JULY - DECEMBER 2018
DECEMBER 2018 Uganda named on NatGeo's Cool List 2019
National Geographic Traveller has announced its Cool List 2019, highlighting the 19 must-see destinations which include Uganda. Pat Riddell, editor of NGT said: “Our team of editors, writers and industry experts have compiled the 19 destinations set to hit the headlines, with key openings, new routes and rising-star destinations firmly in the spotlight”. They went on to say "If you’re longing to see mountain gorillas, but Rwanda’s ultra-luxe lodges and high permit fees don’t suit your budget, head for Uganda instead. The steady growth of its gorilla population is one of Africa’s great conservation success stories, with tourists playing an important role. Trekking fees raise funds not only for gorillas and their habitat, but also for Uganda’s other national assets including Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks, home to chimps, giraffes and hippos". See natgeotraveller.co.uk/the-cool-list-2019
DECEMBER 2018 Zimbabwe completes the line up for Safari Roadshow 2019
The fourth country that completes the star-studded line-up for the Safari Roadshow 2019 has been revealed as ZIMBABWE. In February 2019, Kamageo will now host the UK’s biggest-ever Safari Roadshow with 40+ exhibitors from Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Acting Chief Executive at ZTA, Givemore Chidzidzi confirmed, "We believe this will contribute immensely to the promotion of destination Zimbabwe in this key market". He also added that he expected a "fruitful" result given Kamageo's experience and expertise.
DECEMBER 2018 Print ad campaign launches for Tanzania
A print campaign has started for Tanzania Tourism this month, with the first full-page ad appearing in the December issue of BBC Wildlife. Consumer Marketing Manager - Rich Whiston explained, "The campaign reflects on Tanzania's ability to perfectly deliver the safari you dreamt of as a child". Using the headline "Live out your wildest dreams", the campaign is funded by TANTOO, the private sector initiative, launched by Kamageo earlier this year. Further activities include attending consumer travel shows, social media campaigns, media and trade fams and online training.
DECEMBER 2018 Great new way to promote Chimpanzee conservation
At Kamageo, we've recently started working with Sierra Leone. As part of our research into its various tourism attractions, its taken us to the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, where the talented staff have written and performed the unbelievably catchy 'Salone Is Our Home Too' song and produced a great fun video, too. Watch it here>>> and we guarantee you will sing/dance along! Then head to www.tacugama.com to find out more about the sanctuary.
NOVEMBER 2018 Sierra Leone rewards Kamageo with on-going contract
Following a successful media launch at WTM London, along with a buzzing trade stand throughout the show, the tourism board of Sierra Leone has retained Kamageo's services to aid the growth of tourism to the destination. Projects will include trade marketing (including product training and fam trips); the creation of a press centre offering media trips and a small-scale consumer marketing campaign, all employing the new campaign line : Sierraously Surprising.
NOVEMBER 2018 Safari Magazine 35 now out
The wait is over! Issue 35 of the industry's favourite (only) trade magazine has been published. This 76-page edition is, as ever, brimming with news, updates, reviews and opinions. Hard copies will be in the post in around 7 days, whilst the online version is available here>>> Project coordinator, Izzie Ludbrook explained that this edition features two new destinations that are now being marketed in the UK by Kamageo. "We have introduced TANTOO, which is a Tanzanian private sector initiative and we have showcased Sierra Leone which we will be launching at this year's WTM".
NOVEMBER 2018 Sierra Leone launch at WTM
A host of leading journalists were present to hear Minister for Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Memunatu B. Pratt state that "Sierra Leone is now ready to throw open its doors and welcome travelers from across the globe to visit our amazing country, which has many wonderful surprises in store for the more adventurous traveler".
Kamageo's new "Sierraoulsy Surprising" campaign was met with hugely positive feedback both at the event and on the country's stand at WTM.
NOVEMBER 2018 Africa Tourism Workshop
Kamageo hosted the inaugural Africa Tourism Workshop in Central London, providing African tourism boards and senior officials with insights into successful destination marketing within the UK. Nations represented included Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Zambia, Uganda and Malawi. The workshop covered targeting, trade, PR, consumer marketing and data management as well as budgeting.
OCTOBER 2018 Sierra Leone seeks tourists from the UK
Kamageo has been tasked with launching Sierra Leone as an exciting new tourism destination to the trade and media at this year's WTM. After successfully emerging from a challenging period in its history, this fascinating West African country has a host of delightful surprises in store for visitors - including stunning yet deserted tropical beaches on turquoise seas; bustling towns full of vibrant colour and vitality; captivating cultural festivals and communities along with wonderful wildlife including chimpanzees, Pygmy hippos and stunning birdlife. Tim Henshall, Chief Executive at Kamageo stated that they will be holding events to enlighten both the trade and the media to the treasures of this little-visited gem. They will be offering fam and press trips to experience these delights first-hand. He also highlighted that there is a significant increase in the number of travellers looking to experience less visited destinations around the globe. "It's gone from a niche to something of a trend amongst both young and seasoned travellers". He also pointed to the potential that the whole of West Africa offers, with the obvious potential for regional promotion rather than just individual countries. "Sierra Leone is leading the way and I sense the whole region is set to grow its tourism". See the campaign >>>
OCTOBER 2018 Safari Media Show
The latest edition of The Safari Media Show, held on 25th September, was arguably the best yet. Kamageo’s knowledgeable team enthused an attentive audience of high-quality journalists and travel editors, with numerous hooks and story angles to generate coverage for Uganda, Zambia, Malawi and Eswatini. It also saw the media launch of Tantoo – the private sector initiative to increase UK tourism to Tanzania.
The interactive sessions - hosted at the delightful Eswatini High Commission in London - saw plenty of lively discussion, perhaps helped by the constant flow of prosecco. Feedback was hugely positive and countless trip requests have been made. Kamageo offered scheduled press trips (max 3 participants) to various destinations across Africa, along with the opportunity to create tailored editorial trips. Copies of the event's 20-page media pack (brimming with ideas and those much requested trips) are still available - either here or request a hardcopy via anisha@kamageo.com.
OCTOBER 2018 Safari Roadshow to be sponsored by Travel Africa Magazine
Kamageo has announced that Safari Roadshow’s media sponsor for 2019 is ‘Travel Africa’ magazine, which provides an additional incentive for UK tour operators to attend this popular event. UK Africa specialists will gain one free entry per country session that they attend, which will be entered into a prize draw to win a year-long advertising campaign in print and on line with the world’s premier Africa tourism title, Travel Africa, with creative work by Kamageo (if required).
Craig Rix, Publisher of Travel Africa explained, “We have worked with Kamageo on all of their African destinations. This sponsorship gives a UK tour operator a terrific opportunity to target our ever-growing readership of passionate Africa travellers”.
Tim Henshall, Chief Executive at Kamageo, added “Our 2018 Safari Roadshow was a sell-out for both buyers and sellers, but we see no reason not to increase the benefits for attending. We’re delighted to be working with a brilliant publication that we are all such fans of.” For more information, please visit www.safari-roadshow.com
OCTOBER 2018 UK / Zambia and Uganda to sponsor Bradt's Big Cat Festival 2019
Kamageo has confirmed both Zambia Tourism and Uganda Tourism as sponsors of Bradt's 2nd Annual 'Big Cat Festival'. The event celebrates the world's larger feline species and will be held on Saturday 13th April 2019 at the Royal Geographic Society in London. Speakers for 2019 include TV Presenter, Chris Packham amongst other big names. Whiston of Kamageo added “Zambia and Uganda are great destinations for getting up close to many of Africa’s big cats, so we hope by supporting this fabulous event it will inspire even more people to see them for themselves in the wild”.
SEPTEMBER 2018 Africa Tourism Workshop
To help African countries to increase the number of visitors they attract from the UK, Kamageo has developed a half-day interactive workshop for Tourist Boards, Tourism Ministers, Ambassadors to the UK and other staff involved with tourism. The title of the inaugural Africa Tourism Workshop is "Putting your destination on their bucket list".
To be held on Friday 2nd November in London, Kamageo will share the company's extensive tourism marketing knowledge and provide insights into the UK travel market, gained via two decades of hands-on Africa tourism experience. The event will cover understanding a destination's appeal; engaging with the travel trade, increasing media coverage and attracting would-be travellers.
Chief Executive, Tim Henshall commented, "Regardless of the size of your budget and whether or not you have a famous, much-visited destination or a country that's entirely new to tourism, it's always valuable to hear the views of highly experienced marketers from a key source market. We will reveal influential research, as well as highlight innovative techniques for increasing your visitor numbers - both 'cutting-edge' and traditional". More details are available at www.africatourism.co.uk
SEPTEMBER 2018 UK / Africa tourism experts join Kamageo
Kamageo is delighted to announce the appointment of two new staff members who bring a wealth of experience and skills to the team.
ANISHA PARMAR - PR MANAGER : British-born, but with Ugandan and Kenyan parents, Anisha's heart is understandably drawn to Africa. She has a BA in Multi Media and a Masters in Fashion & Design. Having previously worked for Gucci and Skinny Dip London, she founded her own successful jewellery brand relying heavily on outstanding PR skills which are now being fully utilised by Kamageo. Anisha works across our entire portfolio of countries.
NADIA ALAM - MARKETING & PR EXECUTIVE : Nadia has 7 years of tourism experience, including Audley Travel, Virgin Holidays and as GM for a Uganda lodge group. She has travelled extensively in the Middle East, USA, Europe and during her three years in East Africa, she took the opportunity to explore and it is this first-hand knowledge that we will immediately be putting to use. Nadia will focus predominantly on Uganda and Tanzania.
Tim Henshall explained, "We have added even more experience, expertise and enthusiasm to our existing team, that makes us stronger than ever before. Our team of 12 is now ready for even greater challenges and opportunities." Kelly White added, "With this expertise and focus entirely on Africa, we have become a very serious player in Africa destination marketing".
SEPTEMBER 2018 UK / Safari Roadshow 2019 dates with Early Bird offers
In February /March 2019, Kamageo will host the biggest ever annual 'Safari Roadshow' with 40 quality exhibitors. History suggests it will attract over 40 key UK travel trade buyers. Following our tried and tested format, across each two-day event, there will be four separate sessions - one each for Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and a surprise fourth country (to be announced).There are four events in total - Manchester, Cirencester and two in Central London. See safari-roadshow.com for details
AUGUST 2018 Ex-McFly's Dougie puts a spotlight on Kafue conservation efforts
Dougie Poynter may be best known as a former member of the pop / rock band McFly but he's now increasingly involved in philanthropy. A commitment to wildlife conservation will see Dougie travel to Zambia's Kafue NP, supported by ZMG, Wilderness Safaris and Kenya Airways, where he will view the efforts to further increase animal numbers in the park. During his time in McFly, Dougie enjoyed 18 Top 20 hits (inc. seven No.1 singles), five Top 20 Albums (No.1 twice), total sales of over 10 million records worldwide, sell-out tours and a couple of BRIT Awards! He's currently rehearsing with his new band, INK. Kamageo's PR Manager, Anisha Parmar stated "Its so encouraging to see a celebrity that's willing to break-off from a hugely busy musical career to see the work being done in Zambia. His presence alone will help shine the line on the amazing progress being made in Kafue, but there's so much more to be done".
AUGUST 2018 Uganda/ Chirpy idea to raise tour operator smiles at BirdFair
This year's annual UK Birdfair takes place from 17th-19th August. Uganda Tourist Board will have its own stand as well as support the 20+ UK tour operators who exhibit at the event and sell Uganda trips. As a small thank you, UTB and Kamageo will be hand-delivering (fully functioning) bird boxes, crammed with mini chocolate eggs, along with informative trade literature.
"This is a classic example of 'champagne marketing on a lemonade budget'. With Kamageo, successful marketing campaigns don't have to cost a $1million!"
AUGUST 2018 UK / Executive Assistant joins the Kamageo team
Tracey Sutton has rejoined the company she left four years ago, becoming Executive Assistant. This new role will see Tracey as PA to the Chief Executive, as well as running finance and administration. Tracey's wide range of experience, predominantly in finance but also project management will see her involved in the development of new systems thoughout the business, as well as the planning of the Safari Roadshow 2019. Tim Henshall commented "The vacancy wasn't an hour old before I thought of Tracey and how we could expand the role. She has made an instant impact across the entire company".
JULY 2018 UK / Edition 34 of Safari Magazine is out now
The latest edition of the industry's only trade publication is now out. The 76-page 'Safari Magazine', is published by Kamageo, and is available online here >>> whilst hard copies will be posted to over 500 individual UK Africa specialists next week, as well as distributed on the (sold out) Safari Roadshow. To receive your own printed copy, simply send your address to kristina@kamageo.com.
Articles in the new edition 34 include : Basecamp Explorer's humble beginnings; Mountain gorilla census results; The return to Jinja 40 years on; Savannah Chimpanzees in Uganda; Mobile tented safaris in Ethiopia's Omo Valley; Swaziland renamed; Live video streams from South Luangwa, Celebrating 20 years of Kafunta; Is Malawi a perfect family destination? and Who's right for Madagascar? See it here >>>
JULY 2018 Tanzania : Video released to support launch of TANTOO
TANTOO - short for Tanzania Tourism Organisation - is a brand new initiative committed to increasing tourism to Tanzania from the UK. It is currently unlikely that TTB will be able to invest heavily in the UK in the near future. That’s where TANTOO comes in, as we aim to encourage 20+ of the country’s leading tourism companies to work together along with TTB, to jointly fund marketing activities in the UK. A video has been launched explaining the concept in detail.
See it here >>>