Wednesday, November 27African Digital Business Magazine

Africa Travel

Tourism in Africa, Africa Travel

Egypt and the Big 5 Dominate Hotel Development in Africa
Africa Travel, Business, Egypt News

Egypt and the Big 5 Dominate Hotel Development in Africa

When it comes to hotel development across Africa in 2024, just five words tell the story, “Egypt and the Big 5”. In this context, “the Big 5” does not refer to Africa’s major wildlife attractions, (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo) but to the global hotel chains – Accor, Hilton, IHG, Marriott International and Radisson Hotel Group. This year’s African Hotel Chain Development Pipeline report, widely acknowledged as the industry’s most authoritative source, documenting and analysing the number of hotels being planned and built across the continent, reports a market share of 28% for Egypt and 71% for the Big 5 global chains. The survey, conducted by Lagos-based W Hospitality Group, in association with the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF), is based on responses from 4...
Five Reasons Morocco Should Be Top Of Your Travel Bucket List
Africa Travel, Morocco News

Five Reasons Morocco Should Be Top Of Your Travel Bucket List

Morocco is fast becoming a sought-after destination on the continent. This diverse country, with its blend of ancient traditions and modern allure, offers travellers distinct experiences in its major cities, making it immensely popular. From diverse landscapes and desert adventures to vibrant souks, hammams and historical sights, Morocco has it all. While reaching this North African gem from South Africa can be a bit tricky, Air France provides the quickest, most convenient, and one of the most affordable routes with a brief stop in Paris. As Morocco gains popularity among tourists, the airline highlights five reasons why it should be a top choice for any traveller’s bucket list. Unique Charm of Major Towns Morocco is a melting pot of African, Berber, Arab, and French influences, crea...
France number one destination for SA travellers wanting snow holidays
Africa Travel, South Africa News

France number one destination for SA travellers wanting snow holidays

From November to April each year, travellers from South African embrace the evolving trends in Alpine destinations, transforming the once-elusive snow holiday into an immersive experience for adventure seekers and winter enthusiasts. With this in mind, pioneers in all-inclusive holidays and leaders in worldwide snow holidays, Club Med Southern Africa have just released their South African Ski Report for the 2023/2024 season. The report was compiled following a comprehensive survey capturing insights to discern key trends in South Africa's snow holiday preferences, expectations, and booking profiles. The geographical distribution of respondents revealed that 45% were from Gauteng, 30.7% from the Western Cape, 14.3% from KwaZulu Natal, and 10% from other regions. The skier profile highlig...
All Rixos Egypt Properties Received Booking.com Traveller Review Awards 2024
Africa Travel, Egypt News

All Rixos Egypt Properties Received Booking.com Traveller Review Awards 2024

Rixos Hotels Egypt is delighted to receive the esteemed Traveller Review Awards 2024 by Booking.com for its multiple properties such as Rixos Premium Seagate, Rixos Sharm El Sheikh, Rixos Golf Villas & Suites Sharm El Sheikh, Rixos Alamein, and Rixos Premium Magawish Suites & Villas. This recognition celebrates Rixos Hotels Egypt's unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled service and exceptional guest experiences. Mr. Erkan Yildirim, the Managing Director of Rixos Hotels Egypt, expressed his gratitude and delight, stating, "We're thrilled to receive Booking.com Traveller Review Awards for our multiple properties in Egypt. My sincerest thanks to the dedicated Rixos Hotels Egypt team for their relentless commitment to exceptional service, and we also extend our gratitude t...
Africa Travel, Business

Traversing International Relocations: The Role of Cultural Intelligence

As the Managing Director of Crown Relocations South Africa, a leading force in international relocation, Ian Pettey has witnessed firsthand the challenges and triumphs that come with moving families across borders. International relocations represent not just a change in geography but a profound shift in culture, lifestyle, and identity. In this era of globalisation, where mobility is increasingly common, the ability to navigate cultural differences with sensitivity and understanding has become more crucial than ever. At the heart of successful international relocations lies a concept known as cultural intelligence (CQ). Cultural intelligence goes beyond mere awareness of cultural differences; it encompasses the ability to adapt and thrive in diverse cultural settings. In the context of i...
Unlocking Africa’s travel tech potential within the $13tn global travel industry
Africa Travel

Unlocking Africa’s travel tech potential within the $13tn global travel industry

Written by Adam Aziz, Analyst at DAI Magister In 2019, tourism was a global powerhouse, accounting for 10% of GDP, or roughly $9 trillion. After weathering the pandemic storm, we expect 2023 figures to show a full recovery to pre-COVID levels, in line with data from leading travel platforms and the World Bank. But the story doesn’t end there. A transformative shift is underway, fuelled by evolving consumer preferences and habits, which could push tourism spending even higher to $13 trillion by 2030. Amidst this dynamic landscape, the travel tech sector is witnessing noteworthy developments. Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) are still capitalising on the shift from traditional to digital platforms, gaining a greater share of the travel and tourism market. In more developed markets, OTAs are in...
Club Med accelerates its digital transformation by focusing on generative artificial intelligence
Africa Travel, Tech

Club Med accelerates its digital transformation by focusing on generative artificial intelligence

Club Med, a pioneer of premium all-inclusive vacations, has launched a new stage in its digital transformation with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). This forms part of one of its strategic pillars: "Happy Digital", which aims to enhance their customer experience and employees’ working time through the smart use of technology. In 2022, Club Med created its own Data Factory, a platform for data management. Since March 2023, Club Med has implemented a generative AI strategy (AI that uses existing content for learning purpose to generate new content - texts, sounds, images and more) to continue enriching the customer experience and free up the time of its teams to focus on value-driven tasks. "Generative artificial intelligence (AI), powered by a substantial collection of dat...
Africa Travel

Business Tourism in Africa as a Key Driver of Economic Growth

Africa, known for its breath-taking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and diverse wildlife, has long been a sought-after destination for leisure travellers. However, in recent years, a growing trend has emerged, demonstrating that business tourism in Africa is making significant contributions to the continent's overall tourism GDP. In fact, tourism – both business and leisure – showed a sizable surge of 78.2% in the first half of 2023 on arrivals to South Africa when compared to the same period in 2022[1] with the latest reports showing that business spending represents a share of 43% of overall tourism contributions.[2] “This development reflects the increasing recognition of Africa's potential as a hub for international conferences, conventions, and corporate events. This remarkable ...
Club Med Tinley – first Club Med resort in South Africa, representing an investment of over R2 billion
Africa Travel, South Africa News

Club Med Tinley – first Club Med resort in South Africa, representing an investment of over R2 billion

The hospitality landscape in South Africa is about to be redefined with the upcoming launch of Club Med Tinley, the first Club Med resort in the country, with a distinctive combination of beach and safari experiences. This ground-breaking development is a result of a collaborative partnership between the esteemed operators, Club Med, and the Collins Residential Consortium, developers of Club Med Tinley. As the first of its kind in the country, this all-inclusive resort is poised to make contributions to the region, ushering in opportunities for job creation and sustainable growth. All-inclusive hospitality with Club Med Tinley Club Med Tinley represents a great step forward in the hospitality industry, serving as one of the larger hospitality projects in South Africa. It is anticipated ...
ENVI Lodges to Make Africa Debut with Luxury Ecolodge in Zanzibar
Africa Travel, Zanzibar

ENVI Lodges to Make Africa Debut with Luxury Ecolodge in Zanzibar

ENVI Lodges, a renowned luxury ecolodge brand and management company, has achieved a significant milestone in its expansion strategy by recently finalizing a management agreement for its inaugural property in the African continent - an exquisite and eco-friendly beachfront lodge situated in the captivating region of Paje, located in the breathtaking island of Zanzibar. Offering an immersive barefoot luxury experience on a serene and captivating island, ENVI Paje will encompass 25 low-impact villas with private pools, all nestled between lush palm vegetation and the shores of a pristine beach. A specialty restaurant, lounge, communal deck and infinity pool will be located in the centre, providing a gathering place for like-minded guests. Expected to open in December 2024, ENVI’s debut A...