New routes to help fund SAA aircraft

New routes to help fund SAA aircraft
http://www.fin24.com/Companies/TravelAndLeisure/New-routes-to-help-fund-SAA-aircraft-20101221

Toulouse - South African Airways (SAA) will undertake six new routes in Africa In 2011, one of which is a brand new destination: Cotonou in Benin, West Africa. The other five are former SAA destinations that had been shut down and would now be reopened. SAA spokesperson Fani Zulu said one of the routes would be to Cameroon and one to Ghana. He declined to provide more details. SAA was busy with final negotiations on flight and parking rights, he said. The company’s strategy was to expand into Africa, which offered the most profitable routes. Zulu said SAA could possibly also introduce a new route to China. He said the expansion was being made possible by SAA’s acquisition of six new aircraft. From next year the airline would receive new A330 long-distance Airbuses to replace its A340-200s. The new aircraft would be used en route to, inter alia, London and Frankfurt. The quality of the product en route would also improve.

This comes just a short while after SAA's announcement that it cancelled one of its domestic routes and was planning to expand into the more profitable African destinations. 

Tourist Attractions in Lagos, Portugal

Lagos is a city in the Algarve, in the south of Portugal. The city has a population of approximately 19,000. It is one of the most visited cities due to its big variety of beaches, bars, restaurants, and hotels.

What to see / do

• Bravura Dam – A fantastic view of the dam and surrounding countryside.
• Forte Ponta da Bandeira – A small military fortress
• Praia do Camilo – A beautiful beach cove
• Ponta da Piedade – A lighthouse from where you can see for miles
• Lagos Fish Market – A wonderful selection of freshly caught seafood.

Events

There is a lot of entertainment for visitors in Lagos, especially during the summer. Lagos offer almost anything from theatre, music, concerts, coral groups, fairs, films, painting exhibitions, dances and contests. Some of their main annual events include:

• April 25th – 'Liberation Day' – starting with cannons and ending with firework displays.
• Banho 29 (29th August) – celebrating summer with picnics on the beach and fireworks at midnight.
• Medieval Festival (Feira Quinhentista) – The anniversary of Infante Dom Henrique (Henry the Navigator) who died in November 1460.
• New Years Eve – Known for its excellent firework displays

Visit http://bestflights.co.za/internationalflights/portugal/lagos for more information on Lagos, Portugal

Travel research points to an appy future

Travel research points to an appy future
http://www.hotelmarketing.com/index.php/article/travel_research_points_to_an_appy_future

Half of travel firms believe the value of mobile websites have yet to be realised but 70% expect to make more revenue from mobile in the next 12 months, Travolution research has revealed.

Travolution conducted a trade and consumer survey last month through research partner eDigitalResearch for the next edition of Travolution dedicated to apps.

Of the 470 travel organisations that responded only 17% had a smartphone app and a similar proportion said they had a mobile enabled website.

And of those with mobile sites 43% said they had the same functionality as their conventional sites. Among those with apps 44% said they include destination guides.
Firms that had apps and mobile websites said they were most often developed in-house.

Travel Guide to Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria, has an estimated population of 8.8 million in the city and 10.7 million in the metropolitan area. It is estimated by the UN according to the current growth rate, that Lagos will be the third largest mega city by 2015 after Tokyo and Bombay.

What to see / do

• Bar Beach, Victoria Island - Seaside attraction and resorts
• Badagry - In the early 1500's, slaves were transported from West Africa to America through Badagry
• Didi Museum - Collection of antiques and contemporary art
• Lekki Conservation Centre
  
• National Museum - Houses important relics such as the traditional Benin Bronzes and the replica of the Festac '77 symbol. 
• National Theater, Iganmu - primary centre for the performing arts in Nigeria

Events

• Eyo Festival - Participants all pay homage to the Oba (King) of Lagos
• Lagos Carnival - Costumed dancers and decorated floats parade down the main streets on Lagos Island
• MTV Africa Music Awards - A celebration of the most popular music in Africa with awards given in a number of categories
• Muson Festival - Eclectic programme including the Choral Concert and a very popular Jazz Night

Visit http://bestflights.co.za/internationalflights/nigeria/lagos for more information on Lagos, Nigeria

Places To See in Bali, Indonesia

What to see / do

• Batubulan - The village of Batubulan is marked by stone figures on the roadside. Artists at work can be seen carving divinities and demons from sandstone for ornaments of houses and temples.
• Gianyar - Gianyar is the centre of Bali’s textile industry. Ikat weaving is a speciality of Gianyar and is what the Balinese use for their traditional wear.
• Gunung Batur - Gunung Batur is a still-active volcano at an altitude of 1717 m. The Balinese rever to the mountain as the second-holiest mountain on the island and it symbolizes the female element of Agung’s male.
• Kuta - Kuta is a thriving tourist resort with beautiful sunsets and is popular for surfing. Tourist facilities include restaurants, shops, discos and regular performances of Balinese music and dance.
• Nusa Dua - The Nusa Dua tourist resort offers some of the most beautiful and luxurious hotels. Nusa Dua is known for its clean white beaches and clear waters for surfing.
• Pura Besakih - Pura Besakih, over a thousand years old, is the mother Temple of Bali and the biggest and holiest of all Balinese temples.
• Pura Kehen - Pura Kehen is the religious heart of Bangli's many temples.
• Neka Art Museum Ubud Bali - The Neka Art Museum Ubud Bali has a permanent collection of modern work of Balinese fine art inspired by the natural beauty, people, and the culture of Bali.

Events

Bali, the most colorful and lively parts of Indonesia, is known for its rich tradition and heritage with vivid culture. Bali has a number of events and festivals where it displays this vivacity.

• Bali Art Festival - Classical dances, and traditional drama and music with food stalls that offer delicacies. The Bali Art Festival is a platform where the local handicrafts and the great art of the province is displayed.
• Galungan Holy Day in Bali - At this event the Balinese honor their ancestors and pray for their departed souls. The Galungan Holy Day is held once in every 210 days.
• Negara Bull Races in Bali - For this bull races the bulls are chosen carefully and then made up and painted. The competition involves two pairs of bulls ridden by jockeys around a one-track course.
• Nusa Dua Festival in Bali - This popular festival is based on a theme, which changes every year and attracts a large crowd

Visit http://bestflights.co.za/internationalflights/indonesia/bali for more information on Bali, Indonesia

Fatal shark attack in Egypt

A 70-year-old German tourist has died in a shark attack off the coast of Sharm el-Sheikh – the latest in a series of shark attacks in the Red Sea over the past five days.

British holiday companies, including Thomson and First Choice, have cancelled all water sports and boat trips in the popular Egyptian resort following the attacks, which have sparked a panic akin to the movie “Jaws”.

The UK Foreign Office has also warned holidaymakers to be on their guard at the resort.

via breakingtravelnews.com

If you are traveling to Egypt, please be aware of the current dangerous situation. Although the 48 hour ban on entering the water has been lifted, tourists are still encouraged to be on their guard.

Cairo, Egypt - Tourist Attractions - What To See & Events

Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is one of the largest cities in Africa and the Middle East. With a population in excess of 16 million people it is among the world's most densely populated cities.

What to see / do

• Al-Azhar Park - A glimpse into the captivating past
• Cairo Opera House - Opera, dance and music
• Cairo Tower - An 187-metre tower with views of the views of the city, desert and Pyramids, Zamalek, Shubra and the Nile Delta
• Hanging Church - The most famous Coptic church in Cairo
• Pyramids at Giza - The oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza
• The Egyptian Museum - More than 120,000 antiquities, covering centuries of ancient history.
• The Sphinx - One of Egypt's oldest surviving structures

Events

Annual events in Cairo

• Ashura - Shia Muslims performing zikrs (religious dances) and traditional music.
• Cairo International Film Festival - Competitions, tributes and controversial films
• Coptic Christmas - Religious services and concerts and typical Christmas bazaars. Religious services and concerts and typical Christmas bazaars
• International Nile Song Festival - Kids from around 18 countries compete in writing, singing and composing.
• Sphinx Festival - A gathering of artists, scholars and Egyptologists.

For more information on Cairo, Egypt, visit http://bestflights.co.za/internationalflights/egypt/cairo

Urgent Notice: Gatwick Airport, London, UK

The runway of the Gatwick Airport in the UK will be closed until at least 6am on Thursday 2 December because of extreme weather conditions. There are currently no departing or arriving flights and passengers flying to London are asked to check directly with their airline for more information.