News
31 March 2015
Etihad Airways enhances access to South Africa through new daily service with South African Airways
Etihad Airways is now able to provide enhanced access to and from South Africa following the launch of a new daily service between Johannesburg and Abu Dhabi with codeshare partner, South African Airways (SAA). The new service has been introduced as part of an expansion of the strategic partnership agreement between the two airlines, and complements Etihad Airways ' existing daily service from Abu Dhabi to Johannesburg, to provide guests with a double-daily service and greater choice and f…
Read More31 March 2015
Kenya: Change in Consular Birth/Death Registrations
From 15 April 2015, UK birth registrations and death registrations in Kenya will transfer from the British High Commission, Nairobi to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in the UK. There are no changes to the entitlement to register a birth or death. The processing time will remain the same. However, you will now need to allow extra time for the documents to be sent to and from the UK. See www.gov.uk/register-a-birth or www.gov.uk/register-a-death for further information. QA for Custome…
Read More31 March 2015
Application for Membership - The Tanzania Specialists
The Tanzania Specialists 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). The Tanzania Specialists are tailormade travel specialists to Tanzania drawing on over 10 years of experience in Tanzania safaris and Tanzania honeymoons. Our web site features video footage, client reviews, lodge features and recommended itineraries to get you started. We travel to Tanzania at least onc…
Read More30 March 2015
New Routes for SA Express
From 1st April 2015, SA Express will introduce three weekly flights between Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport and Pilanesberg, offering easy connections to Pilanesberg National Park. In addition SA Express will also be adding two flights a week from Pilanesberg to Cape Town.
Read More30 March 2015
It’s Back-To-Normal Flight Schedule For West Africa’s Ebola Hit Countries
At the height of the Ebola outbreak crisis in September last year, panic engulfed Americans vehemently asked their government to stop any flights to and from the affected countries in West Africa. Now exactly one year after the first Ebola case was discovered in a remote village in Guinea, airlines are reviewing their decision to stop flights to the three west African nations and some are resuming their normal flight schedule. A few international and regional carriers have resumed flights to t…
Read More30 March 2015
Application for Membership - Wetu Tourism Solutions
Wetu Tourism Solutions 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). Technology has changed the travel industry as clients are hungry for rich, exciting content. This has led to the traditional industry falling far behind the new channels for many reasons. Wetu addresses this problem by providing the traditional industry with the content and technology to complete effective…
Read More27 March 2015
Atta Africa Financial Update
Key commercial and political activity in Africa for private equity investors by DCE Partners, UK Private Equity advisors to Atta. African pension funds are flourishing - the top 10 African pension funds manage a combined US$380 billion in assets, US$29 billion of which are to be allocated to private equity deals. A lack of depth among the listed equity markets has driven institutional investors to look for greener pastures, and recent market liberalisation reforms have acted as a…
Read More26 March 2015
Honorary Life Membership of Atta for a famous conservationist and wildlife tourism expert Colin Bell
Atta has recently awarded Colin Bell an Honorary Lifetime Membership of the association for his outstanding contribution to the African tourism industry. Atta CEO Nigel Vere Nicoll commented: ‘We are delighted that Colin Bell, co-founder of Wilderness Safaris; co-founder of Great Plains and co-author and publisher of Africa’s Finest has been appointed by the Atta Board of Directors as a Life Member of the Association in recognition of his outstanding contribution to tourism and co…
Read More26 March 2015
Speed Marketing at its best at INDABA 2015
If you’re going to be at INDABA 2015 either with Atta or not and you’re looking for the most innovative and relevant ways to market your product then Speed Marketing is definitely for you. At INDABA every moment is a chance to make new connections, pick up handy tips on how to better market your travel and tourism product, and learn how to take advantage of social media and other digital platforms to do all the above. The Speed Marketing sessions may be short – presente…
Read More25 March 2015
Travel industry growth to outpace world economy, says WTTC
The travel industry will grow faster than the global economy this year, according to the latest World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) forecast. The WTTC’s annual economic impact assessment predicts travel and tourism will grow by 3.7% worldwide this year against a global economic growth forecast of 2.9%. The Council forecasts the sector’s total contribution to the world economy will reach $7,860 billion or 10% of global GDP, up by $280 billion on 2014, and travel will account for…
Read More25 March 2015
Kenya moves online to strengthen global appeal
In a bid to stimulate the tourism industry in Kenya, the Kenya Tourism Board has unveiled the first phase of a new online directory that lists local companies and tourist attractions. The directory lists accommodation, tourist attractions and tour guide operators for easy reference and access to visitors. "We need to expand our product range and we need to talk about the attractions and good things that are happening in this country. And that's what we intend this directory to do in a…
Read More24 March 2015
New service to Zanzibar
Effective from 1st July 2015, Qatar Airways will launch flights to Zanzibar, the airline’s third gateway in Tanzania after Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro. The new five-times-a- week flight to Zanzibar will operate via Kilimanjaro. The current Kilimanjaro flights which today are served by Qatar Airways via Dar es Salaam will be made non-stop from Doha to Kilimanjaro commencing 1st July 2015, with return flights from Kilimanjaro to Doha served via Zanzibar. The new destination Zanzibar and …
Read More24 March 2015
Wellness Tourism Trends – Sub-Saharan Africa Growing The Most
With a net worth of USD 494 billion, wellness tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world according to the last Sri report for Global Wellness Institute. The European market, with 216 million travels in 2013, is in the front of the wellness industry. Stepping into this rich economic niche requires understanding the trends and the evolution the market is currently going through. A good hint comes from the 2015 Trend Report by Spafinder, which foresees the evolution of the mark…
Read More24 March 2015
Jambojet To Launch Flights To Lamu, Malindi And Ukunda
Kenyan low cost carrier Jambojet will on March 28 launch flights to three new destinations in the country’s coastal region, namely Lamu, Malindi and Ukunda, from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The airline has chartered one Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft from DAC Aviation to service the new routes. This type of aircraft is capable of operating at shorter runways but performs like a jet plane in terms of speed and comfort.
Read More24 March 2015
UK Pledges to Review Kenya Travel Advisory
The United Kingdom says it is working with the Kenyan Government to review the travel advisory issued to its citizens. British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond says his government is in close talks with Kenyan authorities to not only address the issue but deal with the threat posed by terrorism as a whole. "Where we have a deep relationship with a country, then we can take a more enlightened view of the threat picture. But I am optimistic that this process of deeper collaboration will hel…
Read More23 March 2015
Atta Webinars
Recently became an Atta Member? Re-branded? Introduced new product or service? Wish to promote your destination to new markets or train your agents?
Read More23 March 2015
Code-share between Proflight and RwandAir offers countrywide convenience
Proflight Zambia and RwandAir have signed a codeshare agreement on the Lusaka - Johannesburg route with RwandAir as the operating carrier and Pro flight Zambia as the Marketing carrier. Starting March 27th , the flights will be operated three-times-a-week on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays leaving Lusaka at 21:50hrs and arriving in Johannesburg at 23:50hrs and returning from Johannesburg at 07:15hrs and arriving in Lusaka at 09:15hrs by RwandAir’s state of the art Boeing 737-800 Next Gener…
Read More23 March 2015
Application for Membership - Cactus Tours Madagascar
Cactus Tours Madagascarhas 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). In operation since 1998, Cactus Tours is a Malagasy company and composed of specialists, committed to excellence and quality. Based in Antananarivo, Cactus Tours handcrafts adventure tours and nature oriented vacation and incentive programmes all over Madagascar. Off-the-beaten track or on classical tours,…
Read More20 March 2015
Atta takes Europe & the Nordics by storm
March has been a busy month for Atta with events in Germany, the Nordic countries and Italy. Nordics Roadshow in Denmark, Norway and Sweden Lina attended our inaugural roadshow in the Nordics, in partnership with On Show Solutions, and reports on a successful roadshow! With a combined population of only 25 million people, the Nordic countries make up an important source market forming the third largest outbound market in Europe. This region has become more and more significant in recent years …
Read More20 March 2015
Spotlight on Atta directors: Honour Schram De Jong
Today we are deligthed to share with you some personal details about our director Honour who is guiding Atta in our marketing and PR activities. What is your role within Atta? UK Director (Representation) Use 3 words to describe yourself? Passionate, positive and aventurous What is your job? I am the director of Honour Way, which is a European Marketing Representation Company. How did you end up in Africa? After a spate of jobs in which I could never quite settle I went back to universi…
Read More20 March 2015
Best of Africa in the Nordics
Last month, Africa hosted a series of trade evenings in Denmark, Norway and Sweden with phenomenal support from the Nordic travel trade. The events were hosted by The African Travel & Tourism Association (Atta) and South Africa-based organisers, On Show Solutions in their quest to promote tourism to Africa. With a combined population of only 25 million people forming the third largest outbound market in Europe, the Nordic countries make up an important source market for Africa. This…
Read More20 March 2015
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond visits Kenya
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond arrived into Nairobi Thursday, March 19th for a series of meetings with senior Kenyan government officials including President Uhuru Kenyatta. This is the first such meeting by senior British officials under the Jubilee government and a positive signal of continued close collaboration between the two countries. Kenya home to safaris and white sandy beaches has been a favoured destination for British tourists and the most important source mark…
Read More19 March 2015
Atta Africa Financial Update
African private equity deals hit seven-year high The value of private equity deals in Africa reached their second-highest level, the total value of deals in Africa last year was US$8.1b, just short of the US$8.3b high recorded in 2007 (source: Venture Capital Association). The level of transactions last year marks a big improvement on the preceding years (2012 and 2013) when total deal value was US$2b and US$4.3b respectively, demonstrating rising investor confi…
Read More19 March 2015
Application for Membership - Arcatouring
Arcatouring 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). Arcatouring was founded in 1998, dedicated since then to commercialize only and exclusively exotic destinies in Chile. These destinations include Africa. We are proud to have our staff fully trained in these destinations; consequently our advice to travellers is of experts. The profile of our clientele is luxury and …
Read More19 March 2015
Top African cities
Johannesburg is one of the top five African cities according to the PWC list with the other four in North Africa which include Cairo, Tunis, Algiers and Casablanca. According to the PWC report, the preponderance of North African cities at the top is mainly due to how long they have been established. “This has given them time to develop infrastructure and a regulatory and legal framework, and to establish a socio-cultural ecosystem. Johannesburg is the only exception to this pattern…
Read More18 March 2015
SAVE THE DATE: Atta Indaba Networking Event May 9th
HOT NEWS! The venue for the Atta Indaba Networking event - the highest profile event of the year and the highlight for Indaba delegates - has been revealed! This year the Atta networking event will be held at moyo uShaka! moyo Ushaka is a uniquely Durban destination offering the perfect place in which to relax (and now to #networknotwork the Atta style) and watch the world go by. Cocktails at the Beach Bar, exquisite views of the Indian Ocean, tropical weather, exotic flavours and …
Read More17 March 2015
Application for Membership - Enkosi Africa
Enkosi Africa 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). Category: European Based Travel Specialist Contact: Jordi Casinos;jordi@enkosiafrica.com www.enkosiafrica.com Proposer: Il Viaggio Seconder: Great Plains Conservation Objections Atta is a non-profit making Association, we are not a regulatory authority and we do not audit applicants. We rely totally on our members…
Read More17 March 2015
Opening up airspace could make sky the limit for African trade and tourism
With African aviation on a firmly upward trajectory, economic reward seems sure to follow – so long as countries stop charging one another for the use of airspace. Glancing around a crowded terminal in Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta airport, one of the busiest international hubs in Africa, it’s obvious that more passengers are streaming to the continent than ever before. Chinese businessmen stretch out on benches, trying to catch a few hours’ sleep before continuing their journe…
Read More17 March 2015
Tusk: Prince William calls for greater action to stop the illegal wildlife trade
Tusk's Royal Patron HRH The Duke of Cambridge delivered a landmark speech in Yunnan Province, China, highlighting the illegal wildlife trade. At the final session of a Regional Wildlife and Conservation Conference in Xishuangbanna, Prince William joined delegates from China and other Southeast Asian states. Reflecting on his visit, he spoke about the conservation initiatives that are developing in China, before then addressing the issue of the global illegal wildlife trade. Pr…
Read More17 March 2015
Fastjet set for Entebbe – Kilimanjaro Flight
Fastjet has announced that they will be launching flights between Kilimanjaro International Airport and Entebbe on March 31, extending the present Dar es Salaam to Entebbe service with the stop at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Source: eTN
Read More17 March 2015
Ross Kennedy: Tourists can be a fickle bunch
Atta Southern African Director and CEO of AAT in Tourism Update: A lot of factors can and do come into play when the travel trade and potential travellers consider which destinations and regions to support, promote and sell. In the Southern African region there are many such factors at the moment. Most topical is the negative impact on African tourism following media coverage of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Fears over Ebola have led to overseas tourists cancelling bookings to desti…
Read More16 March 2015
Flights for Indaba
BA/Comair offers Indaba delegates discounted airfares to Durban. To assist the trade with escalating costs, the airfares below are further reduced from those offered last year and well below a normal AD 75. All bookings confirmed at the Indaba rate will not be subject to off-load. In addition the airline will allow an additional free bag at 23kg i.e. 2 bags at 23kg each, to assist with the transportation of brochures. Please email your requirements as soon as possible as av…
Read More16 March 2015
India to become top source market for South Africa by 2020
By 2020, India is expected to become the top source market for South Africa replacing United Kingdom. At present India features among the top seven source markets for South Africa. Improved air connectivity, emergence of South Africa as a high-end business events destination, increasing awareness among the travel trade about its leisure and adventure tourism offerings, are some of the factors that have contributed towards this destination’s growing popularity in the India market. Speakin…
Read More16 March 2015
Application for Membership - Ol Tukai Lodge Amboseli
Ol Tukai Lodge Amboseli 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). Ol Tukai Lodge is renowned for being one of the best spots in the world to watch elephant. The lodge is located in the heart of the Amboseli National Park, which is one of East Africa’s most fascinating wildlife parks. It is set at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. Ol T…
Read More13 March 2015
Peru Event - Marketing opportunity for Atta Members
Southern African Hoteliers/Accommodation Suppliers ONLY Atta’s Latin American Representative Andrea Landaeta is currently organising an event in Lima, Peru to promote Southern Africa together with a local tour operator called Boarding Pass. The event is for the direct public and they already have several Atta members signed up. This is a fantastic opportunity for hoteliers Atta members to join Andrea to promote the destination in Peru! The event will be held on the 31st March in the…
Read More13 March 2015
Spotlight on Atta directors: Julian Edmunds
We are continuing a series of features on Atta board members so you get to know about the people behind the names who represent our members. Today we invite you to learn more about Julian Edmunds, the latest addition to the Atta board. What is your role within Atta? East Africa (TZ) and Aviation Director Use 3 words to describe yourself? Large, Honest and Fair What is your job? Managing Director, Tanganyika Flying Co. How did you end up in Africa? My Father moved to Zimbabwe in 19…
Read More13 March 2015
Webinar Recording: Botswana by African Bush Camps in Portuguese
Missed African Bush Camps webinar in Portuguese? Here is Webinar Recording: Botswana by African Bush Camps in Portuguese
Read More13 March 2015
Rise in number of tourists from Oman to Ethiopia
Ethiopia is becoming a popular destination for Omanis and the expatriate community in Oman, according to Ethiopian Airlines. The number of visitors to Ethiopia is now growing by 10 per cent each year with the introduction of direct flights from Muscat. With more and more people visiting the country, Ethiopian Airlines at Muscat are planning to boost the market in Oman. Ethiopian Airlines have launched a package to Ethiopia and are processing Ethiopian visas at their local office in Ruwi. While…
Read More12 March 2015
Webinar in Portuguese today: Bostwana, an authentic wildlife experience
Today at 14pm GMT African Bush Camps invites you to join Rita Pires, on a journey through The Linyanti Delta and the Khwai Community Area on the edge of the Moremi Game Reserve and combining it with Victoria Falls. We look forward to welcoming you to the Webinar and taking you on an online journey through a country which has so many unique things to offer to clients looking for an authentic African experience. Click here to register and receive your login instructions
Read More12 March 2015
Ghana to host Africa branding conference
UNWTO has confirmed Ghana as the host country for the branding conference of Africa’s Image for CAF Members. The conference will take place from 17-19 August 2015 in Accra with a theme as ‘The Brand and Image Regional Conference for Africa’’ The Ebola situation that affected tourism in Africa is certainly going to be a test case in discussing issues at the conference. UNWTO Regional Director for Africa, said “Africa has an image problem. The African brand has, for…
Read More11 March 2015
Dubai based airline increases frequency on African routes for summer schedule
With the additional flights to Alexandria, Bujumbura, Juba and Zanzibar, airline will operate 78 flights a week to Africa Dubai-based flydubai announced that it is increasing the frequency of flights on some of its routes in Africa for the summer schedule. With the additional flights, flydubai will operate a total of 78 flights a week to 12 points in East and North Africa. From 29 March, flydubai will increase its service from five flights a week to daily to the capital of South Sudan, Juba an…
Read More11 March 2015
UNWTO Seeks Tourism Growth Through Awareness About Wildlife
In support of international efforts to tackle poaching and to strengthen the role of tourism vis-à-vis wildlife crime, United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) is spearheading efforts to increase knowledge on the economic value of wildlife watching in Africa. A new UNWTO research, "Towards Measuring the Economic Value of Wildlife Watching Tourism in Africa," provides a first overview of this segment, its economic impact and the current involvement of tourism in anti-p…
Read More11 March 2015
Visa Waiver for COMESA nationals
Zambia's tourism sector will become competitive following the removal of the visa requirements for all Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) nationals entering the country for official business. The Livingstone Tourism Association (LTA) has said Zambia would now be able to compete with countries like Botswana, Namibia and South Africa where visas are not required. Zambia has issued a circular waiving visas and visa fees for all COMESA nationals on official business. Separa…
Read More11 March 2015
Application for Membership - African Explorer
African Explorer 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). African Explorer is tour operator specialized in tour and travel in Africa Since 1972. It is the oldest and most specialized in Italy. Category: European Based Travel Specialist Contact: Alessandro Simonetti;alessandro@africanexplorer.com www.africanexplorer.com Proposer: Transafrica Seconder: Il Viaggio Objec…
Read More11 March 2015
Webinar em Português: Botswana, uma autêntica experiência de vida selvagem
BOTSWANA: Webinar em Português Botswana, uma autêntica experiência de vida selvagem 12 de Março 11hrs (São Paulo, Brasil) A African Bush Camps convida para uma viagem, guiada pela voz da Rita Pires, através do Delta Linyanti e da Área…
Read More10 March 2015
Victoria Falls airport opens September
The new look multi-million dollar Victoria Falls International Airport, whose Chinese-funded upgrade is underway, will be ready for commissioning in September, the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) has said. CAAZ initiated the $150m airport expansion project in February 2013 to boost its aircraft handling capacity and tourism in Victoria Falls. This includes construction of a 4km runway, expansion of the existing runway, construction of a new terminal building, and road network and c…
Read More10 March 2015
Kenya Tourism Board releases Sh140 million for tourism campaigns
KTB has set aside Sh140 million for global advertisement campaigns as part of efforts to revive the sector that has taken a hit in the recent past. Speaking at the ITB 2015 KTB Managing Director Muriithi Ndegwa said the campaigns will kick off from next month. The media campaigns will showcase diversity of the destination in tourism product offerings mostly in key source markets in Europe, America, Asia, Africa, and the rest of the potential markets to Kenya. Further to these global media camp…
Read More09 March 2015
Webinar in Portuguese: Botswana, uma autêntica experiência de vida selvagem
Quinta feira - 12 de Março 10AM EST (-5 UTC) A African Bush Campsconvidapara umaviagem, guiada pela voz daRita Pires, através doDelta Linyanti e da Área Khwai na fronteiracom a Moremi Game Reserve com ligação às Victoria Falls. Estamos ansiosos para recebê-los para o Webinar e levá-lo em uma viagem on-line através de um país que tem tantas coisas únicas para oferecer aos clientes que procuram uma experiência aut…
Read More09 March 2015
Seven more Global Visa Application Centres of South Africa now operational in India
Seven Visa Application Centres (VACs) have been launched for South Africa in India, which are now operational. These centres are located in Jaipur, Gurgaon, Kolkata, Goa, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru. VFS Global now has nine South Africa VACs in India—the other two being in Mumbai and New Delhi—and 18 across seven countries globally, as per a release. The additional VFS centres for visa application to South Africa will save on time and boost traffic to the destination. Location…
Read More09 March 2015
FCO Travel Update: Mozambique
Mozambique travel advice 06-03-2015 03:39 PM GMT Latest update: Summary - the FCO no longer advise against all but essential travel to Sofala province
Read More05 March 2015
Atta Africa Financial Update
African Free Trade. In what may become one of the world's largest free trade areas, the proposed combination of four sub-Saharan regional trading blocs looks like it is gaining traction and could begin in 2017. The area will integrate a market of 26 countries with more than 600 million people, representing almost 60% of Africa's total GDP. Free trade has the potential to improve the economic welfare of all countries involved through, inter alia, increased comparative advantage. Addit…
Read More05 March 2015
UNWTO: Tourism development in Africa challenged by wildlife crime
In support of international efforts to tackle unprecedented levels of poaching and to strengthen the role of tourism vis-a-vis wildlife crime, UNWTO is spearheading efforts to increase knowledge on the economic value of wildlife watching in Africa. Wildlife watching tourism is one of the most important tourism segments in Africa, according to new UNWTO research released on the occasion of World Wildlife Day on March 3rd. In view of tourism’s potential in advancing inclusive growth across…
Read More04 March 2015
UNWTO: Visa On Arrival Growing In Popularity
Strong progress has been made through visa facilitation in recent years, especially by implementing policies of visa on arrival. These are the findings of the Visa Openness Report by the UNWTO, confirming that the policy makers are more aware of how visa facilitation positively impacts tourism and the growth of the economy. Reports suggest that 62% of the population of the world in 2014 were required traditional visa before their departure, which is down from the 77% in the year 2008. Si…
Read More04 March 2015
Air Botswana Looks at Maximising Gaborone/Maun/Cape Town Route
Air Botswana have been recommended that the Maun/Cape Town direct route should be operated twice a week via Gaborone. This will result in combining passengers on this route with the current Gaborone/Cape Town passengers. It is envisaged that this will effectively increase passenger convenience through increased frequencies, as well as increasing load factors whilst reducing operational costs to curb the losses. The frequency will be increased to four times weekly from April 2015.
Read More04 March 2015
Kenya President sends clear message to poachers
Kenya , World Wildlife Day, March 3rd 2015 The President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, on World Wildlife Day, presided over the burning of 15 tonnes of ivory worth over $30m sending a clear message to the world that Kenya is committed to ending the scourge of poaching in his address he commented: "Wildlife crime continues to pose wide-ranging economic, environmental and social threats. I am proud to observe that my Government has made significant progress in reducing wildlife poaching. This h…
Read More03 March 2015
Rwanda to open embassy in Zambia, launch direct flight to Lusaka
Rwanda is finalising the process of setting up an embassy in Zambia while Rwanda Airlines will also establish a direct flight between Kigali and Lusaka. As soon as preparations are over, Rwanda will open its embassy in Zambia. Meanwhile, Turkey is also planning to establish an airline in Zambia. Discussions have advanced and “very soon” there will be flow of air traffic between Lusaka and Kigali.
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