TOURISM

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda Wildlife Authority has boosted domestic tourism with the acquisition of five brand new tourism buses worth US$800,000. The funding was part of the US$100 million World Bank funded Competitive and Enterprise Development Project (CEDP) overseen by the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU). “The purchase …

Geneva – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced global passenger traffic results for November 2017 showing continued robust demand, including in the African region. The outlook for 2018 also looks great, according to IATA’s Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac. “The airline industry is in a good place entering 2018. …

Nairobi, Kenya | THE INDEPENDENT | Kenya Airways is set to become the first airline to offer a non-stop flight between East Africa and the United States of America starting October 2018. This will enable Kenya Airways join a small club of African airlines that fly directly to the US …

Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | Heavy snowfall has trapped some 13,000 tourists at Zermatt, one of Switzerland’s most popular ski stations, the Alpine resort said Tuesday. The snow has blocked all roads and the train leading to the resort in the southern Swiss canton of Valais, which was also hit by …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  The Uganda Wildlife Authority and Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) have got a boost of vehicles from the Private Sector Foundation to help boost the tourism sector. Officials in the tourism sector have today launched the busses and safari cars acquired through the Competitiveness and Enterprise …

    Geneva, Switzerland | THE INDEPENDENT | The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts global industry net profit to rise to $38.4 billion in 2018, an improvement from the $34.5 billion expected net profit in 2017. Strong demand, efficiency and reduced interest payments will help airlines improve net profitability in …

  KAMPALA | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda is one of several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa that stands to benefit from a new World Bank financing facility that aims to support private sector access more affordable capital for investment. Under the 18th replenishment of the International Development Association (IDA18) – the World …

Washington, United States | AFP |  The United States on Wednesday imposed economic sanctions on two Africans accused of using the illegal ivory trade to funnel weapons and money to Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army. Washington blacklisted Kony and his rebel guerilla group last year, accusing them of …

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | AFP | The Louvre Abu Dhabi said Friday that local Emirati authorities had “acquired” a $450-million painting by Renaissance master Leonardo Da Vinci, as reports swirled about the original source of funding. “Louvre Abu Dhabi is looking forward to displaying the Salvator Mundi by Leonardo …

Beijing, China | AFP | Nearly 12 tonnes of smuggled pangolin scales have been confiscated by Chinese officials — the country’s largest-ever seizure of the endangered mammal’s prized parts as it seeks to curb illegal trafficking. The pangolin, whose brown scales have earned it the nickname “scaly anteater”, is the most …