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Kenya tour operator UNIGLOBE Let’s Go Travel attains global certification for sustainable practices

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UNIGLOBE Travel International member UNIGLOBE Let’s Go Travel in Nairobi, Kenya, has become one of the first tour operators in East Africa to be Travelife Certified. Accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, Travelife for Tour Operators is one of the world’s leading green certification programs.

UNIGLOBE Let’s Go Travel is also a five-time winner of the Ecotourism Kenya Eco-Warrior Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to ecotourism practice in Kenya.

 “Everyone in our organization is passionate about preserving this magical country for future generations,” says owner Alan Dixson. “From prohibiting single use plastics to booking tours using only eco-friendly hotels and suppliers, our commitment to sustainability is embedded in everything we do.”

Says UNIGLOBE Travel founder and CEO U. Gary Charlwood, “In a region that is largely dependent on tourism, it is important that we work with local organizations and government to keep it sustainable. UNIGLOBE Let’s Go Travel sets the bar for other tour operators, and we are proud to have them in our global family.”

UNIGLOBE Let’s Go Travel offers these tips for travelling responsibly:   

Book with an eco-friendly tour operator

There are literally thousands of safari tour companies in Kenya. Look for these signs that an operator is committed to tourism sustainability and responsibility:

  • A member of the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO)
  • A member of Ecotourism Kenya
  • Travelife Sustainability certification for Tour Operators

Take personal responsibility

  • Respect and obey all game laws and regulations, and report companies who ignore them.
  • Keep a distance of at least 25 metres from wildlife and don’t pressure your driver to approach animals too closely.
  • Avoid making loud noises that may disturb animals.
  • Never give food to any animal in the wild.
  • Take photos instead of picking plants and flowers.
  • Take out what you pack in. Don’t leave garbage behind.
  • Support local farmers and artisans by buying locally crafted souvenirs.
  • Do not buy, or trade for, any articles covered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) including ivory, turtle products, rhino horn, furs, butterflies and many plant species.
  • Use biodegradable soaps and beauty products, and reusable packaging.

UNIGLOBE Let’s Go Travel does not support any tours or activities that condone unethical animal interactions.

About UNIGLOBE Travel International

Working globally to serve clients locally across more than 60 countries, UNIGLOBE Travel International leverages current technologies and preferred supplier pricing to save clients time and money on business and leisure travel services. Since 1981, corporate and leisure travellers have depended on the UNIGLOBE brand to deliver services beyond expectations. UNIGLOBE Travel was founded by U. Gary Charlwood, CEO and has its world headquarters in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Annual system-wide sales volume is $5.0+ billion.

Media contact: [email protected]

About UNIGLOBE Let’s Go Travel

Let’s Go Travel Uniglobe is one of East Africa’s best known and long established Tour Operators and Travel Agents, started in 1979 by Alan Dixson, who has managed the company ever since. It is IATA accredited. Let’s Go Travel Uniglobe is a Corporate destination management company giving hands on professional, personalized attention, with cutting edge technological support. Also, Let’s Go promotes sustainable tours, wildlife safaris and adventure holidays in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, all of which are part of East Africa. The company is a five-time holder of the Ecotourism award and is Travelife certified for best sustainable tourism practises. 

Media contact: [email protected]

Seychelles Tourism Board signs agreement with UK flag carrier airline in London

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It is earlier this month during the Seychelles participation at the 40th edition of the World Travel Market (WTM) that the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Chief Executive, Mrs. Sherin Francis, and  British Airways representative (BA), Mr. Juan C Giraldo, signed the agreement fastening future collaborations between the two companies for the coming year.

The newly signed agreement follows the contract signed in 2017, prior to the start of direct flight to the Seychelles route including joint promotional activities between the two companies.  

As a result of the signature of this agreement, Seychelles was heavily featured across the campaign, which ultimately lead to a great first year of operation on the UK/Seychelles route for the airline.

On the Seychelles’ side, Mrs. Francis mentioned that with STB’s participation to the 2020 January sale partnership with the airline the destination is anticipating another successful campaign next year as the sale is also supported by a large media campaign.

She further mentioned that the STB’s commitment to the project is also an investment to ensure the Seychelles Islands as a holiday destination stands out in the market at a time when other travel brands are also on sale. 

“This agreement reinforces the collective business rapport between STB and British Airways. Since the airline has started flying again to Seychelles in 2018 the arrival numbers for the UK, market has been increasing consistently to our mutual satisfaction. Our partner investment will definitely up-weight the campaign, which will provide an add-on to our image as a destination,” said Mrs. Francis.

The campaign runs at a peak booking period on the UK and Irish markets.  As such, many airlines, Tour operators and tourism boards including the STB choose to advertise heavily at this time to ensure we are at the forefront of the consumer’s minds as they plan and book their holidays for the year ahead.

The event, which was part of the engagements of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Chief Executive, Mrs. Sherin Francis during her business trip in London also focused on the collaboration of the two companies, their respective strategies.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, [email protected]  www.seychelles.travel

Jamaica Tourism Minister Bartlett mourns passing of Alfred Hoilett

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Jamaica Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett has expressed condolences on the passing of Destination Assurance Council Deputy Chair, Alfred Hoilett.

“It is with great sadness that I learnt today of the passing of Mr. Alfred Hoilett, whose contribution to the tourism, security and transportation industries has been invaluable,” Bartlett said.

“Jamaica has suffered a great loss, as a result of his untimely death. He was a good man, and we all will miss him. On behalf of my Ministry and our Agencies, I offer condolences to his wife Dorothy, his sons, grandchildren, other members of his family; his friends; and colleagues,” he added.

Hoilett, who was 63, served as the Deputy Chair of the St Ann and St Mary Destination Association Council (DAC) of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) since 2017.

In this capacity, he provided governance and administration as well as influenced, motivated and enabled partners to ensure that quality standards were met and maintained in the destination. Through the Council, he was also able to help identify the needs of the tourism industry and monitor the progress of developmental efforts in resort areas in Jamaica.

“The industry, especially our stakeholders in Ocho Rios, is a little less powerful because of the loss of such a great man. We want to memorialize his contribution by continuing his legacy,” said Antoinette Bernard, Chairman of the St Ann and St Mary DAC.

Hoilett was also the secretary of the Jamaica Union of Travellers Association (JUTA) for a number of years.

Those who knew him best, described him as being outgoing, helpful and very dedicated to community development.  Over the years, he has served his country as an educator, law enforcement officer, as well as tour operator and owner of Full Moon Tours.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

2020 Great Abaco Classic to be played at The Royal Blue Golf Club at Baha Mar

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bdG Sports, an international sports management company, announced today that the 2020 The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic will be moved to Royal Blue Golf Club at Baha Mar due to Hurricane Dorian’s impact on Great Abaco.

The Korn Ferry Tour tournament, which features 132 professionals vying in the year-long series to earn their PGA TOUR card, will be played Jan. 16-22 in its traditional role as the second event of the new season, following The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, which is played the week before at Sandals Emerald Bay.

“We look forward to welcoming The Great Abaco Classic to The Royal Blue Golf Club in January,” said Graeme Davis, President, Baha Mar. “Everyone at Baha Mar is committed to the recovery and rebuild of the Abacos and we knew how important it was to keep this tournament in the beautiful nation of The Bahamas until its return to Great Abaco.

Hurricane Dorian created catastrophic damage as a Category 5 hurricane – the strongest storm to ever hit The Bahamas – when it slammed into the Abacos on Sept. 1. The Abaco Club, where the event has been played the past three years, officially re-opened this month, but the hurricane took aim on Marsh Harbour, the island’s largest town, and left nearly every home and business damaged. Progress on rebuilding Abaco is underway, as evidenced by the reopening of Maxwells last week, one of the island’s only grocery stores. But the island needs time to recover before housing nearly 500 visitors for a week, which includes golfers, caddies, tournament officials, broadcast production staff, and fans.

Of the relocated tournament, Bahamas Minister of Tourism & Aviation, the Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar remarked, “In ensuring that the Great Abaco Classic takes place, in spite of the devastation to its original venue, Abaco, our partners, the PGA TOUR and bdG Sports, have shown genuine commitment to The Bahamas and our people, a gesture which we deeply appreciate. The relocated Great Abaco Classic will find a welcome home at Baha Mar’s Royal Blue Golf Club and will certainly live up to the reputation it has established as Abaco’s premier golf tournament.”

The resort destination of Baha Mar is situated across 1,000 acres along the north shore of New Providence Island, in Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas. Baha Mar is home to three iconic hotel brands, Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, SLS Baha Mar and Rosewood Baha Mar, as well as a collection of unparalleled offerings and experiences including the largest casino in the Caribbean; over 40 restaurants, bars, and lounges; luxury shopping, and more.  The Royal Blue Golf Club at Baha Mar is the first and only Jack Nicklaus design in The Bahamas. Spanning nearly 7,200 yards, Royal Blue Golf Course’s front nine features water-lined fairways and glimpses of the Atlantic Ocean, while the back nine navigates dense jungle until the island green at the par-3 16th hole on Lake Cunningham.

“Korn Ferry Tour President Alex Baldwin and her team at the PGA TOUR were adamant about making the necessary investments to ensure this tournament happened,” said Brooks Downing, Chief Executive Officer at bdG Sports. “And thanks to the tremendous support of both Mr. Davis and Minister D’Aguilar, we are going to utilize this platform to make sure that the Abaco rebuilding effort remains front and center.”

As in years past, and mirroring the Great Exuma Classic, the event is played using a unique Sunday-Wednesday format, allowing for maximum exposure while also appealing to the guests who can participate on the weekend in the official pro-am, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 18.

With the change, the event will officially be called “The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at Baha Mar.” And in addition to the global exposure, proceeds from the event will be donated to relief efforts in Abaco.

Bahamas Showcase Basketball Moved to Baha Mar

The Islands of the Bahamas Showcase, an NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, has been moved from Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium to the Baha Mar Convention Center, organizers announced today.

The eight-team tournament, now in its third year in Nassau, is scheduled to be played Nov. 22-24, 2019, but has been relocated given that Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium has been serving as a shelter for a number of people from Abaco and Grand Bahama who were displaced by Hurricane Dorian. The Category 5 hurricane hit the northern Bahamas on Sept. 1, damaging a large number of homes and businesses with gusts up to 220 mph, sea surge that rose to 24 feet and more than 48 inches of rain in some areas.

“With the national gymnasium serving a greater purpose, we are fortunate that Baha Mar was in a position to welcome this event at the resort on the same dates,” said Brooks Downing, CEO of bdG Sports, the event owner and operator. “For the prior two years, we have housed our eight participating teams at Baha Mar, so our teams will love the convenience of a stay-and-play model. We’re also fortunate that Baha Mar has recently made an investment and plans to do more basketball programming at the resort, so the move has been seamless.”

The resort played host to the Memphis men’s basketball program in August, as it played games there on a foreign exhibition tour.

“Basketball, both collegiate and professional, is close to the hearts of many Bahamians, and teams from the U.S. have been some of the strongest supporters of Baha Mar since the resort first opened,” said Graeme Davis, President, Baha Mar. “We could not pass up the chance to partner with Ministry of Tourism to Showcase and continue to host this incredible event at home in the Bahamas.” 

The tournament’s first-round action on Friday, Nov. 22, will feature Liberty vs. Morgan State, Rice vs. Milwaukee, UMKC vs. George Washington and Evansville vs. East Carolina. The semifinals and consolation will follow on Saturday with the championship, third-place, fifth-place and seventh-place games on Sunday.

About Baha Mar

Baha Mar is a master planned $4.2 billion integrated resort development operated by Hong Kong-based conglomerate Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited (CTFE). The white sand beach destination includes three global brand operators – Grand Hyatt, SLS, and Rosewood – with over 2,300 rooms and 40 restaurants and lounges, the largest casino in the Caribbean, a state-of-the-art convention center, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Royal Blue Golf Course, the Caribbean’s first and only flagship ESPA spa, and over 30 luxury retail outlets. Baha Mar is a breathtaking location with dynamic programming, activities and guest offerings in one of the most beautiful places in the world – The Bahamas. For more information and reservations, visit www.bahamar.com.

About bd Global

bd Global, LLC is a representation, event management, and public relations firm operating on an international platform within the sports marketing industry. bdG manages multiple college basketball and college hockey events across North America and the Caribbean, highlighted by tournaments in Southwest Florida, Las Vegas, Canada and The Bahamas as well as two Korn Ferry Tour events and a Nike Golf Invitational series. For more information, visit www.bdglobalsports.com  or follow on @bdGlobalSports on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jon Albaugh, bdG Sports, [email protected] , 859-492-6794

African Tourism Board facilitates new cooperation between China and South African Tourism

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The African Tourism Board today facilitated a mayor tourism cooperation between South Africa and the  Zhejiang Provincial Delegation from China. A high-level delegation from Zhejiang arrived in Pretoria on Monday for a bilateral engagement with the South African Tourism organs of state-led by the Governor of Zhejiang province, Mr Yuan Jiajun and the founder of “Tour Africa- The New Horizon”, Mr. He Liehui, Chairman of Touchroad International Holdings Group.

“Tour Africa – The New Horizon” is a sustainable and large-scale tourism project which aims to encourage Chinese citizens to visit Africa in order to promote and grow the tourism sector of African countries.

It also aims to showcase Africa’s vast land, African culture, and views in order to build a bridge of communication and understanding between Chinese and African people.

African Tourism Board facilitates new cooperation between China and South African Tourism
African Tourism Board facilitates new cooperation between China and South African Tourism
African Tourism Board facilitates new cooperation between China and South African Tourism

Furthermore, the tourism promotion project will build and grow the good relationship that exists between China and Africa. It is collaborative cooperation between Touchroad Group and African Governments.

The visit was to booster the prosperity of the Tourism economy of both parties, strengthening cooperation, and promoting cultural exchanges and Infrastructural development.

African Tourism Board as a strategic partner in facilitating the summit engaged with both parties and emphasized the expedited need for such ventures to be initiated across the Continent where the beneficiaries should be Africa and its citizens. Where platforms should be set up for mutual exchanges of the Tourism industries and Social Tourism entities at a strategic partnership for Tourism development.

A memorandum was signed between Zhejiang Provincial Department of Cultural Tourism and the South African Tourism which will enhance more cooperative activities with the flow of more than two thousand additional Chinese tourists visiting South Africa over the last 5 years.

More information on the African Tourism Board: www.africantourismboard.com

MEDIA CONTACT: TravelMarketingNetwork, 954 Lexington Ave. #1037, New York, NY 10021 USA, PH: (+1) 718-374-6816, [email protected]