|
|
|
|
|
Maasai in downtown
Nairobi. Photo by Muguette Goufrani
Africans Active at UN
World Urban Forum in Vancouver
by Jerry W. Bird,
Editor
What a memorable week. After 30 years UN Habitat returns
to its launching pad - the seaport city of
Vancouver,
British Columbia Canada. The crowd is estimated at 10,000
plus and it certainly seems so, judging by the heavy
attendance at many sessions. At the time of writing, we have
had the pleasure of taking two groups of mayors representing
different African countries on tours of Vancouver and the
University of British Columbia. It's one way for us to repay
the wonderful hospitality we have enjoyed in eleven years
with the Africa Travel Association as its media voice in
North America and Worldwide.
The twin goals of Habitat
are "Adequate shelter for all" and "sustainable human
settlements development in an urbanizing world. "The "Global
Village" is well represented, this week - with Africa making
a particularly strong showing. As publishers of Africa
Travel Magazine and related travel business media features,
we were extremely pleased and honored to be able to to
network with so many of our African
colleagues.More->
Hold your next
conference in one of Africa's historic cities
Did
you know that since 1976, over 30 African cities have hosted
events by the Africa Travel Association? This astonishing
support represents 22 different countries - no other travel
industry organization even comes close. What's more, a key
reason for ATA's wide acceptance and a flurry of new
chapters is the fact that Africans share in the leadership.
For example, our ATA Presidents are African Tourism
Ministers - responsibility, action and example comes right
from the top. Africa Travel Magazine's feature "Africa's
Great Meeting Places and Convention Sites" is in production.
Book advertising space now . E-mail africa@dowco.com,
or fax (604) 681 6595.
Mombasa:
Magical Sands, Sparkling Sea.
"Mombasa
is undergoing a major face lift, from its busy Moi
International Airport and harbor area to the downtown core,
which has its very own visitor attractions, the most famous
being historic Fort Jesus. Here's a site that's a true time
capsule with a remarkable story to tell." -> ->
->More
Nairobi
Marches with the Times
One
of our main impressions was the remarkable changes we saw in
Nairobi in 12 months. First of all, the city streets, parks
and boulevards had a more spruced up look, thanks to the new
landscaping and creative street lighting program that is now
fully underway, and an anti litter program in progress.
Flower gardens were in bloom in the traffic circles, new
lamp standards were sponsored by community conscious
companies and life seemed brighter in many
ways.
More->
Addis
Ababa: Africa's Meeting
Place
Why did ATA choose
Addis Ababa as the venue for its 25th Anniversary Jubilee
Congress and 8th Cultural and Ecotourism Symposium? To begin
with it's today's political capital of Africa, home of the
Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the United Nations
Economic Commission for Africa, (UNECA). More than 95
embassies from all over the world have their missions in
Addis Ababa. This makes the capital of Ethiopia a city where
one finds the highest concentration of embassies in the
world after Washington DC, New York and London. Addis Ababa
is easily accessible, having daily flights to and from
cities in Europe. Ethiopian Airlines, Lufthansa, Alitalia,
Kenya Airways, Egypt Air, Saudia and others serve Addis
Ababa. Perhaps what makes Addis unique is that the national
carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, serves many cities in
Africa&emdash; making it the most accessible city on the
continent. More->
Looking for
a for a meeting or convention site in Africa?
About
Kampala, Uganda
Kampala, the Capital
City of Uganda, much like Rome was originally built, is
spread over seven hills and takes its fabled name from
Kasozi K'impala, interpreted as "the hills of the
antelopes". The origin of Kampala goes back to 1891 when the
Kabaka of Buganda held his court on Rubaga and Mengo Hills.
Today as you stand on the hills within Kampala you are
blessed with magnificent evergreen views intermingled with
red tiled villas, green iron roofed bungalows and tall
modern buildings surrounded by a lush green countryside and
the nearby Lake Victoria. While Kampala is often referred to
as the greenest city in Africa, it is also the heart of
Uganda, serving as the center of commercial life and the
seat of government. It is a vibrant modern metropolis
adorned with many beautiful gardens and parks which provides
a colorful oasis in the midst of the urban landscape for
both the citizens and visitors to admire. Hotel facilities
range from the best in international standards with
state-of-the-art conference facilities, to accommodations
for the more budget-minded traveler.
More->
Discovering
Marrakech
A destination where
one may enjoy the customs, culture and pleasures of laid
back tourism, Marrakech is loaded with outstanding
attractions, events and accommodation. Its conference
facilities are a magnet for international events, trade
missions and summits, such as our ATA Ecotourism Symposium
at Le Palais d'Congrès. Where else are all the walls
and buildings tinted in a rich pastel peach, the broad
avenues and promenades lined with rows and rows of orange
trees, with ripe fruit dangling from their branches like
holiday ornaments? In five days of discovery, we managed to
visit a wide cross section of hotel facilities, in order to
give our readers an idea of the choice available for all
price ranges. During a week long escorted tour, we had the
good fortune of selecting a guide, who has become a good
friend and ambassador for Morocco in general and Marrakech
in particular. More->
At
home in Yaounde, Cameroon
After
spending several fun weeks in Yaounde. Cameroon's capital
city, the place really started to feel like home. Almost
everyone we encountered knew who we were and made us
welcome, and the local print and broadcast media were
anxious to record and publish our views on the country and
its potential for trade and tourism. To say that I am
yearning to return at the drop of a hat is truly an
understatement - the Yaounde experience stands out as one of
the most unforgettable periods of my life. More->
Cairo,
Egypt: Journey through
Time
Egypt's historic
capital city on the River Nile is a fascinating place where
past and present meet. with evidence of 2000 years of
Islamic, Christian Coptic, and Jewish culture flourishing
side by side. Its Western part includes Memphis (Giza),
former and site of the Pyramids, famous as one of the "Seven
Great Wonders of the World." It is the largest city in the
Middle East and the center of trade routes to three
continents- Africa, Asia and Europe. More->
Cape
Town, South Africa
I first visited Cape
Town as a Travel Agent, spending a month's vacation on a
'fam' trip, 'and most recently at the 2001 ATA Congress.
It's a picture perfect location to say the least. Framed by
the panorama of Table Mountain (floodlit at night) and the
Atlantic Ocean
n, Cape Town is southern
Africa's most visited destination. Founded in 1652 by Jan
van Riebeeck, it is called the "Mother City of South
Africa." Here on the historic Western Cape, where two great
oceans and many cultures meet, you will discover a blend of
scenic beauty, combined with healthy outdoors activities and
cultural charm. The Cape Peninsula offers scenic drives,
each with an ocean backdrop, while the historic city is
blessed with dozens of hiking trails and miles of sandy
beaches. Table Bay attracts sail boarders and wind surfers
from around the world. Visitors will enjoy the many public
gardens and forest groves, the vineyards, wine estates and
famous dock area. There are hundreds of hiking trails
botanical gardens and wine estates, indigenous Cape Dutch
architecture, Georgian and Victorian building styles.
More->
METROPOLIS,
May 20068th World Congress and Africa
Travel Magazine supports the "Metropolis Project" where
government decision- makers, researchers, and
non-governmental agents discuss policies and programs for
integrating immigrants and minorities. Thus they will
effectively manage the impact of immigration and diversity
on city life. Metropolis fosters exchanges that go beyond
the stating of positions, beyond descriptions, and beyond
advocacy. The Project provides unique opportunities for
stakeholders who share a vision of improving society through
collaboration and partnership to engage each other, to
acknowledge problems openly, and to work, unfettered, to
solve them. 2005 Motto:
"Tradition and Transformation - The Future of the City," The
World Congress is also the General Assembly of the world
wide METROPOLIS network of capitals and large cities with
over a million inhabitants. e-mail:
cornelia.poczka@senstadt.verwalt-berlin.de
1-888-278-6186
ext 255 or ext 256 . (613)
233-5179 ext 255 or ext 256
Sister Cities
International
1301
Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Suite 850
Washington, DC 20004
Tel: 202-347-8630, Fax: 202-393-6524
info@sister-cities.org
|
