News
16 April 2019
Application for Membership - Yama Ethiopia Tours
Yama Ethiopia Tours has applied to join Atta. Their membership will be approved if there are not any objections lodged within the statutory 10 day period. (See objection procedure below). Yama Ethiopia Tours is an outstanding tour company combining the best service with the most customized and tailor-made tour packages designed according to our clients’ needs (budget oriented or higher end, natural or cultural focus, etc.). We have several years of experience working with individual tourists, groups of tourists, journalists, documentary film makers, university researchers, UN organizations, embassies, etc. We organize special package and tailor made tours to Axum, Lalibela, Gondar Castles, Bahir Dar & Lake Tana, Tigray rock-hewn churches, the Danakil depression and the Omo valley.
Read More16 April 2019
United Airlines Preparing New Nonstop Seasonal Service Between New York/Newark and Cape Town, South Africa
AttaUnited Airlines yesterday applied with the U.S. Department of Transportation for authority to begin new service between New York/Newark Liberty International Airport and Cape Town International Airport. United plans to operate nonstop three-times weekly flights to Cape Town starting in December 2019.
Read More15 April 2019
Tanzania to ban plastic bags by July
AttaTanzanian has announced that it will ban single-use polythene bags from June in the war against plastic pollution.
Read More15 April 2019
Uganda boosts efforts to strengthen wildlife management capacity and protect elephants
AttaTwo new eight-man ranger posts were handed over to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) on Friday 12th April, 2019. The Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Uganda, Mr Mizumoto Horii commissioned the Lions Bay ranger post, and the Honourable Minister Godfrey Kiwanda Ssubi opened the Katore ranger post.
Read More12 April 2019
Introducing Atta Advisory Board Member: Shelley Cox
AttaShelley Cox is a proudly born Zimbabwean with a deep passion for wildlife and conservation. Having studied for a Bachelor of Journalism at Rhodes University in South Africa, Shelley has worked in the tourism industry for the past nine years and is a co-owner of Africa Conservation Travel, an organization with a focus on creating a greater connection between tourism, conservation and local communities. In addition to Africa Conservation Travel, Shelley was also recently appointed to the Forestry Board of Zimbabwe, does voluntary consultancy work to Zambezi Elephant Fund, an organization focused on the protection of the middle Zambezi Biosphere Reserve, and is also on the board of trustees for Victoria Falls Enviro Watch.
Read More12 April 2019
Application for Membership - Silver Palm Spa and Resort
AttaSilver Palm Spa and Resort has applied to join Atta. Their membership will be approved if there are not any objections lodged within the statutory 10 day period. (See objection procedure below). Silver Palm Spa & Resort is a secluded beachfront luxury boutique hotel located in Kilifi, along the Kenyan coast. The property is ideally located with stunning turquoise blue ocean views, direct beach access and with only 38 rooms, offers ultimate privacy and a luxury experience for all.
Read More11 April 2019
Kenya to inaugurate seventh UNESCO World Heritage Site
AttaKenya is to inaugurate the Thimlich Ohinga archaeological landmark as its seventh UNESCO world heritage site on April 18 in a bid to boost tourism to the area. Located approximately 360km west of Nairobi in Migori County, the site was first placed on the World Heritage list in July 2018 owing to its state of preservation, its architectural significance and its ability to better showcase the interaction between man and his environment.
Read More11 April 2019
Ethiopian Airlines releases new video on 73rd anniversary
AttaAfrica’s biggest airline Ethiopian Airlines has released a 30 second video to celebrate its achievements since it was established 73 years ago. In a tweet post on their official handle on Tuesday, the airline said “On April 8, 1946, Ethiopian Airlines became the first African airline to reach the skies with its scheduled flight to #Cairo . Building on the timeless appeal of Africa, Ethiopian turns 73 today. Dedication has brought us this far, passion will take us even further!" The video captures the evolution of the Star Alliance and global Skytrax 4Star Airline from the days of the beginning to present day.
Read More10 April 2019
Ecotourism Operators Collaborate to form the Lionscape Coalition
In partnership with the Lion Recovery Fund, Africa ecotourism operators andBeyond, Conservation Travel Foundation by Ultimate Safaris, Singita and Wilderness Safaris are launching the Lionscape Coalition—an initiative that brings four commercial competitors together to protect Africa’s lions. Africa’s lion population has been cut by 50 percent in the past 25 years, and the species is now officially classified by the IUCN as ‘Vulnerable,’ with the West African subspecies ‘Critically Endangered.” Factors contributing to this decline include habitat loss and fragmentation, illegal wildlife trade, bushmeat poaching and human-lion conflict. However, andBeyond says a turnaround is still possible if these key issues are addressed.
Read More10 April 2019
Airports demonstrate commitment to combatting wildlife trafficking
Amsterdam Schiphol operator, the Royal Schiphol Group, Kenya Airports Authority and Galapagos Airport in Ecuador have become the latest gateways to show their commitment to combatting wildlife trafficking by signing the United for Wildlife (UFW) Transport Taskforce Buckingham Palace Declaration. The illegal wildlife trade threatens the future existence of many of the world’s most iconic species and is one of the five most lucrative global crimes. The declaration is a landmark agreement which forms an action plan to strengthen and co-ordinate action against trafficking.
Read More10 April 2019
Uganda is safe and all National Parks are open for visitation
AttaSecurity has been beefed up in Uganda's national parks, parks are open & Uganda remains a top destination for wildlife, culture and adventure
Read More09 April 2019
Tourism businesses respond to growing customer demand for experiences
More and more people are yearning for experiences and to make memories. Spending their money on the pursuit of this, rather than on consumerism and buying possessions. Because of this, businesses within the tourism industry are adapting and honing their offerings in response to consumer demand.
Read More09 April 2019
South Africa begins rolling out e-visas
Visitors from New Zealand will now be able to apply for, process and print their visas for South Africa at home. South Africa’s first ever e-visas will be issued in New Zealand in April, the tourism department’s communications director, Blessing Manale, said. The e-visas were first announced by president Cyril Ramaphosa in his State of the Union (SONA) address in February. Prospective visitors to South Africa will be able to apply for a visa online and once granted, the e-visa can be printed at home.
Read More08 April 2019
Bird watching experience set to improve in Rwanda
The bird watching experience in Rwanda is set to improve after 35 local birding guides completed a 19-day training exercise yesterday. Led by British expert birder Malcolm Wilson, the guides were trained on bird watching techniques, photography, ringing, breeding biology, tourism and presentation. The training was organized by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), in collaboration with the Rwanda Chamber of Tourism, the Rwanda Safari Guide Association as well as the Promotion of Economy and Employment Programme (Eco-Emploi) of the German Development Corporation (GIZ). The practical training was conducted in the country’s prime bird watching destinations in Bugesera District, Akagera National Park and Nyungwe National Park.
Read More08 April 2019
Application for Membership - Imagine Ethiopia Tours
Imagine Ethiopia Tours has applied to join Atta. Their membership will be approved if there are not any objections lodged within the statutory 10 day period. (See objection procedure below). Imagine Ethiopia Tours is one of the leading inbound tour operator companies that provides holiday tours in Ethiopia. We specialize in customized historical and cultural tours, adventure holidays, and so much more. At Imagine Ethiopia Tours, we are the Ethiopia travel specialists.
Read More05 April 2019
Application for Membership - Connectour - Nextour
Connectour – Nextour has applied to join Atta. Their membership will be approved if there are not any objections lodged within the statutory 10 day period. (See objection procedure below). NEXTOUR is a powerful and flexible, fully web-based Business Management Software. From tailor made quotes based on live availabilities, to multilingual itineraries and management reporting, it meets the needs of any DMCs and Inbound Tour Operator. (B2B and B2C)
Read More05 April 2019
Ethiopian Airlines Statement On The Preliminary Report Of The Accident On ET 302
Ethiopian Airlines Aviation Group which is the largest and the most successful Aviation group in Africa, would like to acknowledge the preliminary report of the accident of ET 302/10 March, 2019 and would like to appreciate the hard work of the investigation team.
Read More05 April 2019
Introducing Atta Advisory Board Member: André Laget
André runs and co-owns Akilanga DMC with a staff of around 150 people. The company was established in 1994 and operates in Southern and Eastern Africa, as well as the Indian Ocean Islands. His focus is on unique and luxury travel experiences, specialising in the European and South American markets. André owns a variety of other businesses in the hospitality and software fields, as well as a watch brand. He is passionate about photography, aviation and needless to say, is an enthusiastic traveller. André previously held the position of Atta Director for Latin America and South Africa between 2014 and 2018.
Read More04 April 2019
Application for Membership - Impronte Wilderness Safari
Impronte Wilderness Safari has applied to join Atta. Their membership will be approved if there are not any objections lodged within the statutory 10 day period. (See objection procedure below). Tour Operator specialized in African Safaris, Group itinerary, guided safaris, photographic safari, exploration Category: European Based Travel Specialist Contact: Carlo Sebastiani; carlo@iwsafari.com www.iwsafari.com
Read More03 April 2019
Ethiopian Airlines adds three new Chinese destinations
Ethiopia’s national air carrier, Ethiopian Airlines plans to add three more Chinese flight destinations, an Ethiopian official said on Tuesday. Speaking to Xinhua, Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group, said Ethiopian Airlines is waiting for flight permits from Chinese authorities to fly to the Chinese destinations of Chongqing, Shenzhen and Zhengzhou. “In addition to planning three new Chinese destinations, ET is also planning to increase its flight frequencies to the Chinese cities of Guangzhou and Shanghai,” said Gebremariam.
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