Best of Africa Stories

Africa Fashion

Africa Mayors Shine

Angola Opens Doors

Berber Wedding

Paris of Africa

Magical Kenya

Queen of Sheba

South Africa by Rail

Tunisia's Carthage

and much more!

Note: This is a new section, so please excuse us if several links are not yet connected. With much more to be added, some editing remains to be done.




Maasai in downtown Nairobi. Photo by Muguette Goufrani



Africans Active at UN World Urban Forum in Vancouver
by Jerry W. Bird, Editor

What a memorable week. After 30 years UN Habitat returns to its launching pad - the seaport city of
Vancouver, British Columbia Canada. The crowd is estimated at 10,000 plus and it certainly seems so, judging by the heavy attendance at many sessions. At the time of writing, we have had the pleasure of taking two groups of mayors representing different African countries on tours of Vancouver and the University of British Columbia. It's one way for us to repay the wonderful hospitality we have enjoyed in eleven years with the Africa Travel Association as its media voice in North America and Worldwide.

The twin goals of Habitat are "Adequate shelter for all" and "sustainable human settlements development in an urbanizing world. "The "Global Village" is well represented, this week - with Africa making a particularly strong showing. As publishers of Africa Travel Magazine and related travel business media features, we were extremely pleased and honored to be able to to network with so many of our African colleagues.More->

Hold your next conference in one of Africa's historic cities
Did you know that since 1976, over 30 African cities have hosted events by the Africa Travel Association? This astonishing support represents 22 different countries - no other travel industry organization even comes close. What's more, a key reason for ATA's wide acceptance and a flurry of new chapters is the fact that Africans share in the leadership. For example, our ATA Presidents are African Tourism Ministers - responsibility, action and example comes right from the top. Africa Travel Magazine's feature "Africa's Great Meeting Places and Convention Sites" is in production. Book advertising space now . E-mail africa@dowco.com, or fax (604) 681 6595.

Mombasa: Magical Sands, Sparkling Sea.
"Mombasa is undergoing a major face lift, from its busy Moi International Airport and harbor area to the downtown core, which has its very own visitor attractions, the most famous being historic Fort Jesus. Here's a site that's a true time capsule with a remarkable story to tell." -> -> ->More

Nairobi Marches with the Times
One of our main impressions was the remarkable changes we saw in Nairobi in 12 months. First of all, the city streets, parks and boulevards had a more spruced up look, thanks to the new landscaping and creative street lighting program that is now fully underway, and an anti litter program in progress. Flower gardens were in bloom in the traffic circles, new lamp standards were sponsored by community conscious companies and life seemed brighter in many ways. More->

Addis Ababa: Africa's Meeting Place
Why did ATA choose Addis Ababa as the venue for its 25th Anniversary Jubilee Congress and 8th Cultural and Ecotourism Symposium? To begin with it's today's political capital of Africa, home of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, (UNECA). More than 95 embassies from all over the world have their missions in Addis Ababa. This makes the capital of Ethiopia a city where one finds the highest concentration of embassies in the world after Washington DC, New York and London. Addis Ababa is easily accessible, having daily flights to and from cities in Europe. Ethiopian Airlines, Lufthansa, Alitalia, Kenya Airways, Egypt Air, Saudia and others serve Addis Ababa. Perhaps what makes Addis unique is that the national carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, serves many cities in Africa&emdash; making it the most accessible city on the continent. More->

Looking for a for a meeting or convention site in Africa?

About Kampala, Uganda
Kampala, the Capital City of Uganda, much like Rome was originally built, is spread over seven hills and takes its fabled name from Kasozi K'impala, interpreted as "the hills of the antelopes". The origin of Kampala goes back to 1891 when the Kabaka of Buganda held his court on Rubaga and Mengo Hills. Today as you stand on the hills within Kampala you are blessed with magnificent evergreen views intermingled with red tiled villas, green iron roofed bungalows and tall modern buildings surrounded by a lush green countryside and the nearby Lake Victoria. While Kampala is often referred to as the greenest city in Africa, it is also the heart of Uganda, serving as the center of commercial life and the seat of government. It is a vibrant modern metropolis adorned with many beautiful gardens and parks which provides a colorful oasis in the midst of the urban landscape for both the citizens and visitors to admire. Hotel facilities range from the best in international standards with state-of-the-art conference facilities, to accommodations for the more budget-minded traveler. More->

Discovering Marrakech
A destination where one may enjoy the customs, culture and pleasures of laid back tourism, Marrakech is loaded with outstanding attractions, events and accommodation. Its conference facilities are a magnet for international events, trade missions and summits, such as our ATA Ecotourism Symposium at Le Palais d'Congrès. Where else are all the walls and buildings tinted in a rich pastel peach, the broad avenues and promenades lined with rows and rows of orange trees, with ripe fruit dangling from their branches like holiday ornaments? In five days of discovery, we managed to visit a wide cross section of hotel facilities, in order to give our readers an idea of the choice available for all price ranges. During a week long escorted tour, we had the good fortune of selecting a guide, who has become a good friend and ambassador for Morocco in general and Marrakech in particular. More->

At home in Yaounde, Cameroon
After spending several fun weeks in Yaounde. Cameroon's capital city, the place really started to feel like home. Almost everyone we encountered knew who we were and made us welcome, and the local print and broadcast media were anxious to record and publish our views on the country and its potential for trade and tourism. To say that I am yearning to return at the drop of a hat is truly an understatement - the Yaounde experience stands out as one of the most unforgettable periods of my life. More->

Cairo, Egypt: Journey through Time
Egypt's historic capital city on the River Nile is a fascinating place where past and present meet. with evidence of 2000 years of Islamic, Christian Coptic, and Jewish culture flourishing side by side. Its Western part includes Memphis (Giza), former and site of the Pyramids, famous as one of the "Seven Great Wonders of the World." It is the largest city in the Middle East and the center of trade routes to three continents- Africa, Asia and Europe. More->

Cape Town, South Africa
I first visited Cape Town as a Travel Agent, spending a month's vacation on a 'fam' trip, 'and most recently at the 2001 ATA Congress. It's a picture perfect location to say the least. Framed by the panorama of Table Mountain (floodlit at night) and the Atlantic Ocean
n, Cape Town is southern Africa's most visited destination. Founded in 1652 by Jan van Riebeeck, it is called the "Mother City of South Africa." Here on the historic Western Cape, where two great oceans and many cultures meet, you will discover a blend of scenic beauty, combined with healthy outdoors activities and cultural charm. The Cape Peninsula offers scenic drives, each with an ocean backdrop, while the historic city is blessed with dozens of hiking trails and miles of sandy beaches. Table Bay attracts sail boarders and wind surfers from around the world. Visitors will enjoy the many public gardens and forest groves, the vineyards, wine estates and famous dock area. There are hundreds of hiking trails botanical gardens and wine estates, indigenous Cape Dutch architecture, Georgian and Victorian building styles. More->

METROPOLIS, May 20068th World Congress and Africa Travel Magazine supports the "Metropolis Project" where government decision- makers, researchers, and non-governmental agents discuss policies and programs for integrating immigrants and minorities. Thus they will effectively manage the impact of immigration and diversity on city life. Metropolis fosters exchanges that go beyond the stating of positions, beyond descriptions, and beyond advocacy. The Project provides unique opportunities for stakeholders who share a vision of improving society through collaboration and partnership to engage each other, to acknowledge problems openly, and to work, unfettered, to solve them. 2005 Motto: "Tradition and Transformation - The Future of the City," The World Congress is also the General Assembly of the world wide METROPOLIS network of capitals and large cities with over a million inhabitants. e-mail: cornelia.poczka@senstadt.verwalt-berlin.de
1-888-278-6186 ext 255 or ext 256 . (613) 233-5179 ext 255 or ext 256

Sister Cities International
1301 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Suite 850
Washington, DC 20004
Tel: 202-347-8630, Fax: 202-393-6524

info@sister-cities.org