The 2018 Africa and Middle East Focus gives travel advisors an update on the latest immersive experiences in Southern and East Africa as well as the trending new hotels in the Middle East. Additionally, readers can access targeted supplier sales information, from safaris to luxury hotels to river cruises.

Immersive Experiences

East and Southern Africa have long been the ultimate bucket list destinations and with the onslaught of new air routes and hotel and lodging developments, more visitors are headed to the continent to fulfill their travel dreams.

“Now more than ever, travelers are looking to be transformed by their experiences in a destination and Africa is a place that allows them to be totally immersed and forever changed. They want to see destinations and have experiences that are beyond the ordinary. Africa offers this in such a beautiful way,” noted Sherwin Banda, president of African Travel, Inc.

Several happenings are ensuring that South Africa remains a bucket list destination among luxury travelers and families alike. Driving the destination’s popularity are: the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela and new family-centric packages to East and Southern Africa, including Leeu Collection’s special getaway packages at its chic, but child-friendly properties in the Franschhoek Valley and the new Tengile River Lodge in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve opening in December by andBeyond.

New in Namibia is the launch of two Natural Selection properties: Hoanib Valley Camp, a joint venture with local communities and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, located amidst the rolling dunes, rocky mountains and ancient dry riverbeds of the Kaokoland region; and Shipwreck Lodge, opening this summer on the storied Skeleton Coast.

Developments in Botswana include the reopening of the Wilderness Safaris Mombo and Little Mombocamps, which offer the ultimate in sustainable luxury plus one of the premier game viewing experiences in the Okavango Delta, and the more affordable classic Qorokwe Camp, located in a private concession in the southeastern delta.

See lesson one for a complete look at the latest developments, including gorilla trekking in Uganda and the new luxury Africa hotspot, Rwanda.

Top New Hotels in The Middle East

Lesson two provides a comprehensive hotel report, including new hotel openings and major renovations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Oman, Jordan and Tel Aviv. Already ultra-luxurious Dubai will usher the opening of several new ultra-luxury properties, including: Jumeirah Bay, the Bulgari Resort & Residences Dubai, which comprises the Resort, six residential buildings, 15 private mansions, a marina and yacht club and a spa; and Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah Beach, ME by Meliá and the Delano are all slated to debut in Q4 2018.

In Oman earlier this year, the Kempinski Hotel Muscat opened with 310 rooms and suites, four restaurants (Levantine, European, Thai and Northern Indian dining), several bars, a spa, pools, water sports and Dippy’s Clubhouse kids’ club.

Travelers to Tel Aviv can now stay at the newly renovated The Drisco Hotel, a the 37-room/five-suite luxury hotel in Tel Aviv’s American Colony neighborhood and The Setai Tel Aviv, which opened in January in the historic Old Jaffa area of the city and maintains much of the building’s ancient roots, like original wooden ceilings, wooden doors, ironwork and windows of Kishle.