Page 4 - Marcelo Novais News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Dorine Reinstein For the past few years, luxury tourism in Africa has revolved around exclusivity, sustainability, conservation and community upliftment. Many companies, however, were said to pay lip service to sustainability without being truly committed. Tourism industry players agree that if Covid-19 has had any positive effects, it is that the pandemic will pave the way for true sustainability and conservation.  James Haigh, head of sales at Lemala, said the luxury tourism companies that thrive will be those that are truly sustainable.  "We often heard companies say that their people ar...

Dorine Reinstein "Will I get my money back if I can't travel?" This is undoubtedly among the most asked questions travel consultants heard in 2020. And the question keeps popping up in 2021. For a tourism industry in tatters, the debacle around refunds is a tough challenge. Bed nights are perishable. Unlike a pair of jeans that can be sold again if the customer has a buyer's remorse, a holiday has an expiration date. If a holiday is canceled at the last moment, the tourism provider is left with no possibility to "sell" it again. In a safari lodge with just 10 rooms, where the staff-to-guest r...

Dorine Reinstein The time has finally come to wish farewell -- or rather, good riddance -- to the year 2020.  As Simon Stobbs, chief sales officer for Wilderness Safaris, puts it: "This year has taken its toll on the psychological well-being of many, including those working in the industry whose sense of self-worth and meaning was removed the minute they weren't able to host guests in hotels, lodges, airlines and touring companies across the continent. It is our wish that our guests return to visit Africa as soon as possible, so that we can continue to create life-changing journeys that insp...