by admin | Sep 21, 2025 | business, entertainment, events and festivals, exhibitions, tourists
VICTORIA FALLS, August 26 (SANGGRALOKA.COM Live) – Over 300 businesses along with representatives from six additional nations have verified their attendance at the much-anticipated 18th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani Tourism Fair set to take place in the eastern border city of Mutare this coming month.
Last year’s event drew 408 participating firms, and it is anticipated to continue attracting significant involvement, particularly due to the inclusion of global enterprises.
Nations that have officially pledged their involvement are Ghana, Indonesia, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, and Malawi, highlighting the event’s broad local and global attraction.
As per the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), 319 businesses have already signed up to take part in the event this year, moving nearer to the objective of securing 450 participants.
Speaking to reporters in Harare not long ago, William Stima, the interim head of ZTA, voiced confidence that this year’s event would exceed predictions.
He mentioned that the location for the exhibition is still being built, and the tourism industry in Manicaland region is preparing to welcome attendees.
“Plans for Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanai 2025 are moving forward smoothly,” Stima stated.
The local tourism sector is completely ready to take advantage of this esteemed occasion.
In the meantime, the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) has characterized the exhibition as one of the top events in the travel industry, placing it among international fairs like ITB Berlin, Durban Indaba, WTM Cape Town, and WTM London.
The deputy chairman of HAZ, Emmah Kativu, emphasized the importance of the exhibition as an opportunity to present Zimbabwe’s distinct tourist attractions, including its fauna, traditions, historical sites, and culinary delights.
“It serves as a crucial venue to demonstrate our national identity. We invite all our members to come and take part,” she stated.
In addition to the primary exhibit, this year’s schedule includes additional special activities aimed at increasing participation possibilities.
Among them is the Tourism Investment Forum, where financiers, public servants, and business representatives will gather to explore prospects within the tourism supply network, as well as the Tourism Scholastica Conference, designed to offer an arena for scholars, scientists, and pupils to connect with professionals in the field.
For many years, the Sanganai Expo has become an essential component of Zimbabwe’s approach to promoting tourism, establishing the nation as a preferred travel spot across Africa and further afield.
By drawing in both regional and global vendors, it remains committed to supporting business-to-business connections, promoting tourism destinations, and generating potential for investments.
With Mutare set to welcome this year’s event, the yearly tourism exhibition is anticipated to create financial benefits for the region, enhancing hotel availability, transportation facilities, and local enterprises.
Above all, it will reinforce Zimbabwe’s image as an energetic, hospitable, and dynamic location within the international travel scene.
Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
).
by admin | Sep 12, 2025 | culture, entertainment, movies, tourist attractions, Travel
From timeless stories to contemporary adventures, Athens has provided an impactful setting for many movies throughout the years. Such films not only showcase the city’s heritage and film-related importance but may also encourage you to explore its past and traditions personally.
Boasting a heritage rooted in more than 3,400 years of history, while simultaneously pulsating with modern innovation, it’s hardly surprising that filmmakers have continuously drawn inspiration from this place.
Greek capital
These five movies provide a compelling look at the various aspects of Athens.
Going to Athens? You might find these articles appealing:
-
I’m a travel writer — here’s how to experience an ideal 24 hours in Athens as a native
-
Thirty minutes away from Athens, this sparkling coastal town is where residents head to flee the summer warmth.
-
Athens: 5 hidden spots to explore the city beyond the tourist throngs
Monday
(2020)
Monday
starring Sebastian Stan, offers an unfiltered, bright-lit exploration of desire, disorder, and repercussions shot mainly on site within the core of Athens. Surrounded by historical remnants, pulsating nightspots, and intense coastal warmth, two expatriate Americans, Mickey (Stan) and Chloe, spark a thrilling summer love affair that develops quickly, impacts deeply, and defies conventions.
The Dual Aspects of January
(2014)
This sophisticated psychological mystery skillfully presents Athens as a central figure within the story. Taking place in 1962, the movie centers around an American pair, performed by Viggo Mortensen and Kirsten Dunst, who are fleeing from something and get involved with a fraudster, played by Oscar Isaac. The historic remnants of the Acropolis along with the bright-lit avenues of Plaka serve as a breathtaking yet oppressive setting, heightening the growing anxiety and suspicion as the three individuals move through a complex network of lies and threats beneath the ever-watchful gaze of a historically rich city.
My Life in Ruins
(2009)
Featuring Nia Vardalos, this lighthearted romantic comedy presents an appealing glimpse into Athens. The movie follows a tour guide who has lost her “kefi,” or sense of rhythm, but finds it again as she leads a humorous set of travelers through Greece. Notable sequences were shot at
iconic Athenian sites
including the Parthenon and the Roman Agora.
Boy on a Dolphin
(1957)
Among the initial significant Hollywood movies shot in Greece,
Boy on a Dolphin
Established a benchmark for how the nation is depicted in cinema. This romantic tale features the iconic Sophia Loren as a sponge fisher who uncovers an old sculpture of a young boy riding a dolphin. The movie highlights the enduring charm of Athens and its surrounding coastline, displaying the city’s historical monuments and the peaceful Saronic Gulf.
The Burglars
(1971)
This French-Italian criminal suspense movie is renowned for its thrilling and authentic action scenes shot on the streets of Athens. It features Jean-Paul Belmondo and Omar Sharif in an intense game of pursuit. Notably, the vehicle pursuits have become iconic, racing across the city’s environment, such as the bustling seaside area of Faliro and the narrow roads of Piraeus.
by admin | Sep 7, 2025 | cruises, entertainment, Travel, travel destinations, travel recommendations
If there
One place that travelers frequently visit on a cruise.
, it’s the Caribbean.
However, for Ally Kerr, from
California
who has performed as a vocalist and performer on over 100 cruise ships, claims it’s exaggerated.
Don’t restrict your cruising adventure solely to the Caribbean,” said the 28-year-old cruise performer to The Independent. “Once you do, everything tends to seem similar. It’s basically a collection of beaches that all start looking alike over time.
And if that’s your preference, great – but for me, cruising means being able to experience special adventures.
Actually, Ally suggests taking a cruise to a location nearer to home rather than the Caribbean, should you be looking for similar golden sand beaches and clear blue waters, along with an abundance of history and cultural experiences.
“My initial time aboard a cruise in the Mediterranean left me completely indulged,” she remarked.
It was amazing. I visited numerous countries along the Mediterranean coastline, including France, Spain, Croatia, Montenegro, Israel, Greece… it turned out to be an extraordinary adventure.
And each location you visit is completely distinct.
The culture varies greatly, as do the attractions—there’s some coastline, some urban areas, and some historical sites. It’s very varied and engaging.
Also, the Caribbean might have some issues, but I never felt insecure in the Mediterranean.
Another continent that Alley suggests visiting via cruise is Asia, after enjoying an unforgettable journey through Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.
With experience performing aboard cruise ships, such as those operated by Royal Caribbean International, for many years, Alley now frequently offers insider advice on her
YouTube
channel,
@wanderlustalley
.
In a recent clip,
She cautioned travelers about the concealed dangers lurking ahead.
which might spoil their entire experience.
As stated by an experienced cruise employee, embarkation day, sometimes referred to as check-in day, may seem hectic due to extended queues of passengers waiting to step aboard.
Certain travelers are concerned about reserving well-known experiences, dining spots, and extra services – which frequently results in rush purchasing and all options being unavailable.
Alley stated: “On the day of boarding, it’s completely chaotic. If”
You can bypass the wait for boarding day and complete it ahead of time, making your life significantly simpler.
She mentioned that she frequently observed new cruise passengers feeling disappointed when they discovered there were no more activities available for booking.
Alley said: “Those who haven’t gone cruising before usually board the ship and then, by the end of the day, they find themselves saying, ‘Oh, everything’s booked up.'”
A number of items have restricted availability.
Fortunately, travelers aboard cruises frequently discover more affordable and broader options for land tours by arranging them directly with regional tour companies at every port of call, instead of depending only on the ship’s own excursion offerings.
Solo trips can also offer a more genuine and engaging encounter through local guides and enterprises.
Although ship-sponsored tours provide ease and reassurance—particularly for those new to cruising—they tend to be costly, resulting in travelers spending more money shortly after departing the port.
Read more
by admin | Sep 3, 2025 | entertainment, malaysia, singapore, tourists, Travel
Tourists coming from Singapore were at the top of the list for the highest number of international travelers visiting Johor, Malaysia’s second-largest state, making up almost 78%.
Over 11 million of Johor’s total 14 million international visitors from January to June 2025 were Singaporean nationals.
The Straits Times
reported, referencing K. Raven Kumar, chairman of the Johor Unity, Culture and Heritage Committee.
In addition to Singapore, the country is also attracting numerous tourists from Indonesia, China, India, the Philippines, South Korea, and various European nations.
Raven noted that this represented an optimistic and motivating development for the state government and local tourism sector, as they prepare for the Visit Johor Year 2026 initiative.
Initiatives are also being implemented to highlight smaller towns within Johor’s ten regions as possible tourist spots for both international and local visitors,
The Star
reported.
He further mentioned that the government plans to draw 12 million visitors to Johor in 2026 through improvements of different tourist attractions and hosting events aimed at reinforcing the state’s status as a major travel hotspot.
Johor is recognized as Malaysia’s second-largest state in terms of population, following Selangor. The region features well-known travel spots including Legoland Malaysia, cultural landmarks such as the Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque and the Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple, as well as natural sights like Desaru Beach and the Kota Tinggi Firefly Park.
The Malaysian Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, stated that 10.3 million visitors from Singapore traveled to Malaysia between January and June, marking an increase of 22.5% over the same timeframe in 2024.
by admin | Aug 31, 2025 | amusement, amusement and theme parks, entertainment, incident, roller coasters
Panic-stricken amusement park guests remained suspended mid-air for over an hour following a technical failure on a attraction at Six Flags America in
Maryland
.
A pleasant day at the Bowie amusement park became unpleasant for 32 visitors when the SteamWhirler stopped working during the afternoon on Saturday.
The malfunctioning attraction features four arms capable of holding eight individuals each during rotation. It made its debut in 2024, with Six Flags America noting that it offers a ‘moderate’ intensity experience.
While the park told
Fox News
Its personnel is capable of managing such scenarios without external help, yet one anxious passenger still called 911.
Firefighters from the Prince George’s County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (PGFD) reached the location at 3:25 pm.
Every rider was taken off the malfunctioning ride, with one individual transported to the hospital, as stated by the PGFD.
The department classified the injured individual’s condition as “severe yet not immediately dangerous,” though this was unrelated to the attraction coming to a halt.
A Six Flags representative said to Fox News: ‘Last afternoon, one of our attractions failed to finish its usual sequence and stopped before coming back down.’
No visitors suffered injuries. The attraction will stay closed for an extensive inspection to identify the reason behind its shutdown.
A spokesperson mentioned that occasionally attractions and roller coasters come to a halt due to sensors that automatically turn them off when detecting an issue—no matter how small it may be.
The attractions will not operate again until the problem has been assessed and resolved by staff, they said.
“Occasionally, the process demands an extended evaluation from qualified professionals. When this happens, we remove passengers—just as we did yesterday,” the representative said to the source.
This alarming event occurs just under three months prior to the
Bowie Six Flags is scheduled to permanently shut down.
.
The famous amusement park, which first opened in 1974 under the name The Wildlife Preserve, went through several name alterations before 1999, when Premier Parks purchased it and renamed it Six Flags America.
The Bowie Six Flags’ related water park, Hurricane Harbor, will also close down.
“During our thorough evaluation of our park assets, we’ve concluded that they do not align with the company’s vision for sustained expansion,” stated Six Flags President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Zimmerman in a press release.
Following an assessment of various alternatives, we think promoting the property for renewal will yield the greatest worth and financial gain.
The park is most famous for being the location of Wild One, a 108-year-old wooden roller coaster recognized as the third-oldest in existence.
The shutdown will result in 70 full-time staff losing their positions, although the company mentioned that qualified employees will be offered termination packages and additional perks.
Read more
by admin | Aug 25, 2025 | casinos in las vegas, disasters, entertainment, incident, las vegas attractions
A fierce forest fire has covered
Las Vegas
with its famous central street enveloped in heavy fog as the struggling tourism spot endures another setback.
Smoke from the
California
The Gifford Fire near Santa Barbara has been expanding and affecting the Las Vegas Valley since Sunday.
A video shared on social media by the National Weather Service in Sin City on Monday captured cloudy skies over the Las Vegas Strip.
The National Weather Service cautioned that dangerous circumstances might continue for additional days because of southwest winds spreading toxic fumes.
“Smoke from the Gifford Fire located north of Santa Barbara is still spreading into the Las Vegas Valley, causing decreased visibility and poorer air conditions,” authorities stated.
The Gifford Fire has scorched over 65,000 acres and was still contained at only three percent as of Monday afternoon.
A huge fire keeps spreading harmful smoke across state borders into Nevada.
Authorities are urging locals and visitors to reduce outdoor exposure and ensure windows remain shut due to ongoing smog affecting air quality throughout the region.
Smoke reached the area as Las Vegas faces challenges due to a significant decline in tourist numbers.
A leading hotel and resort chain in the world’s premier casino destination has recently experienced an unexpected decline in operations.
Caesars Entertainment, operating eight casino hotels and one non-casino accommodation along the Las Vegas Strip, announced a 3.7 percent decrease in net income compared to the same period last year during the second quarter of 2025,
SEC filings
revealed.
The corporation, owner of Caesars Palace and Harrah’s Las Vegas, additionally experienced a 21 percent year-over-year decline in net profit during the second quarter.
Between April and June, the company generated $1.054 billion in Las Vegas, a decrease from $1.095 billion during the same period in 2024.
One of the factors causing difficulties for businesses in Sin City is due to
International tourists have kept avoiding the United States.
– involving some dissatisfaction with the presidential term
Donald Trump
.
A further factor causing visitors to avoid the Strip could be its expensive costs.
A guest recently expressed her surprise following her experience of being
billed $26 for a bottle of Fiji Water
from the mini bar located in her room at the Aria Resort & Casino.
And a UK illusionist found himself furious following
He received a charge of $74.31 for two beverages.
at Sphere in Las Vegas.
The city of Las Vegas received 3.39 million tourists in March, marking an approximately eight percent decrease compared to 3.68 million visitors in February, as stated in a report from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
Hotel occupancy stood at 82.9% during the same period, versus 85.3% in March 2024.
Casinos also noted nearly a five percent decline compared to the previous year. Across the state, the number decreased by 1.1 percent.
Read more
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