Africa

As part of Egypt's "Vision 2030" development plan, the national carrier Egyptair announced at the end of June the possibility of obtaining a free transit visa. The measure, announced by Mohamed Abbas Helmy, Minister of Civil Aviation, should help revitalise tourism. This facility offers visitors the chance to stay in Egypt for a few days,...

What do you think of Niger as a business destination? Etienne Giros - Niger was a good partner for the CIAN forum. It seems to me that the Nigerien authorities have a certain "desire for France" and are pro-business. There is a favourable business climate. Of course, this is part of a region...

In the shadow of Vienna's coronation in the ICCA rankings, and while everyone was on the lookout for this post-Covid MICE atlas, the news passed relatively unnoticed. Yet it is indicative of the rise of an ambitious destination, a newcomer intent on carving out a place for itself in the sun of major international events. For the...

Could you tell us more about the fairly recent development of MICE in Niger? Mohamed Saidil Moctar - In 2019, Niger hosted the conference of heads of state and government of the African Union. It was a gamble that we took in 2015, a difficult gamble because the country had virtually no infrastructure adapted to...

As one of the hotel groups with the strongest presence in Africa's major cities, the Radisson Group is actively pursuing its development strategy. As part of this growth drive, the hotel group has signed a contract to open seven new hotels in the first half of 2023, adding a total of 1,400 new rooms...

Royal Air Maroc is expecting an excellent summer season as travel conditions normalise. The Moroccan national carrier says it is experiencing "strong demand for its flights, in a buoyant context marked by a good recovery in business and tourist travel". RAM's ramp-up over the summer is reflected...

A mega-city in the middle of a desert plain: in 2015, Egypt embarked on a gigantic project to build its New Capital, forty-five kilometres east of Cairo. Eight years on, construction is stretching over 270 square kilometres, halfway between the historic capital and the port city of Suez. This project...

HOTELS Semiramis InterContinental Cairo An institution in Cairo. Located in the heart of the capital, 23 kilometres from the international airport, the Semiramis InterContinental Cairo hotel overlooks the Nile. Other assets of this 721-room establishment include 11 fully-equipped conference rooms with a capacity of up to 1,847 people, ten restaurants and a swimming pool...

After a positive recovery at the end of the pandemic, the impact of the Russo-Ukrainian war proved to be too much for the Egyptian economy. The country is a net importer of fuel and agricultural raw materials. It imports 62 % of its wheat requirements, with four-fifths coming from Russia and Ukraine....

In what direction is the Accor group pursuing its development in Egypt? Laure Morvan - Accor has been present in Egypt for over 35 years and is fortunate to be one of the market leaders. We currently have 33 properties in operation, with more than 9,000 keys. We also have 18 other hotel projects...

FORMALITIES Passport/Visa French nationals, travelling individually or in groups, may enter Egypt with a passport valid for at least six months after the date of return to France. They may also enter Egypt with a national identity card valid for at least six months...

With the summer season upon us, Air France is stepping up its flight schedule from Paris airports. The airline is taking into account the strong demand for medium-haul routes to leisure destinations. The airline will be operating a total of 29 seasonal routes from Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle to: Greece: Santorini: up to...

"Africa accounts for 18 % of the world's population, but only 2.1 % of air transport activity (freight and passengers combined). "Focus Africa" aims to close this gap, so that Africa benefits from the connectivity, jobs and growth associated with aviation," explains Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General at the...

Among the priorities of many international groups, the hotel industry in Africa is continuing to grow. In its 15th annual study, the W Hospitality group forecasts the opening of almost 500 new establishments on the continent in the near future. This specialist in the African hotel industry has looked at the development of local chains and international groups, and has identified 482 projects...

Brussels Airlines closed 2022 with a loss of 74.1 million euros. However, this represents an improvement of 115 million euros on the previous year. With a more competitive structure, Brussels Airlines is looking to the future with greater optimism. The company is therefore resuming growth in the fleet and recruitment. If the...

The Accor group's portfolio is set to expand further in Abidjan next year. With six establishments - including the prestigious Sofitel Hotel Ivoire, as well as Pullman, Novotel, Movenpick and Ibis hotels - the French group is expecting a new complex to open in 2024, comprising two of its brands, Ibis Styles and Adagio. The investment platform...

Middle East Saudi Arabia Fairmont Ramla Serviced Residences, Riyadh (early 2023) Already present in the Saudi capital with a 298-room and suite hotel, the luxury brand Fairmont is adding a second residential address. This long-stay establishment will appeal to business travellers, as it is located close to King Abdullah's financial district and...

One hundred years old. The Centaurus Group, owner of the upmarket Maison Albar boutique hotels, is celebrating this venerable age with a show of its full vigour. Founded in 1923 by a family who came up from the Aveyron to open their first hotel in Paris - and now in its fourth generation at the helm with Céline...

Waterfalls, a beach of fine sand, the shade of luxuriant flora: to read the presentation of Pan Pacific's future flagship hotel, you'd think it was set in the heart of a paradise far from the hustle and bustle of busy life. Not at all: it's right in the middle of Singapore, on Orchard Road, the Champs-Elysées of...

On Monday, Air France released some details of its roadmap for the summer of 2023. And several business destinations are included in this summer programme. The route between Paris CDG and Zanzibar will be strengthened with an additional frequency of three flights a week. Above all, a new route to Dar Es Salam will be...