Winter 2016 by Black Business News Group

Winter 2011 USD$5.00

Black Business News

Serving the Africa Traveler Community

Travel africa

Welcoming Committee Premiere Issue

Contents

Tourism Investment Rising African Renaissance Marketing Africa South Africa Holiday Travel Industry News 7 Travel Africa 18 Golf Africa 44

page 29 page 30 page 40 page 24

In This Issue…

News 7 Travel Industry News 22 Zambia, 2011 Hot Destination 35 Pharaoh Khufu’s Boat Being Restored

Stories 24 My South Africa Holiday Duane Darden Mills

30 Senegal’s African Renaissance

18 Travel Africa

32 God’s Greatest Mountain

44 Golf Africa

39 ATA’s 36th Annual Conference - Senegal 40 Tools for Marketing Africa

Travelogue 17 Africa Wannados

37 My Travel Crew 53 Tours, Missions and More...

LifeStyle 57 Good Reads Alex Wek tells her story of moving from refugee status to international renown 54 African Cuisine

TravelBiz 29 Tourism Investments on the Rise

3 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

Black Business News/ Winter 2011

Travel

Earl “Skip” Cooper, II - Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Black Business News Group La Sandra Stratton - Associate Editor Narishima Osei - Production Manager Sarah Harris, Phallu Morgan - Graphics La Sandra Stratton - Content Administrator Lion Communications - Layout/Typesetting Black Business News Group P.O. Box 43159 Los Angeles, CA USA 90043 1-323-291-9334 traveleditor@blackbusinessnews.net www.blackbusinessnews.net View the publication at: http://free.yudu.com (search: black business news)

Special Contributor Duane Darden Mills South Africa Journey page 24

africa

From the Publisher... Earl “Skip” Cooper, II Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Black Business News Group

he Black Business News Group has expanded our publication family to include this new edition - Black Business News Travel Africa. It is our hope that Travel Africa will initiate, facilitate, invigorate, instigate and open the gate for more and more people to comfortably see the nations of the African continent as both tourist and business travel destinations. This Premier Issue features two sections that we hope will be informative and fun - Travel Africa lists up to three tourism destinations in each nation on the continent while Golf Africa lists just some of the golf courses across the continent. These two lists are our attempt to broaded the spectrum of travel considerations. In future issues we will increase our coming events notices, continue to highlight resorts and attractions, and bring you travel news that relates to Travel Africa. We invite you to send in your suggestions for topics, send a story on a special visit to the continent (with photos and captions) for us to print, or send a recipe(s) for some exciting cuisine that we may share with the world. We even welcome your critiques - they will help us grow. Tourism, personal and business, is big business, very big business. It is not yet as big as it should be for Africa. We hope Black Business News Travel Africa contributes to the upward growth of that important industry. 

5 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

Travel Industry News Northstar Teams with RosettaBooks to Provide Kindle Travel Info

orthstar Travel Media, a business-to-business media company serving the travel and meetings industries and Meetings & Convention’s parent

venient way for consumers to gain direct access to Northstar’s professional travel guides,” said Thomas Kemp, chairman and CEO of Northstar. The guides offer sightseeing recommendations; notable restaurants, with a focus on local cuisine; shopping selections that highlight highlighted local items, foods and gifts; unbiased ratings and reviews of hotels in a variety of price ranges; an exclusive list of leading travel agents who specialize in the destination, and more. The $2.99 e-books can be read on a Kindle e-book reader, or by using the free Kindle app for the iPad, iPhone, BlackBerry, Android and Windows Phone 7. For those who have access to their computers, the books also can be read on the free Kindle software for PC and Mac.  Sarah J.F. BraleyJune 20, 2011 

Ethiopian Airlines Gets Boeing Award

company, has partnered with independent e-book publisher RosettaBooks (www.rosettabooks.com) to introduce a new travel guide series, Destination, for travelers. The initial launch offers e-books for 32 top travel destinations worldwide, sold via Amazon for Kindle downloads and also accessible via all other mobile devices. The e-books use Northstar’s destination information and hotel reviews previously available only by subscription to Northstar’s online products, and are written by local experts. “RosettaBooks’ new short e-books for Kindle are an ideal and con-

thiopian Airlines has been awarded the 2010 Silver Boeing Performance Excellence Award for its outstanding performance in manufacturing aircraft body parts. The airline has been

7 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

manufacturing and supplying Boeing aircraft wiring from its Wire Kits Harness plant in Addis Ababa since July 2009. The plant manufactures certified seat to seat aircraft interior wires of different types for Boeing 737, 747, 767 and 777 – 200LRs jet aircrafts. Ethiopian Airlines Wire Kit Harness Manufacturing Plant is one of the only 417 suppliers that were chosen among thousands of suppliers to receive the Silver level of recognition. Ethiopian Airlines is one of the most successful carriers in Africa currently operating four of the latest Boeing 777 – 200 long range planes which were acquired early this year. Boeing issues the award annually to recognise manufacturers and suppliers of its aircrafts’ body parts who have achieved superior performance.  www.boeingsuppliers.com/recognition/ cur_year_win.html 

Combatting Malaria

n an effort to combat malaria, researchers in the United Republic of Tanzania are developing devices that use human foot odor to see Travel Industry News on page 9

7961 Eastern Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910 1-301-650-5700 http://hendersontravel.com 8 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

lure mosquitoes. By targeting malaria transmission outdoors, the devices would complement other malariareducing methods, such as bed nets and indoor insecticide sprays, which protect people in their homes. Dr. Fredros Okumu of the Ifakara Health Institute provides this overview of the project. We have two devices that we’re moving forward with. Both of them are essentially boxes. They’re made of materials that we can find in malariaendemic countries, particularly in Tanzania where we’re working at the moment.

to reduce the density and survival of malaria mosquitoes to such an extent that malaria transmission will be reduced to such low levels that we can start talking about malaria elimination in some of these endemic areas. This work started one and a half years ago when we got $100,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Now we have additional funding from the Gates Foundation, but also from Grand Challenges Canada. With this additional funding we’re moving on to try to make this a reality. We’re trying to do four things: • Improve upon the prototypes of the devices we first made • Measure the level of epidemiological impact we can expect from these devices • Find the right place to put these devices • Develop practical ways to implement

The first device is a box that essentially looks like a miniature house. The mosquitoes are attracted inside by a synthetic attractant or socks. When the mosquitoes come into the device, either they can be trapped or they can be contaminated and left to fly away. If they are contaminated, they die within days. The second device is a small black box with landing surfaces on the sides. Inside we put a synthetic attractant, so mosquitoes think it is a human. When they land on its surfaces they pick up a killing agent. When they fly away, they carry with them a killing agent. We hope eventually we’ll be able

this technology in rural areas Malaria remains one of the major causes of death in Africa and a serious concern for tourists. In most places, it’s the No. 1 cause of death of children under the age of five. There are districts where 30 percent of residents or more have malaria. You see the effects of the disease in people not being able to go to school, people not being able to go to work. This translates to the poor performance of the economy. The disease is a challenge worth tackling yesterday. It’s unfortunate that it is still a major public health problem. We hope to start tackling it as a disease

Travel Industry News, con’t. from page 7

9 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

we can eliminate in the next 10 or so years.  Christina Hernandez July 19, 2011 smartplanet.com 

Twelve New Hotels Coming to Nigeria

he chairman of the Grand Towers Plc, Mr. Nze Chidi Duru announced that the company will open 12 hotels within two years in Nigeria. Duru made the announcement in Abuja during the launching of the Abuja Grand Towers boutique hotel that will be opened in October this year in the capital city. Duru said that the evolving hospitality industry in the country and richness in culture motivated his idea to establish a standard 5 star boutique hotel that would satisfy the tourists from different part of the world. He noted that the prevailing confidence in the vibrancy and strength of Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry and the fact that typical hotel has changed significantly in the last couple of years, it is no longer enough to offer basic services to customers. To meet the growing demand for exclusive boutique hotels in the country, Duru said the Grand Tower Boutique Hotels will be positioned to provide impeccable, comfortable, intimate and personalise services. Duru also announced that it has procured additional sites in Lagos, Enugu and Owerri to replicate the same kind of hotel in other states of the federation. The training of staff for the Abuja hotel has begun, with the proprietor assuring that key positions would be occupied by Nigerians, apart from the Managing Director and General Manager of the hotels, with over 60 see Travel Industry News on page 10

Travel Industry News, con’t. from page 9

staff strength. Source: Tourexpi.com

Missoni Hotel to Debut in Mauritius

he 80-villa Hotel Missoni Mauritius will open in 2014 on the island nation off the coast of Africa. The property will feature custom-designed Missoni textiles (www.hotelmissoni.com) throughout and will have 2,500 square feet of meeting space. Among its other offerings will be a 2,000-foot beach, a 103,000-square-foot spa, a fitness club, and four restaurants and bars.  Source: www.meetings-conventions.com

Radisson to Open First Property in Guinea

he 249-room Radisson Blu Hotel Conakry is scheduled to open in 2014 in the capital of Guinea. “We are proud to arrive in the Republic of Guinea, the 68th country where Rezidor is present”, said Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor. Guinea is rich in minerals and other natural resources. Its mining sector and refinery industry are the driving forces behind the economic growth of this Western African country. The port and capital city of Conakry is the country’s trade hub and first stop for most international tourists visiting the country. “Growth in the emerging markets of Africa has been a major focus for Rezidor in recent years. The signing of this property is in line with our asset smart strategy to develop Radisson Blu hotels in leading African capital cities. We now have 43 hotels and over 10,000 rooms in operation or under development across 17 countries in Africa”, continued Ritter.

Eissame Halabi-Ahma of Guinenne de Gestion Immobilière & Hotelière SA, owner of the mixed use development which includes the hotel, added: “We are very excited about joining forces with Rezidor. Unique projects like this one require a strong brand and an experienced and committed hotel operator. We are glad that we found both with Radisson Blu and Rezidor.” The Radisson Blu Hotel, Conakry is situated next to the US embassy in an up-market business and residential precinct of Conakry that attracts many international companies and government administration offices. The new football stadium which will host the African Cup of Nations in 2014 will be located 2 kilometres from the site. Part of a mixed use development, the property sits on a cliff with views of the Atlantic Ocean. Besides 249 rooms with signature services such as free high speed internet access, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Conakry will feature several restaurants and bars, including an outdoor terrace and rooftop F&B outlet. The hotel will also offer about 1,580m2 of conference and meeting facilities, an outdoor swimming pool and spa. Serviced apartments are planned in the future on the site which the hotel will operate along with a casino which will be operated by a third party.  www.hotelnewsresource.com/ article61570Rezidor_To_Open_The_ Radisson_Blu_Hotel_Conakry__Guinea_ in_____.html

Ethiopian Airlines

Now in the Star Alliance

t a ceremony held at Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport the Star Alliance (www. staralliance.com/en) Chief Executive Board (CEB) welcomed Ethiopian Airlines as the Alliance’s third carrier based on the African continent. “Today we have taken a large step forward in completing our Africa strategy,” said Jaan Albrecht, CEO Star Alliance.” With Ethiopian Airlines now part of the Star Alliance network, we offer our customers the widest choice of flights connecting to, from and within Africa. Moreover, Ethiopian Airlines will bring the Star Alliance customer benefits to more markets across Africa, a region of the world in which air travel is enjoying steady growth rates.”. With the addition of Ethiopian Airlines, the Star Alliance network in Africa grows to cover major commercial and political cities of the continent particularly in East, Central and West Africa. In total, the 16 Star Alliance member carriers serving Africa offer more than 750 daily flights to over 110 destinations in 48 countries on the continent, with Addis Ababa, Cairo and Johannesburg serving as the main hubs. “It is another historical milestone for Ethiopian to join this most prestigious and longest serving Alliance in the world,”said Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO Ethiopian Airlines. “This day see Travel Industry News on page 11

Radisson Blu Hotel Conakry 10 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

Emergency Drill Policy

Travel Industry News, con’t. from page 10

will remain colourfully marked in our history book. It is in line with our efforts to lay a strong foundation for the airline to achieve its vision 2025 objectives.” On a global scale, with the addition of Ethiopian Airlines, the Star Alliance network now counts 28 airlines, offering a choice of more than 21,000 daily flights to 1,290 destinations in 189 countries. Through its Star Alliance membership, Ethiopian Airlines now offers its customers the benefits of being a member of a global airline alliance: worldwide reach via the extensive network, seamless travel and status recognition through the frequent flyer programmes. Ethiopian Airlines ShebaMiles participants can now earn miles when flying on any Star Alliance member carrier, with the collected miles counting towards achieving ShebaMiles Silver Club or Gold Glub status. All collected miles can be redeemed for flights operated by any Star Alliance member carrier. In addition, all ShebaMiles Silver Club and Gold Club customers will receive the respective Alliance Silver and Gold benefits every time they travel on a Star Alliance member carrier. By the same token, Ethiopian Airlines will be extending the Alliance Silver and Gold

benefits to status customers from all other Star Alliance member carriers when they fly on Ethiopian Airlines. E t h i o p i a n Airlines will also participate in and sell the various Alliance fare products. On the corporate side, Ethiopia is an important destination for meetings and conventions. Indeed, its capital city Addis Ababa is often referred to as the “political capital of Africa”. This stems from the fact that the city is home to organisations such as the African Union or United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. By participating in both Star Alliance Conventions Plus and Meetings Plus, Ethiopian Airlines will now be able to offer worldwide flight connections at special rates for delegates and participants. On the leisure side, Ethiopian Airlines will begin participating in the various Star Alliance fare products as of January 01, 2012. The airline’s African routes will be added to the offer of the Star Alliance Africa Airpass, a special fare designed for those wishing to criss-cross the continent by air. At the same time Ethiopian Airlines will also become part of the Star Alliance Round the World fare, opening the airline’s network for globe trotters.  Source: www.staralliance.com

Cruise Associations Create New 11 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

he Cruise Lines International Association, the European Cruise Council and the Passenger Shipping Association have announced a new mandatory muster policy requiring emergency drills for passengers to take place prior to departure from port. The new policy follows the industry’s safety review after the Costa Concordia tragedy. The practice has been voluntarily adopted by the associations’ members and is effective immediately. The new mandate exceeds existing legal requirements, which currently require drills to take place within 24 hours of passenger embarkation. Drills for passengers now must take place before departures.  Source: www.meetings-conventions.com/ article_ektid46476.aspx?cid=eltrMidWeek

PreCheck Expanding to 27 More U.S. Airports This Year The Transportation Security Administration’s PreCheck initiative, which is currently available to certain passengers at eight U.S. airports, will be expanded to 27 additional airports over the course of 2012, the TSA announced recently. At the moment, the voluntary program is open to some frequent flyers from Delta Air Lines and American Airlines, as well as certain members of the Customs and Borders Patrol Trusted Traveler programs such as Global Entry, SENTRI and NEXUS. Participants must be U.S. citizens

and meet a variety of eligibility requirements. Airports already in the system are Atlanta (Delta only), Dallas (American only), Detroit (Delta only), Las Vegas, Los Angeles (American only), Miami (American only), Minneapolis and Salt Lake City (Delta only). American Airlines will begin offering see Travel Industry News on page 13

Come join us on October 16th through October 30th, 2012 for some of nature’s greatest wonders. An adventure of a life time, bring a friend, and share a once in a life time memory.

Kenya and Tanzania October 16th through 30th, 2012

Kenya Sites

Masai Mara National Game Reserve, Lake Naivasha, and a city tour of Nairobi’s favourite sites.

Cost $6,295.00

The cost of $6,295.00 is per person, and a 4% discount is offered to groups of four or more. The Safari fees are base on double occupancy. For those

who desire single lodging an additional $150.00 per night fee is required.

Prices are subject to change without notice until a deposit or full payment is made. Money orders and Checks excepted. Visa/Master cards are excepted with a 3% bank processing fee applied. Fly on the world’s best airlines. Stay at some of Africa’s finest safari lodges. Adventure Africa with one of Africa’s best safari guides, Julien Dothard, with over 18teen years of experience.

Tanzania Sites Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and Tanrangire National Park For more information or full Itinerary contact: Julien Dothard at safari Supreme (818) 419-8639 email: dothard@sbcglobal.net or Write to: Julien Dothard P.O. Box 1736 Hollywood, Ca 90078

Julien Dothard Safari Supreme 1-818-419-3639 dothard@sbcglobal.net P.O. Box 1736 Hollywood, CA 90078 USA

Price includes roundtrip airfare.

Transportation between countries, Lodging, Fees into national parks,

and Most meals are included.

A deposit of $3,000.00 is due no later than June 15th, 2012. The balance is due before September 15th, 2012.

We offer the finest in safari travel, with some of the lowest rates in the industry.

we_do/escreening.shtm. 

Travel Industry News, con’t.

Source: www.meetings-conventions.com/ article_ektid46474.aspx?cid=eltrMidWeek

from page 11

the service at New York City’s JFK International Airport on Feb. 28 and at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in March; Delta will launch service at Ronald Reagan Washington (D.C.) National Airport in March, as well. Other airports scheduled to begin offering the service this year include Baltimore/Washington, Boston Logan, Charlotte Douglas, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Denver, Fort LauderdaleHollywood, Houston’s George Bush, Honolulu, Indianapolis, New York City’s LaGuardia, Lambert-St. Louis, Louis Armstrong New Orleans, Luis Munoz Marin in Puerto Rico, Newark Liberty, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix Sky Harbor, Pittsburgh, Portland (Ore.), San Francisco, Seattle-Tacoma, Tampa (Fla.), Ted Stevens Anchorage (Alaska) and Washington Dulles (Va.). The TSA plans to expand the program to include additional airlines and airports as it becomes operationally ready to do so. For more information, go to www.tsa.gov/what_

Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan Reopens in Egypt

ollowing a three year closure for the completion of renovations, Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan reopens its doors. The five-star luxury hotel, located in the heart of Aswan on the banks of the Nile River, is housed in a Victorian building dating back to 1899 and has accommodated many famous faces, from Sir Winston Churchill to Agatha Christie. Named after its location, the property sits on the point where the Nile River’s first cataract is formed. A full-service resort, the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan features the new So SPA and four restaurants including the legendary 1902, a dining room famous for its Qualaun crypt and outstanding decor. French interior designer Sybille de Margerie resurrected the mythic luxury of the property while conserving its original beauty by combining Victorian, Middle Eastern and French styles. 

www.hotelnewsresource.com/ article58826Sofitel_Legend_Old_ Cataract_Aswan_Reopens_in_Egypt_As_ the_Brand_s_Third_Legend_Property.htm

SAA and JetBlue see Travel Industry News on page 15

The Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations

An African World History Symposium & Study Tour Study Tour**: August 3-17, 2012 • $3,099.00* from New York Symposium: August 7-9, 2012 • $100.00 in Aswan, Kemet (Egypt) For information or to Register send e-mail inquiry to: info@ctoinc.com *Plus applicable tips, taxes, fuel surcharge & Visa fee **Study tour includes: Cairo, Memphis, Giza, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Nile Cruise, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Waset, and more.

13 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

entralize your search for Africa travel information in the book shop of the Africa Guide website - www.africaguide. com. Lonely Planet Africa: On a Shoestring

Covering the countries on the African continent, this text is designed for all budgets and provides a comprehensive guide to the region. It includes: cultural, political and historical notes; travel advice; information on border crossings and visas; and advice on health, safety and local transport. Lonely Planet Read This First : Africa snapshot profiles of 39 countries in the region, including all the highlights you won’t want to miss - full-color

www.africaguide.com country m a p s with itineraries to suit three days, 30 days or three months essential health warning and everything you need to know about vaccinations - getting around, from planes and buses to cars and bicycles Africa: A Continent of Contrasts describes and depicts the natural, cultural, architectural and historical wealth of the African continent, in particular the varied wildlife, geographical landmarks, scenery, indigenous people and many noteworthy aspects of local culture and ceremonies. The book is divided into four main regions: North, West, East and Southern Africa, offering detailed information and rich visual impressions of each. Africa With a Twist And a Tale This book provides an insight to working and living in Africa, through the author’s many experiences and incident’s, some amusing and some very hair rasing! The Rough Guide to West Africa 5 covering the 15 visitable countries from Mauritania to Cameroon in fifty percent more detail than its only 14 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

competitor. Each c hapter of the Rough Guide includes t h o r oughly r e searched hotel and restaurant listings, sections on everything from food and language to media and sport, and thoughtful background on the environment, culture, history, politics and music Lonely Planet Trekking in East Africa 3rd Ed Covering all of East Africa’s classic treks - Mt Kenya, Kilimanjaro, the Rwenzori Mountains and more, this guide includes: advice for independent trekkers and those on organized trips; a revised flora and fauna section, how to arrange permits, supplies, guides and porters, and a Swahili guide. Lonely Planet West Africa Salt caravans in the Sahara, imposing forts on the Ghanaian coast, urban buzz in Lagos, the steamy lushness of Casamance-

Travel Industry News, con’t.

ALL AFRICA CHALLENGE TROPHY 5th, 6th & 7th June, 2012 • Phakalane Golf Estate

Botswana Ladies’ Open Amateur Stroke Play Championships

from page 13

9th & 10th June, 2012 • Gaborone Golf Club

Expand Links

Botswana Ladies Golf Union - AACT 2012 BLGU, P.O. Box 1362, Gaborone. Tel: ++267 72149769 Email: aftec@botsnet.bw • botswanatourism@gov.bw

outh African Airways (SAA) and JetBlue Airways, have announced an expansion of their interline partnership, with South African Airways now offering code share services on JetBlue flights effective March 3,2012. 

www.airbotswana.co.bw

Travel Africa

TravelSmith Outfitters, Inc. 773 San Marin Drive, Suite 2300, Novato, CA 94945 www.TravelSmith.Com

CALL US ANYTIME: 800-770-3387

Why Zebras Have Black-And-White Stripes

team of researchers from Hungary and Sweden think they have finally cracked the case on an age-old mystery of the natural world: Why do zebras have stripes? According to a study published in The Journal of Experimental Biology, the signature stripes evolved to keep blood-sucking horseflies away. Scientists began the study by looking at darkcoated horses and white horses. They found that horseflies were more attracted to the dark-colored beasts due to the way light bounces off dark coats in a horizontal wave of light that appeals to the insects. Since zebras start with overall dark skin and develop the white stripes before they are born, scientists believe this could be an adaptation to ward off the germ-carrying insects. Still, many hypotheses about the origins of zebras’ stripes remain. One popular theory is that the characteristic bands act as camouflage. When the animals are packed together in a large group, the mass of wavy lines confuses predators. Other theories suggest that stripes developed as a form of temperature regulation or as a way for zebras to recognize each other by the unique pattern. by Dina Spector www.businessinsider.com/why-zebras-have-black-andwhite-stripes-2012-2

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16 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

Travelogue

Africa Wannadosâ&#x20AC;Ś

www.skydivemauritius.com. Luxury Travel & Style Magazine

Three African Destinations Named to 2011 Gold List The Autumn 2011 issue of Luxury Travel & Style Magazine names three African tourist and business traveller destinations to their Gold Lists.

Best Overseas Boutique Property, Villa or Lodge (9 of 10) Ngorongoro Crater Lodge Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania www.ngorongorocrater.com Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Skydiving in Mauritius Adventure seekers will appreciate the skydiving opportunities in Mauritius, otherwise known for its crystal clear waters, beach huts, and friendly vibe. While Mauritius is considered the place to go for a peaceful getaway, it also offers extreme sports for those who want an adrenaline rush. Skydive Austral Mauritius is a safety-accredited company which runs hour-long skydiving excursions. It offers tandem skydiving, which is when the instructor is harnessed to the student skydiver and they perform the jump together. With a twenty minute scenic flight before the jump, it is a complete in-air experience. Once the aircraft reaches 10,000 feet, the door opens and skydivers free fall for about a minute. They then enjoy aslower descent under the canopy for around five minutes. Skydivers meet at the Sugar Fields of Mon Loisir, which as stunning views of Mauritiusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lagoons and reefs. Blue Train Observation Car

Best Overseas Golf Resort (5 of 5) Sun City Resort North West Province, South Africa www.sun-city-south-africa.com Best Luxury Rail Journey (3 of 10) Blue Train - Cape Town to Pretoria www.blue-travel.net

Travel Africa Where To Go, What To Do Algeria

Burundi

Tamanrasset Camel Trekking Sahara Dune Skiing The Turquoise Coast CAPITAL: Algiers

Chutes de la Kagera waterfall Lake Tanganyika Craftwares Village at Giheta CAPITAL: Bujumbura

www.algerie-tourisme.dz

www.burunditourisme.com

Angola

Cameroon

Fort Sao Miguel Slave Depot Calandula Waterfalls Palmeirinhas Beach CAPITAL: Luanda

Mandera Mountains

www.angola.org

Benin Lake Village of Ganvie Nakoue Lagoon Pendjari National Park CAPITAL: Porto-Novo www.benintourisme.com

Botswana Okavango Delta Central Kalahari Game Reserve Transfrontier Park (Kgalafadi National Park) CAPITAL: Gaborone www.botswanatourism.co.bw

Burkina Faso International Arts and Crafts Fair, Oct-Nov Ranch de Nazinga game reserve Mare aux Hippopotames CAPITAL: Ouagadougou

Nzwani Island Hot Sulphur Springs at Lac Salé CAPITAL: Moroni Comoros National Tourist Board Office, Tel: 269 73 3044

(hiking, climbing) Bouba Ndjidah National Park Festival National des Arts et de la Culture (FENAC) in December

CAPITAL: Yaoundé www.cameroun-infotourisme. com

Cape Verde Baia das Gatas Biking in the Tibesti Mountains, Chad Festival Scuba Diving and Snorkelling at Boa Vista Democratic Republic of UNESCO world heritage old the Congo fort site at Cidade Velha Frère Gillet Botanic Gardens CAPITAL: Praia Ministry of Tourism, Praia, Santiago: world-famous rare orchids +238 615 697 Ruwenzori Range National Park Central African Republic Virunga CAPITAL: Kinshasa Boali Waterfalls Ministère des Affaires Foncières, Manovo-Gounda St Floris Environment et Tourisme, Tel: (+243) National Park 8802093. Lobaye Region Côte D‛Ivoire (Ivory CAPITAL: Bangui ministere_tourisme@yahoo.fr

www.ontb.bf

Chad Camel racing in the Tibesti Mountains Galawa Beach on Grande Comore Lake Chad CAPITAL: N’Djamena Office du Tourisme, Tel: 01 45 53 36 75

The Comoros Climb Mount Karthala (active volcano) Mare aux Hippopotames, Burkina Faso 18 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

Coast)

The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Yamoussoukro Mount Tonkoui (mountain climb) Comoë National Park CAPITAL: Yamoussoukro www.tourisme.gouv.ci

Djibouti Gulf of Tadjoura (snorkling/ diving) Lake Abbé Lake Assal (windsurf on see Travel Africa on page 19

Travel Africa Where To Go, What To Do from Travel Africa page 18

wheels) CAPITAL: Djibouti www.office-tourisme.dj

Egypt (Kemet)

at Albreda and Jufureh Makasutu Culture Forest CAPITAL: Banjul

Watamu-Malindi Marine Park CAPITAL: Nairobi

www.visitthegambia.gm

Lesotho

Kakum Tree-Top Walkway, Ghana

Nile River Cruise, Aswan Temple of Ranses II, Abu Simbel Alexandria CAPITAL: Cairo

www.magicalkenya.com

Bushmen Rock Paintings Ski Lesotho Highlands (www. afriski.co.za) Sehlabathebe National ParkCAPITAL: Maseru www.ltdc.org.ls

www.tourism.misrnet.gov.eg

Liberia

Equatorial Guinea

Sapo National Park Kendeja National Cultural Center Firestone Rubber Plantation CAPITAL: Monrovia

Arena Blanca Pico Malabo Volcano (mountain climbing) Cascades of Moca

CAPITAL: Malabo

www.micat.gov.lr

www.embarege-londres.org

Eritrea Dahlak Archipelago Tour of Eritrea (bicycle race) Akordat CAPITAL: Asmara eritreantourism@tse.com.er

Ethiopia Rock Hewn Churches of Lalibela (New Jerusalem) Home of the Queen of Sheba, Axum African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa TOTAL Great Ethiopian Race

CAPITAL: Addis Ababa www.tourismethiopia.org

Gabon Cathedral of St Michael in Libreville Lopé-Okanda Reserve National Park (gorilla) M’Bigou (gold mines/crafts)

CAPITAL: Libreville www.legabon.org

The Gambia Deep Sea Fishing, Atlantic Ocean Exhibition of the slave trade

Ghana Cape Coast Castle Slave Fortress Mount Afadjato and Togbo Falls (Volta Region) Kakum Nature Reserve (treetop walkway and stay in a tree house) CAPITAL: Accra www.touringghana.com

Guinea Kindia (cloth market) Kinkon Falls Îles de Los CAPITAL: Conakry www.ontguinee.com

Guinea-Bissau Bijagos Archipelago Cantanhez Natural Park Museum of African Artefacts CAPITAL: Bissau www.guineabissautourism.com

Kenya Mount Kenya National Park Tsavo West National Park 19 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

Severan Arch, Leptis Magna, Libya

Libya Akakus Mountains (prehistoric rock art) Ubari Lakes (dune surfing) Leptis Magna (tribute to African Roman Emperor Septimus Severus) CAPITAL: Tripoli www.libyan-tourism.org see Travel Africa on page 20

Travel Africa Where To Go, What To Do from Travel Africa page 19

Madagascar Fianarantsoa (Capital of Wine) Montagne d’Arbre National Park Queen’s Palace CAPITAL: Antananarivo www.madagascar-tourisme.com

Malawi Lake Malawi Marine Park Nyika National Park Liwonde National Park CAPITAL: Lilongwe www.malawitourism.com

Mali Festival in the Desert Timbuctou La Boucle de Baoule National Park CAPITAL: Bamako

www.tourisme.mr

Mauritius Black River Gorges National Park Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve Rodrigues Island CAPITAL: Port Louis www.mauritius.net

Morocco Todra and Dades Gorges Talassemtane National Park Essaouira CAPITAL: Rabat www.visitmorocco.com

Mozambique Maputo Elephant Park Gorongosa National Park Bazaruto Archipelago CAPITAL: Maputo

www.le-mali.com/omatho/index.htm

www.futur.org.mz/index-en.html

Mauritania

Namibia

Parc National du Banc d’Arguin Chinguetti, a holy city of Islam Oualata CAPITAL: Nouakchott

Mahongo Game Reserve Etosha National Park Skeleton Coast CAPITAL: Windhoek www.namibiatourism.com.na

Niger Agadez ‘W’ National Park Igouloulef CAPITAL: Algiers www.niger-tourisme.com

Nigeria Cross River National Park Emir’s Palace, Kano Benin City CAPITAL: Lagos www.tourism.gov.ng

Republic of the Congo Loufoulakari Falls Loango (main embarkation port for slaves) Congo Rapids CAPITAL: Brazzaville Direction Generale du Tourisme et des Loisirs, Tel: 830 953

Reunion Piton des Neiges Plaine d’Affouches Le Voile de la Mariée (The Bride’s Veil) CAPITAL: Saint-Denis ot.saint-pierre@wanadoo.fr

Rwanda Cards From Africa, Kigali Parc National des Volcans Gorilla Trek Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk CAPITAL: Kigali www.rwandatourism.com/

São Tomé & Principe Bom Bom Island Deep Sea Fishing Humpback Whale Watching Agua Izé Plantation CAPITAL: São Tomé www.saotome.st

Senegal African Renaissance Monument Retba (Pink) Lake Maison des Enclaves (House of

Skeleton Coast, Namibia

Slaves), Goree Island 20 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

Travel Africa Where To Go, What To Do from Travel Africa page 20

CAPITAL: Dakar sentouroffice@aol.com

Seychelles Marlin Fishing in Denis St Anne Marine National Park Aldabra CAPITAL: Victoria www.seychelles. travel

www.nelsonmandela.org www.zulu.org.za www.southafrica.net

South Sudan Boma National Park Nimule National Park Nile River CAPITAL: Juba www.goss.org

Pyramids of Meroe, Sudan

Sierra Leone Outamba-Kilimi National Park Freetown Peninsula Bunce Island, Slave Trading Station CAPITAL: Freetown

Hargeisa National Park Neolithic Paintings Las Geel Indian Ocean Coastal Beaches CAPITAL: Mogadishu

Site)

Whale Watching, Gulf of Benin Fosse aux Lions (Lions’ Den) National Park CAPITAL: Lomé www.togo-tourisme.com

Tunisia Desert Trekking from Douz Matmata (Star Wars film site) Sidi Bou Saïd CAPITAL: Tunis www.tourismtunisia.com

Uganda Mountains of the Moon (Mount Rwenzori National Park) Bwindi National Park (view gorilla) Source of the Nile,Owen Falls Dam, Jinja CAPITAL: Kampala

www.welcometosierraleone.org

Somalia

Koutammakou (World Heritage

Sudan Port Sudan, The Red Sea Gemmeiza Tourist Village Pyramids of Meroe CAPITAL: Khartoum

http://visituganda.com/index.php

Western Sahara City of El-Aaiún Dakhla (surfing) CAPITAL: El-Aaiún

www.somali-gov.info/Tourism/index. html

www.sudan-tourism.gov.sd/english/ index.php

dajla47@hotmail.com

Somaliland

Swaziland

Walking Safari, South Luangwa

Hargeisa National Park Neolithic Paintings Las Geel Indian Ocean Coastal Beaches CAPITAL: Hargiesa www.somalilandgov.com (Ministry of Tourism & Culture 252-225-7917)

South Africa Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory & Dialogue, Johannesburg Great White Shark Festival, Cape Town/Gansbaai The Elephant Coast, Zulu Kingdom

CAPITAL: Johannesburg www.whitesharkfestival.org

Mkhaya Game Reserve Phophomyane Nature Reserve Usutu River (white-water rafting) CAPITAL: Mbabane www.welcometoswaziland.com

Tanzania Bagamoyo Slave Trail Katavi Plains National Park Ngorongoro Crater Stone Town, Zanzibar CAPITAL: Dodoma http://tanzaniatouristboard.com/

Togo 21 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

Zambia National Park Musi oa Tunya (Victoria Falls), Livingstone

Zambezi White Water Rafting CAPITAL: Lusaka www.zambiatourism.com

Zimbabwe Great Zimbabwe Lake Kariba Chizarira National Park CAPITAL: Harare www.zimbabwetourism.co.zw Sources: www.worldtravelguide.net/africa www.internationaltouristboards.com www.worldtourismdirectory.com/directory/africa/index.html

Travel+Leisure Names Zambia One of the Four Hottest Travel Destinations of 2011

aw and undeveloped, the game-rich nation of Zambia has long attracted veteran travelers for its rugged walking safaris and rustic bush lodges, but it has remained relatively under the radar. As a handful of major safari players lay the foundation for a bigger presence in the country, Zambia is poised to become the next great African destination. In June, Sanctuary Retreats (from $550 per person per night) will open Zebra Plains (www.sanctuaryretreats. com/lodges/zambia/zebra-plainswalking-safari-camp.cfm), four luxe tents on South Luangwa National Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (www.south-luangwa.com) eponymous river, which is frequented

Zebra Plains

Toka Leya (www. go2africa.com/ zambia/zambeziriver/safari-gamelodges/toka-leya), where 12 tents on a riverbank are linked by teak walkways. A handful of new camps along the Zambezi River, known for its adventurous canoe tours, have cropped up. Zambezi Kulefu see page 23

22 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

by elephants, leopards, and giraffes. With vintage campaign furniture and even a library, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the kind of old-world aesthetic usually only found in East African properties. Ecotourism operator Wilderness Safaris (www.wildernesssafaris.com; from $530 per person) has expanded to Victoria Falls with

from page 22

Among the best is Sanctuary’s Zambezi Kulefu (www.sanctuaryretreats. com/lodges/zambia/zambezi-kulefucamp.cfm), where a large pavilion is lit with lanterns at dinnertime. Not to be outdone, the smaller, family-owned operators are revamping their longestablished bases as well. Bushcamp

Company (www.bushcampcompany. com; from $350 per person), which pioneered South Luangwa walking safaris with Norman Carr Safaris (www.normancarrsafaris.com; from $432 per person per night) and Robin Pope Safaris (www.robinpopesafaris. net; from $400 per person per night), 23 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

has renovated all six of its park camps, most stunningly at Zungulila (www. bushcampcompany.com/bushcamps/ zungulila.php), where four thatchedroof dwellings have canopy beds and personal plunge pools facing the antelope-filled plain.  —Douglas Rogers, American Express

My Special Holiday in South Africa by Duane Darden-Mills, Chicago, Illinois USA

fter surviving two brain surgeries, God blessed me to journey to Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Hoedspruit (Timbavati Game Reserve) South Africa with my Godmother and two friends. We left on August 21, 2010 and arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa after a fourteenhour flight on August 22, 2010. After clearing customs and immigration we rushed to make a connecting flight to Cape Town, South Africa where our journey begins. There was a two-hour flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town, after landing we were met by a representative from South African Airways Vacations/ Thompsons Africa and transferred to the Commodore Hotel where we would be staying for the next 3 days.

Table Mountain, Cape Town

Statues of Bishop Tutu and former presidents de Klerk & Mandela in Victoria & Albert Waterfront

Cape Town The first full day in Cape Town was a tour of the Cape Peninsula. On this tour we visited: Cape Town’s Table Mountain, a landmark that holds special cultural and recreational attraction, Table Mountain National Park which encompasses the incredibly scenic Table Mountain Chain, beautiful valleys, bays and beaches along the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Also, in the park, we were able to visit Boulders where we were able to see baboons

and a colony of African penguins (they are the cutest little guys in their black and white little suits). Other attractions to see in Cape Town are the legendary Cape of Good Hope, an international icon of great historical interest and Robben Island, known as the “Island of Ex-

iles.” The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland of high, breaking waves, rocky shores, intense erosion, and steep sea cliffs on the Atlantic coast of Cape Peninsula, South Africa. It is here at the Cape of Good Hope where two oceans, the Atlantic and the Indian, come together. The view of the mountains, the sea, and beaches are simply breathtaking.

Robben Island Prison

Museum On the 45-minute bus ride around Robben Island a tour guide provides details of its history as a mental hospital, military base, and leper colony. Upon arriving at the prison compound, visitors are guided through the maximum-security prison by a former political prisoner who has personal experience of the prison. Robben Island was the focus of the freedom struggle in South Africa. It was here that many of the leaders of the freedom struggle were imprisoned. Robben Island Museum narrates a tale of incarceration that goes back 350 years. It’s a symbol of injustice; violations of human rights and prisoners’ self-sacrifice. It was here where Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid activist and former President of South Africa, was imprisoned for 27 years. While visiting the museum you may see the cell of Nelson Mandela. This tour is an unforgettable experience. We couldn’t leave Cape Town without shopping. Affordable shopping with a variety of goods, hand crafted jewelry, intricate bead work and traditional artwork can be found at the Clocksee page 25

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Royal Legend Safari Lodge Dining Room Patio overlooks Timbavarti Game Reserve Timbavarti Game Reserve Residents watch us watch them

Afternoon Cocktails on Safari

from page 24

tower at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the shopping malls throughout the city, the local flea markets, and street side stalls. After touring and shopping now it’s time for lunch. I recommend the Seaforth Restaurant located in Simon’s Town in Table Mountain National Park. The food is very good and you also have a great view of the mountains, the sea, and the penguins.

Royal Legend Safari Lodge We leave Cape Town continuing on our journey through South Africa to our next destination Hoedspruit Timbavati Game Reserve – Royal Legend Safari Lodge – Kruger National Park.

We fly from Cape Town to Johannesburg where we connect with our scheduled flight to Hoedspruit. Upon arrival we are met by a representative from South African Airways Vacations who transferred us to the Royal Legend Safari Lodge. Greater Kruger National Park, Royal Legend Safari Lodge consists of 10 deluxe chalets. Each chalet affords you with a surrounding view of vast, lush bush vegetation. We arrived at the lodge in the afternoon, after checking in and being escorted to our chalets (rooms) we had lunch. There are two game drives daily one 6:00 a.m. in the morning and one at 3:30 p.m. in the afternoon. Our first game sighting occurred as we set down to lunch. Three giraffes 25 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

grazing in the bush quickly reminded us that we were indeed in their natural habitat. After a flavorful lunch of South African cuisine, we are geared up for our first safari game run. It was an exciting, unforgettable expierence. Each run is about 3-hours long. You are seated in an open range rover truck, which seats twelve, ten guests, one ranger/guide, and a tracker that seeks to identify animals in the bush. We saw elephants, lions, rhino’s, impala’s, monkeys, cougars, giraffe’s, coyotes and vultures just to name few. On one of our afternoon runs a lioness had killed a water buffalo that morning and we were able to see the carcass of the water buffalo that the see page 26

from page 25

lioness had kill while the lion and lioness were feasting on the kill. Just imagine being out in the bush and tracking elephants, lions, girrafe’s, in the late afternoon and it’s getting dark and before we return to the lodge for dinner we stop in the middle of the bush and have refreshments. The tracker and the ranger set up a refreshment table on the truck. It was unbelievable. We return to the lodge for dinner in the dinning room. At any given time you may see monkeys and other wildlife roaming around. We return to our room and prepare for next day’s run. You are up early (5:00 am), ready and prepared for the 6:00 am morning safari game run. We experienced a total of four game runs during our stay at the Lodge. We went on our last safari game run at 6:00 am on the morning on the morning just prior to our departure from the lodge. During the night before, we heard the roaring sounds of lions around the lodge. The lions were on their hunt for food in possession of a female lion. The two male lions moved quietly and steadily through the bush in search of the female lioness. We were so close to the lions, and later sighted elephants that you could almost touch them. We didn’t, but they

were just that close—truly up-close and personal. What a way to remember the awesomeness of the experience. If you’re looking for a thrilling, exciting adventure and you get the chance go on a safari it will be an unforgettable expierence. Our 3-day stay at the game park comes to an end so we say good-bye to our friends the lions, elephant’s girrafe’s and prepare for our flight to Johannesburg.

Duane DardenMills and Dolores Elliott in Sterkfontein Caves

Johannesburg We arrive at our final destination of this journey, Johannesburg, South Africa. We are met by a representative from the tour agency and transferred to the Crowne Plaza hotel. After check-in a leisurely afternoon awaits us. We stop for lunch and a pot of tea. In Africa they serve tea with milk. I’ve never had tea with warm milk but I have since acquired a taste for it. It’s not bad. A Sunday in Johannesburg would not be complete without a trip to the Rose Bank Mall. Local artisans and merchants from tthroughout South Africa ccome to the Rose Bank Mall on Sunday where tthey establish a market place for persons tto view, bargain and purchase outstanding ccrafts, jewelry, paintings, wood carvings, etc. One could spend e a full day at Rose Bank Mall and not get tired of a acquiring the wonderful w works of South Africa. After a morning of a awesome shopping, we lunched at the Grace H Hotel where we dined o on the most flavorfful mushroom soup I have ever tasted. Eating waffles served with w white chocolate cream 26 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

sauce was simply delightful. Dining in South Africa is a real palate pleaser. Our last full day in South Africa takes us on a tour of Soweto and the Cradle of Humankind.

Soweto Soweto is the largest black residential area in South Africa. A city within a city consisting of 50 suburbs. On the tour of Soweto we visied the residential areas where the people of Soweto live, the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital which is the largest hospital in the world with over 5,500 beds, The Soweto Taxi Rank home to some 20,000 minibus taxis, Freedom Square, and Nelson Mandela’s former home. Hector Pietersen Memorial Museum - Hector Pieterson, a 13-year-old young man, was one of the first students to be killed during the 1976 Student Uprising in Soweto. A memorial to Hector Pieterson was erected in the early 1990s and is situated in Khumalo Street, a few hundred meters from where he was shot. The Soweto riots were a series of clashes in Soweto, South Africa on June 16, 1976, between black youths and the South African Afrikan authorities. The riots grew out of protests against see page 27

from page 26

the policies of the Apartheid government and its regime, especially the requirement that the students learn only the Afrikans language as a principle language. Twenty-three (23) people were killed, and countless others were injured, on the first day of the protest.

We also visited the Regina Mundi Church, one of the biggest Catholic churches in South Africa. The Regina Mundi Church was the focal point of much of the struggle in the 70’s and 80’s and home to the famous Black Madonna and Child painting. In the church we were able to see the bullet holes in the walls where the Afrikan authorities shot at the students who sought refuge there. This church is also known as “The Parliament of Soweto”

Cradle of Humankind Our final visit on the tour was to the Cradle of Humankind -- a place one must visit to gain knowledge of man’s birth and migration. The Cradle of Humankind is a World Heritage site, which currently occupies 183 square miles and contains a

complex of limestone caves. One of the highlights of this tour was to see fossils dating back to 2 million years, and going down into the Sterkfontein Caves in southern Africa where the world’s oldest human fossil has been located. We went on the tour of the caves, which covered a lot of ground. The tour of the caves starts with going down 30 stairs and climbing 190 steps to get out, but to see the formation of the rocks within the cave is well worth the trip. Well, my holiday to South Africa has come to an end. Now it’s back to my real world. This was one of the most rewarding, learning experiences for me. The people, the continent itself and nature up-close and personal was just amazing. An unforgettable experience I will treasure for the rest of my life.  www.flysaavacations.com

Monrovia, Liberia www.rljkendejaresort.com

First-class amenities catering to international leisure travelers. For the business minded traveler, the RLJ Kendeja Resort & Villas offers full service business amenities along with meeting and function space for business and personal events. Amenities include ocean front beach, pool, spa, dining room, and relaxing bar.

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Travel Business

Africa’s Tourism Industry: Investments on the Rise

nvestment in Africa’s tourism industry is active, vital and is evident all across the continent. Review the wide range of projects identified on the website and don’t miss out on the many ground floor investment opportunities.

THREE NATION BRIDGE Namibia has agreed to participate in the construction of the multi-milliondollar Kazungula Bridge. The construction of the US$300-million bridge is a tripartite effort by Zambia, Botswana and Namibia. Namibia’s Minister of Works and Transport, Helmut Angula says that once a reality, the bridge will increase trade between the three nations. The construction of this bridge is another milestone in the integration of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). According to the Southern African Research and Documentation Centre, experts say on completion, the bridge will speed up traffic and help ease the import and export delays encountered at the border, and boost tourism in the region.

5-STAR HOTEL FOR ACCRA The Kempinski Accra Hotel (KAH) project will develop a 250-room 5-star international hotel in the heart of the city. The hotel site is located on prime commercial real estate on the old Accra racecourse and is adjacent to the Accra International Conference Center (AICC), nearby Ministry buildings, the State House (the administrative center for the Government of Ghana), the National Theatre and the Accra Sports Stadium. The project is the centerpiece of a Public-private partnership in the hospitality sector and is the first phase of an integrated mixeduse facility (“Gold Coast City”) tendered as part of Accra’s urban rejuvenation plan. The project developer has signed a Government Support Agree-

Seminar Roadshow - which will be bringing affordable and practical one day online tourism seminars to 8 tourism centres across the region, featuring all new training material and our

ment (GSA) with the Government of Ghana (GOG) in which it will re-develop the old Accra racecourse by constructing a business hotel, residential properties, a commercial center and a shopping mall. The hotel’s location in central Accra Kempinski Accra Hotel (KAH) makes it a strategic asset for the development of the hospitality new text book for tourism businesses, sector in Ghana. all from just $100 per person. The 8 A major development feature of the events are during May-June 2011. project is the way it will create indirect This will be the largest scale roadopportunities for local enterprises, inshow to date, visiting all of the major cluding SMEs for goods, works and tourism centres in the region. services. During construction, conFollowing overwhelming requests struction materials and soft furnishfor training from delegates at our Sold ings will be sourced within Ghana or Out 2010 Conference in Nairobi - we West Africa. Hotel operation will genhave designed these seminars to be erate demand for a range of goods and extremely practical and to deliver what services from the domestic economy, stakeholders need, using local examof which the food and beverage supply ples, case studies and available soluchain is likely to be the most substantions. (www.e-tourismafrica.com). tial. Of the 352 jobs created for hotel operation, an estimated 25% will be HOSPITALITY TRAINING unskilled and 50% semi-skilled, thus A new tourism school, Kigali Tourism accessible to relatively poor and lessSchool (KTS) is set to open soon in skilled workers. www.afdb.org Rwanda. KTS (www.kts-rw.org) will be offering certificate level training in ADVENTURE TOURISM tours and travel operations, tour guide South Africa is expected to renovate and administration, hotel operations, infrastructure in national parks over kitchen and restaurant courses. In the next three years. The project, eshotel operations, students will be spetimated at $55.2 million, will serve to cializing in hospitality, food production, upgrade 520 existing accommodation food and beverage services, front ofunits, supply 100 new units, construct fice operations, and house keeping and expand 320 kilometres of tourist because of the growing market in roads and develop five new camping the region. KTS, a project of APEsites. Worldwide interest and involveHOTOUR, is looking to establish a ment in the development and preserworking relationship with Kenya Utalii vation of wild life refuge is being grown College (www.utalii.co.ke). through the “My Acre of Africa” fund The Tanzania government is planraising and education program - www. ning to set up a tourism training school myacreofafrica.org. to reduce dependence on foreign experts in the tourism sector, offset the MARKETING AFRICA’S TOURIST lack of qualified people, and create DESTINATIONS more job opportunities for and careers The dates for the all new East African Tanzanians.  29 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

Senegal Celebrated 50 Years of Independence Unveiled Monument to the “African Renaissance”

“It is the destiny of Africa, after four centuries of incomprehensible conflict and turmoil, to now become a continent united by the best of human achievement, cultural excellence, prosperity, security, peace and progress.” - Abdoulaye Wade, President, Republic of Senegal

ith performances, symposia, special exhibitions, parades and the dedication of the 150 foot high African Renaissance Monument, tens of thousands of spectators gathered in the capital city of Dakar on April 3 - 4 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Senegal’s founding as an independent republic. Representatives of the NAACP, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Constituency for Africa and African American Unity Caucus, Africare and many other U.S. organizations were among many heads of state, artists, intellectuals and activists in attendance. Among prominent Americans taking part were Rev. Jesse Jackson, Benjamin Todd Jealous, Roslyn Brock, Dr. Julius W. Garvey, Dr. Maulana Karenga, Dr. Lonnie Bunch, Melvin Foote, Rev. Herbert Daughtry, Randy Weston, AKON, Richard Gant, Sen. Anthony C. Hill, Sen. Rodney Ellis, Constance Newman, and Debra Fraser-Howse. Under the auspices of President Abdoulaye Wade, the events focused on the future of Africa and placed particular emphasis on how all African states can work together to foster and support the economic, cultural, social and political well-being of the entire continent. At the heart of this vision are the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs

offer a platform for progress in ending poverty and hunger, reaching universal education and gender equality, improving child and maternal health, ensuring environmental sustainability, and creating a global partnership for development – all by 2015. The celebration of history, arts and culture are at the top of the agenda, and while the MDGs, including the priority of drastically reducing the impact of HIV/AIDS, help define the challenges of fulfilling this inspiring vision of the destiny of Africa.

“I am sure that the historic visit by this prestigious American delegation will strengthen ties between the United States and Africa, and reinforce African efforts for sustainable human development, bearing in mind the efforts of UNAIDS and its partners in working to reverse the AIDS epidemic,” said Dr. Djibril Diallo, Chair of the U.S. Leadership Committee for the World Festival of Black Arts (FESMAN) 2010, which organized the U.S. delegation, and Senior Advisor to the Executive Director of UNAIDS (the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS). The commemoration began for the American delegation on April 2nd with 30 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

a visit to Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its historic link to the slave trade. On Saturday, April 3 a colloquium of African writers and intellectuals examined and debated the enormous promise of the African Renaissance. The event was organized by Professor Iba Der Thiam, one of the authors of the UNESCO History of Africa project, and highlighted the role of art and cultural in promoting human development. Later in the day, the African Renaissance Monument was inaugurated in an event that focused upon the theme of a United States of Africa, an objective supported by President Wade and endorsed by the African Union for realization in 2017. The man, woman and child depicted in the monument symbolize the strength and promise of an Africa that will grow, flourish and experience a renaissance of culture, economic prowess, innovation and achievement. During the celebration, President Wade took part in a three-way dialogue that touched on the African Diaspora, engaging in conversation with North America and Europe. Representing the Americas will be NAACP CEO and President Benjamin Todd Jealous. Europe will be represented by Alain Jakubowicz, President of the International League against Racism and Anti-Semitism. Sunday, April 4 was devoted to commemorations of Senegal’s 50th year of independence, highlighted by the appearance of heads of state, prime ministers and guests from around the world attending parades, cultural events, and festive public ceremonies. The arts are a vibrant manifestation of Africa’s enormous potential, and musicians, performers, artists, historians will come from Africa and all corners of the world to take part. The exhibits, performances, symposia, celebrations and the inauguration of the spectacular “African Renaissance Monument” marked 50 years of Senegal’s independence and looked towards to a unified, dynamic Africa in 2017 and the years to come. 

African Renaissance

he African Renaissance Monument is a colossal bronze statue overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, erected atop a 100-meter high hill in the Ouakam suburb of Dakar, Senegal. Site preparation began in 2006, and construction began 3 April 2008. Originally scheduled for completion in December 2009, the formal dedication took place on 4 April 2010, Senegal’s “National Day”, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence from France. The monument is made of copper sheets 3-centimeters thick, and depicts three figures, a family group, emerging from a mountain top: a full-length statue of a young woman, a man, and, held aloft in the man’s raised left arm, a child resolutely pointing out towards the sea. Construction of the statue was carried out by the North Korean firm Mansudae Overseas Project Group of Companies. The statue was designed by the Senegalese architect Pierre Goudiaby Atepa, based on an idea presented by President Wade.  31 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

Kilimanjaro: “God’s Greatest Mountain”

ilimanjaro, the mountain that is the highest point on the African continent, draws 35,000 to walk up it every year. The Kilimanjaro National Park (www.tanzaniaparks.com/ kili.htm) has been developed around the mountain with tourism in mind. The mountain can be climbed by nonclimbers and the tour is increasing in popularity. All visitors climbing the mountain must have a guide preferably from a licensed tour operator and take precautions against mountain sickness. The park service provides some huts for climbers on the mountain trails. Food, bedding and porters are provided by tour operators. There is a mountain rescue team at the park headquarters and at each of the huts. At one key location there are a lodge, a hostel, a shop and equipment rental. There is no agreement as yet on the meaning of the word “Kilimanjaro”. There seems to be no direct interpretation in any of the languages spoken

regularly in the region - Swahili, Chagga or Masai. Kilimanjaro sits on the northern border of Tanzania, overlooking Kenya, and is just over 200 miles south of the Equator. This snowcapped mountain rises 4800m above the East African plains, measures up to 40km across, is the tallest freestanding mountain

in the world and one formed, shaped, eroded and scarred by the twin forces of fire and ice. The mountain is actually three volcanoes, with the two main peaks, Kibo and Mawenzi. The three-volcano sharif (family) began with eruptions in the Great Rift Valley about three-quarters of a million years ago. The earliest eruptions created the Shira volcano. Around 500,000 years ago, eruptions formed the Mawenzi volcano. Then, 460,000 years ago, an enormous eruption just west of Mawenzi caused the formation of Kibo, the third volcano. These three massive creations are so close to each other that they appear to be one massive mountain. While there have been no eruptions in recent times (200 years or so), Kibo is classified as being dormant rather than extinct. There is a strong sulphur smell that still rises from the crater and the earth is hot to the touch. Kilimanjaro’s glaciers look like ca-

thedrals of gleaming blue-white ice but are dynamic repositories of climatic history. The glaciers which have been on the mountain for about 11,700 years (the current glaciers began to form in 9700BC) are around due to the prolonged ‘cold snaps’, or ice ages, that have occurred down the centuries, allowing the glaciers to re32 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

group and reappear on the mountain. According to estimates, there have been at least eight of these ice ages. Before 9700BC there have been periods when Kilimanjaro was completely free of ice, perhaps for up to twenty thousand years. A climb up Kilimanjaro is a walk through four seasons in four days. The variety of flora and fauna found on Kilimanjaro can be ascribed to the mountain’s tremendous height, to its proximity to both the equator and the Indian Ocean, the solar radiation and temperature from the top of the mountain to the bottom. In all, Kilimanjaro is said to have between four and six distinctive zones. see page 33

from page 32

The Forest zone, along with the Cultivated zone that lies below it, together receive the most rainfall of any part of the mountain. The Forest zone houses the greatest variety of both fauna and flora. The animals, though more numerous, are not easily sighted among the trees and bushes. Kilimanjaro is also great for viewing birdlife (avifauna). Above the forest zone is the Alpine heath. Grasses and flowers dominate the mountain slopes. Next is the Moorland zone, which tends to have clearer skies but an even cooler climate. Then comes the Alpine desert where plants have to survive in drought conditions and endure both inordinate cold and intense sun, usually in the same day. At the Ice Cap on Kibo, almost nothing lives. There is virtually no water. The average tourist trek up and down Kilimanjaro vary from six to eight days (actual time spent on the mountain). Simon Mtuy (Tanzania), on December 26, 2004, ascended and descended Kilimanjaro in the incred-

ible time of 8 hours 27 minutes. It took Simon 6 hours exactly to reach the summit via the Umbwe Route, and after seven minutes to catch his breath, just two hours 20 minutes to complete the descent to Mweka Gate. A reasonable level of fitness is required to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The fitter you are, the more enjoyable your trek up Kilimanjaro, so anything you can do in the way of training can only help. Remember, the main reason why people fail to reach the summit is due to altitude sickness rather than lack of necessary strength or stamina. If a Kilimanjaro trek vacation is under consideration, research the various tour operators and route options to judge how well your physical condition matches the challenge. With planning and time you can raise your level of fitness (which you might want to do in any case). Climbers must be at least 10 years of age.

Arusha National Park Want more climbing options, consider Mount Meru in Arusha National Park (www.tanzaniaparks.com/aru33 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

sha.htm), Tanzania. Mount Meru is one of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highest and most beautiful volcanoes. The route to the summit passes through parkland, montain forest, a heather zone and moorland. Finally, the summit is reached by a narrow, barren ridge which provides stunning views that include Kilimanjaro in the background. Over 400 species of birds, rhino, elephant, buffalo, baboon, warthog, black and white Colobus monkey and duiker are all found in Arusha National Park. Whether a Tanzania climbing vacation is in your plans or not consider helping other climbers achieve their quests, especially those that are climbing for a good cause. Visit Project Kilimanjaro 2009 (http://kili09.pierlux.com) for details on a Kilimanjoro climbing charitable effort. The money raised by the Kili09 Team will support projects in Tanzanian, East Africa, which address the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Maasai communities. These projects focus especially on reducing the vulnerability of women and children to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. ď &#x2018;

Be in touch

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Nesting international standards with African hospitality.

Cultural Tourism

Egypt Begins Restoring Ancient Boat Near Pyramids Experts: 4,500-year-old vessel one of oldest from antiquity

rchaeologists have begun restoration on a 4,500-year-old wooden boat found next to the pyramids, one of Egypt’s main tourist attractions. The boat is one of two that were buried next to the Pharaoh Khufu, spokesmen for a joint EgyptianJapanese team of archeologists said. The boats are believed to have been intended to carry pharaohs into the afterlife. Pharaoh Khufu, also known as Cheops, is credited with building the Great Pyramid of Giza, the largest of the In this 2011 file photo, an Egyptian and Japanese team of scientists use a pulley system to lift the first of 41 pyramids. Khufu, 16-ton limestone slabs to reveal fragments of the ancient ship of King Khufu next to the Great Pyramid of son of Snefru, was Giza, Egypt. Archaeologists began a second-phase of restoration work on a 4,500-year-old wooden boat the second ruler found next to the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of Egypt’s main tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra, of the 4th Dynasty File) around 2680 B.C. and ruled Egypt for 23 years. would likely take about four years and shape, intact and in place,” he said, Both boats, made from Lebanese that at its completion, the boat would adding that the focus now is on taking cedar and Egyptian acacia trees, were be placed on display at the Solar Boat samples of the wood. originally discovered in 1954. One of Museum near the pyramids, which He said Egyptologists are studying the boats is on display at a museum routinely attract millions of tourists and “the different components and fungus near the pyramids. boost one of Egypt’s most important in the wood in order to find the most The second boat, which is now unsufficient and advanced way to work industries. dergoing the restoration, remained The team had initially thought the on the wood.” buried. It is thought to be smaller than Last year in June, a team of scivessel would be safer left underits sister ship, which is about 140 feet entists lifted the first of 41 limestone ground than exposed to pollution, but (43 meters) long. slabs each weighing about 16 tons to evidence showed that pollution, water The head of Egypt’s Supreme uncover the pit in which the ancient and insects had invaded the boat’s Council of Antiquities, Mustafa ship was buried, said Sakuji Yoshimuchamber. Amin, said Egyptologists began taking ra, professor from Japan’s Waseda A $10 million grant from Waseda samples of the wood for restoration. University has helped in preparing University. “The boat was found in a complete the ship’s excavation process.  At the time, experts said restoration 35 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

36 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

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Africa Travel Association

36TH ANNUAL CONGRESS ON AFRICA’S TOURISM INDUSTRY

he Africa Travel Association (ATA), a world leader in promoting tourism to Africa, announced major industry milestones at the travel trade association’s 36th Annual World Congress in Senegal. ATA’s hallmark event brings together tourism leaders and professionals from around the world to shape Africa’s growing travel industry. “ATA is incredibly pleased with the outcomes of the congress and is confident they will have a positive impact on the tourism industry in Senegal and across Africa,” said Edward Bergman, ATA Executive Director. “These achievements are an integral part of the story of the growing importance of the industry in Africa and we expect they will encourage a spike in the number of arrivals to and investments in Africa’s emerging and well-known destinations.” Under the banner “Destination Senegal: A Tourism Gateway Inspired by Culture, Heritage and Arts,” the event was hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts, Liaison with the Private Sector and Small Businesses, in cooperation with the Senegalese Tourism Authority. South African Airways served as the presenting sponsor. Delegates included six tourism ministers (Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal and Sierra Leone), the African Union Commissioner responsible for tourism, 16 tourism ministry representatives, approximately 200 tourism leaders and professionals, businesses and non-governmental organization participants, students, and travel trade media. Delegates came from more than 30 countries.

ATA Congress Milestones Congress milestones include the following: • ATA and the National Tour Association (NTA), the leading businessbuilding association for travel pro-

•

fessionals interested in the North American market-inbound, outbound and within the continent, renewed their commitment to work together to promote travel and tourism to Africa by signing a new memorandum of understanding. Dr. Yaw Nyarko, Director of New York University’s Africa House, announced the forthcoming release of the second edition of State of Tourism in Africa, prepared by Africa House-New York University, the World Bank and ATA. The report, which uses facts, figures and stories to show the potential and impact of tourism across Africa, will be officially released at ATA’s upcoming Presidential Forum on Africa Tourism in September, parallel to the meetings of the United Nations General Assembly. Citing UNWTO data, among other international sources such as WTTC, China Tourism Academy, World Economic Forum, and Expedia, Inc., the report presents the preliminary finding that Africa’s tourism arrivals grew from 37 million in 2003 to 63 million in 2010 and that arrivals to Africa continued to grow at a higher rate than overall arrivals in the world in 2010. In addition, according to China Tourism Academy, Africa received 730,000 visitors from China in 2010, making it the smallest, but fastest growing continental destination with a growth rate of 90% in comparison to 2009. ATA hosted the largest delegation of students and young professionals to date with over 20 participants from more than 5 countries. The Republic of Chad joined ATA as a member country.

Showcasing New Attractions in Senegal During the congress, ATA and Senegal worked together to expose the delegates to Senegal’s new industry 39 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

events and travel products. To begin, ATA delegates joined hundreds of Senegalese and West African travel professionals and consumers at TICAA (The International Tourism, Cultural Industries and Artistic Crafts Fair). The fair, held annually in Dakar in May, brings together traveltrade professionals working in the Africa tourism industry to develop business opportunities, tourism products, and strengthen markets for tourism in Africa. Senegal’s government has also invested heavily in developing new culture and heritage attractions, most notably the Africa Renaissance Monument, which rivals the size and scope of New York’s Statue of Liberty and France’s Eiffel Tower. This giant copper sculpture of a family was inaugurated by President Abdoulaye Wade to mark the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence in April 2010. On Host Country Day, ATA delegates visited the monument. Delegates also visited Goree Island, a destination memorializing the trans-Atlantic slave trade, where they were hosted by the Mayor of Dakar, Khalifa Ababacar Sall. The delegates wrapped up the day at a tree-planting ceremony at Cheikh Anta Diop University, where they planted more than a dozen trees. ATA’s carbon neutral tradition began last year in The Gambia at ATA’s 35th Congress. At the end of the congress, delegates, alongside thousands of fans, attended a Senegalese wrestling match at Demba Diop Stadium in Dakar. Today, wrestling is Senegal’s national sport and a multi-million dollar game that attracts more fans than any other sport in the country. In addition to SAA, congress sponsors included the Senegalese Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts, Liaison with the Private Sector and Small Businesses. New Focus Travel Magazine, E-Turbo News, and Travel World News were media partners with support from Afrique Expansion. The Gambia ATA Chapter, Le Méridien President, Mayor of Dakar, Khalifa Ababacar Sall, and Africa Connection Tours, Inc. were also sponsors. 

Travel Business

Meeting Planners “Must Have” Tools for Marketing Events in Africa… by Erik Mintz, Director, Constant Contact

n today’s resource-strained economy, the affordable, easy-to-use online marketing tools now available provide meeting professionals with the ability to engage and capture meaningful data about their audience. The use of these online tools can result in stronger relationships and smarter event planning. During a recent presentation at the Meeting Technology Expo, I noted that the four primary online marketing tools that every meeting professional should take advantage of are: 1) event marketing, 2) social media marketing, 3) e-mail marketing and 4) online surveys.

Relationships Are Critical Today’s meeting professionals are more adept at using online marketing tools to help develop strong relationships with their customers. These relationships are the single most important asset to your business. Connecting with your audience happens through effective communications, and these online tools can help you deliver adn engage in a meaningful dialog to create those personal connections. Of course, it’s important to remember that while online tools are a great was to enable two-way digital communications, they do work best when coupled with face-to-face interactions. There really is no substities for connection in person for bujilding a sense of community and instilling trust to your relationship.

Build the Buz Clearly, social media has changed the game for everyone, offering a fundamental shift in the way we com-

municate. There are plenty of easy ways to encourage your audience to build the buzz before, during and after your event. I’m a hugh fan of creating a Linkedin Group to accompany your event. Having a Linkedin Group empowers communities of individuals to communicate amongst themselves. It’s also a great tool to keep those conversations going after the event has concluded. E-mail marketing is another tool that can increase the success of your events. While an event marketing tool will help you promote your event, don’t forget that you can “double” your efforts by using other communications vehicles. Sending out a regular newsletter? Include your event URL. Emailing a deal to customers? Remind them about your event in that email. If done well, email marketing can really help grow your event - and your business. If done poorly, people will think your emails are spam. Speaking of that, we all hate spam, so be sure to adhere to regulations set out in the CAN SPAM Act. This law states that for you to send out commercial emails, you need explicit permission from your contacts. While this law won’t stop spam, it does make most spam illegal and ultimately less attractive to spammers. The law is specific on the requirements to send commercial emails and empowers the federal government to enforce the law.

Lists, Surveys and Other Tools Another great benefit of email marketing is list management. List segmentation means dividing a large contact list into a few smaller, more targeted mailing lists based on your contacts’ varied interests and needs. The idea here is to get the highest percentage of those receiving your emails to open and engage in your emails. Email service providers like Constant Contact provide you with all of the tracking and reporting of your email campaigns. These results show you the efficacy of your email marketing efforts. Finally, one of the most useful online marketing tools for meeting professionals is the online survey. Online surveys can not only improve your performance and effectiveness of your events, they can also help you make

strategic decisions moving forward. Whether it’s a pre-event survey to see Must Have Tools on page 41

40 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

Must Have Tools from page 40

determine the best time, date and location for your event, or a post-event survey to find out if the event met or exceeded expectations, online surveys provide you with the results you need to improve your next event.

Feature Factors Meeting professionals have many options to consider whtn looking for the right online event marketing service. When evaluating which solution to use for your next event, consider the following feature set:

Promotion: Most importantly, you have to get the word out about your event. These tools provide you with an event website, RSS feeds, event widgets, RSVPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and the ability to post to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Capture: The heart of any event marketing system is online registration. We hear time and time again that offering online registration with the ability to capture fees electronically reduces the workload while getting firm commitments from your audience to attend your event. Tracking: These systems provide real-time reporting and a dashboard of your event activity. This includes RSVP tracking (who has accepted,

41 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

who has declined and who has not responded), registration count for things like venue capacity and food & beverage, any payment transaction information concerning who has or has not paid for your event. At the end of the day using online marketing tools to execute your event will save you signigicant time and money. ď &#x2018; Erik Mintz is Director of the Consant Contact Event Marketing product. He has more than a decade of experiece in the event management industry and previously worked for IBM for 10 years in OS/2, Global Services and IBM Corporate. For more articles on event marketing at: www.constantcontact. com/learning-center/index.jsp

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Travel Business

CIC Announces Completion of 8 of 9 Green Standards by Sarah J.F. Braley, meetings-convetions.com

he Convention Industry Council recently announced that eight of the nine APEX/ASTM Environmentally Sustainable Meeting standards are complete. “This is a major accomplishment for the collective conventions, meetings, events and exhibitions industry,” stated Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP, who is CEO of the council. “Sustainability is a strategic concern for planners, suppliers and the organizations they represent. These standards are much anticipated, so this is a great moment for the volunteers who put such effort to this project.” The standards were compiled by the Green Meetings Industry Council and the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency. Begun in 2007, the development of the documents has taken place through a partnership between CIC’s Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) and the American Society for Testing and Materials International. The APEX/ASTM standards will be comprised of nine individual “sector” standards, covering all facets of event planning and management. The eight ratified standards cover audiovisual, communications and marketing materials, destinations, exhibits, F&B, meeting venues, onsite offices and transportation. “None of this work would have happened without the passion, dedication and conviction of the volunteer force that

spans across North America and Europe,” said Amy Spatrisano, Chair of the APEX Green Meetings and Events Panel and principal at third-party planning firm MeetGreen in Portland, Ore. “The level of specificity required and accountability of both the planner and supplier that is built into these standards is unprecedented. It’s a game changer.” The completed standards will be published in November as both electronic and paper documents. Information on publication date and availability will be announced and posted on www.conventionindustry.org when the standards are available. The ninth standard, on accommodations, is undergoing final balloting through the ASTM. 

Travel Business

American Express Releases Green Meetings Measurement Tool by Loren G. Edelstein, meetings-convetions.com

merican Express Meetings and Events (https://www212. americanexpress.com/ dsmlive/dsm/int/meetingandevents/ merchants.do?vgnextoid=26a0e4e1f 4f8d110VgnVCM200000d0faad94RC RD) has released a tool to help clients obtain green hotel data to measure the effectiveness of their environmental initiatives. Two clients currently are using the program for meetings met-

rics, including Johnson Controls as well as a pharmaceutical client. The program is based on the Carbon Accounting Co.’s Green Hotels Global initiative (www.greenhotelsglobal. com). Companies now have access to analytics both in the meeting planning and post-meeting evaluation stages. “Johnson Controls is very serious about reducing its environmental footprint,” said Karen Lynch, CMP, global lead, meetings and events, for the global technology and industrial firm. “We were looking for a way to pioneer in the travel and meetings space, and Green Hotels Global gives us real metrics for carbon, water and waste for 43 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

each individual property. No estimates or guesstimates.” The program now covers Johnson Control’s top 50 hotels for meetings and business travel, according to Issa Jouaneh, American Express Business Travel’s vice president/general manager, meetings and events.  www.meetings-conventions.com/articles/ american-express-releases-green-meetings-measurement-tool/c44242.aspx http://thecarbonaccountingcompany.com/ industry_programs.htm

Golf Africa www.golfworldmap.com/africa/#9.622414142924805,17.05078125,3

Botswana Gaborone Golf Club at the Gaborone Sun Hotel Phakalane Golf Estate Hotel Resort www.phakalane.com

Egypt Alexandria Sporting Club, Alexandria Cascades at Soma Bay Golf and Country Club www.residencedescascades.com

Dreamland Golf & Tennis Resort, Cairo www.dreamlandgolf.com

Golf City, Cairo Katemeya Heights Golf & Tennis Resort, Cairo www.katameyaheights.com

Madinat Makadi Golf Course, Madinat Makadi www.madinatmakadigolf.com

Mena House Oberoi Golf Course, Cairo www.oberoihotels.com/oberoi_menahouse/index.asp

Mirage City Golf Club, Cairo www.golf.jwmarriottcairo.com/golf

Steigenberger Al Dau Beach Hotel, Hurghada

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Course, Poste de Flacq

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Karen Country Club, Nairobi Kiambu Golf Club, Kiambu Leisure Lodge Beach & Golf Resort, Mombasa Muthaiga Golf Club, Nairobi Nyali Golf & Country Club, Mombasa www.nyaligolf.co.ke

Railway Golf Club, Nairobi Royal Nairobi Golf Club, Nairobi The Golf Park at the Jockey Club of Kenya, Nairobi Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club, Nairobi www.windsorgolfresort.com

Mauritius Ile aux Cherfs, Trou d’Eau Douce Le Paradis Hotel & Golf Club, Le Morne Peninsula www.paradis-hotel.com

Legend Golf Course, Poste de Flacq www.bellemareplagehotel.com

Links Golf Course, Poste de Flacq

Shandrani Golf Club, Blue Bay www.shandrani-hotel.com

Troux aux Biches Golf Club, Troux aux Biches www.trouauxbiches-hotel.com

Morocco Anfa Royal Golf Club, Casablanca Cabo Negro Royal Golf Club, Tetouan Royal Golf of Dar es Salam, Rabat www.royalgolfdaressalam.com/english/index.cfm

Club Med les Dunes, Agadir El Jadida Royal Golf Club, El Jadida Fes Royal Golf Club, Fes Marrakech Royal Golf Club, Marrakech Meknes Royal Golf Club, Meknes Mohammedia Royal Golf Club, Mohammedia Settat University Royal Golf Club, Settat Tangier Royal Golf Club, Tangier

www.princemaurice.com

One&Only Le Saint Géran Golf

44 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

see Golf Africa on page 45

Golf Africa www.golfworldmap.com/africa/#9.622414142924805,17.05078125,3 from Golf Africa page 44

Nambia Keetmanshoop Golf Course, Keetmanshoop Okahandja Golf Club, Okahandja www.okahandja.net/sport/default.html

Senegal Golf de Saly, Mbour

tate, Olifantsfontein www.bluevalley.co.za

www.golfsaly.com/intro/presentation_fr.htm

Bryanston Country Club, Bryanston

Golf International du Technopôle, Dakar Le Méridien President Resort &

www.bryanstoncc.co.za

Centurion Country Club, Centurion www.centurioncountryclub.co.za

Champagne Sports Resort, Winterton www.champagnesportsresort.com

Clovelly Country Club, Cape Town www.clovelly.za.net

Crown Mines Golf Club, Johannesburg www.g-i.co.za/clubs/?c=274

Darling Golf Club, Darling www.darlingtourism.co.za/sportdetail. htm#golfclub

De Zalze Winelands Golf Estate, Stellenbosch www.golfdezalze.com Legend Golf Course on the Entabeni Safari Reserve in Entabeni, South Africa

Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate, Stellenbosch www.devonvale.co.za

Orandjemund Golf Club, Oranjemund Rossmund Golf Course, Swakopmund Tsumeb Golf Club, Tsumeb Walvis Bay Golf Course, Walvis Bay Windhoek Country Club Resort, Windhoek

Golf Club, Dakar

Durban Country Club, Durban

www.starwoodhotels.com/ lemeridien/property/overview/index. html?propertyID=1821&EM=VTY_ MD_1821_DAKAR_OVERVIEW

www.dcclub.co.za

Sierra Leone

East London Golf Course, East London

www.windhoek.co.za

Akasia Golf Clue, Pretoria

Emfuleni Golf Estate, Vanderbijlpark

www.akasiacountryclub.co.za

www.emfulenigolfestate.com

Atlantic Beach Golf Club, Cape Town

Fancourt Hotel & Country Club Estate, George

www.atlanticbeachgolfclub.co.za/ capetown/index.asp

www.fancourt.co.za

Nigeria IBB Golf Course, Abuja IITA Golf Club, Ibadan Ikeja Golf Club, Lagos www.ikejagolfclub.org

Reunion Golf du Bassin Blue, St Gilles les Hauts Golf Club de Bourbon, Etang Sale les Bains

Freetown Golf Club, Freetown

South Africa

Bellville Golf Club, Cape Town www.bellvillegolf.co.za

Benoni Country Club, Johannesburg

Durbanville Golf Club, Durbanville www.durbanvillegolfclub.co.za

www.elgc.co.za

Gary Player Country Club Golf Course, Sun City www.suninternational.com/Destinations/Resorts/Golf/Pages/Golf.aspx

George Golf Club, George

www.benonicountryclub.co.za/pro/ Default.aspx

www.georgegolfclub.co.za

www.golf-bourbon.com/spip/spip. php?lang=en

Blair Atholl, Fourways

www.germistongolf.com

Club du Colorado, La Montagne

Blue Valley Golf & Country Es-

Germiston Golf Club, Germiston

www.blairatholl.co.za 45 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

see Golf Africa on page 47

Golf Africa www.golfworldmap.com/africa/#9.622414142924805,17.05078125,3 www.monkscowl.co.za

Mossel Bay Golf Club, Mossel Bay www.mosselbaygolfclub.co.za

Mowbray Golf Club, Cape Town www.mowbraygolfclub.co.za

Paarl Golf Course, Paarl www.paarlgolfclub.co.za

Pearl Valley Signature Golf Estate and Spa, Cape Winelands www.pearlvalley.co.za

Pecanwood Golf & Country Club, Hartbeesportt www.pecanwoodgolf.co.za

Plettenberg Bay Country Club, Plettenberg Bay from Golf Africa page 45

Glendower Golf Course, Johannesburg www.glendower.co.za

Hermanus Golf Club, Hermanus www.hgc.co.za

Houghton Golf Club, Houghton www.houghton.co.za

Humewood Golf Club, Port Elizabeth www.humewoodgolf.co.za

The Country Club Johannesburg, Rivonia www.ccj.co.za

Killarney Country Club, Johannesburg www.killarneycountryclub.co.za

Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane

www.plettgolf.co.za

www.leopardcreek.co.za

www.ptacc.co.za

Pretoria Country Club, Pretoria

Lost City, Sun City

Randpark Golf Club, Randburg

www.suninternational.com/ Destinations/Resorts/Golf/Pages/Golf. aspx

www.randpark.co.za

Malmesbury Golf Club, Malmesbury

River Club Golf & Conference Center, Cape Town

www.malmesburygolfclub.co.za

http://riverclub.co.za

Metropolitan Golf Course, Cape Town

Riviera on Vaal Country Club, Vereenigning

www.metropolitangolfclub.co.za

www.rovcountryclub.co.za

Milnerton Golf Club, Cape Town www.milnertongolfclub.co.za

Reading Country Club, Alberton www.readingcc.co.za

Royal Cape Golf Club, Cape Town

Modderfontein Golf Club, Modderfontein

www.royalcapegolf.co.za

www.mgclub.co.za

www.royaldurban.co.za

Monks Cowl Coutry Club & Lodge, Winterton

San Lameer Country Club, Mar-

Royal Durban Golf Club, Durban

Kingswood Golf Estate, George www.kingswood.co.za

Kleinmond Golf Club, Kleinmond www.kleinmondgolfclub.co.za

Kloof Country Club, Kloof www.kloofcountryclub.co.za

Knysna Golf Club, Knysna www.knysnagolfclub.com

Koro Creek Bushveld Golf Estate, Nylstroom www.korocreek.com

Langebaan County Estate Golf & Leisure, Langebaan www.langebaanestate.co.za

47 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

see Golf Africa on page 49

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Golf Africa www.golfworldmap.com/africa/#9.622414142924805,17.05078125,3 from Golf Africa page 47

gate www.sanlameer.co.za

Scottburgh Golf Club, Scottburgh www.scottburghgolf.co.za

Selbourne Golf Estate, Pennington

El Kantaoui Golf Course, Port El Kantaoui www.portelkantaoui.com.tn/golf

Palm Links Golf Course, Monastir www.golf-palmlinks.com/english/ presentation.htm

Flamingo Golf Course, Monastir

Tabarka Golf Course, Tabarka

www.golfflamingo.com/english/flamingo.htm

www.tabarkagolf.com/en/index.htm

Golf Citrus, Hammamet www.golfcitrus.com

www.selborne.com

Silver Lakes Golf & Country Club, Pretoria www.silverlakes.co.za

Somerset West Golf Club, Somerset West www.somersetwestgolfclub.co.za

St Francis Bay Golf Club, St Francis Bay www.stfrancisgolf.co.za

St Francis Links, St Francis Bay www.stfrancislinks.com

Steenberg Golf Club, Cape Town www.steenberggolfclub.co.za/Framework/index.asp

Stellenbosch Golf Club, Stellenbosch www.steenberggolfclub.co.za/ Framework/index.asp

Umdoni Golf Course, Pennington www.umdonipark.com

Umhlali Country Club, Umhlali www.umhlalicountryclub.co.za

Westlake Golf Club, Cape Town www.westlakegolfclub.co.za

Wingate Park Country Club, Pretoria www.wingateparkcountryclub.co.za

Swaziland Royal Swazi Spa Country Club www.suninternational.com/Destinations/Resorts/RoyalSwaziSpaValley/ FacilitiesActivities/Pages/Golf.aspx

The Gambia Fajara Club, Fajara www.smiles.gm/fajara.htm

Tunisia Djerba Golf Club, Midoun www.djerbagolf.com 49 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

Yasmine Golf Course, Mannamet www.golfyasmine.com/en/index.php 

50 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

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African Diaspora Tourism Awards Launched

he online magazine AfricanDiasporaTourism.com (ADT) announces the launch of the African Diaspora World Tourism Awards. The official gala ceremony recognizing people who have made unique and significant contributions in the fields of culture and heritage tourism in the African Diaspora will take place in fall of 2012. ADT publications editor Kitty J. Pope says that this type of award is needed because we have shining stars who have worked hard to push forth agendas related to black culture and heritage tourism. “There is the annual World Travel Awards that is the ‘Oscars’ of the travel industry; but because of its uniqueness, I feel that a separate, special event is needed for the culture and heritage contributions of people of African descent,” says Pope. ”So we have launched these awards to recognize people that work

to develop, maintain and promote African Diaspora Tourism as a unique field in travel.” AfricanDiasporaTourism.com will award people for outstanding services as tour operators, travel planners, culture and heritage scholars and specialists, tourism ministers and CEO’S, as well as media and travel professionals. The African Diaspora World Tourism Awards will recognize politicians, government officials, notables and people of all races who have contributed to the development and promotion of culture and heritage tourism in the places of the African Diaspora worldwide. Awards will also be given to destinations, historic sites, accommodations, organizations, institutions and corporations for their contributions and achievements in black culture and heritage tourism. African Diaspora World Tourism Awards will include such categories

as best new heritage trail, black historic site of the year, pioneers in black heritage tourism as well as awards for volunteer and sustainable tourism. Hospitality awards will go to outstanding resorts, hotels, restaurants and chefs of the Diaspora. The awards ceremony will also recognize outstanding carnivals, festivals and other culture tourism events related to black heritage and history. AfricanDiasporaTourism.com is accepting requests from culture, heritage and tourism professionals and organizations interested in partnering to form the awards committee. The first three stages 1) selecting categories, 2) nominations and 3) voting should be complete within the next 6 to 8 months. The recipients of awards will then be finalized along with plans for the event ceremony for the 2012 African Diaspora World Tourism Awards. Updates about this momentous event are forthcoming. For more information, or if you are interested in being a part of this project, please contact kpope@AfricanDiasporaTourism.com or admin@blacktravelwriters.org.  AfricanDiasporaTourism.com

Africa Day Celabration May 2012 in Atlanta

he sixth annual Africa Day Celebration will take place May 25-26, 2012 in Atlanta, GA. It is a grassroots festive event to inform, acknowledge and promote worldwide potential business opportunities, travel to Africa, ideas and values of Africa as a continent of possibilities to the global community. The Africa Day celebration sponsored by the Africa Heritage Foundation (AHF). The primary objectives of Africa Day in Atlanta include: • 1) developing international partnerships, • 2) supporting the emergence of Africa and USA private sector,

• 3) promoting direct foreign investment in Africa, and • 4) leveraging the imbalances in Africa’s growing economy. Benefits of the celebration are likely to include investments to help eradicate poverty. Investment opportunities can contribute to changing the political and economic image of Africa, and allow access to the billion dollars the U.S. Government has committed to trade capacity building activities; networking and subcontracting opportunities. Chief Tunde Adetunji, AHF leader, says that Africa is a continent of many possibilities. “In fact, it is the hub of the world economic propensity and 52 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

posterity, but somehow still remains the missing link in the global economy.” He goes on to say that in the last ten years, Africa has made significant progress in social and economic development, including a strong average growth rate in many countries and an improved political and social environment. “Even though there are still challenges, African nations’ are determined to change things for the better.” “That’s why we have Africa Day in Atlanta. We are determined to show the world that Africa Matters and Africa is the Future!”  www.AfricaHeritageFoundation.org

Tours, Missions & More sorship, so that the bank can make a meaningful contribution to the development of golf in Kenya. The PGA will be bringing in 100 players, 50 players will

Samburu Camel Project

Heifer to Conduct Study Tours to African Nations

Heifer Study Tours are designed for organized Heifer support groups to visit project partner communities engaged in Heifer’s mission. It is a journey into the daily lives of extraordinary people. As you visit with the farmers and families who are working with Heifer you will learn more than you could have imagined and have the opportunity to observe Heifer’s model of sustainable development in action. Heifer Study Tours to Africa range from 10 to 14 days and fees range from $2,500 to $4,000 per person (plus travel fees to and from the country destination). The following tours are being planned now (all dates are tentative): Ghana-March 2012, Zambia-May 2012, and Uganda-July 2012. Visit www.heifer.org/visit/africa-study-tour to sign-up to receive notification once the dates and itineraries for upcoming Study Tours are determined.

Kenya Open Golf Tournament

March 29-April 1, 2012 Muthaiga Golf Club, Nairobi The annual Kenya Open Golf Tournament received a big boost when title sponsors Barclays Bank of Kenya extended its sponsorship for the tournament to run until 2015. The tournament, regarded as Africa’s Premier event, will run between March 29 and April 1 at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club and the two-year extension will see the total sponsorship kitty by the bank shoot up from Sh44 million to Sh80 million, with additional opportunities in the sponsorship of golf clinics and other activities at hand. Barclays Bank Managing Director of East and West Africa, Adan Mohamed said they decided to extend the spon-

Muthaiga Golf Club, Nairobi, Kenya be from invitations from South Africa and other African countries, while local pros will contest for the available 26 slots. This is exclusive of the local amateurs.

West African Fashion Week

Ghana, November 2012 www.wafashionweek.com The first West African Fashion Week (WAFW), held at the Coco Ocean Resort & Spa, The Gambia, was an initiative to put West Africa on the map as a sparking and internationally oriented destination for fashion. Once a year this fashion week forms the centre-point of the West Africa countries. With a full schedule of catwalk shows, trade fairs, presentations, international artists, lectures and parties. The next african fashion week will take place in 2012 in Ghana. With a population of over 300 million, the 17 countries from West Africa are finally given a platform they deserve. The WAFW program combines with creativity and is a inspiring place to visit and a vibrant place to do business. For information send an e-mail to info@westafricafashionweek.com. 

53 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

African Cuisine: A Little History, A Few Recipes

frica, the second largest continent in the world, is rich in geographic and cultural diversity . It is a land populated by peoples with histories dating to ancient times and cultures shaped by innumerable tribes, languages, and traditions. Because it is the birthplace of Homo sapiens and the land of origin for much of the world’s population, the culture of food and eating in the different regions of Africa is important to people throughout the world. Early History of Africa The early history of man is the story of food in Africa. Homo sapiens evolved apart from other apes in Africa, and the adaptation of humans has been shaped by adaptations to diet . For example, some anthropologists believe that the selection pressure that led to bipedalism (walking on two legs) was an adaptation to changing environments that involved travel in search of tubers (rounded underground plant stems, such as potatoes). Africa’s history includes some of humankind’s earliest food production, with one of the most fertile centers located in Northern Africa, the Nile Valley. The Nile Valley historically was and continues to be a rich source of fish, animal, and plant food. In the drier African savannas, especially after the Sahara region became arid after 6000 B.C.E., nomad tribes raised cattle, goats, or sheep, which served as part of the tribes’ food source. Crops that were less affected by extreme weather like cereals (such as wheat, barley, millet, and sorghum) and tubers (such as yams) slowly became popular throughout the continent and have remained important staples in the African diet today.

The African Climate and Terrain The historic influences on the African diet began in ancient times and continue to the present day. Great geographic differences across the African continent caused much of the variety in the African diet. In addition, many tribes and peoples migrated or traded, bringing spices and foods from each other’s culture into their own. However, though each region of Af-

rica has its distinct cuisines , African food has its basic staples.

African Peanut Soup

The African Diet Throughout Africa, the main meal of the day is lunch, which usually consists of a mixture of vegetables, legumes, and sometimes meat. However, though different meats are considered staples in many areas, many Africans are not able to eat meat often, due to economic constraints. Beef, goat, and sheep (mutton) are quite expensive in Africa, so these foods are reserved for special days. However, fish is abundant in coastal regions and in many lakes. The combination of various foods is called stew, soup, or sauce, depending on the region. This mixture is then served over a porridge or mash made from a root vegetable such as cassava or a grain such as rice, corn, millet, or teff. Regional differences are reflected in variations on this basic meal, primarily in the contents

eating) Africans.

Traditional Cooking Methods

Traditional ways of cooking involve steaming food in leaf wrappers (banana or corn husks), boiling, frying in oil, grilling beside a fire, roasting in a fire, or baking in ashes. Africans normally cook outdoors or in a building separate from the living quarters. African kitchens commonly have a stew pot sitting on three stones arranged around a fire. In Africa, meals are pounding maize grains normally eaten with the hands. into a powdered flour A Few Recipes One of the fun aspects of preparing for a trip to Africa is trying out some of the better known dishes in your own home. One of my favorites is African Peanut Soup. There are many, many variations so search around for the one recipe that seems best to you. This recipe yields 10 servings.

of the stew. The greatest variety of ingredients occurs in coastal areas and in the fertile highlands. Flavorings and spiciness have varied principally due to local histories of trade. In the traditional African diet, meat and fish are not the focus of a meal, but are instead used to enhance the stew that accompanies the mash or porridge. Meat is rarely eaten, though it is well-liked among carnivorous (meat54 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 medium onions, chopped 2 large red bell peppers, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, with liquid 8 cups vegetable broth or stock 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon chili powder (optional) 2/3 cup extra crunchy peanut butter 1/2 cup uncooked brown rice Directions see page 55

African Cuisine 1. Heat oil in a large stock pot over medium high heat. Cook onions and bell peppers until lightly browned and tender, stirEast African Baked Chicken

ring in garlic when almost done to prevent burning. Stir in tomatoes, vegetable stock, pepper, and chili powder. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. 2. Stir in rice, cover, and simmer another fifteen minutes or until rice is tender. Stir in peanut butter until well blended, and serve. The East African Baked Chicken has lots of ingredients but is very easy to prepare and serves four. Ingredients 2 chicken breast halves (about 3/4

pound), skinned 2 chicken thighs (about 1/2 pound), skinned 2 chicken drumsticks (about 1/2 pound), skinned 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoon olive oil 3 cups vertically sliced onion 1 tablespoon chopped peeled fresh ginger 1 teaspoon curry powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper 2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1/2 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth 1/2 cup dry white wine 3 tablespoons chopped pitted dates 3 tablespoons golden raisins Method Preheat oven to 350°. 1. Sprinkle chicken with salt and black pepper. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove the chicken from pan. 2. Add the onion to pan; reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the ginger and next 5 ingredients (ginger through garlic); cook for 1 minute. Stir in chicken, broth,

Meni-Meniyong and the remaining ingredients, and bring to a boil. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour. Mali provides a very sweet treat in MeniMeniyong. This recipe yields 40 pieces. Ingredients 1 cup Sesame seeds 1 cup Honey 4 tablespoons Butter, unsalted Method 1. Preheat oven to 450ºF. Spread the sesame seeds on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove and cool. 2. Heat the honey and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring until it bubbles and darkens somewhat, about 3 to 5 minutes. 3. Stir the toasted sesame seeds into honey mixture. Spread the mass onto a buttered baking sheet to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Cool until it is just warm, cut into finger-sized pieces or strips, roll the candy in more toasted sesame seeds to coat after cutting it into pieces. Cool completely and serve. 

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Alex: My Life From Sudanese Refugee to International Supermodel by Alex Wek

lek Wek has been the face of ad campaigns for companies ranging from Coach to Michael Kors to Nars and has worked the runways on behalf of designers such as Diane von Furstenberg and Christian Dior. Yet her defining moments extend beyond the runways of New York, Milan, Paris, and London. Born to a middle-class family in the Sudan, Wek found her life suddenly inverted when civil war broke out among outlaw militias, the Muslim-dominated government, and southern rebels. The conflict not only killed two million people, it created an entire community of refugees, including Wek’s family— many of whom fled to London.

Alek was the first black model who didn’t conform to a Caucasian aesthetic, the first with an uncompromising, sub-Saharan beauty. She belongs 57 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

to the Dinka tribe and grew up in a small town called Wau in the south of the Sudan, the seventh of nine children. Supermodel Alek Wek has a sweet style and unique look that has propelled her into one of the most successful models of color. Wek owns the runway with her long legs and piercing gaze. And like the true Aries she is, Wek has also transitioned into the role of designer with her collection of handbags, Wek 1933 (her father’s birth year). She has campaigned for aid agencies such as Unicef and founded a not-for-profit organisation educating underprivileged children. Modelling gave her the profile to do this. “So I’ve been lucky. I’ve made good friends, because there are some designers, stylists and editors who realise fashion isn’t that important. “Now I model in moderation, which is much better. “I say to the girls, ‘Nothing should change your soul’. Wek has written her incredible, daring story of rising from refugee to international supermodel.  www.amazon.com www.borders.com

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Online Videos Offer Businesses the Basics of Exporting

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A new series of 12 online videos offer exporters another tool in learning about the technical aspects of exporting and dealing with the intricacies of trade rules and paperwork. In these videos, viewers see Trade Information Center (TIC) trade specialists, explaining how to fill out a NAFTA Certificate of Origin. The presenters in the videos all do customerfacing work for their Department of Commerce agencies and, thus, are intimately familiar with the subject matter of each video. The 12 export training videos are available on the Web at www.census.gov/foreign-trade/aes/ exporttraining/videos. Each video runs about three or four minutes and can be viewed online or downloaded for off-line viewing. For additional sources of export counseling, contact the Trade Information Center at 1-800-USA-TRAD(E) (1-800-872-8723); www. export.gov.

58 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

KLM Starts Scheduled Service to Lusaka, Zambia

n 15 May 2012 KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will make its first flight to Lusaka, Zambia. Starting today passengers can book the flights through KLM’s reservation system at www.klm.com. Lusaka will become KLM’s 72nd intercontinental destination. KLM will serve Lusaka three times a

KLM will create a direct link between Zambia’s flourishing flower industry and the Netherlands, which is the largest junction in the worldwide flower industry. Zambia also offers a wide variety of tourist attractions. Tourism in Zambia is centred around the city of Livingstone, located on the banks of the Zambezi river and close to the famed Victoria Falls. Together with Kenya Airways, KLM offers another thirteen flights a week to Lusaka via Nairobi. Thanks to the partnership with Kenya Airways, KLM and Air France can offer an extensive network throughout Africa. The alliance flies to many destinations including Harare, Mombassa, Lilongwe, and Bujumbura. For more information, please contact: KLM Media Relations Tel.: +31 (0)20 649 4545.  www.klm.com

week using an Airbus A330-200. The aircraft has space for 243 passengers, 30 in World Business Class and 213 in Economy Class. Starting 15 May 2012, flight KL561 will depart from Schiphol on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 12:30 hrs, arriving in Lusaka the same day at 22:10 hrs. The return flight, KL562, will depart Lusaka at 23:55 hrs on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights and arrive in Amsterdam at 09:55 hrs the next morning. Zambia is experiencing strong growth, thanks to its vigorous mining industry. Moreover, this new destination for

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ASSIST THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH SUDAN Sudan Sunrise Help Build Schools in the South Sundan www.sudansunrise.org

outh Sudan is the most underdeveloped region of the world today. 85% of the population in South Sudan is illiterate. Only about 7% of teachers in the south have any professional training, and it is not uncommon to visit a school where the teachers themselves have not been educated beyond fourth grade. Some 1.5 million children who should be in school are not, due to lack of schools. The majority of schools that do exist consist of a chalkboard under a tree. Read about the camapign and contribute to the program to build over 41 schools at www.sudansunrise.org.

Southern Sudan Literacy Project (SSLP) Build a Primary School • www.thehopealliance.org/?q=node/77

he Southern Sudan Literacy Project (SSLP) is designed to build a Primary school in Dongchak Payam, Duk County, Southern Sudan. Solomon Awan, who was one of the “Lost Boys from Sudan,” now lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. He desires to help the village he is from, Duk Padiet. Villagers are just now returning after so many years of war and genocide. During the Spring of 2008, Solomon traveled back to his home village where he was reunited with his mother and sister. He met with the village community and agreed that the education of their children is the most critical need. We hope to finish building the school before the 2011 rainy season. To further this goal, SSLP has partnered with Hope Alliance, allowing our donors the benefit of a tax deduction. Please help SSLP accomplish this worthwhile project: send donations to The Hope Alliance (www.thehopealliance.org) For further information please contact: solomonawan@ yahoo.com.  60 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

Blue World Travel Corporation 351 California Street Suite 950 San Francisco, CA 94104 Telephone: 800-466-2719 Facsimile: 415-882-9985 E-mail: fas@blueworldtravel.com Website: www.festivalatsea.com

TELL EVERYBODY!… Your Festival at Sea Friends are going on a once in a lifetime journey…. We’ve traveled to Africa, we’ve cruised Australia and almost every continent in the world, but in 2012, we’re going on the Ultimate Cruise Vacation. Join us as we embark on the next Friends of Festival at Sea Great Adventure sailing with Regent Seven Seas on the luxurious Seven Seas Voyager. Regent is known for its award winning ships and service and unsurpassed levels of luxury. Your all-inclusive lifestyle includes your airfare, all beverages including cocktails and wines, your gratuities, all tours and even a free one night hotel stay in Dubai! This is one itinerary you’ll remember forever! Your truly “all-inclusive” price keeps your budget under control with the following inclusions:

• Roundtrip airfare from select U.S. gateway cities • Penthouse Suites and higher include Business Class Airfare • Balcony Suite Accommodations • All shipboard gratuities • All meals including specialty restaurants onboard ship • Complimentary beverages including select wine and spirits served throughout the ship • Complimentary 24-hour room service • Butler service in Penthouse Suites with in-suite mini-bar setup • Refrigerator stocked with soft drinks, beer and bottled water replenished daily • Free Overnight Hotel with breakfast and transfers included in Dubai • $200 per suite onboard credit • Complimentary Shore Excursions Our Friends participants will also enjoy specially planned activities and parties exclusive for our group

61 | blackbusinessnews/TRAVEL | Winter 2012

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2011 Nobel Peace Prize Winners Tawakkul Karm

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