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Mantis Collection Opens First Migration Camp in Serengeti

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Mantis Collection Opens First Migration Camp in Serengeti

Serengeti, Tanzania, August 19, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Mantis, a leading conservation-focused hotel group with luxury hotels, eco-lodges, waterways and impact experiences located across the globe has opened its newest property in Tanzania and welcomed its first guests on August 6th 2021.

The mobile camp moves every few months to follow the wildebeest herds, zebra, Thomson’s gazelles, and the predators the Great Migration attracts within the Serengeti National Park.

Paul Gardiner, CEO of the Mantis group comments: “The Great Migration is known as one of the greatest shows on earth and is on the wish-list of many international travellers. The Siringit Migration Camp by Mantis returns to the roots of safari: where sustainable, intimate, mobile camps move in symbiosis with wildlife. The unique shape of the tents – octagonal with transparent sides – is designed to dissolve the division between indoors and outdoors, allowing guests to be closer to nature. We look forward to welcoming guests and offering them the chance to witness nature at its best.”

The Siringit Migration Camp by Mantis opens in Kogatende region (Northern Serengeti) where it will remain until November 2021. The camp will then move to the Ndutu region (Southern Serengeti) reopening on 15 December 2021, where it will remain until 31 March 2022 when the herds start their migration north again. Both locations have their own airstrip for guest arrivals and departures. There are daily scheduled flights from Arusha or Seronera to Kogatende, and the airstrip is only a short 10-minute game drive direct to the camp.

The Bedouin-style camp has eight luxury guest tents, positioned on a raised platforms to provide guests with unobstructed views across the  Serengeti wilderness. Each of the guest tents can accommodate up to two guests, while two can be interlinked to form a family tent that can accommodate up to four guests (two adults and two children). All tents have en-suite bathrooms with double vanity. The camp also has a separate dining tent and lounge tent which includes a selection of coffee table books and board games.

For an overview of the camp’s design, facilities and more please see below.

Design

The tents are made in Tanzania using recycled materials. The stretched canvas panels are handstitched, and the hexagonal-shaped shade net dips to the earth with transparent side panels designed to remove the boundaries between nature and man, bringing guests even closer to the Serengeti wilderness. All furnishings are custom-designed and made by Meg Vaun Interiors based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Due to the mobile nature of the camp, most items are designed to fold effortlessly and be transported in bespoke packaging.

Wildlife:

Wildlife is most active in the golden hours of the morning and the evening. On game drives guests can encounter leopard and lion prides, impala, gazelle and thousands of wildebeest and zebra walking the plains to the river in search of a safe crossing point. Guests can also spot herds of elephant and many bird species.

Dining:

During a full-day game drive picnic hampers can be arranged for guests to enjoy out on the plains, under the canopy of an Acacia tree or close to the Mara River. Alternatively,  guests can take breakfast, lunch and dinner in the dining tent which serves contemporary seasonal plates with an African twist.

Body Treatments 

Siringit has partnered with Healing Earth, a premium African spa brand that uses organic products made from natural active ingredients sourced from the continent’s powerful minerals, oceans, flowers, herbs, fruit, seeds and natural oils. Guests can choose from a selection of massage therapies – each of which starts with a traditional African foot cleansing. The treatment menu also includes a ‘Mini Me Treatment’ for children which includes a face mask and a foot soak in a lavender and jasmine bubble bath, followed by a gentle mango orange scrub whilst a relaxing soundtrack, specially created for kids, plays.

Eco Credentials:

Unlike many mobile camps, Siringit Migration Camp by Mantis is built on raised platforms (rather than the more commonly used ground mats) leaving a smaller eco footprint. Solar power is utilised for electricity and heating. All Mantis guests are invited to reduce their carbon footprint using the Mantis and Accor foundation CCFA’s carbon offset calculator.

Insider Tip:

Undoubtedly one of the best-known wildlife sanctuaries in the world, the Serengeti National Park has the greatest concentration of plains game in Africa. The best time to travel is during the crossing season between July and November, and the calving season between January and March. But all year round has benefits to experience the marvellous ecosystem of the region.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Seychelles to Welcome Back Cruise Ships in November 2021

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Seychelles to Welcome Back Cruise Ships in November 2021

Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles, August 17, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Launching the 2021-2022 cruise season on November 14, 2021, will be the MS Island Sky, the first cruise vessel to sail to Seychelles since the closure of the destination to cruise ships in March 2020. As per the decision taken by the country’s authorities in March 2021 relating to the size of the vessels and limiting their carrying passenger capacity, Seychelles will only be welcoming smaller vessels with a maximum of 300 passengers.

• Discover the Seychelles with VisitSeychelles.org, a World of Magical Islands by Travelindex, go to VisitSeychelles.org

Island Sky, operated by London-based Noble Caledonia, is a relatively small cruise ship with a carrying capacity of 118 passengers; a regular sight in the Seychelles waters prior to the pandemic, she will be calling at four of the Seychelles outer islands, namely Aldabra, Assomption, Farquhar and Cosmoledo. MS Island Sky will be followed by other small cruise ships throughout the season.

The Principal Secretary for Civil Aviation, Ports & Marine, Mr Alan Renaud, has said that throughout 2020, working in collaboration with the health authorities, tourism department, the port authority, and the tourism industry, the department, have implemented new procedures to allow the safe resumption of cruise ship visits to Seychelles.

PS Renaud said that to facilitate the restart of cruise ship operations, the Department of Civil Aviation, Ports & Marine has developed a COVID-19 Company and Cruise Ship Checklist for cruise ship operators, and a parallel COVID-19 Port Management Plan for the authorities to be introduced next month. The complementary documents have been based on guidance published jointly by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention Control (ECDC) and endorsed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), and adopt a goal-based approach, identifying measures to be taken on board ships and ashore to ensure safe operations.

“The documents outline the respective responsibilities of local agencies and the cruise ships in relation to COVID-19 matters, identification of critical resources and personnel, the passenger and terminal arrangements at all ports of call, the contingencies in case of a COVID-19 outbreak, the protection of communities visited by the ship, and, generally, the coordination between cruises and ports in relation to COVID-19,” PS Renaud said.

The department will also be rolling out a maritime version of the present travel authorization system, which will be adapted to the cruise ships and yachts, serving simultaneously as a health protection system as well as an enhanced border control system for incoming vessels. The maritime edition will be integrated with the ships’ systems and make it a seamless, paperless, touchless process for both embarking and disembarking guests and the ships themselves.

PS Renaud said enormous care and rigour were taken with the measures as every cruise ship is a large and extended gathering, bearing the theoretical risk of starting a super-spreading event. He stated that, however, the risk of such an event is now greatly mitigated thanks to developments over the past year, such as the successful vaccination campaigns around the world and new measures implemented by industry, which have dramatically changed the risk calculation, making many countries feel ready to open up to the cruise industry again.

“First, the cruise ship operators must implement rigorous standards, developed in consultation with the ECDC, IMO, and other industry groups, and we require their procedures and evidence of having completed drills, to be externally verified by qualified organizations prior to arrival in Seychelles. Second, because the cruise ships are smaller and have additionally reduced the number of passengers on board, any event on board will be proportional in size to an international flight. Finally, and most importantly, vaccinations are now standard for cruise ship passengers and their operating crew, and the abundant accumulation of evidence of the impact of vaccinations has shown that where vaccinations are prevalent, breakouts are manageable, as relatively few people will require hospitalization. Putting everything in balance, we feel the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, but we must not let our guards down, and the protection of our communities is still paramount and this is addressed in the standards,” PS Renaud said.

On her part, the Principal Secretary for Tourism, Mrs Sherin Francis stated, “The reopening of the cruise ship season is another milestone for our destination. I am happy that all relevant actors have ensured that due precautions have been taken to facilitate this exercise in a safe manner.”

• Discover the Seychelles with VisitSeychelles.org, a World of Magical Islands by Travelindex, go to VisitSeychelles.org

Port Victoria recorded 39 cruise ship calls during the 2019/2020 season, with a total of 63,442 passengers and 18,499 crew (of which 11,375 disembarked and 10,990 embarked). The last vessel to call before the season was forced to close prematurely was the Bougainville, operated by the Compagnie Du Ponant on March 11, 2020.

Since the announcement earlier this year that Seychelles would be reopening its vast ocean territory to cruise liners, cruise shipping lines along with their partners in Seychelles have been hard at work, planning voyages, itineraries and on-shore programmes, with calls scheduled from November 2021 right through to February 2024.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Egyptian Economy Faces Daily Losses Due to UK Red List Status

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Egyptian Economy Faces Daily Losses Due to UK Red List Status

Cairo, Egypt, August 13, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Research conducted by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed that the Egyptian economy could face daily losses of more than EGP 31 million if it stays on the UK’s travel ‘red list’.

Based on 2019 levels, Egypt’s status as a UK’s ‘red list’ country will pose a significant threat to the nation’s struggling Travel & Tourism sector and overall economy warns WTTC.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

According to pre-pandemic figures, UK visitors represented five per cent of all international inbound arrivals in 2019.

The UK was also the third biggest source market for Egypt, only just behind Germany and Saudi Arabia.

However, WTTC research shows that ‘red list’ restrictions are deterring UK travellers from visiting Egypt.

The global tourism body says this is due to fears over the additional costs incurred on expensive hotel quarantine for 10 days on arrival back in the UK, and expensive COVID-19 tests.

Egypt’s economy could face a drain of more than EGP 237 million each week, equating to more than EGP 1 billion every month.

Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President and Acting CEO WTTC, said: “Every day Egypt stays on the UK’s ‘red list’, the country’s economy faces losing millions just from the lack of UK visitors alone. This policy is incredibly restrictive and damaging as travellers from Egypt also face mandatory hotel quarantine at a huge cost. 

“The UK’s government decision to add Egypt to its ‘red list’ has a massive impact not only on the nation’s economy, but also the many thousands of ordinary Egyptians who rely upon a thriving Travel & Tourism sector for their livelihoods.

“The UK’s vaccine rollout has proved incredibly successful with more than three quarters of the adult population double jabbed, and 59% of the total population fully vaccinated. The likelihood is that anyone travelling to Egypt would be fully inoculated and therefore pose minor risk. 

“Our data shows just how important Travel & Tourism is to the country, and how critical it is for the Egyptian government to ramp up the vaccination rollout if it is to have any chance of recovering this vital sector, which is fundamental to the country’s economic recovery.”

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

WTTC research shows the dramatic impact COVID-19 has had on the Egyptian Travel & Tourism sector, with its contribution to the national GDP falling from EGP 505 billion (8.8%) in 2019, to just EGP 227.5 billion (3.8%) in 2020.

The report also shows in 2020, as the pandemic ripped through the heart of the sector, 844,000 Travel & Tourism jobs were lost across the country.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Africa Youth in Tourism Summit Shapes Future of Tourism Development

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Africa Youth in Tourism Summit Shapes Future of Tourism Development

Johannesburg, South Africa, July 27, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The third Africa Youth in Tourism & Innovation challenge summit is scheduled to take place in Ghana’s capital of Accra from July 27-30, 2021.

The event which will be conducted in a hybrid format is aimed at mentoring and bringing the continent’s youthful minds to interact with leaders of the tourism and technological world.

The august gathering is organized by Africa Tourism Partners in collaboration with the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), BDO and hosted by the Government of Ghana through the Ghana Tourism Authority.

With the tourism sector still reeling from the ravaging coronavirus pandemic, the event has come at the right time to help highlight the opportunities that the pandemic presents to the tourism sector.

Themed, “Empowering African youth through tourism innovation, education, and investments in a changing world’’, the summit focuses on skills development and innovation methodologies for youth in leisure and business tourism as well as MICE. It also highlights the need for an ecosystem approach among tourism stakeholders to enable entrepreneurs to grow and develop. This being the 3rd year running, the Pan-African summit gathers youth, start-ups (in leisure tourism and MICE), and professionals to harness the potential of this sector by sharing insights, knowledge, experiences, and opportunities.

The Regional Director of Africa at United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Elcia Grandcourt says the coronavirus pandemic has presented the tourism sector and the youth an opportunity to use technology and innovation to develop sustainable job models to shape society. ‘’With the adverse effects of covid-19 on the tourism sector, innovation and the use of technology offers an opportune platform for disruptive projects that are changing the way people travel and its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be harnessed as models for the future. The Africa Youth in Tourism and Innovation Summit is aligned with UNWTO’s Agenda for Africa; Tourism for Inclusive Growth’’

Speakers include Ghana’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, UNWTO’s Regional Director for Africa Elcia Grandcourt, CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority Akwasi Agyeman, Judy Kepher-Gona – Sustainable Travel and Tourism Agenda Natalia Bayona (UNWTO), Amadeus (Racquel), Velma Corcoran, Air BnB, Richard Perez (Hasso Plattner Foundation, UCT), Prof Kim Shapiro (Cornell University), Dianne Dusaidi (MasterCard Foundation), Christelle Grohmann (BDO), Regina Honu, CEO – Soronko Academy , York Zucci, Chairperson – Centre for Unconventional Entrepreneurship and Ashwin Ravichabdran (MEST Africa).

The Innovation challenge has received entries from youth innovators from eight African countries including Botswana, Burundi, Ghana, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Zambia.

Shortlisted Innovation Challenge competitors will have the opportunity to be supported and mentored to compete in the UNWTO Global Innovation Challenge. Participants in the Summit and competition will benefit in many ways such as:
• Career guidance for fresh high school and university graduates interested in travel and tourism and MICE eco-system careers;
• Creating a new exclusive marketplace for African Youth and Start-Ups and SMMEs in leisure tourism, business tourism and MICE
• Gaining insights into supply-chain linkages, market access, funding, business recovery and continuity opportunities between start-ups established & big industry stakeholders across leisure and business travel as well as MICE;
• Synergies amongst public sector entities (including National Tourism Organisations, Convention Bureaux and Conference Centres), start-ups, academia, corporations, investors, accelerators.

The five (5) shortlisted competitors will participate in the finals of the Youth Innovation Summit and Challenge that will take place on the margins of the annual Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) and Awards scheduled to take place in Rwanda in mid-November.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

A Holistic Wellness Retreat on the Banks of the Zambezi River

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A Holistic Wellness Retreat on the Banks of the Zambezi River

Victoria Falls, Zambia, July 8, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Marrying world-class expertise with indigenous wellness culture and breathtaking scenery, The Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara in Zambia will be the location for a holistic wellness retreat from 19-22 August 2021. Set along the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, in full view of the spray of the Victoria Falls, guests can expect a retreat that will nourish both mind and body in a naturally serene outdoor environment, with daily Vinyasa yoga and meditation sessions conducted on the Royal deck overlooking the Zambezi.

• See the World’s Best Luxury Hotels here.

The retreat will be conducted by Stuart Kirton of Cape Town’s Yo Yoga Studio. Stuart has been instructing classes since 2003 in a multitude of styles such as Ashtanga, Hot 26, Restorative and Vinyasa yoga. Originally trained and certified in London through the Shadow Yoga method, he has a vast amount of knowledge and experience, spanning over 17 years.

Set on the banks of the Zambezi River, Anantara Spa will provide a spectacular outdoor setting for natural revitalisation in riverside gazebos, immersed in the idyllic beauty of the Zambezi River and surrounding landscapes, with rushing water, chirping birdsong and the calls of wildlife providing an uplifting soundtrack. Daily spa treatments will leave guests feeling relaxed. The spa’s menu reads like an Out-of-Africa odyssey, drawing on revered local wellness traditions and age-old beauty secrets. Signature experiences include the Zambezi Massage and the Anantara Signature Massage. The Zambezi Massage uses a traditional technique also known as Ukuchina. In this massage, warm towels are used in kneading and compression movements to relieve muscle pain and tension.

The combination of authentic African techniques and Western massage creates the ultimate relaxation experience and promotes wellbeing throughout the body. Traditionally performed to rejuvenate and cure malaria, fatigue, muscle pain, inflammation and other body ailments, Ukuchina massage is also a popular postnatal treatment for women and has been passed down through generations. The Anantara Signature Massage combines revered Eastern and Western techniques in purpose-designed movements. A signature oil blend stimulates circulation and deeply relaxes muscles. Reflexology clears any energy blocks and promotes an overall sense of wellbeing.

• See the World’s Best Luxury Hotels here.

Victoria Falls is a haven for bucket list adventures and when guests aren’t relaxing in the hotel or its vast grounds they can experience the myriad of adventure activities that the destination has to offer, such as a swim in the Devil’s Pool, a uniquely located plunge pool right on the edge of the Falls, where the thundering cascade plummets 350-feet, providing a pulse-racing dip for those brave enough to venture into the Zambezi River. A once in a lifetime helicopter ride can be enjoyed as guests watch from above as the mighty Zambezi River carves its way through the steep cliffs of the Batoka Gorge and transforms from a gentle and serene river into the rampant Victoria Falls that descend 120 metres to the floor of the valley. Wildlife river safaris on the Zambezi reveal excellent game and bird viewing and provide a mesmerising way to end the day.

About Anantara
Anantara is a luxury hospitality brand for modern travellers, connecting them to genuine places, people and stories through personal experiences, and providing heartfelt hospitality in the world’s most exciting destinations. The collection of distinct, thoughtfully designed luxury hotels and resorts provides a window through which to journey into invigorating new territory, curating personal travel experiences.

From cosmopolitan cities to desert sands to lush islands, Anantara connects travellers to the indigenous, grounds them in authentic luxury, and hosts them with passionate expertise. The portfolio currently boasts over 40 stunning properties located in Thailand, the Maldives, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Zambia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Tunisia, Portugal, Spain and Mauritius, with a pipeline of future properties across Asia, the Indian Ocean, Middle East and Africa.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO Supports Zimbabwe to Measure Value of Tourism

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UNWTO Supports Zimbabwe to Measure Value of Tourism

Harare, Zimbabwe, June 24, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO commits to work with the Government of Zimbabwe to measure the importance of tourism for the country’s economy.

Zimbabwe has identified tourism as a central pillar of its National Development Strategy, (NDS 1, 2021-2025). To reflect this, UNWTO is now working with the government on the development of the country’s first Tourism Satellite Account (TSA). The TSA will measure tourism’s contribution to Zimbabwe’s GDP, as well as its size relative to other sectors, and the number of jobs it generates. It will also allow the government to measure the value of public and private investment related to the sector and the effect of international tourism on the country’s balance of payments.

Mr Munesu Munodawafa, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, said, “As we continue to invest in the recovery and re-development of tourism across Zimbabwe, we must be able to accurately measure the importance of tourism to the country’s economy. The development of the TSA is one of the key milestones for the sector under the NDS1 (2021-2025).  This tool is critical to aid Government’s decision making and evidence-based policy formulation for a sustainable and resilient tourism sector post COVID-19.”

Elcia Grandcourt, UNWTO Director for Africa said, “We are delighted to work again with Zimbabwe in this important endeavour. We are committed to supporting the government in providing clear data that can help guide key decisions for tourism’s recovery and growth.”

The initiative forms part of the four-year Zimbabwe Destination Development Program, a technical assistance initiative supported by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. It is being delivered by the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, and sponsored by the Government of Japan. The program supports the recovery of Zimbabwe’s tourism industry and aims to safeguard thousands of jobs amid a sharp decline in travel caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Promoting Brand Africa to Realize the Continent’s Tourism Potential

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Promoting Brand Africa to Realize the Continent’s Tourism Potential - TOURISMAFRICA.org - TRAVELINDEXWindhoek, Namibia, June 17, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO’s African Member States will work together to establish a new narrative for tourism across the continent. To better realize tourism’s potential to drive recovery, UNWTO and its Members will also work with the African Union and the private sector to promote the continent to new global audiences through positive, people-centred storytelling and effective branding.

• For the African Tourism portal , Connecting Africa to the World, go to TourismAfrica.org

With tourism recognized as an essential pillar of sustainable and inclusive development for the continent, UNWTO welcomed high-level delegates to the first Regional Conference on Strengthening Brand Africa. The conference featured the participation of the political leadership of host country Namibia, alongside public and private sector leaders from across the continent.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili welcomed the common determination to rethink as well as restart tourism. “African destinations must take the lead in celebrating and promoting the continent’s vibrant culture, youthful energy and entrepreneur spirit, and its rich gastronomy”, he said.

Windhoek Pledge puts people first

African destinations must take the lead in celebrating and promoting the continent’s vibrant culture, youthful energy and entrepreneur spirit, and its rich gastronomy

On the back of a series of workshops and a Ministerial Think Tank, UNWTO’s African Member States unanimously endorsed the Windhoek Pledge on Advocating Brand Africa. Under the terms of the Windhoek Pledge, Members will engage both public and private sector stakeholders as well as local communities to build a new, inspiring narrative for tourism across the continent. They will identify positive, human-centred stories, and through strengthened partnerships with the media, showcase them to the world, reaching new and diverse tourism source markets.

Over the coming weeks, UNWTO will work with all signatories to create a common roadmap towards establishing Brand Africa. This will include establishing common values and goals and identifying funding needs and opportunities as well as providing branding toolkits for destinations, including guidelines and recommendations and training and capacity building in market intelligence, digital marketing and data management.

• For the African Tourism portal , Connecting Africa to the World, go to TourismAfrica.org

Bilateral meetings show support for tourism

Alongside the conference, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, held high-level talks on the restart of tourism with President of Namibia Hage Geingob, as well as with the country’s Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and with the African Union Commissioner for Trade and Industry Albert Muchanga

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Ghana to Boost Private Investment to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals

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Ghana to Boost Private Investment to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals - TRAVELINDEXAccra, Ghana, June 17, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Economic Forum, in partnership with the Government of Ghana, is launching the first Country Financing Roadmap (CFR) for SDGs initiative in Africa. The CFR is a country-led initiative – in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Investment Partnership, a joint initiative between the World Economic Forum and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – with concrete solutions to drive greater private sector participation in financing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ghana, one of Africa’s leading and most stable economies, faces a number of barriers to meet its SDGs, a situation exacerbated by the extended COVID-19 crisis. The total costs required to achieve the SDGs in Ghana is estimated at $522.3 billion by the end of 2030, averaging around $52.2 billion a year. The current SDG financing gap for the next 10 years is $431.6 billion, with $43 billion just for 2021.

The CFR presents a set of country-led plans to encourage greater financing at scale, especially private-sector participation, to meet the SDGs by 2030. The CFR has focused on financing sustainable infrastructure, a key indicator and driver of economic growth and development, which often hampers the ability of a country to attract sizeable investment if left behind, according to the World Bank. The CFR also focuses on the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector as it represents about 85% of business within the private sector and contributes to 70% of GDP, according to the report.

The actions and innovations highlighted by the Ghana CFR were formulated via a multistakeholder process consulting over 50 institutions. They are part of Ghana’s plan to create conditions for the private sector to help propel sustainable growth and create employment opportunities, and to be independent of aid by 2028 (link).

“Ghana has long been committed to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” said Børge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum. “We hope this report will help attract more private capital for sustainable investment opportunities in emerging markets and look forward to continuing to work together.”

“I am delighted that, in partnership with the World Economic Forum, we have produced the Ghana Country Financing Roadmap (CFR) for the SDGs,” said Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana. “It will provide us with a clear indication of the resources required to bridge the SDGs financing gap, and the levels of ambition we need to achieve success in our objectives.”

The report is released in parallel with the World Economic Forum Special Dialogue with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo where he addressed Ghana’s strategic priorities post COVID-19 as the country hosts the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat and seeks to create a prosperous environment in neighbouring countries and the West African sub-Saharan region.

Ghana is the first country in which the CFR was released. It is piloting the initiative which will serve as a blueprint for other countries. This effort is funded and supported by the European Commission and the Danish International Development Agency.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Mastercard Foundation to Deploy $1.3B to Save Lives and Livelihoods in Africa

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Mastercard Foundation to Deploy $1.3B to Save Lives and Livelihoods in Africa - TOURISMAFRICA.org - TRAVELINDEXAddis Ababa, Ethiopia, June 12, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Mastercard Foundation has announced that it will deploy $1.3 billion over the next three years in partnership with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to save the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in Africa and hasten the economic recovery of the continent.

The Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative will acquire vaccines for at least 50 million people, support the delivery of vaccinations to millions more across the continent, lay the groundwork for vaccine manufacturing in Africa through a focus on human capital development, and strengthen the Africa CDC.

“Ensuring equitable access and delivery of vaccines across Africa is urgent. This initiative is about valuing all lives and accelerating the economic recovery of the continent,” said Reeta Roy, President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation. “In the process, this initiative will catalyze work opportunities in the health sector and beyond as part of our Young Africa Works strategy,” she added.

The African Union’s goal as set out in the African COVID-19 Vaccine Development and Access Strategy is to vaccinate at least 60 percent of its population – approximately 750 million people or the entire adult population of the continent – by the end of 2022. To date, less than two percent of Africans have received at least one vaccine dose.

The new partnership builds on the efforts of the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access facility (COVAX), the COVID-19 African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT), and the global community to expand access to vaccines across Africa. The number of vaccines available to Africa represents a small portion of the global supply and the financial costs to purchase, deliver, and administer vaccines remain significant. The Africa CDC is calling on governments, global funders, the private sector, and others to help meet this goal.

“Ensuring inclusivity in vaccine access, and building Africa’s capacity to manufacture its own vaccines, is not just good for the continent, it’s the only sustainable path out of the pandemic and into a health-secure future,” said Dr. John Nkengasong, Director of the Africa CDC. “This partnership with the Mastercard Foundation is a bold step towards establishing a New Public Health Order for Africa, and we welcome other actors to join this historic journey.”

In 2020, Africa faced its first economic recession in 25 years due to the pandemic. The African Development Bank has warned that COVID-19 could reverse hard-won gains in

poverty reduction over the past two decades and drive 39 million people into extreme poverty in 2021. Widespread vaccination is recognized as being critical to the economic recovery of African countries.

The initiative builds on an earlier collaboration between the Mastercard Foundation and the Africa CDC to expand access to testing kits and enhance surveillance capacity in Africa. Through the Foundation’s support, the Africa CDC’s Partnership to Accelerate COVID-19 Testing (PACT) deployed nearly two million COVID-19 tests and more than 12,000 trained health care workers and rapid responders across Africa. In total, the PACT has enabled over 47 million COVID-19 tests across the continent.

About the Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation is a Canadian foundation and one of the largest in the world with more than $39 billion in assets. The Foundation was created in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company. Since its inception, the Foundation has operated independently of the company. The Foundation’s policies, operations, and program decisions are determined by its Board.

About Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Africa CDC is a specialized technical institution of the African Union that strengthens the capacity and capability of Africa’s public health institutions as well as partnerships to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats and outbreaks, based on data-driven interventions and programs.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

The Wyss Foundation Commits $108M to Protect Areas in Africa

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The Wyss Foundation Commits $108M to Protect Areas in Africa - TRAVELINDEX - TOURISMAFRICAJohannesburg, South Africa, June 9, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Wyss Foundation today announced a commitment of up to $108M to African Parks, a South African based conservation NGO that manages protected areas on behalf of governments across the continent. This transformational commitment is part of Mr. Hansjorg Wyss’s visionary Wyss Campaign for Nature, a $1B investment in helping nations, NGO’s and indigenous communities conserve 30% of the planet by 2030 and is one of the largest single gifts ever made to the conservation of Protected Areas in Africa.

The Foundation’s commitment will be made over an initial five-year period to support up to half of the annual budgets of nine existing parks currently under African Parks’ management in Angola, Benin, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe; as well as support the addition of five new parks (which are yet to be identified) and up to two-thirds of their annual budgets. The funding for these new parks will come with a matching requirement with the goal of enticing new and diversified funders to provide needed stability for these landscapes. The grant overall serves a critical need in long-term and sustainable, multi-year financing, providing critical support for a park’s operating budget, which can vary between $1.5M to $4M per year.

“We are in a race against time to save Africa’s wildlife and wild places,” said Hansjörg Wyss, Founder and Chairman of The Wyss Foundation. “Multiple and compounding threats, including deforestation, illegal mining, poaching, and wildlife trafficking among others have imperiled Africa’s lands, waters, and wildlife – some of the most awe-inspiring on Earth. Only by working with governments and local people can we protect natural areas for the benefit of people and wildlife across the African continent. By supporting African Parks, I know that funding is being used effectively to help nations and communities protect nature and their economy now, not tomorrow.”

African Parks, a conservation organization founded in 2000, takes on the direct, long-term management responsibility of national parks and protected areas in partnership with governments to protect wildlife, restore landscapes and ensure sustainable livelihoods for local communities. With 19 parks in 11 countries under African Parks management, their conservation footprint spans over 14.7 million hectares which is the largest amount of area under conservation for any one NGO on the continent. Their goal is to directly manage 30 parks by 2030, measuring 30 million hectares, safeguarding globally significant biodiversity and ensuring that vast ecosystems function in order to sequester carbon, deliver clean air, water and food security, provide stability, and economic, socio-political and ecological benefits for millions of people.

“It’s hopeful and inspiring to see the impact one individual can have, with intent and clarity of purpose in wanting to help protect the planet” said Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks. “The partnership forged with the Wyss Foundation is helping secure some of the most threatened but globally significant landscapes on Earth. What is not being managed will be lost, and once lost, these areas and their ecological functions are essentially impossible to restore. What Mr. Wyss’s commitment does is help secure these threatened areas now, it inspires other actors to get involved, and paves the way for a green and sustainable future for humans and wildlife alike”.

The philanthropic commitment announced today comes on top of the Wyss Foundation’s existing support to African Parks from 2016 for nine parks currently under their management, including three parks in Malawi where the Foundation supported one of the largest elephant translocations in human history.

The Wyss Foundation has a more than two decades long track record of working with local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and nations in their efforts to accelerate the pace and scale of conservation, supporting locally-driven projects in Africa, Australia, North America, South America, Europe, and central Asia. By partnering with communities to create and expand protected areas, by encouraging more ambitious international conservation targets, by investing in science, and by inspiring conservation action around the world, the Wyss Foundation is working to slow the loss of nature and safeguard the planet’s biodiversity.

About African Parks: African Parks is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. They currently manage 19 parks in 11 countries including Malawi, Zambia, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Chad, with the goal of managing 30 parks by 2030.

About The Wyss Foundation / Wyss Campaign for Nature: The Wyss Foundation is a private, charitable organization dedicated to supporting innovative, lasting solutions that improve lives, empower communities, and strengthen connections to the land. In 2018, the foundation launched the Wyss Campaign for Nature, a 10-year, $1 billion commitment by Hansjörg Wyss – the Wyss Foundation’s founder and chairman – to help protect at least 30 percent of the planet by 2030. Over the past two decades, the Wyss Foundation has invested over $600 million to help conservation partners, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities permanently protect over 60 million acres of land and over 1.8 million square kilometers of ocean.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News