Drive Safe Campaign launched in New Zealand

TOURISM New Zealand will again work with major agencies this summer to inform international visitors about the challenges of #driving in #NewZealand. 

A major road safety campaign to help visitors understand and prepare for driving in New Zealand is now underway. Launching the new campaign, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss said: “Summer is on its way and so are many international visitors. New Zealand roads can be challenging, particularly in and around some of our most popular tourist spots.”

The new road safety campaign focuses on the Visiting Drivers Project areas of Otago, Southland and the West Coast, and uses billboards, posters, digital advertising and social media to spread road safety messages.

The messages emphasise that New Zealand’s roads are different from what overseas drivers are used to. The campaign encourages them to adjust their driving when necessary.

The messages are:

• NZ roads can be narrow, winding and steep. Allow extra time.
• Journeys may take longer than you think. Allow extra time.
• Save overtaking for long, clear, straight roads.
• Taking photos? Pull over somewhere safe.
• Remember to keep left.

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Picture Credit: ednl flickr.com/photos/31392863@N04/30037445274 Driving away from a sunset fire  via photopin

Johannesburg: Africa's most visited city

JOHANNESBURG is set to be the most popular destination city in #Africa for the fourth year, according to the 2016 Mastercard Global Destinations Cities Index.

The city is expected to welcome 3.6 million international overnight visitors in 2016, a 6.2 percent increase on last year’s 3.39 million visitors. 

Cairo in Egypt is the second most visited African city with 1.5 million international overnight visitors followed by Cape Town (1.4 million visitors), Casablanca in Morocco (1 million visitors), and Durban (831,000 visitors).

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Picture Credit: Paul Saad flickr.com/photos/114138418@N08/31103120895 Johanneburg HDR At Sunrise via photopin

Up in the air . . .

THE US Department of Transportation has approved Norwegian Air International's (NAI) application for a foreign carrier permit, a Norwegian spokesperson said:

"We welcome the long overdue news that Norwegian Air International (NAI) has been awarded a foreign carrier permit by the US Department of Transportation.

"This approval finally makes it possible for us to plan the Cork to the U.S. routes we, and many others, have been looking forward to. We also now look forward to our foreign carrier permit for Norwegian Air UK (NUK) being approved next.

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These boots are made for walking . . . in Tenerife

THE LARGEST island in the Canaries is gearing up to host the third  #Tenerife #Walking Festival, which runs May 23 to May 27, 2017.

With 20 trails varying in length and intensity, the festival is expected to attract 300 ramblers from across Europe. Participants can choose routes from three categories (volcanic, coastal, and forest trails) enabling them to discover a huge variety of terrain and protected landscapes, including the UNESCO-listed Teide National Park, famed for its volcanic scenery.

All of the walking routes are scheduled to last a full day, including travel to and from the starting point, cultural visits, and lunch breaks.

The festival is aimed at families, groups of friends, couples, and individuals who have an interest in walking and a sense of adventure.

Online registration is open now and participation costs €25 and includes a welcome pack, daily transport to each trail, guided walks with a professional expert, and a wristband to enjoy discounts in shops, restaurants, hotels, and museums in Puerto de la Cruz, the festival's home base.

www.tenerifewalkingfestival.com

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Picture Credit: Keulkeulmike Photography flickr.com/photos/44332725@N03/30154822391 Horizon on La Gomera via photopin

Can Santa be Number 1 in the charts?

A child’s wish to help Father Christmas and his Elves is coming true this festive season as #Santa Claus (as seen at Warwick Castle) launches a bid to claim the #Christmas charity single charts number one spot. Available for download today, Santa’s Little Helpers, is a jaunty jingle, thought to have been inspired by a poem written by a child on a recent visit to see Santa at #WarwickCastle, offering to help the Elves over Christmas.

Performed by Santa Claus and local children of The Stagecoach Agency ranging from six to 10 years old, ‘Santa’s Little Helpers’ is available to download now from iTunes, Google Play and Amazon for just 79p with ALL proceeds going to Merlin’s Magic Wand.

As the race for the prestigious Christmas number one song begins, ‘Santa’s Little Helpers’ is the perfect solution to decades of assaults on the Xmas charts from the likes of X Factor winners and Mr Blobby to endless boy band ballads. Who better for the top spot than Santa himself?

Merlin’s Magic Wand is a global charity providing magical days out for ill, disabled and disadvantaged children and their families at over 100 Merlin Entertainments attractions worldwide.

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Picture Credit: orbakhopper flickr.com/photos/32029534@N00/22316275213 descending santa : castro, san francisco (2013) via photopin.

New Zambian aviation charges introduced

THE Zambian Civil Aviation Authority and National Airports Corporation Ltd have announced the following aviation fees effective 1 December 2016:-

1. Passenger Safety charge (Zambian Civil Aviation Authority)
2. Navigation fees (National Airports)

The implications of these fees are as follows:-

International flights:
Payable on any tickets bought from 01/12/16 at US$ 10 per person. This will be added to the ticket by the airline and has an IATA code H2. All tickets bought prior to today are exempt.

Domestic flights:
An additional US$ 5 per person will be collected for passenger's safety charges and airport charges effective from the 1st of December 2016. This extra charge will be collected directly from guests at the airport.

Helicopter & Microlight flights:
An additional US$ 6 per person will be collected for passenger's safety charges and airport charges effective from the 1st of December 2016. This extra charge will be collected directly from guests at the helipad.

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Picture Credit: Stolen Art flickr.com/photos/41849681@N06/30287055980 Bridge over the Zambezi 1 via photopin

Tour the World

TOURMEGA a travel startup based in Silicon Valley, launched the first search engine dedicated to tours and activities around the world on November 4th, 2016.

TourMega features more than 10,000 tours and activities on six continents and will be adding new choices added on a weekly basis. Travelers will be able to search for and book a variety of experiences from a classic cruise on the Nile to a trek to the Annapurna mountains in Nepal.

"What's unique about TourMega is that not only will we pull from a variety of tour sites around the world, we also provide the option for amateur tour guides and local experts to sign up and post their own unique experiences,user-friendly," says Eric Espino, one of TourMega's founders.

For its launch, TourMega is offering travelers a 15% discount (with promotion code EXPLORETM) for any tour or activity from 1/12/2016 to 15/12/2016.

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