www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism and travel, the environment, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink. See also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – Contact us at [email protected]

Porto Novo is the official and legislative capital of Benin, and the seat of the national assembly, while Cotonou is the administrative and commercial capital – the seat of governmentment and foreign embassies.

Annonsørinnhold

Jakkene som får frem vårfølelsen

Porto Novo in Benin, Rouen in France and Da Nang in Vietnam are taking steps to mitigate the harsh effects of climate change, which will hit them hard if they don’t.

Taking action against climate change is hugely important in the developing countries. This is particularly true for African countries, where the impacts of climate change will hit harder. It is also where development challenges and poverty alleviation needs are most severe, Lorena Pasquini of the University of Cape Town, writes in an analays.

The lack of funding and capacity for climate change mitigation is a sore point for cities everywhere. But despite these barriers, cities globally – including in Africa – are taking action as best they can to prepare for the effects of climate change.

A tale of three cities

Porto Novo in Benin, Rouen in France and Da Nang in Vietnam are three examples of cities that are particularly vulnerable to climate change. All three are particularly prone to flooding. This is not surprising in coastal cities such as Porto Novo and Da Nang, or in cities located on the banks of a major river like Rouen.

All of the infrastructure that is clustered around the banks of the river Seine, in Rouen, can’t, realistically, be removed. The best many cities can do with their existing at-risk infrastructure is try to protect it in some way. One of the best opportunities for preparing for the effects of climate change comes from new urbanisation and development plans.

See the whole story at The Conversation, Johannesburg: www.allafrica.com/stories/201506230049.html

#Ambassade #Benin #By #CapeTown #Cotonou #DaNang #Ferie #Frankrike #Hovedstad #Johannesburg #Klima #Miljø #Nasjonalforsamling #Parlament #PortoNovo #Regjering #Reise #Rouen #Seinen #SørAfrika #Turisme #Universitet #Vietnam 

#Capital #City #Climate #Embassy #Environment #France #Government #Holiday #NationalAssembly #Parliament #Tourism #Travel #University

www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism and travel, the environment, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink. See also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – Contact us at [email protected]

During the fasting month of Ramadan, thousands of Senegalese and Guinean Muslims flock to one of Conakry’s most popular mosques (pictured) each week to perform Friday prayers, the www.worldbulletin.net reports.

Annonsørinnhold

I butikk nå: Sommerens lekreste kjoler

Last Friday, more than 2,000 worshipers attended – including Alpha Conde, the country’s president – despite the mosque’s seating capacity of only 750.

In March, the Guinean authorities had ordered the house of worship closed after the local Senegalese community, which controls the mosque, rejected the appointment of a Guinean – Youssouf Camara – as the mosque’s new imam.

According to an accord signed last year, prayers must be officiated by a Guinean imam, assisted by a co-imam drawn from the Senegalese community.

“It’s regrettable that there was a dispute between the two brother communities because of this mosque,” Conde said following Friday prayers.

“But now I promise you that I will ensure cohesion between the two communities,” he added.

Following recent talks between the two sides, the dispute now appears to have been settled, with the mosque’s imam set to remain a native of Guinea.

Conakry’s Senegalese community, which built the mosque early last century, welcomed the president’s statements.

“We are comforted that the president came here to call for Peace between the two communities,” says Doudou Bangoura, a spokesman for the Senegalese community.

“The mosque went through some difficult times because of quarrels over the imamate, which had affected the relationship between the two communities,” he said.

Bangoura noted, however, the two communities “shared history and geography,” going on to assert: “Senegal and Guinea are two lungs in one body.”

Since the mosque reopened two weeks ago, both Guineans and Senegalese have attended prayers together. 

“Every day, the mosque has been full,” said a relieved Bangoura.

#By #Conakry #Ferie #Guinea #Hovedstad #Islam #Moske #Muslim #President #Reise #Religion #Senegal #Turisme

#Capital #City #Holiday #Moslem #Mosque #Tourism #Travel

www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism and travel, the environment, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink. See also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – Contact us at [email protected]

Abuja, capital of Nigeria

Annonsørinnhold

Vårens kuleste sneakers til henne

Transcorp Hilton Abuja Honoured at World Travel Awards 2015 Named Winner in Five Categories including Africa’s Leading Business.

The hotel, which is owned by Transcorp Hotels Plc, the hospitality subsidiary of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, emerged winner of the prestigious World Travel Awards for Africa’s Leading Business Hotel, Nigeria’s Leading Business Hotel, Nigeria’s Leading Hotel, Nigeria’s Leading MICE Hotel and Nigeria’s Leading Hotel Suite (the Presidential Suite) at the Africa and Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2015 which took place at the Kempinski Seychelles Resort in Baie Lazare, Seychelles, www.allafrica.com reports.

”It is a great privilege and honour to be recognised for what we do by our discerning guests “, said Etienne Gailliez, general manager, Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

“To win the World Travel Awards in five categories is unprecedented in Nigeria and we are delighted that our efforts at delivering world class experiences consistently to our Guests are recognised and appreciated. It is a fitting reward for the hardwork and dedication of our Team Members especially in the past year. The awards are, therefore, dedicated to all our Team Members”, Etienne concluded.

Recognition from the World Travel Awards is coming on the heels of the launch of a new vision for the hotel and the implementation of operational excellence initiatives that focus on delivering extraordinary guest service.

Receiving the awards on behalf of the hotel, Valentine Ozigbo, MD/CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc, said ” I am pleased that the outstanding work and dedication of the team at Transcorp Hilton Abuja has been recognized once again. Receiving these awards ahead of the planned upgrade of an already award-winning facility means that we are poised to deliver an unparalleled experience on the continent of Africa; incredible things are coming both for our guests and for industry watchers.”

World Travel Awards exists to recognize, acknowledge and celebrate excellence in travel tourism and hospitality, which is why Transcorp Hilton Abuja was chosen by fellow professionals across the globe for a World Travel Award. Winners of the World Travel

Awards are decided on by an independent vote from 167,000 travel agents and tourism experts in over 200 countries. The awards cover twenty-three countries ranging across the Indian Ocean to the Pacific.

Media can access additional information about Transcorp Hilton Abuja at www.abuja.hilton.com

About Hilton Hotels & Resorts

Founded in 1919 as the flagship brand of Hilton Worldwide, Hilton Hotels & Resorts continues to build upon its legacy of innovation by developing products and services to meet the needs of savvy global travelers at more than 550 hotels across six continents. Hilton is the stylish, forward-thinking global leader in hospitality with Team Members shaping experiences in which every guest feels cared for, valued and respected. Access the latest news at news.hilton.com and begin your journey at www.hilton.com or www.hilton.com/offers for the latest hotel specials. Hilton Hotels & Resorts is one of Hilton Worldwide’s 12 brands.

#Abuja #By #Ferie #Hilton #Hotell #Hovedstad #Nigeria #Reise #Seychellene #Turisme

#Capital #City #Holiday #Tourism #Travel

www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism and travel, the environment, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink. See also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – Contact us at [email protected]

Accra, capital of Ghana

Annonsørinnhold

Vårens kuleste sneakers til henne

The country is set to begin operating the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Accra in November this year, www.graphic.com.gh reports. 

The new transport system is to improve vehicular movement and reduce delays on some busy streets and, as it were, bring relief to motorists. Ten special buses that will ply dedicated streets to ensure fast movement within the metropolis are already in the country for a test run. Following a successful test run of the system and the training of operators, 85 more buses will be brought in.

See the whole story at: www.graphic.com.gh

#Accra #Buss #By #Ferie #Ghana #Hovedstad #Reise #Transport #Turisme

#Bus #Capital #City #Holiday #Tourism #Travel 

www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism and travel, the environment, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink. See also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – Contact us at [email protected]

Banjul, capital of The Gambia

Annonsørinnhold

20 bestselgere som garanterer nytelse

Ambassador Pieter Jan Kleiweg De Zwaan of the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in Dakar has said that they expect about 25,000 Dutch tourists to come to The Gambia next season, the www.thepoint.gm website reports.

The Ambassador, who was speaking at the Kairaba Beach Hotel during the signing of a bilateral air services agreement between the Gambia government and The Netherlands, said they are the second major contributor of tourists to The Gambia.

Because of the Ebola outbreak in Africa, he said, there was some fear in much of Europe, and as such last year’s tourist figures dropped.

“The good news is that the fear seems to have gone and bookings are going really well for next season, which will start in October,” he stated, adding that they expect about 25,000 Dutch tourists in the 2015/16 season, which is more than the number of tourists that have been coming to The Gambia prior to the Ebola outbreak.

He went on to describe the agreement as a win-win partnership for both countries, and looked forward to implementing the agreement so that more Dutch tourists could come to The Gambia.

Signing the agreement is a very important step for The Netherlands, he said, since thanks to the agreement planes from The Netherlands could easily land and work in The Gambia, as well as the other way round for Gambian planes.

See the whole story here: www.allafrica.com/stories/201506011743.html

Les vår store bloggpost om Gambia her: www.minbestereise.blogg.no

#Ambassadør #Banjul #Beach #By #Dakar #Ebola #Ferie #Hotell #Gambia #Hovedstad #Nederland #Reise #Senegal #Turisme

#Ambassador #Capital #City #Dutch #Embassy #Holiday #Netherlands #Tourism #Travel 

www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism and travel, the environment, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink. See also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – Contact us at [email protected]

The government of Guinea-Bissau is partnering Romanian group Tender to launch its own airline called Air Guinea-Bissau, said Thursday in Bissau the Secretary of State for Transport and Communications, the www.macauhub.com.mo reports.

Annonsørinnhold

I butikk nå: Sommerens lekreste kjoler

João Bernardo Vieira said that for now the government holds a 40 percent stake in the airline with the remaining 60 percent in the hands of the Romanian group.

Air Guinea-Bissau will start operating with two aircraft and, according to the secretary of state, the routes identified by the Civil Aviation Agency are Bissau / Dakar / Bissau, Bissau / Lisbon / Bissau and Bissau / Praia / Bissau.

“We have an ambition to link the sub-region, specifically Conakry and Banjul and we think that within a year we will be able to make the connection between Bissau and Fortaleza in Brazil,” said Vieira.

The Secretary of State said that, pending the approval of the new airline by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, “we will continue to develop the necessary steps so that the Air Guinea-Bissau is able to start operating.”

The Tender group controls several companies operating in areas such as energy, oil and gas industry services, geological prospecting, road infrastructure, real estate, agriculture, tourism and aviation, and is present in African countries such as Senegal and Ivory Coast.

#Bissau #Brasil #By #Dakar #Elfenbenskysten #Ferie #Flyselskap #Fortaleza #GuineaBissau #Hovedstad #KappVerde #Lisboa #Minister #Portugal #Praia #Reise #Romania #Senegal #Turisme

#Airline #Brazil #CapeVerde #Capital #City #CoteDIvoire #Holiday #Lisbon #Tourism #Travel

www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism, travel, transport, the environment, politics, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink.  

Hotel du 2 Fevrier, Lome, Togo

Carlson Rezidor enters Togo with a landmark Radisson Blu hotel in Lomé and is now present in 25 countries across Africa, the www.hospitalitynet.org website reports.

The Group holds the largest pipeline of hotels and rooms under development in Africa.

Carlson Rezidor, one of the largest and most dynamic hotel groups worldwide, further extends its African network and adds a new country to its growing portfolio: Togo.

The historic Radisson Blu Hotel du 2 Février in the capital of Lomé will feature 320 keys and is scheduled to open in late 2015. The hotel is currently undergoing a major renovation program with over 900 local employees on site executing the works.

Africa is one of Carlson Rezidor’s most important growth markets. The group operates and develops more than 50 hotels in 25 African countries, and has with 30 hotels and 6,300 rooms the largest pipeline of hotels and rooms under development on the African continent.

“We are delighted to arrive in Togo to develop and operate the Radisson Blu Hotel du 2 Février. This 102 meter-building is the tallest hotel in West Africa and a true landmark. It will further strengthen our presence in Africa, and at the same time provide economic and social contributions by becoming a social anchor in Lomé”, said Wolfgang M. Neumann, President & CEO of Rezidor at the International Hotel Investment Forum IHIF in Berlin.

The former “Hotel du 2 Février” in the heart of Lomé is currently undergoing an advanced renovation programme before re-opening as a 5-star Radisson Blu hotel in late 2015. It will offer 320 rooms and apartments, five food & drink outlets, meeting space of 3,600 square meters.

including two auditoriums, an outdoor swimming pool and terrace, a business centre, a business class lounge, a 375 square meter gym & spa area, tennis courts and a casino.

Carlson Rezidor’s asset-light, profitable and sustainable growth strategy puts a strong focus on the emerging market of Africa.

“We signed 10 hotels and more than 2,000 rooms in Africa in 2014, and continue to have the largest pipeline on the continent. We believe in the great potential of Africa and are committed to becoming a key player in the travel and tourism sector across the region”, commented Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer of Rezidor.

“Africa offers excellent opportunities due to its huge natural resources and workforces, improved infrastructure, and growing middle class. We want to grow further on the continent together with our strong partners. We also want to be a leading employer in Africa: By creating new jobs for local talent and by contributing to the communities where we operate in, we can make a huge difference”, added Younes.

Lome

Carlson Rezidor aims to establish its core brand Radisson Blu as the leading upper upscale brand in Africa – present in capital cities and financial & economic hubs – and to pursue the scaled growth of its mid-scale Park Inn by Radisson in high potential primary and secondary destinations.

The group’s new brands Quorvus Collection (luxury) and Radisson Red (lifestyle select) will offer additional potential to accelerate growth and to cover all market segments.

The group opened its first hotel in Africa in 2000, the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel, Cape Town (South Africa). Since then, the company has built up an impressive network of 50+ hotels in 25 countries.

During the past 12 months alone, Carlson Rezidor entered five new African nations and announced Radisson Blu hotels in Lomé/Togo, Juba/South Sudan, N’Djamena/Chad, Kampala/Uganda, and Accra/Ghana.

#Accra #Berlin #By #CapeTown #Ferie #Ghana #Hotel #Hovedstad #Kampala #Juba #Lome #NDjamena #Radisson #Reise #SørAfrika #SørSudan #Togo #Tsjad #Tyskland #Uganda

#Capital #Chad #City #Germany #Holiday #SouthAfrica #SouthSudan #Travel

www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism, travel, transport, politics, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink.

Se også vår reiseblogg / see also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – contact us a [email protected]

New Bedford Whaling Museum trustee Eugene A. Monteiro and museum president James P. Russell travelled to the Cape Verde islands off the coast of West Africa in April for a week of meetings with government officials to explore the possibility of establishing a long-term whaling museum presence in the country, the www.southcoasttoday.com website reported.

www.whalingmuseum.org

The visit was sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and the Cabo Verdean Institute of Cultural Heritage, whose chairman, Humberto Lima, was the signatory of a memorandum of understanding between the museum and his ministry during the visit of the Charles W. Morgan to New Bedford in July of 2014.

As part of the protocol, museum trustees have pre-approved long-term loans of artifacts in its collection for display in an appropriate location in the country.

The American delegation toured the island of Santiago and also visited the islands of São Nicolau for the inauguration of the Fisheries Museum and the island of São Vicente.

They brought with them a traveling exhibit which has been on display in San Francisco and San Diego for the past nine months and illuminates the shared legacies of Azorean, Cabo Verdean and Brazilian communities in the United States.

The Whaling Museum presence overseas is the latest in a series of collaborative projects, which began in 2011 with the creation of the Cabo Verdean Maritime Exhibition in New Bedford.

Dr. Mario Lucio Matias de Sousa Mendes, Minister of Culture, visited the museum in January 2014 in advance of the protocol agreement, formally adopted last July. Additional collaborations are expected to include a scholar-in-residence program via a curatorial fellowship, exhibitions and cultural programming.

New Bedford Whaling Museum: www.whalingmuseum.org

#Afrika #Azorene #Brasil #By #California #Ferie #Hovedstad #Hval #Hvalfangst #KappVerde #Massachusets #Minister #Museum #Praia #Reise #SanDiego #SanFrancisco #USA

#Africa #Azores #Brazil #CaboVerde #CapeVerde #Capital #City #Holiday #Whales #Whaling #Travel 

www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism, travel, transport, politics, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink.

Se også vår reiseblogg / see also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – contact us a [email protected]

Annonsørinnhold

20 bestselgere som garanterer nytelse

Bissau Praca – Downtown: “Fera di Bandim”, main road from airport to citycenter – during carneval 2012. Photo: www.hotel-bissau.com

Guinea-Bissau is “safe and open to private Investment” with “real and diverse” opportunities that should be made use of, says President José Mario Vaz, the www.macauhub.com.mo website reported.

The Guinean head of state spoke at the opening of a conference of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP), taking place in Bissau until Thursday, co-organised by the Business Confederation of the CPLP and the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Services (CCIAS) of Guinea-Bissau.

“This is precisely the right time to invest in Guinea-Bissau, which as well as being a sensible choice offers very real and diverse opportunities”, noted the Guinean President, cited by Portuguese news agency Lusa.

The president of the business confederation of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CE-CPLP), Mozambique’s Salimo Abdula, in Bissau said this was “a new moment” in the life of Guinea-Bissau.

“We are witnessing the start of a new moment in the life of this country, laying the foundations for more evident growth, that is more sustainable and mainly based on the development of the economy”, Abdula said.

The president of the CE-CPLP also said that CPLP entrepreneurs are likely to invest in the four “main drivers of growth” presented by the government of Guinea-Bissau, particularly agriculture and agro-industry, fisheries, tourism and mining.

Source: www.macauhub.com.mo

#Afrika #Bissau #By #Ferie #Fiskeri #Gruve #GuineaBissau #Hovedstad #Landbruk #Macau #Mosambik #Portugal #President #Reise #Turisme

#Africa #Agriculture #Capital #City #Fisheries #Holiday #Mines #Mozambique #Tourism #Travel

www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism, travel, transport, politics, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink.

Se også vår reiseblogg / see also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – contact us a [email protected]

Ivory Coast has received authorization from the United States to start direct flights between the two countries, officials said on Saturday, boosting the West African nation’s hopes of becoming a regional transport hub, the Reuters News agency reported.

The world’s top cocoa producer, Ivory Coast is emerging from a decade-long political crisis that ended in a brief civil war in 2011, and is now attracting investors again.

The African Development Bank moved its headquarters back to the commercial capital Abidjan last year, after an 11-year hiatus.

Ivory Coast’s economy has seen a renaissance under President Alassane Ouattara’s stewardship, averaging annual growth of around 9 percent. Ouattara, widely expected to be re-elected in a vote due in October, wants to push ahead with plans to make Abidjan a hub for air travel in Africa.

Ivory Coast has been seeking authorization from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration for 15 years, officials said.

Read the whole story at www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/11/us-ivorycoast-airlines-idUSKBN0N20FO20150411

#Abidjan #Afrika #Bank #By #CoteDIvoire #Elfenbenskysten #Ferie #Fly #Hovedstad #Kakao #Krig #President #Reise #USA

#Capital #City #Holiday #IvoryCoast #Travel