ZIMBABWE'S VEGETERIAN CROCODILE

Crocodiles are some of the most feared predators in Africa, ruthless reptiles renowned for tearing their prey to pieces before swallowing hunks of meat raw. But in the baking sun at Nyanyana crocodile farm on the shores of Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba, feeding time has a surreal edge as the beasts nibble lazily at bowls of vegetarian pellets. Besides being cheaper than meat, the diet of protein concentrate, minerals, vitamins, maize meal and water is said to enhance crocodile skin destined to become handbags or shoes on the catwalks of New York, Paris, London or Milan.

“We don’t feed them meat any more,” said Oliver Kamundimu, financial director of farm owner Padenga Holdings.

“It actually improves the quality because we now measure all the nutrients that we are putting in there, which the crocodile may not get from meat only,” he told Reuters in an interview.

Four hundred kilometres (250 miles) northwest of Harare, Nyanyana is home to 50,000 Nile crocodiles and is one of three Padenga farms around Kariba, Africa’s largest man-made lake.

The company has 164,000 crocodiles in all and started feeding pellets in 2006 at the height of an economic crisis in Zimbabwe that made meat scarce and very expensive.

Initially, the pellets contained 50 percent meat but that has gradually been phased out to an entirely vegetarian diet.

“We have moved gradually to a point where we reduced the meat to about 15 percent then to seven percent and where we are now there is zero meat, zero fish,” he said.

“It’s a much cleaner operation and the crocodiles are getting all the nutrients they want from that pellet.”

Fed every second day, the crocodiles are largely docile and lie asleep in their enclosures as workers walk around casually cleaning up leftovers.The crocodiles are slaughtered at 30 months, when they are about 1.5 metres long and their skin is soft and supple.

Last year Harare-listed Padenga sold 42,000 skins to tanneries in Europe, especially France, where the average skin fetches $550.Ninety percent of the leather becomes high-end handbags, Kamundimu said, while the remainder makes belts, shoes and watch straps for some of the biggest names in world fashion.

“When you hear names like Hermes, Louis Vuitton and Gucci – those are the brand names we are talking about,” he said with a satisfied smile.

Having survived economic collapse and hyperinflation of 500 billion percent in Zimbabwe, Padenga then had to deal with fallout from the 2008 global financial crisis, and economic contraction in the euro zone, its main market.

However, while appetite for crocodile meat cooled in Europe and Asia, super-wealthy European shoppers shrugged off recession and continued to snap up crocodile-skin items, Kamundimu said.

“When you look at people who buy handbags for their wives or daughters that cost $40,000 a piece, even when the euro zone problems came, they could still afford to buy,” he said. We didn’t feel a decline.”

WHY BUYING BANANAS FROM A STREET VENDOR IN KAMPALA MAY END TOURISTS IN THE CELLS

After going into the bad books of global same sex  groups a few months ago, when legislation was passed banning same sex encounters in Uganda – decampaigning of the destination appears to be an ongoing development over these laws – more fun was poked at our country over the so called ‘Anti Miniskirt Bill,’ which too could end tourist wearing skimpy dresses or skirts in trouble after dozens of women wearing skimpy skirts were stripped by ‘outraged mobs’ with little police intervention at the time, seemingly to send a message that certain dress codes were no longer welcome in the capital city or beyond.

Now the next threat of going to jail has emerged in Kampala, as KCAA personnel last week apparently arrested at least a dozen people for allegedly buying items from hawkers, themselves banned from city streets but still operating when the long arm of the law is not in sight.

‘Some of our tourists in fact like to bargain a little over small items when they are approached by hawkers when they walk in the city. We normally take them to the National Theatre for the art and craft shops but then they go off into town and now imagine they might get caught by those strong-armed city askaris for buying maybe some bananas or a phone charger? If they would arrest a couple of tourists over such things our reputation may get a bad knock because it would sure be picked up by the international media. I wonder what Musisi [Jennifer Musisi is the Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority] might say then, probably in her usual style mouth off that law breakers must face the music or something of the sort.

Tourists do not know that buying from hawkers is illegal and because hawkers still are around, they might get caught up in a swoop. Oh Uganda where are we heading with such things, keeping the city clean is one thing but that might be too much for our visitors to understand’ lamented a regular source who passed the information from home while this correspondent was on the road travelling through Kenya.

All one can say is to warn visitors from abroad who come to Kampala to avoid buying from hawkers, no matter how nice they are and no matter what interesting items they have for sale, or else might find their vacation enriched with the experience to go into the KCAA cells.

KENYA HOSPITALITY TRADE FAIR 2014

Kenya Hospitality Trade Fair is going to be held in Kenya for a period of three consecutive days. This event is going to be the leading networking and sourcing forum in East & Central Africa. The three day event is expected to attract over 10,000 industry professionals for business networking, exhibition and conferences. 

It is going to invite various visitors and some of them are Architects, designers, consultants etc., Distributors, wholesalers, retailers, agencies, importers or exporters, Universities, polytechnics, Contractors & Engineers, Interior Designers & Architects, General public & holidaymakers, financial controllers among other stakeholders and players in the industry. There will be more than 10,000 industry professionals and the list is endless.Kenya Hospitality Trade Fair is going to be a must attend event for all which will attract various exhibitors as well.

COMPETITION FORCES AIRLINES TO INTRODUCE INTERNET IN THE SKY

When Kenya Airways a few months ago launched their largest aircraft in the fleet, a 400 seat B777-300ER, one of the innovations on board was Internet connectivity, which comes on when the aircraft flies at 10,000 feet and above.

During the demonstration flight did Kenya Airways’ marketing team on board show off how this will revolutionize travel as passengers can opt to remain connected and work, or else keep their friend informed on their position via social media postings.

The next deliveries of yet more of these aircraft, and of course the arrival of the B787 Dreamliner, also equipped with inflight internet connectivity, will change the game in the air and it is of little surprise therefore that closest rival on the African continent, Ethiopian Airlines, is now taking a fresh look at adding this feature on their long haul fleet too, after previously opting out of it.

Information coming out of Addis Ababa has confirmed that the airline is now in talks with service providers and if the go ahead is received the entire B777 and B787 fleet will be progressively fitted and retrofitted with the system.

Talk about competition being good for the passengers – this clearly is a prime example where the innovation of one airline spurs another to come to level terms again.

INDABA 2014

In just under a few days, from 10 to 12 May 2014, Africa’s premier travel trade show, INDABA 2014, takes place at Durban’s Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. Already 298 main stand exhibitors have confirmed their places, among them international big-name brands and the cream of Africa’s leisure tourism products, services and experiences. Among the confirmed exhibitors are Tourvest; Mantis Management; Seasons in Africa; the Amalinda Collection; Singita; Shamwari Game Reserve; MalaMala; Legend Lodges, Hotels & Resorts; Zimbali; Tsogo Sun; Grootbos; Premier Hotels & Resorts; the Blue Train; Abercrombie & Kent; Private Safaris; Leading Hotels of the World; and Relais & Chateaux.

These exhibitors have vast global appeal in both developed markets such as the United States and Europe, and emerging markets such as Africa, Asia and Latin America.There is a large contingent of tourism products from Africa, with more than 20 African countries represented. To date there are confirmed exhibitors from Angola, Benin, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Reunion Island, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 

  

Among the many prestigious African products from countries other than South Africa are: Under One Botswana Sky; Phakalane Golf Estate Hotel Resort (Botswana); Nesbitt Castle (Zimbabwe); Sol Resorts (Mozambique); Ichobezi River Lodges (Namibia); Great Plains Conservation (Kenya); Kijongo Bay Beach Resort (Tanzania); RwandAir; Safari 2 Gorilla Tours (Uganda); Eko Hotels & Suites (Nigeria); Moivaro Lodges & Tented Camps; and the Hemingways Collection (Kenya).

Thulani Nzima, South African Tourism CEO, said INDABA 2014 is the single biggest and best platform for doing business in African tourism. Between them, exhibitors include all the premier African safari destinations, among the most luxurious and desired five-star accommodation establishments, the most sensational and fascinating lifestyle and culture experiences on the continent, awesome adventure activities and destinations, and some of the world’s finest golf and sports destinations.

 

Exhibitors will showcase their offerings to the 1 441 confirmed top-quality travel and tourism buyers keen to capitalise on exceptional growing inbound tourism growth to Africa. 'It has never been more important to plug into Africa’s tourist trade. According to the latest United Nations World Tourism Organisation Tourism Barometer, Africa attracted three million additional arrivals, reaching a new record of 56-million in 2013,' said Nzima.

 

An exciting new addition to INDABA this year is the TechZone, which gives premium digital service providers to the tourism industry a space to meet buyers and exhibitors. Travelstart (South Africa’s leading online travel agency); WAYN.com (the world’s biggest travel and lifestyle social networking community website); TripAdvisor (the world’s biggest destination marketing organisation); Expedia (one of the world’s largest online travel booking agencies); Springnest (which offers simple web, mobile and social marketing for small tourism businesses); and NightsBridge (which offers the industry real-time software and marketing links) have so far confirmed their participation.

Find Out Why These Four African Tribes Force Women To Do This To Their Mouths

African tribes are known for their strange rituals and shocking traditional practices but four specific tribes seem to have a totally strange requirement for their women.  The Surma and Mursi people of Ethiopia as well as the Sara and Lobi people of Chad have a strange practice of forcing women to have Lip plates.

The lip plate is a form of body modification made from clay or wood) and inserted into a pierced hole in either the upper or lower lip, or both, thereby stretching it. Among the Surma and Mursi people of the lower Omo River valley in Ethiopia, about 6 to 12 months before marriage, a young woman has her lip pierced by her mother or one of her kinswomen, usually at around the age of 15 to 18.

The initial piercing is done as an incision of the lower lip of 1 to 2 cm length, and a simple wooden peg is inserted. After the wound has healed, which usually takes between two and three weeks, the peg is replaced with a slightly bigger one. At a diameter of about 4 cm, the first lip plate made of clay is inserted. Every woman crafts her own plate and takes pride in including some ornamentation. The final diameter ranges from about 8 cm to over 20 cm.

Research by National Geographic shows that, for Mursi and Surma women, the size of their lip plate indicates the number of cattle paid as the bride price. But, anthropologist Turton, who has studied the Mursi for 30 years, denies this.

It has thus been noted that reasons for wearing the plate vary with tribes. Sources in Chad claim that the plate’s size is a sign of social or economical importance. But, because of natural mechanical attributes of human skin, the plate’s size may often depend on the stage of stretching of the lip and the wishes of the wearer.

Elders of the Surma have alo confirmed that the plates are used among women as a form of initiation and to symbolize social maturity by indicating a girl’s eligibility to be a wife. The value of the ornamentation symbolises female strength and self-esteem.

This adornment has attracted thousands tourists to view the Mursi and Surma women. n the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, African women wearing lip plates were brought to Europe and North America for exhibit in circuses and sideshows. Truly, the world has its fair share of wonders.

FIVE THINGS KENYA MUST DO TO PROMOTE TOURISM

Tourism is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing industries and its importance for economic development is widely acknowledged.

What makes tourism different from many other services is that the supplier stays where he is, and the tourist comes to him rather than the supplier taking his services to the consumer. Tourism can thus play a key role in poverty alleviation, bringing jobs for unskilled or semi-skilled workers in hotels, and resorts, as well as encouraging job creation in supply industries.

We need to take tourism in our country to a whole new level and harness the huge potential this area holds to grow our economy. Below are a few things I would suggest to the Government, as tourism is a money spinner but we are simply letting opportunities slip from our hands.

1.Revamp and continually improve our travel infrastructure(Build great roads, railway networks and airports)

Good road infrastructure is vitally important for the dispersal of tourists beyond major gateways if we want to continue to grow tourism.

For foreign and domestic tourists alike, a bumpy ride with potholes, a punctured tire and aching back only to reach a game park is no good.

We need to strongly consider reviving the overnight passenger train service between Nairobi and Mombasa which used to be known as the Iron Snake of Africa. It is the most scenic way to travel to Kenya’s Coast through Tsavo National park, dinner, breakfast in the restaurant carriage, with a great and relaxed view of the coastal approach. This can lead to growth in domestic tourism.

We also need to upgrade our airports and services to international standards.

2.Aggressive tourism marketing strategies

The East African affairs, Commerce and Tourism ministry should pursue aggressive online and other marketing strategies to promote Kenya as a must-visit location. Whether it is broadcasting campaigns abroad, holding tourism seminars or offering Kenyan locations with facilities to promote foreign film productions in the country. Aggressive marketing is absolutely critical to be seen as well as heard.

3.Grow domestic tourism

Domestic tourism offers significant scope for economic growth. The government should adapt measures to generate greater value from domestic travel and tourism in country by promoting affordable and accessible travel and tourism opportunities to Kenyans. This can be done by unlocking growth points like school based tourism, targeting Co-operatives, Chamas, sports tourism etc. Education and awareness campaigns should also be held across the country to address the lack of a tourism culture amongst Kenyans.

4.Introduce tax measures to stimulate sector

New hotels across the country are needed to achieve the proposed 75,000 increase in bed capacity. Specific tax breaks for key international players willing to invest in tourism industry would be necessary if the new investment is to materialize. This can also include lower rates of corporation tax and preferentially lower rates of VAT.

5.Promote other forms of tourism

Obama tourism, sport tourism, fishing tourism, conference tourism, cruise ship tourism, eco-tourism etc. The objective would be to broaden the range of innovative tourism products in Kenya that are not only commercially viable and economically sustainable but equally benefiting communities and sensitive to ecological conservation.

Tourism may also represent a way to attract other types of consumers, not just holidaymakers. A growing phenomenon in recent years has been the movement of seniors or retirees from high-income to lower-income countries, not just for holidays but to escape harsh winters or to live permanently. As baby boomers, used to travelling abroad for vacation, begin to retire and as developing countries improve their services and infrastructure, these trends are likely to continue.

The international movement of retirees can have a profound impact on destination countries in a similar way to tourism, contributing to their development efforts. Retirees buy or rent real estate, consume goods and services, provide employment for local workers, and can attract foreign investment and greater numbers of foreign visitors to these countries.

Long-stay tourism programmes have proved successful in countries like Thailand and Malaysia in creating interest in the retirement industry.

Although the government has already started making significant improvements in some of the above areas, we still have a long way to go to let tourism alone generate significant revenue for the country.

We need to capitalize on Kenya as the country of the Big Five, Wildebeest Migration, Beautiful Beaches, Great Rift Valley, Maasai people, World long distance running champions, M-Pesa (M Country as we are known to outside world), Oil & Gas, Kitu Kidogo, a few thousand US Dollar millionaires and Hakuna Matata.