In today’s read;
- African carriers ramp up presence on key routes
- Mama Shelter redefines Cape Town’s downtown scene
- Tanzania tightens travel rules with mandatory insurance
African Airlines Seize New Route Opportunities: Key Growth Areas Revealed
Airbus data reveals exciting new route opportunities for African airlines. Several previously underserved routes are experiencing significant passenger growth, highlighting potential for expansion. Key intercontinental routes showing promise include Harare-London, Johannesburg-Mumbai, Lagos-New York, Entebbe-London, and Lagos-Toronto.
Intra-African routes also demonstrate strong potential. Abidjan-Douala, Dakar-Libreville, Cape Town-Lagos, Johannesburg-Abidjan, and Nairobi-Dakar all show substantial increases in passenger numbers. The Cape Town-Lagos route saw particularly impressive growth, increasing by 67% year-on-year.
Several airlines are strategically capitalizing on these opportunities. Ethiopian Airlines’ increased capacity on the Harare-Addis Ababa-London Gatwick route led to surpassing Emirates’ previous dominance. RwandAir now leads the Entebbe-London route due to increased flight frequencies. TAAG’s strategic service expansion significantly boosted its presence on the Cape Town-Lagos route.
The Johannesburg-Mumbai route, while showing lower growth, possesses significant long-term potential. India’s burgeoning economy and relaxed visa requirements with South Africa are expected to drive further growth on this route, creating new opportunities for the African MICE industry to tap into a vast market. This presents exciting prospects for event planners seeking to expand into new markets and facilitate international travel for attendees.
Mama Shelter Arrives in Cape Town CBD: Hotel, Residences & Event Space.
Cape Town is getting a major hospitality upgrade.
Ennismore’s Mama Shelter is setting up shop in the city’s central business district, transforming the iconic City Park building (formerly the Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital). This isn’t your typical hotel; it’s a vibrant mix of hotel rooms, residences, and entertainment.
The development will include 127 guest rooms catering to various travel styles, alongside 68 branded residences ranging from studios to a luxurious four-bedroom unit. Business travelers will appreciate the ample meeting and co-working spaces. Relaxation is covered too, with a rooftop restaurant, pool, and gym offering stunning city views.
A unique feature is Mama Play, a new arcade concept featuring bowling, karaoke, and dedicated event spaces. Adding to the culinary scene, a separate restaurant will open on Bree Street, showcasing Ennismore’s signature food and beverage brand.
While the opening date remains unannounced, the anticipation is palpable. This new addition promises to significantly enhance Cape Town’s hospitality offerings. Sign up to our mailing list for regular updates.
Tanzania to Require Travel Insurance: What Tourists Need to Know.
Tanzania will soon require all foreign visitors to purchase travel insurance.
The cost will be $44 (€38) per person.
This mandatory insurance covers medical emergencies, accidents, baggage issues, and other unforeseen travel problems. It will likely be handled by the National Insurance Company (NIC).
Citizens of the East African Community are exempt, and Southern African Development Community members may also be exempt—this is still being confirmed. This policy follows a similar one already in place in Zanzibar.
That’s it for today, thank you for reading.