walton Project Manager, >30 years experience with power development, generation and power sales/marketing

Daniel Davis Company Secretary and Financial Accountant, >12 years experience in accounting and resource sector

ASX Code AFR Shares on issue 608 million Market Cap (@ $0.04) AUD $24M Cash (30 Sept 2016) AUD $5.0M Debt Nil

Major Shareholders

The Sentient Group 23% First Quantum Minerals 11% Management 10% Top 20 62%

3

Regional power demand - strong growth forecast

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has highest forecast population growth globally

Forecast growth in power demand is linked to population growth and rising living standards

Population is forecast to double between 2010 to 2050, with energy consumption forecast to double in same period

This is driving large procurement programs e.g. South Africa's Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)

Source; Department of Energy, South Africa, 2016

4

African Energy Resources Limited published this content on 12 October 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 16 October 2016 10:08:03 UTC.

Source: African Energy Resources Guernsey : Investor Presentation

Sneakerheads Weigh In On South Africa’s Sneaker Scene

"What's it like to be a sneakerhead in South Africa?"

It goes without saying, the mania surrounding sneakers like YEEZYs and NMDs stretches far beyond streetwear capitals like London and New York, but aside from that, what trends and fads characterize a place like South Africa, and which stores are local sneakerheads relying on to stay laced up?

These were the questions on our mind as we reached out to local collectors and heads Hakim Malema, Hayden Manuel and Mkay Frash. As you might have guessed, most of the country's sneaker culture exists between the coastal city of Cape Town and further north in Johannesburg, the two biggest metropolises.

Check out what they had to say below, and don't miss additional sneaker insight articles on Japan, Poland and Denmark.

In your own words, what makes South African sneaker culture unique?

Hakim Malema: I like that there are people who collect different types of sneakers for their own reasons. Sneakers are like music, everyone has their own preferences. There are the big bubble fiends, the guys who hunt classics, the Nike heads, and the YEEZY kids who end up having to cop NMDs and other Boost products because the YEEZY raffles in South Africa are rigged. It's about personal taste.

Hayden Manuel: I think what makes us unique is the fact that South Africa is one of those first world places that is still developing at the same time. We get all the knowledge as it comes out, we have the funds to cop, but due to outside perceptions of our country, products don't come our way as much as they should. This being said, a lot of what we do is still DIY, mixed with our African flair, so it's a combination that you'll never find anywhere else.

Mkay Frash: The sneaker scene in South Africa is still defining itsself, the sneaker lines are getting crazier and crazier. Kids were fighting during the Air Jordan  1 "Banned" drop.

Shelf Life, Johannesburg

Shelf Life, Johannesburg

Previous Next Where do you buy your sneakers?

Hakim: I shop wherever the heat is, Shelf Life has a good selection. I also hit the outlet in Woodmeed cause I'm a Nike head. Random sports stores often have old Air Max models for really cheap, like I got a pair of 180s and 93s for under 1000 ZAR (approx. $68 USD) which is ridiculous. Travelling is the next best, I got a few heaters on my last Euro trip, all gold Vans Sk8-His are in the mix.

Hayden: After years and years of paying my dues by hunting sneakers from mom and pop stores around the city, weekly trips to the outlets, trawling eBay, and working at stores, I've built up my sneaker situation to the point where most brands just send me whatever I want for free. We get about 80% of all the big releases out here, so even if I get a pair for free, I'll still get another pair because I believe real heads cop.

Spots like Baseline Studio, Lost Property and Shelf Life are the stores I cop from.

Mkay: I buy my kicks everywhere around Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria, you'd be surprised what you get from these small towns. I was in the Eastern Cape a couple months back, and I found these crazy deadstock Vans Half Cabs, they still have the old Vans logo and they were made in America. I also don't mind buying from the mall in stores like Sportsscene, Cross Trainer, Tekkie Town or The Factory store or destination stores like Shelf Life, A-Store and Baseline Studio. I also buy online, sites like Superberlist. I would go as far as Flight Club to get the joints that I really want, and I have friends around the world that are able to get me kicks that I can't find in South Africa. But my favorite is hunting for sneakers, shop to shop, physically trying them on and meeting the cats that work in the store.

Mkay Frash Do many South African sneakerheads shop online?

Hakim: They do, but I think people are deterred from buying online cause sometimes the package mysteriously doesn't get to its destination.

Hayden: Yes. Modern sneaker culture and the internet are closely interwoven and that is no different in South Africa. Like I said earlier, we get around 80% of major drops here but that doesn't stop us from getting the other 20%. The younger generation of South Africans have embraced the internet in all its forms, as we realise that it has the keys we need and that includes e-commerce.

Mkay: I do buy online but there isn't enough shops online in South Africa, mostly the online buying is done by the resellers. but we're seeing the emerging of online shops like Superbalist and Shelf Life online, and you can order on NikeiD in Africa, but it still needs more time.

Johannesburg How is a sneakerhead defined in South Africa?

Hakim: These days, any rich kid with five pairs of YEEZYs or a random cat with a pair of shelltoes could call themselves a sneakerhead. It's a bit like hip hop. You got the older guys in the game, people who have been collecting for over 10 -15 years, then there is the millennial crowd on Highsnobiety and all these other blogs, so I think there's a lot of ambiguity. I personally love Nike Air Max and I enjoy that athletic history of the shoe, combined with the futuristic materials. Performance vibes with cool technology and design.

Hayden: Honestly speaking, it's a term that is used very loosely in South Africa in 2016. Currently, sneakers are super popular in South Africa, so every Tom, Dick and Harry calls themselves a sneakerhead. You'll see somebody who was still wearing Ed Hardy in 2012 posting a pic of general release Huaraches with choked laces using #sneakerhead in the caption.

Personally, I try and stay away from all that and just pull through with rare gems. To me it's more about making people go "I've never seen those before" than being seen as sneakerhead by others.

Mkay: Sneaker culture is pretty commercial these days. Big brands are starting to work with sneakerheads, media is creating more content around sneaker culture, there is even a show on national South African TV that talks to sneakerheads around the country, even though it has been an underground culture for a while, I still think we are in the beginning stages of the culture.

Lost Property, Cape Town

Lost Property, Cape Town

Previous Next What are the most popular brands/models?

Hakim: I think it's all down to preference. There are Nike heads, but the Boost kids are also on the rise. Actually adidas have done a lot in South Africa over the last few years with all the collaborations and new silhouettes like the NMDs. I also like that adidas is working with local scenes, creating content relevant to South Africa rather than applying a global approach. PUMA and New Balance also have a pretty firm following. I think in general, people like heat, if you come with fresh Onitsuka Tigers or a Diadoras and dress it well, it's a vibe.

Hayden: Generally, it's pretty much the same as the rest of world. Nike reigns supreme and adidas is on a big wave but if you go deeper you'll find niche groups that are into specific type of kicks. In Cape Town you'll find late '90s obscure Air Tuned models are highly sought after, as well as '90s basketball joints like Uptempos. Early 2000s are gold, I think the Nike Vince Carter II is the most desired shoe in my city.

Mkay: The number one sneaker brand must be Nike, and the most popular shoes would be from the Air Max and Jordan Retro franchise. Second is adidas with the YEEZY and NMD lines, and third would be PUMA, which is most popular because of the collaborations that they been doing with brands like BAPE and Stampd.

Hayden Manuel

Hayden Manuel

Hayden Manuel

Hayden Manuel

Previous Next Is there a big running community in South Africa?

Hakim: I'd say there is, especially with the rise of fitness culture, people wanting to look fit for the 'gram and all that, so running has played a pretty decent part in that. There are different running clubs popping up. It could get stronger though. Currently brands are facilitating the movement, and I think more individual groups need to start mobilising. Health is a major key.

Hayden: Massive. It's a big thing across all ages and running is seeing a big surge in popularity amongst the youth, with the whole health goth and sport-luxe thing. Groups like the The Nine Four are a perfect example of integrating street culture with running. I'm a fat boy, though.

Mkay: Running was bigger in 2012, I think it lost some of the cool factor, but you still see brands like Nike and adidas hosting run clubs.

Hakim Malema What about skateboarding?

Hakim: I think the skate scene is there but it exists in pockets around the big cities. But kids do skate quite a lot.

Hayden: Yes, it is quite big especially in traditional surfing cities like Cape Town. Johannesburg has seen a surge in the culture over the last ten years with crews like Soweto Skate Society leading the charge amongst the township kids.

Mkay: The skate scene quite big, but moreso in Cape Town, and you can see the influence on fashion and streetwearwear. Local skate brands like Familia and skate stores like Baseline are popping up.

What is the reselling culture like?

Hakim: Cheese boys selling us over-priced, over-hyped drops.

Hayden: It's quite big but 90% of these resellers are just rich kids with mom's credit card looking to make a quick buck, so I don't mess with them. There are some cool dudes that are from the culture that also resell. Fortunately, I find myself in a position to never have to deal with them.

Mkay: The reselling culture is growing, shouts out to kids like Lost Property and La Familia, those are the resellers that have made a business out of reselling sneakers, but i don't think consumers are ready to spend a lot buying from a reseller. But with time they will understand the value of the reselling business.

Cape Town Lastly, what is your all-time sneaker grail?

Hakim: I can't choose, either the Nike Air Max 94 OG Blue, the NikeLab x ACRONYM x Prestos, fragment x Nike Sock Dart, or the Nike Footscape Magista.

Hayden: Easily the Air Force 1 Fukijama "Entourage".

Mkay: My all time favorite sneakers would be the Supreme x Nike Foamposite and the Air Jordan 11 "Space Jam".

Photography: Andile Buka / Highsnobiety.com

Photography: Paul Ward / Highsnobiety.com

Read Full Article

Source: Sneakerheads Weigh In On South Africa's Sneaker Scene

Egypt ranked 6th most dangerous travel destination in WEF report

Egypt ranks sixth from bottom on a list of 141 countries in terms of travel safety and security, according a new report published by the World Economic Forum.

The Global Travel and Tourism Report 2015 assesses nations on their suitability as travel desinations and the strength of their tourism industry, based on a number of criteria, including safety and security, ICT readiness, health and hygiene, and business environment.

The report didn't go into detail on how it determined the level of safety in each nation, but it did provide overall rankings for the most and least dangerous places to visit on holiday.

Egypt was sixth from bottom overall in the safety rankings, and second from bottom after Yemen, which has been in the grip of a civil war since the Arab Spring in 2011. Meanwhile, Lebanon has been assessed as safer than Egypt by six places in the global ranking.

Egypt's position may have been improved somewhat if Syria, Ukraine, Libya, Iraq and Sudan had been on the list. However, these and several other war-torn nations were not included, due in large part to the ongoing conflicts raging there and the difficulty of obtaining reliable data.

The second safest country in the world, according to the report, is Qatar, followed immediately by UAE, which ranked third. Generally speaking, European countries ranked pretty high on the list, with Finland taking the top spot in terms of safety. Overall, nations from Africa, Asia and the Middle East ranked lower down.

The poor performance of Egypt and other nations in the Middle East and North Africa is perhaps not surprising considering the political and security turmoil across the region since 2011. Civil wars, uprisings, terrorist groups and proxy armies have brought havoc and bloodshed to the region, causing an massive downturn in tourism numbers.

Egypt's own tourism industry has been seriously dented by the Arab Spring and the resulting turmoil, combined with an Islamis insurgency in Sinai and several tourism-related tragedies.

In October 2015, a Russian passenger jet crashed in Sinai, killing 224 passengers and crew. In March this year, an EgyptAir flight crashed in the Mediterranean Sea, with the loss of 66 lives.

Confidence in Egypt as a safe tourism destination was also dented by the accidental killing of eight Mexican tourists in September 2015. The tourists were killed in a raid by Egypian military units hunting terrorists in the Western Desert.

More recently, the Egyptian government was fuming last Friday when the US Embassy in Cairo issued a general travel warning for Egypt, warning US citizens against visiting public places over the October 6 holiday period. The US Embassy did not give any specific reasons for its warning, which the Egyptian government said would further damage Egypt's reputation as a safe tourism destination.

Several news outlets have published maps showing the relative security of various nations based on the World Economic Forum report, including the Independent newspaper's Indy100 website, which produced the graphic below.

A graphic from Indy100 showing the relative safety of several nations mentioned in the World Economic Forum report. The countries clo ser to red are ranked more dangerous for travel. Nations excluded from the data are left blank.

Source: Egypt ranked 6th most dangerous travel destination in WEF report