Download Newsflash – AUGUST
QATAR – Visa on Arrival
Qatar has advised that travelers need to be careful about the visa on arrival to Qatar as many rules apply such as they can get the VISA ON ARRIVAL ONLY if staying in a 4 or 5 star hotel. VOA does not apply if staying with family or friends. The VOA could apply if travelers can prove they have USD1500 in their bank account, if transit or business visas do not apply. The embassy still advises travelers to get their visa prior to arrival.
Tanzanian Airline Reintroduces Regional Services
Tanzanian airline and Precision Air have reintroduced flights between Dar es Salaam and Entebbe in Uganda, so far it is the only airline operating direct flights between Tanzania and Uganda thereby offering opportunities to international tourists who are in Tanzania to fly directly to Uganda. Following the reintroduction of the direct flights travellers from Uganda will no longer have to travel to Nairobi or Kigali to connect to Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro. Apart from the Dar es Salaam-Entebbe route, Precision Air also operates flights to other destinations including Tabora, Kigoma, Mtwara, Bukoba, Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Mwanza, Zanzibar and Nairobi.
Travelers Adviced to Avoid Bangkok in October
Travelers are being advised to avoid central Bangkok in late October during the royal cremation ceremony of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports said it would issue an official travel advisory for the 25th to the 29th of October. Visiting tourists have been advised to stay outside Bangkok during the cremation period to alleviate traffic congestion. The cremation will take place at Sanam Luang Ceremonial Ground in Bangkok on the 26th of October which has been declared a national holiday. A royal cremation exhibition will then take place from the 1st of November to the 30th of November. Transport will operate normally on these dates but there may be amended opening times at some tourist attractions. The advisory for tourists is not mandatory but they are requested to wear modest clothing.
Ethiopian Airlines to Halt Durban Services
Effective of the 1st of August, Ethiopian Airlines will temporarily suspend flights to Durban in what the airline says is a temporary measure to cut costs as a result of seasonal fluctuations. Passengers travelling from Durban will be rerouted via Johannesburg.
Austrian Airlines Return to South African Skies
Austrian Airlines will return to South African skies from the 27th of October 2018, the airline which last flew to Cape Town between 1997 and 1999 will offer two weekly flights from Cape Town to Vienna. Business class, economy class and premium economy class will be available on this flight as the new Boeing 777-200ER will be deployed on the route.
Yellow Fever Certificate
All travelers from all nationalities are required to present their yellow fever certificate when coming back to South Africa from Argentina.
Biometrics Now Mandatory for Indian Visas
All South African travelers now need to give their biometric data when applying for an Indian visa. Travelers who have applied for an e-visa will be required to submit their biometrics on arrival in India.
Laptop Ban Lifted for Most Countries
Jordan and Kuwait are the latest countries to be removed the dwindling list of nations subject to the U.S. laptop ban. This follows the removal of the ban for the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Turkey only Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Morocco remain subject to the laptop ban which the US Department of Homeland Security put in place in late March 2017.
Etihad UPS Frequencies to Egypt and Nigeria
Etihad Airways will add year-round flights between its Abu Dhabi hub, Cairo and Lagos later this year. On the 1st of October a fifth daily scheduled service will be introduced on the Cairo route taking the frequency from 28 to 35 flights a week from the 2nd of December an additional Saturday flight will be added to the Lagos route increasing frequency from four to five services each week.
Cholera Outbreak in Nairobi
Travelers going to Kenya should exercise extreme caution amid a cholera outbreak in the country’s capital Nairobi.
PLEASE CHECK GRAYSTON TRAVELS WEBSITE FOR HOLIDAY SPECIALS.
PLEASE NOTE:
All prices quoted are subject to change without prior notice, due to airfare increases and / or currency fluctuations and subject to availability.
