Jinja, in eastern Uganda, is fast securing its place as one of Africa’s hottest destinations. Dynamic yet easygoing, this town set on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, is just a few kilometres from the Source of the Nile Gardens, the outlet that feeds the northern flow of the White Nile on its long journey to the Mediterranean Sea. This is just one of its many allures, complementing a charming and relaxed atmosphere, striking flora and fauna and multitudes of attractions.

Adventure seekers enjoy white-water rafting on the mighty rapids of the River Nile near Jinja, Uganda

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Posted under General, Uganda, countries, new local connections, whl.travel news

MIRAR DEBAJO POR ESTE MENSAJE EN ESPAÑOL / SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN SPANISH

At the precise point where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortes (also known as the Gulf of California) – at the very tip of the Baja California Sur – lies Cabo San Lucas, a perfect vacation spot for avid travellers, young and old. As a famously picturesque locale, Cabo San Lucas is blessed with white sand beaches, year-round sun and temperate weather, all part of its magnetism, attracting die-hard fishermen and beach bums alike.

The famous Arch and Bay of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, are a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. Locals call the arch the 'window to the Pacific Ocean.'

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Posted under General, Mexico, countries, new local connections, whl.travel news

The Caprivi Strip of Namibia is a curious, narrow panhandle in northern Namibia that thrusts east to the Zambezi River and borders Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Although geographically small – about 450km long and 100km at its widest – it is land rich in vegetation, and host to both dramatic scenery and some of the best bird and game viewing in Africa.

Hippos wallowing in one of the many rivers of the Caprivi Strip in Namibia (photo by Ute von Ludwiger)

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Posted under General, Namibia, countries, new local connections, whl.travel news

SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN MALAY / UNTUK BAHASA MELAYU, SILA BACA DI BAWAH

In Kuala Lumpur, while towering skyscrapers, shopping malls and the golden glove of international finance may not be prime draws for many travellers in search of the ‘real’ Malaysia, a small scratch beneath its surface reveals an immense amount of cultural diversity and places full of interesting experience. With a little careful attention, the buzz of the city can be found in its throbbing street markets and the clamour of languages; its ease in whiffs of temple incense and catnaps in the shade of the central park.

The Kuala Lumpur skyline is unmistakable, towered over by the Petronas Twin Towers, the city's most prominent landmark

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Posted under General, Malaysia, new local connections, whl.travel news

TAZAMA HAPA CHINI UJUMBE HUU KWA KISWAHILI / SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN SWAHILI

Adoringly known as ‘Dar’ by enthusiasts, Dar es Salaam, the former capital but still premier city of Tanzania, borders the warm Indian Ocean. Once a small, Swahili fishing village located in the centre of the East African coastline, Dar now leads Tanzanian access to one of the world’s most important sea routes.

A fisherman floats on the warm Indian Ocean near Mafia Island along Tanzania’s southern coast

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Posted under General, Tanzania, countries, new local connections, whl.travel news

* LEIA LOGO ABAIXO ESTA NOTICIA EM PORTUGUÊS / SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN PORTUGUESE

Once overrun with pirates and slave traders, the peninsula of Armação dos Búzios, or simply Búzios, began to receive a different kind of welcome attention during the 1960s, when Brigitte Bardot popularised its brilliant beaches. It has since been transformed into one of the best seaside resorts in Brazil, a trendy destination especially for Brazilians and Argentines.

The harbour of Búzios fills with fishing boats in the afternoon and offers lovely sunsets. There are several hotels with views overlooking this spectacle.

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Posted under Brazil, countries, new local connections, whl.travel news

The affable cities of Kampala and Entebbe, Uganda, lie a mere 37km apart. Kampala, the country’s capital and largest city, has maintained its unique cultural heritage and spirit despite the march of modernisation, while Entebbe is Kampala’s peaceful neighbour and sits on the north shore of Lake Victoria, the African continent’s largest lake.

A look at downtown Kampala and its jam of boda-bodas (bicycle and moped taxis) (photo by Rob Brierley)

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Posted under General, Uganda, countries, new local connections, whl.travel news

VOIR CI-DESSOUS POUR CE MESSAGE EN FRANÇAIS / SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN FRENCH

Often called the ‘Red City’ or the ‘Jewel of the South’, Marrakech has for centuries been regarded as the quintessential Moroccan city. Once home to camel caravans, it is today a seamless fabric of old-world traditions and elements of the new, and continues to exude an unmatchable charm. Although Marrakech is not the country’s capital (a privilege belonging to Rabat), it is an epicentre of Moroccan tourism and one of Morocco’s Imperial Cities.

Jemaa el Fna Square of Marrakech, Morocco, with its Koutoubia Mosque in the background, is the beating heart of the city

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Posted under General, Morocco, countries, new local connections, whl.travel news

By Michelle Rodrigues

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As the world continues to see greater numbers of travellers, locally owned and small travel products are often not able to keep up the pace with Internet advances. Today tourists often prefer to search and book online and this phenomenon is cutting out small operators who do not have the skills or the soft infrastructure (photographs and quality written content) to participate on the Web.

Locals participate in the harvest of the blue agave, the key ingredient required for the production of tequila

A World Heritage Site is a place recongised by the World Heritage Centre, administered by UNESCO, with a significant cultural and physical importance. Tequila, Mexico is one of these places. WHL Consulting is working in Tequila with the Consejo Regulador del Tequila in support of La Ruta del Tequila to build the capacity of small and locally owned tourism products in and around the World Heritage Site of Tequila, Mexico, original source of the popular alcoholic beverage.

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Posted under General, Mexico, countries, responsible organisations, whl.travel news

By Ethan Gelber

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A Local Travel movement is finding its legs. Strong legs. Last weekend, in a step to find good solid ground upon which to exercise those legs, I published two blog posts about it, one on Lonely Planet’s Travel Blog hosted by Yahoo!7 Travel in Australia and the other on The Brooklyn Nomad’s blog.

It’s true. Local Travel’s here. It’s a small new movement, but it’s gaining momentum. Stay tuned for more…

Lonely Planet’s Travel Blog (hosted by Yahoo!7 Travel in Australia)

On 17 December 2009, I wrote a post about the misunderstood merits of Local Travel on Lonely Planet’s Travel Blog hosted by Yahoo!7 Travel in Australia.

Judging by the glowingly supportive comments, I apparently tapped a rich vein of local travel enthusiasts eager to lend credence to a cause.

Given that, I was invited by Lonely Planet to write a follow-up post, digging a little deeper into the fertile earth I’d found. That text – Get Lost, Go Local – has again fielded some welcome input from readers.

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Posted under media, opinion, responsible organisations, responsible travel, responsible travel news, responsible traveller, whl.travel newsletter