The 2007 Davos World Economic Forum Report ranks Tunisia first in Africa and second in the Arab World after Dubai , in terms of tourist and travel competitiveness. More than 6 million tourists visit Tunisia each year, making it one of the top Mediterranean destinations. The report, which is based on three main criteria: business environment, human and natural resources and the quality of political reforms undertaken, also writes that Tunisia ranks 34 th in the world insofar as its travel and tourist competitiveness are concerned. It comes ahead of Turkey (52 nd ), Thailand (43 rd ) and Morocco (57 th ). In recent years, Tunisia has taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to diffuse rising pressure for a more open political society. Tunisian cuisine is very much in the Northern African Maghreb tradition, with couscous and tajine stews forming the backbone of most meals. It has been most popular for its health and spa resorts. So do plan your next trip to this beautiful country. Source: All Africa
Daily Archives: January 27, 2012
Victoria Falls: The ultimate waterfall of Africa
For you a visit to these falls will not only be a splendorous sight but will give the added pleasure of diverse and easily-seen wildlife. You could also walk in the footsteps of David Livingstone, who the first European to see the Mosi-oa-Tunya which he named the Victoria Falls after his monarch. The bridge links Zambia on the left and Zimbabwe on the right They are shared between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and each country has a national park to protect them and a town serving as a tourism centre: Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and Livingstone in Zambia, and Victoria Falls National Park and the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. The Africans called the falls the Mosi-oa-Tunya which means the smoke that thunders. That’s probably because of the mist and vapor that is tossed in drafts around the cataract especially during the rains. And also because of the spray that shoots upwards like reversed rain, especially at Zambia’s Knife-Edge Bridge. The the Zambezi river forms the Victoria falls. The river’s course is dotted with numerous tree-clad islands, which increase in number as the river approaches the falls. Options to stay: Royal Livingstone Hotel is an option very close to the falls. For a taste of the backpacker scene, try Jollyboys International Backpackers hostel Victoria Falls sits on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, so travelers must choose which country will be their point of arrival. The beauty around waterfalls generally masks the destructive force that fluid water holds. However, a fall of such magnificence just reinforces a feeling of being alive. Source: The New York Times
The Dufile fort of Nile: Retracted from oblivion
When one thinks of going to Africa only safaris come to mind, yet it is developing into a region of cultural and sustainable tourism as well. The Dufile fort was built by the native Madi people, who were among the first tribes in Africa to come in contact with Europeans, Egyptians races and played a big role in the history of the region. Situated in the Moyo district, it was built between 1874 and 1879 for governor Charles Gordon. Location: Dufile is on the western bank of the Nile in Moyo District, West Nile region How to get there: Can be reached by road or boat from Laropi. Emin’s old harbour is now the departure point for passenger ferries to Nimule in the Southern Sudan. The West Nile was destabilized for over 30 years because of civil war, the war in the Sudan and the LRA insurrection to the east. As a result the maldi tribes lost a sense of identity and had few cultural sites. It is hoped that the fort will be maintained as a cultural icon after excavation, and that a visitor’s center will be built in order to showcase local crafts and traditional museum displays. This particular site is unique in the sense that it is both a cultural center as well as a battlefield, attracting many different types of visitors. Madi territory is hilly and traversed by rivers and streams. The Madi are a sedentary agrarian community. Their economy is based on subsistence agriculture, in which the main crops are sorghum, maize, cassava, groundnuts and tobacco. In the 1960s, the farming of tobacco was introduced as a cash crop but this was disrupted by war. The Madi rear small herds of cattle, goat and sheep as well as fowl. In the 1830s, Egyptians moved south into the Sudan. Their attraction was ivory, then in high demand for making piano keys, billiard balls and cutlery handles. They also came to get slaves who were sold in Egypt but were also shipped to Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states. The fort is one of 335 national sites and monuments in Uganda. The Dufile project was initiated in 2004 to find out more about the Madi, one of the African societies most heavily impacted by the 19th century slave trade. Not much is known about the history of East Africa and Uganda, this is what prompted research in the region and is now bearing fruit. Source: All Africa