Category: Best Hotels In Africa

JIMMA ABBA JIFAR-ETHIOPIA VISITED BY THE GLOBAL TOURISM INSTITUTION-EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE EXECUTIVES

2/24/2019

The Head of Global Tourism Institution-ECTT H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea gives the start of Addis Ababa Culture and Tourism Festival and of Addis Ababa-WORLD`S CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM manifestations.

President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea delegation to Jimma and Abba Jifar palaces included a number of global tourism executives like: the Director of European Tourism Academy, Academician Dr. Mircea Constantinescu, Director for Hospitality and Development Mr. Pavel Avramoiu, Mr. Vasile Vlasin-Head of Investment Division in European Council on Tourism and Trade and former Prime Minister of Albania Mr. Mark Doda, Chairman of Balkan Tourism Organization.

An extensive cultural programme was carved out for President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and his delegates and destined to offer them an extensive Ethiopian experience.

The European Council on Tourism and Trade delegation visited the provinces of Kaffa and Jimma, the birth place of coffee and the famous Palace of Abba Jifar located in Jimma.

Jimma tourism potential and Abba Jiffar Museum as well as the city open markets left an indelible mark on the delegates who appreciated the city architecture and elegance and Islamic heritage potential and valued the impressive remains of the Abba Jifar palace towering over the city.

The ECTT delegation enjoyed also an exclusive tour of the tourism and cultural potential of Addis Ababa environs like the natural crater lakes of Bishoftu and the splendid religious and cultural complex of Debre Libanos.

Debre Libanos unique role in Ethiopian Church development and the rich museum collections of the Debre Libanos Monastery are powerful elements destined to make the area a hot tourism spot.

In the familiarization tour around Addis Ababa the delegation had explored the Addis Ababa City Museum, The Ethnographic Museum (hosted in former Imperial palace Genet Leul, Haile Selassie Museum, National Museum etc.) the Saint George Cathedral and Holy Trinity and Entoto Heritage Area (encompassing the Palace of Emperor Menelik II, Churches Myriam Entoto and Saints Raguel and Elias).

President Dr. Anton Caragea emphasized as urgency the enacted as a special tourism and cultural preserve of the Entoto Area, in order to ensure its better protection and tourism role in development of Addis Ababa and highly valued the decision taken by the new dispensation of the Head of Government of Adds Ababa Takele Uma Benti to promote a safe and cultural oriented tourism in the city.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

You can read more about the letter for tourism and development leaders on:

LETTER ADDRESSED TO WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM FOR CAMBODIA

LETTER ADDRESSED TO WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM FOR ETHIOPIA

GLOBAL AMBASSADOR FOR TOURISM: ACADEMICIAN HUN SEN

PHNOM PENH-WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

ECTT and Ethiopia have agreed to reinforce their collaboration in the areas of cultural protection, historical promotion, sustainable tourism development, public-private partnerships and marketing strategies etc.

European Council on Tourism and Trade delegates having in the center Mr. Mark Doda-Head of Balkan Tourism Organization are enjoying an interesting cultural show in Ethiopia`s capital: Addis Ababa.

ABBA JIFAR PALACE-MAIN INFORMATION

Jimma, beyond the Gibe gorge, tourists enjoy watching the spectacular scenery of the land and its vegetations until they reach the artificial lake of Gilgel Gibe. People enjoy watching the view of this lake, which generates hydroelectric power and the landscape beyond the lake until they reach Jima which is located at the distance of 335 kilometers to the south-west of Addis Ababa; Jmma is one of the famous coffee growing areas in western Oromia. Ethiopia owes much of its coffee export to Jimma with other areas. Jimma area is believed to be the place where coffee originated.

Apart from its coffee production and intact natural beauty, Jimma is also known for its history. Jimma served as a center of the early Oromo monarchy known as the Five Gibe Kingdoms at a place site called Jiren, which is 9 kilometers to the north of Jimma. This line was the line of the 19th century long distance trade route whereby 30,000 people used to attend the ancient great Thursday market at Hirmata, the current site of the Jimma town.

Historical palace of Sultan Abba Jifar (1853-1925) and Jimma museum antiquities are also among the major historical heritages that make Jimma one of the major tourist destinations of Oromia.

Abba Jifar Palace (1853 – 1925): Before being incorporated into the central Christian Empire of Ethiopia, Jimma was one and the strongest of the five autonomous Gibe kingdoms of the Oromo people under the leadership of Abba Jifar Abba Gomal, best known as King Abba Jifar also known by his Islamic name (Sultan Muhammad Dawud Ibn Ibrahim) of Jimma.

  Abba Jifar Palace

Towards the end of the 1860’s, King Abba Jifar built his palace at Jiren which costed him 400 kg. of gold and 65,000 Maria Theresa. This palace still stands with its colorful architectural beauty. In the compound of the palace, there are other four buildings: the public mosquareue, the mosquareue of Abba Jifar, residential palace of Abba Jifar and residential building of Abba Jobir Abba Dula (the grandson of Abba Jifar).

Jimma Museum displays most of the historic materials of King Abba Jifar, his kingdom and cultural objects of the local Oromo people and that of the other ethnic groups around Kafa. The first set of collection in this museum is the personal household furniture of the king which includes his beds, tables, arm chairs, utensils, religious manuscripts and others.

LIVE: WORLD TOURISM AND TRAVEL AWARDS CEREMONY IN DJIBOUTI

5/1/2018

President of The Republic of Djibouti: Academician ISMAIL OMAR GUELLEH in the center of global tourism institutions delegates presenting DJIBOUTI as WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM.

Hand in hand for African tourism future: President of Djibouti-Academician Ismail Omar Guelleh and President of European Council on Tourism and Trade – Professor Dr. Anton Caragea.

President Dr. Anton Caragea and President Academician Ismail Omar Guelleh announcing to the world: DJIBOUTI IS WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM.

Djibouti played host for a week (16 to 22 April 2018) to global tourism celebrations marking the inscription of the capital city on the list of WORLD CAPITAL`S OF CULTURE AND TOURISM.

Attending the ceremonies was a high ranking delegation of global tourism institutions European Council on Tourism and Trade and European Tourism Academy led by President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea.

The world tourism delegates where welcomed with a colorful ceremony on the Djibouti Airport tarmac and received lush flowers bouquets in a sign of peaceful arrival.

On April 18, 2018, a working session with representatives of Presidency of Djibouti chaired by Secretary General Mohamed Abdillahi Wais, Ministry of Economy (with tourism as mandate), Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Information and with the delegates of European Council on Tourism and Trade and European Tourism Academy chaired by President Dr. Anton Caragea has taken place.

During the day a series of dialogues where held between Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation-Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Minister of Culture, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Moumin Hassan Barreh, Ministry of Tourism and The President of the National Assembly of Djibouti Mr.Mohamed Ali Houmed.

The main event of the week of celebrations was the official inscription of DJIBOUTI as WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM in a powerful, music and rhythm driven ceremony destined to showcase the cultural endowment of people of Djibouti.

On display where ceremonial weaponry, costumes, dances, ceremonies of Issas, Afars, Yemenis constituting the matrix of today`s Djibouti.

Actors, poets, dancers and musicians from far and wide contributed to a glittering performance and crafted a vivid portrait of a young and yet cultured nation.

Congratulatory remarks were addressed for the delegates attending DJIBOUTI as WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM festivities by Ministers of culture and Islamic Foundations, Ministry of Tourism and a presentation of the country new tourism strategy was unveiled for the benefit of those present.

The core of the festivity came at the moment of announcing H.E. President Ismail Omar Guelleh as the new ACADEMICIAN member of EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY with a powerful presentation speech by Academician Mircea Constantinescu, European Academy Director.

President of European Council on Tourism and Trade – Professor Dr. Anton Caragea took to the rostrum to announce officially that from April 19, 2018, DJIBOUTI is THE WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM in recognition of a splendid array of natural and historical monuments encapsulated in a rapidly developing country and powered by a dynamic people.

H.E. Ismail Omar Gulleh, The President of Djibouti come to the fore to a rapturous welcome by his people and was surrounded with huge manifestations of love and respect and ululations of admiration for his crowning as a new ACADEMICIAN and for the country assuming the new mantle as WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM.

In a prominent and poignant allocution President Omar Gulleh, now Academician Ismail Omar Gulleh charted the new directions for his country and promised to further endeavor to make Djibouti recognized and to etch the name of his nation on the global stage.

Djibouti as a WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM has become a center of beaming culture, a beacon of development on the banks of the Red Sea and a tourism center for the Horn of Africa showing to all the region that another destiny free from fear and poverty is possible.

Global tourism delegates lead by President Dr. Anton Caragea had immersed afterwards in a discovery trip among the natural beauties and man-made carved civilizations of Djibouti.

The trip encompassed discovery of the Gulf of Tadjoura with the island of Moucha at his heart, old center of slaves and coffee trade and a symbolic place for the birth of Djibouti in the XIX century.

The fabled city of Tadjoura, the center of commerce of hides, oysters, coffee and ivory, rich and powerful dominating the south of Red Sea and portrayed as the white city or the city of seven mosques was a main point of interest.

The astonishing collection of natural monuments spanning from The Great African rift to Bab el Mandeb, to the volcano of Ardoukôba, the impressive Goubet Al Kharab, the island of Devil and the gates of Inferno where all magnificent sights to see.

The opportunities for leisure tourism, balmy sun and sea tourism wherein length explained during the visit to the incredible Sable blanc-White sands.

Finally a visit to the lowest place on the African continent: Lake Assal put the delegates in awe of the country tourism potential.

Concluding the visit to Djibouti-THE WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM President Dr. Anton Caragea remarked that: Djibouti is this unique spot: a place of magic!

The magic of the beginning of Earth`s history, the geological miracle of the gates of Earth opening and a place where volcanoes are resurrected after 3000 years sleep.
Djibouti is the magic of poets and dreamers that where touched by the aura of this place and in turn they give Djibouti a name in the cultural history of the world.
The magic of men`s who created here kingdoms, built mosques and carved out cities that lasted for hundreds of years.
May Djibouti succeed in tourism on the level of his potential.

WHY DJIBOUTI IS TAKING A FORE FRONT ON WORLD TOURISM?

3/27/2018

Africa is on the rise is a well-known trope but the rapid climbing on the top of world tourist destinations is a reality powered by booming economies, improving security, better air connectivity and of course incredible natural and historical potential.

A new memento of this (we hope) unstoppable march toward tourism status was the decision of global tourism institution – EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE to recognize President of Djibouti as a global leader in tourism development.

To mark this fortunate moment for Africa`s development and to mark down an African vision we present our readers with six accomplishments that are placing President Ismail Omar Guelleh achievements on the top of African and world tourism leadership.

President of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh was elected as a member of European Tourism Academy and has received the Letter addressed to world leaders in tourism and development in recognition of his visionary leadership in related to tourism.

Here are six arguments that can solid present his case:

AIR DJIBOUTI

Air Djibouti has succeeded a new re-birth starting with cargo activities in 2015 and started again to fly across the world: “Djibouti is reconfirming his strategic position in the international commerce, global transport and it is centrally positioned at the heart of the second most important maritime trade line in the world” marked Aboubaker Omar Hadi, president of Port and Free Trade Authority of Djibouti in a public ceremony on the tarmac of Djibouti airport.

New air travel connections will start in 2017, linking Asia and Europe with Africa welcoming around 200.000 passengers per year on board of his flights.

DJIBOUTI AIRPORT

Djibouti Airport and Djibouti Air are both state-owned companies that are proving that in a highly competitive market they can still impose themselves, bring profit and attract international costumers as long as they are well-managed.

VISA ON ARRIVAL

Djibouti is one of the world most accommodating to world tourists offering visa on arrival to a large number of citizens from Europe, Asia and Africa.European Journal of Tourism Visa Openness 2018 evaluation placed Djibouti on the second position among African countries in term of friendliness for tourism entry and visa facilities.

DJIBOUTI CITY: A WELL-GROOMED CITY

In contrast to many other world cities, the capital of Djibouti is a safe, clean and order city ranking year after year on top of best cities to live in.

SAFETY

Security is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most important issues in promoting tourism.Djibouti is an example of order and with the country hosting military bases of United States, France and China you could be well safe in this nation that is enjoying a perfect security situation and is a proven exporter of stability throughout Africa.

------
You can read more about tourism and development on:

LETTER ADDRESSED TO WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM FOR CAMBODIA

LETTER ADDRESSED TO WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM FOR ETHIOPIA

GLOBAL AMBASSADOR FOR TOURISM: ACADEMICIAN HUN SEN

PHNOM PENH-WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

-------

WORLD LASS HOTELS

Djibouti city is renowned for the great numbers of high-quality hotels, well-groomed offices where businessmen’s from around the world are feeling perfectly making the city a base for international trade on the continent.

With sophisticated infrastructure, Djibouti has succeeded in claiming the mantle of a regional capital for the international companies seeking to expand or making business in Eastern Africa.

EJTT WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT REPORTS ON DONALD TRUMP NEW TOURISM VISION

1/19/2017

United States President Donald Trump and Kingdom of Cambodia Prime Minister, Academician HUN SEN (Cambodia has won WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION status in 2016)

EJTT special correspondent to Washington reports on the events preparing the taking over of the new Trump administration and mostly tries to see what will spell for the future of tourism industry.

The new United States President Donald John Trump is taking office and in his inaugural address he promised a bright future for US tourism: placing the country on World Best Tourism Destination list, making historical cities on Eastern Coast of United States to be recognized as World Capital of Culture, all are on the to do list of the new administration drafted by the new President on his first day in office, writes European Journal of Tourism Washington correspondent.

But the analysts are not so convinced that Trump effect on tourism will be this positive. The Telegraph ask the readers : Who will visit an America ruled by Donald Trump? – and make a prophecy that not too many.

The New York Times in a central editorial make`s the same point: What Impact Will Trump Have on Tourism?

Government of Zimbabwe has express glee on the news of electoral win of President Donald Trump, a known friend to President Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe-World Best Tourist Destination in 2014).

Donald J. Trump promises that he will put his managerial skills in the benefit of world tourism.

The analysis result sounds cautious: new immigration procedures that make the customs and border process harder, the scrutiny of particular groups of people); and the perception of how welcoming and safe (or not) the United States is are growing to weigh heavily on the future of US tourism.

Others cited in the article are right a way tenebrous: attendees at the World Travel Market London conference were coming up and “offering condolences.”( Gary Leff).

The list of worries on tourism faith under Donald Trump is long and wide, spanning from: banning of minority groups, hostile policies towards Middle Eastern travellers, Cuban policy, US dollar strength in ratings, air fares tariffs, immigration policies and what role the Trump hotels will have in the great scheme of things.

Tourism is all about optimism and confidence and the new US President Donald Trump Jr. vaunted in his inaugural address that: we will make US great for all who comes to visit it, make it a World Best Tourist Destination country!

Let`s wait and see! The competition is still open after all!

Trump Hotels are becoming the backbone of tourism growth!

ACADEMICIAN WALTER MZEMBI DECIDED TO PROMOTE AFRICAN TOURISM FROM UNWTO TOP CHAIR

7/25/2016

Minister Walter Mzembi is savouring his success at ZIMBABWE WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2014 ceremony between President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and President Dr. Anton Caragea of European Council on Tourism and Trade.

Dr. Walter Mzembi, the first african minister elected as member of EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY is on the road to register another record becoming the first african elected as United Nations Tourism Organisation leader.

The Executive Council of the African Union — comprising the continent’s foreign affairs ministers — decided to endorse Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Dr Walter Mzembi as the continent’s sole candidate for the post of United Nations World Tourism Organisation Secretary-General.

The endorsement comes two days after the AU Committee on Candidature and International Deployment accepted Dr Mzembi’s application for approval as the continent’s candidate.The Executive Council has now asked African Heads of State and Government to approve Academician Walter Mzembi’s endorsement at the ongoing AU Heads of State and Government Summit here.

“The Executive Council takes note of the Ministerial Committee of African Candidates within the international system and approves election to the post of Secretary General of the World Tourism Organisation, the selection process of which starts October 2016, the candidature of Dr Eng Walter Mzembi of the Republic of Zimbabwe,” read a statement released yesterday afternoon.
The Hon. Dr. Walter Mzembi, Ph.D., member of European Tourism Academy has been the current Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry for the Republic of Zimbabwe since 2009.He has also been a member of Parliament for the Masvingo South Constituency since 2004 and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Regional Commission for Africa Chairperson from 2013 to date.

Mzembi’s experience in the world of tourism includes: the successful bid of Zimbabwe for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION award in 2014 and designation as FAVOURITE CULTURAL DESTINATION for the same year.
Other strong points for his candidature are: his international positions as Chairman of the Southern Africa Development Community Committee of Tourism Ministers in 2015, UNWTO Executive Council Member from 2009 to 2013, UNWTO Co-President in Session 20 of the General Assembly from 2013-2015, as well as President of the Africa Travel Association (New York-based) 3 times.

Academician Walter Mzembi received many global honors:

– African Tourism Minister of the Year (2011): African Investor Tourism Investment
Awards
– Africa Leadership Awards (2012), Mauritius
– Brand Leadership Award (2012)
– Mark of Excellence Award (2012)
– Africa Leadership and Inspiration Award (2012)
– TouchRoad Sino – Africa Investment Excellence Awards (2011), Shanghai, China
– Africa Travel Association-Outstanding Service to the Association (2012), USA
– Special Recognition for Excellence Award: African Achievers Awards (2012), Nairobi, Kenya
– Africa Travel Association Presidency Appreciation Award (2012-2014), USA
Additionally, he has received recognition in the domestic arena as well:
– Public Service Manager of the Year (2011), Zimbabwe Institute of Management
– Tourism Personality of the Year (2011), Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe
– Tourism Personality of the Year (2012), Zimbabwe Council for Tourism
– Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture in Zimbabwe (2012), Zimbabwe Farmers Union
– Most Consumer Focused Executive-Service Excellence Awards (2014), Customer Contact Centre
– Tourism Image Builder of the Year (2014), Megafest Tourism Awards
– Exceptional Contribution to Marketing (2015), Marketers Association of Zimbabwe
– Customer Service Executive of the Year-Service Excellence in the Public Sector (2015), Marketers Association of Zimbabwe
-Registered Professional Engineer with the Zimbabwe Engineering Council
-Member of both the Zimbabwe and Zambia Institute of Engineers
-Fellow of the Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers

Dr. Walter Mzembi is receiving the insignia of EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY in Harare, 2014, Zimbabwe-WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2014.

AFRICA`S TOP LUXURY HOTELS FROM The Leading Hotels of the World GROUP: MEIKLES HOTEL IN HARARE

7/12/2014

In 2015 Meikles Hotel will turn 100-years-old. It was the brainchild of Thomas Meikles who envisioned a commitment to the “highest possible standard of service and product” – something that has become enshrined in the Meikles culture.

Come an visit !For over 100 years, visiting members of Royal families, international and local statesmen, and celebrities worldwide, have preferred to stay at The Victoria Falls Hotel, where they are assured of privacy and care.

On the occasion of Zimbabwe familiarization trip for European Council on Tourism and Trade Organization (ECTT), the director of hospitality and amenities department of ECTT: Mr. Ioan Matei has assessed the accommodation, amenities and tourism facilities existent in Zimbabwe.

As a result of this first hand observation, for a period comprised between 29 May-7 June 2014, ECTT department of hospitality and amenities is recommending as ones of the best African hotels, offering luxurious condition and a perfect structured management: the Victoria Fall Hotel in Victoria Falls and Meikles Hotel in Harare (part of The Leading Hotels of the World).

Victoria Falls Hotel-best luxury hotel in Africa

The home of royalty for the last 100 years: VICTORIA FALLS HOTEL

The two hotels are fully complying with international standards, are offering luxury and full five stars commodities, safety and large are of opportunities for a lavish stay in the heart of Africa: Zimbabwe.

As the country was named as World Best Tourist Destination in 2014 is expected to receive in the next two years large number of international tourists, and the need for recommendation of luxury hotels is in full spring.

Victoria Falls Hotels is priding himself as having 180 rooms decorated in a manner that recaptures the comfortable charm of a bygone age, with colonial prints, four-poster and canopied beds, antique furniture and well-chosen artifacts.

Modern facilities and amenities mingle well with the old-fashioned ambience, including such 21st century travellers’ necessities as personal safes, minibars, bathrobes, digital satellite television and even umbrellas for the convenience of guests visiting the Rain Forest surrounding the Falls. Deluxe Rooms and Suites in the original section of the hotel offer breathtaking views across the deep Zambezi River gorge to the Victoria Falls Bridge and the spray of the Falls.

Victoria Falls Hotel has being home for more that 100 years to the royalty of Europe, their list of guests in this period being a true who’s who of the world.

The second recommended luxury establishment is Meikles Hotel in Harare that is celebrating a 100 year history and has always envisioned a commitment to the “highest possible standard of service and product” – something that has become enshrined in the Meikles culture.

It has always been an iconic landmark of capital city Harare, one which has constantly and gracefully evolved through the colonial era of Rhodesia into modern- day Zimbabwe. Its position in the heart of the city has allowed its walls to bear witness to many events that have shaped the Zimbabwe’s past.

Today Meikles-Harare is offering an atmosphere steeped in history, combining the charm of the old with the comfort and convenience of today.

Meikles Hotel-Harare-Best African luxury hotelThe team of ECTT is warmly congratulates the two hotels: Meikles and Victoria Fall for their long history of achievements and is encouraging all the travellers interested in discovering Africa to visit Zimbabwe-World Best Tourist Destination in 2014 and to benefit the best’s hotel’s that Africa is having to offer: Meikles Harare Hotel and Victoria Falls Hotel in Victoria.

Enjoy your stay!
Meikles Hotel-Harare http://www.meikles.com/

The Victoria Falls Hotelhttp://www.victoria-falls-hotels.net/