IMPACT OF CIVIL WAR ON IVORY COAST
TOURISM(WEST AFRICA)
IMAGES
THE WATERFALLS OF Man
THE SACRED MONKEY FOREST
Thursday 12 December 2013
Wednesday 11 December 2013
TOURISM IN TCHAD
TOURISM IN
TCHAD
Tourism
development supported by growth in the country’s economy
Despite political instability in the region, Chad
registered a good economic performance, with GDP growth of 7.2%, in 2012 and a
projected increase of 7.4% in 2013. Growth in oil production should boost
export revenue over the forecast period and could help finance the government’s
public investment plan, as part of its strategy to make Chad an emerging
economy. Tourism in Chad is a relatively minor industry, yet the government is
increasingly taking steps to direct its energies and resources towards the
growth and diversification of the country’s travel products, improving
infrastructure and travel accommodation, as well as investing in programs to
attract tourists. The country has been present at different tourism exhibitions
and had outstanding visibility at the African Fare in Paris in April 2013 with
the French president participating in the event.
Boom in
travel accommodation supported by business tourism
After oil extraction and production companies were
installed in the country, increased business exchange led to the further
development of travel accommodation; in particular, several hotels were opened
to satisfy the expectations of international travellers. Following a government
plan at the end of 2011, the country has focused its attention on the
development of a new quarter in the capital city N’Djamena, with the
construction of new luxury hotels starting in 2012.
Transport
infrastructure becomes a priority for the government
Problems with air companies (lack of licences and
frequent crashes), underdeveloped paved roads and a lack of a driving culture
make usage of transportation troubled in Chad, with it requiring more
investment. In September 2012, the government received subsidies from the
African Development Bank to provide asphalt coverage to roads from Ndjamena to
Sarh and from Koumra to Sarh. At the beginning of 2013, new meetings with
ministers were organised to encourage investors to plough money into the transport
infrastructure. More projects are expected to continue the trend in future.
Saharan
tourism potential
Chad offers great potential for Saharan tourism due
to its landlocked nature, including a wealth of outstanding natural and
cultural heritage. The country possesses substantial natural attractions,
presenting a rich array of unique landscapes. However, most areas have remained
underexploited due to the nation’s geographical remoteness and poor
transportation infrastructure. The major area of desert tourism in Chad is the
Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti (BET) region in the northern part of the country, which
boasts plenty of noteworthy attractions such as sand dunes and Saharan fauna.
This area is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful parts of Chad and is a jewel
among the world’s desert landscapes. As a result, the Chadian government needs
to place emphasis on the development of Saharan tourism, a niche category that
is becoming the principal attraction for the few tourists which visit the
country.
Ecotourism is
still not a priority for the country
Thanks to protection by the Chadian government and
the European Union, the 754,000-acre Zakouma National Park was announced by
Lonely Planet as one of the best places to see wildlife in Central Africa. The
Chadian government needs to continue investing in and conserving natural
resources for the benefit of not only the local population but also to
transform tourism potential into a profitable industry. Strong emphasis must be
placed on ecotourism development due to the country’s fabulous flora and fauna.
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Overview
Discover the latest market trends and uncover
sources of future market growth for the Travel and Tourism industry in Chad
with research from Euromonitor's team of in-country analysts.
Find hidden opportunities in the most current
research data available, understand competitive threats with our detailed
market analysis, and plan your corporate strategy with our expert qualitative
analysis and growth projections.
If you're in the Travel and Tourism industry in
Chad, our research will save you time and money while empowering you to make
informed, profitable decisions.
When you purchase this report, you also get the
data and the content from these category reports in Chad for free:
- Car Rental
- Health and Wellness Tourism
- Tourism Flows Domestic
- Tourism Flows Inbound
- Tourism Flows Outbound
- Tourist Attractions
- Transportation
- Travel Accommodation
- Travel Retail
· The Top 6: What to Do in
Chad
1. Lake Chad: Once one of the world’s largest lakes, almost as large as the Caspian Sea, Lake Chad has been affected more drastically by climate change than almost any other place on the African continent or in the world. As the region’s seasonal monsoons have changed course and farmers have used more water for irrigation, Lake Chad has shrunk to 5 percent of its former size in only 35 years. Despite the changes, it remains a popular fishing and boating spot. See it because it’s beautiful, see it because it’s off the beaten track, see it for the catfish, but see it soon—because in ten years it might be gone.
2. Markets: N’Djamena has excellent shopping for tourists, and the best place to find carpets, clothing, tropical fruit, carvings, and more is the open-air market in the historic quarter of the city. The market, which operates daily from dawn to dusk, serves as a kind of magnet for the city’s knickknacks, but to find the choicest art and the good deals, you’ll have to sift through all manner of junk. Doing so in itself is an adventure, though, and the market affords some of the city’s best people watching as locals sell, haggle, and socialize.
3. N’Djamena’s Central Mosque: The architectural, social, and religious center of N’Djamena, the central mosque can be seen from many parts of town. In addition to the mosque itself, the complex has a library, a lecture hall, and two schools, although visitors should be able to speak Chadian Arabic if they hope to benefit much from these facilities.
4. Stroll in N’Djamena: It may lack the tourist infrastructure of Dakar or Nairobi, but N’Djamena positively buzzes with life, and even if you spend less time at museums and monuments, you’ll learn just as much by observing the people around you. One of the best places to do that is Avenue Charles de Gaulle, lined with embassies, high-end restaurants, and Victorian homes that recall Chad’s days of European rule.
5. Tibesti Mountains: Although travel to the Tibesti Mountains is both difficult and dangerous at this time, the area has a stark, dramatic landscape of canyons and sheer rock faces topped by forest. The Toubou tribe still lives traditionally in villages within the range but tends to be hostile to visitors.
6. Zakouma National Park: Poaching remains a problem in the park. The Chadian government and the European Union have recently restocked it, though, and it is once again one of the best places to spot herds of elephants, as well as wildebeests, antelopes, and lions.
REFERENCE
http://wikitravel.org/en/Chad
Monday 9 December 2013
The magnificent Virunga Mountains, situated in the Northern Province of Rwanda, on the border of Rwanda, DRC and Uganda. These mountains consist of six Volcanoes, 125 km2 of mountain forest, and are home to the famous gorilla families.
The Volcanoes National Park was first gazetted in 192 5, as a small area bounded by Karisimbi, Bisoke and Mikeno Volcanoes, intended to protect the gorillas from poaching. It was the very first National Park to be created in Africa.
There are many activities to be enjoyed in this area apart from Gorillas Trekking in the Volcanoes National Park. This area is home to numerous caves, a number of Cultural and Community Tourism initiates as well as being an excellent location for bird watching.
For the sport enthusiast there are a number of hiki ng trails in the magestic Virunga Mountains or you can enjoy cycl ing the area, boating on the Twin lakes or even try your hand at fishing .
Development is proposed of further extreme sports in the area, such as mountain climbing
Activities in and around Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe National Park is a top ecotourism destination with a growing network of hiking trails that offer visitors great opportunities for world class bird watching, chimp tracking, monkey watching, and orchid ogling. Camping is also possible at a few sites in the Park. And, of course, the Park also offers the only Canopy Walk in East Africa
Hiking trails
Nyungwe offers 13 hiking trails, some with tongue-twisting names. Try pronouncing "Igishigishigi" quickly, which is the name of an easy 1.7 km trail that begins near the Uwinka Reception Centre. By the way, Igishigishigi means tree fern. The trails range from easy to difficult and from 1.7 kms to 10.6 kms in length.
World Class Bird Watching
Nyungwe is home to at least 278 bird species, 26 of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley. It is one of the best bird watching destinations in Africa. Some of the birds that can be seen here include the Great Blu Turaco, the Crowned Hornbill and the Blue-Headed Sunbird.
Primate Tracking
Thirteen species of primates are known to inhabit Nyungwe Forest, including chimpanzees, owl-faced guenons and Angolan black and white colobus monkeys. In a 2002 report by the Wildlife Conservation Society, they found the latter living in groups of more than 300 individuals.
Orchid Ogling
Nyungwe is home to 154 species of orchids, eight of which are endemic to Rwanda. The Park hosts 68% of the orchid flora of Rwanda. It is one of the world's greatest concentrations of orchids.
Redemption in the Rain Forest
How does a nation overcome the gut-wrenching stigma of a genocide, now two decades past, and proclaim to the world that it is a safe and surprising place to visit? For Rwanda, one strategy is to highlight a tract of unspoiled mountain rain forest rife with chimpanzees and a dozen other primates plus hundreds of species of birds—namely, Nyungwe National Park, in the southwestern corner of the country.
Nyungwe, which became a national park in 2005, exemplifies the farsightedness of a government that is channeling aid money toward preserving the best of Rwanda’s natural beauty, while bringing in tourist dollars that benefit surrounding communities. An example is the USAID-funded Nyungwe Nziza (Beautiful Nyungwe) project, which recently built a canopy walkway above a forested canyon—a thrilling perspective on the park and its residents.
Chimps are the star attraction in Nyungwe, though they’re not as readily watchable as the famed “in the mist” mountain gorillas farther north in Virunga National Park. Far easier to view are colobus monkeys. The world’s largest community of them lives in Nyungwe. The park hasn’t yet gained renown among birders, but it will. Almost 300 species abide here, including showboats like the oversize, clown-headed Ruwenzori turaco.
“Nyungwe stands out among Africa’s intact montane rain forests for its size and diversity,” says conservationist Bill Weber, who with his wife, Amy, pioneered the gorilla tourism project in Virunga. “It’s a place where people can spend several days and really get to know a rain forest, having different experiences each day.” Visitors can hike trails to peaks and waterfalls, and meet locals in Banda Village near the park entrance. Should one ask residents whether they are Tutsi or Hutu, the answer will almost certainly be “We are Rwandan.” —Robert Earle Howells
Travel Tips
When to Go: The drier months (July-October) are best for gorilla trekking, hiking, and tea plantation tours. For birding, visit December-March.
How to Get Around: International flights arrive at Kigali International Airport, about 140 miles northeast of Nyungwe National Park. Rental cars are available but not recommended. The most convenient option is to book a custom or small group tour (including airport transfers, lodging, meals, activities, and park entrance fees) with a responsible tourism operator, such as Rwanda Eco-Tours, founded and operated by native Rwandans.
Where to Stay: Serene and luxurious Nyungwe Forest Lodge is the ideal home base for exploring the park. It's surrounded on three sides by tea plantation, and on the fourth by rain forest. Opened in 2011, 12-room Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel lives up to its name. Step out onto your private balcony or sit on the restaurant’s outdoor terrace for mist-shrouded views of the national park and Lake Kivu.
Where to Eat or Drink: Kitabi Cultural Village, located at the Kitabi entrance to the national park, offers guided tours (with samples) where guests can learn about banana beer brewing, traditional milk preservation, millet grinding, and picking and processing tea leaves.
What to Buy: Shop for original indigenous crafts, such as baskets, place mats, bracelets, and wood carvings, at the Kitabi Women’s Handicraft Cooperative. Crafts are handmade using locally sourced materials, and purchases support the cooperative’s efforts to create a path out of poverty for local women.
Cultural Tip: Environmental protection is a top priority throughout Rwanda. Plastic bags are banned and will be confiscated at border crossings. Litter laws are strictly enforced in Kigali, where footpaths protect green areas. Don’t walk on the grass.
What to Read or Watch Before You Go: The 1988 movie Gorillas in the Mist, the biopic of slain primatologist Dian Fossey, was filmed on location in Rwanda and promoted global awareness of the endangered Rwandan gorillas.
Helpful Links: Rwanda Tourism and the Nyungwe Nziza (Beautiful Nyungwe) Project
Fun Fact: Nyungwe National Park’s black-and-white colobus monkeys live high in the trees, rarely touching the ground. Their name is derived from the Greek word for “mutilated” since the monkeys typically have no thumbs. This adaptation makes it easy to scramble across branches on all fours.
Insider Tip From Robert Earle Howells: At Nyungwe Forest Lodge listen closely and you can hear a distant waterfall.
interesting isn't it?
WATERFALLS OF Man
The vine Bridge
IMPACT OF CIVIL WAR ON IVORY COAST TOURISM(WEST AFRICA)
PRESENT
SITUATION OF THE SITE
Since the outbreak of the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire, waterfalls
Man receive very few visitors. Only a few officials of international organizations
working in the city of Man and then, pupils and students also benefit from
weekends or holidays.
The road which leads to the waterfalls is now a rocky track
with deep furrows by the flow of runoff water
rushing down from the mountains. The edges of the road are covered with brush
and if one does not have a vehicle with solid body, he/she may replace his/her
bumper after this trip. It is in an advanced state of degradation yet this is
the same road used to travel to another interesting area which boasts one of
the most beautiful villas of the colonial era.
The restaurant on stilts built in
2000 on the site was looted following the outbreak of war in September 2002. Since then, there remain only the walls. It is today, nothing
else but a field of ruins left to rust, mold and insects.
The mythical bridge made of ropes and vines which serves for the rest of the trip
to the waterfalls has not resisted
to time and lacks maintenance. Before object of myth and fantasy, this
bridge, made during one night with the help of a genius according to legend,
has always aroused curiosity. It is only the skeleton of the bridge that can be
seen nowadays.
Another difficulty is tourists’
movements. Large trees
are continually slaughtered and abandoned on the ground, which encumbers the
passages of tourists and also affects the beauty of the landscape. The site is
not only in need of appropriate maintenance but it is also badly exploited.
During the period of the political crisis, acts of vandalism
were committed on the site there is no more electricity because everything was
looted. Even the electric cables have not been spared. For this fact, it is
difficult to get to the waterfall once it is night. This is also the reason why
the door of the fence closes at 18:30 PM.
Revenue from entrance tickets
sold (twenty pence each) is shared between the village and some soldiers from
the rebellion who settled in this region who claimed responsibility to ensure
the security of the site. Very often it is a very meager sum of money that is
allocated to the village.
At the entrance of the waterfalls, the fence
is still maintained for the simple reason that it allows filtering entries
hence protects income.
THIS IS HOW ARMED CONFLICTS CAN CHANGE THE IMAGE OF TOURISM.
Thursday 5 December 2013
TOURISM IN CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE(Africa)
Right Now
Famous for its welcoming culture and rich history, the Republic of Congo has a well-developed tourist infrastructure. Whether you’re interested in safaris, rain forest hikes, sun-drenched beaches, or Brazzaville’s vibrant mix of art, nightlife, and history, Congo-Brazzaville has you covered.
Not to be confused with the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire, also known as Congo-Kinshasa), Congo-Brazzaville nevertheless shares that region’s natural beauty and is much easier for outsiders to navigate and explore.
The Top 10: What to Do in the Republic of Congo
1. National Parc Ndoki-Nouabalé: Besides being home to more than 1,000 species of plants, as well as gorillas, elephants, antelopes, and over 300 types of birds, National Parc Ndoki-Nouabalé is one of the country’s best-staffed parks. The virgin rain forest is not navigable in some places, and a guide is essential for walking or boat tours. Most visitors to the park arrive via airplane from Brazzaville or Pointe Noire.
2. Lesio-Louna Gorilla Reserve: The Congo is home to some 80 percent of the world’s wild gorillas and chimpanzees, and even the most nature-averse traveler will fall in love with the chimp families and majestic gorillas that romp around the country’s several reserves. Although Ndoki-Nouabalé National Park remains the best location for seeing all kinds of wildlife, Lesio-Louna virtually guarantees close encounters with primates and is quite accessible, only a short drive north of Brazzaville.
3. Brazzaville’s Waterfalls: Although Congo-Brazzaville’s waterfalls are generally not as impressive as the ones in Congo-Kinshasa, Loufoulakari Falls and the nearby Bela Falls are the exceptions that prove the rule. Cutting noisily through a tangle of untouched rain forest, these waterfalls are relatively easy to reach from Brazzaville and offer lovely panoramas of the surrounding forest.
4. Poto Poto: Perhaps Brazzaville’s most famous arrondissement, Poto Poto draws in many tourists with its sprawling market, where you can bargain with local vendors for handicrafts, food, and clothing. Traditionally part of the West African area of town, Poto Poto is also known for a laid-back and popular bar scene as well as its painting school, established in 1951.
5. Pointe Noire: This city’s convenient port (possessing the only deepwater harbor in Africa south of Dakar) and offshore oil reserves make it a center for opulence and expats, although most of the locals still live in poverty. Pointe Noire has a livelier and more expensive club scene than Brazzaville, but it is generally worth the cost. Visitors have a choice between the pricey bars on Avenue General de Gaulle and a more authentic experience in La Cité, Pointe Noire’s “African district.” The beaches outside the city are world class, and diving equipment and fishing boat rentals are readily available.
6. Northern Congo Trekking: Although driving to this part of the country is not a pursuit for those with weak stomachs (or weak transmissions), doing so affords as much authenticity as you can get in Africa, and the lifestyle in its traditional villages is vastly different from what one can observe in Pointe Noire and Brazzaville. It is possible to hire a guide from Ouesso, Oyo, or Owanda who can lead you on rain forest hikes, and will also take you to pygmy villages on request.
7. Basilique Sainte-Anne and Central Mosque: In architecturally sophisticated Brazzaville, places of worship aren’t just lovely; they’re innovative, serene, and difficult to bypass. Why would anyone want to? Basilique Sainte-Anne is a gorgeous modern Catholic church, and the Temple Mosque has attractive mosaics and a beautifully decorated inner chamber.
8. Congo Rapids: The rapids, which start and stop along the Congo River between Brazzaville and Kinshasa, are unsafe to raft on but are quite pretty and wonderful to walk along. Most of the city’s bars and clubs are nearby, so the white water is a picturesque location at which to mingle with expats and locals.
When to Go
Congo’s wet season lasts from October to May. During that time, roads tend to turn into muddy quagmires and unwitting tourists into mosquito bait. Avoid this period, especially if you plan on venturing outside of Brazzaville or Pointe Noire. Instead, visit between June and August or during the shorter dry season in December.
Asian companies invest in transportation in Congo-Brazzaville
The Congolese government and a state-owned Chinese company AVIC International Company signed an agreement in Brazzaville to repair Chinese-made planes and supply aircraft for the revival of the state-owned carrier Air Congo. The agreement will enable Air Congo to benefit from maintenance service, repair the M6 60 type plane grounded because of the lack of spare parts and take delivery of a similar plane in February 2013.
.
European tourists still remain important part of the incoming receipts
As many immigrants have their relatives in Congo-Brazzaville, the inbound flow from European countries (France, Belgium) has an impact on the country’s receipts from tourism. Europe is also considered as a potential source of ecotourists, who would come to the country to see its rich nature.
The Pointe-Noire-Brazzaville National Highway
The presence of a port and the construction of an international airport is turning Pointe-Noire into a leading city in international African trade. Eventually, once the final section is completed in 2013, the national road will pass through all the major cities of the Congo: Nkayi, Madingou, Loutété, and Mindouli. This road will promote economic and social development in the country, improving transportation means for citizens and establishing easier access to health facilities and education. The road should also help promote both domestic and international tourism by opening up the northern part of the country.
Congo opens up to the world with airports
The Maya-Maya International airport of Brazzaville, which is being expanded and modernised, will, upon completion of this work, be one of the most modern airports within the subregion. The government’s decision to upgrade the country’s airports shows Congo’s willingness to open up to the world. Built by Chinese development company Weihai International Economic Technical Cooperative Co Ltd, the airport in Maya-Maya is undergoing renovations that should be completed by the end of 2012. The new airport will feature seven air passenger bridges, two of which will accommodate the largest planes. Officials hope to welcome two million passengers a year. The airport will have parking capacity for up to 800 cars and a world-class hotel is being built nearby. The second airport in the country under construction is Ollombo International airport. Renovating the airports in Congo would allow for the development of prosperous inbound flows.
Travel alert still in place for some parts of Congo-Brazzaville
Congo-Brazzaville is relatively stable and still recovering from the Civil War. However, travel alerts as a result of armed robberies and roadblocks continue to be in place in some parts of the country, which remain unsafe for travellers, in particular the Pool region south of Brazzaville along with the Ubangi River on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and on the rail routes between Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire.
Congo was a perfect destination before the civil war. Will a Marketing Plan solve the problem?
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