The SA tourism industry has thrown its weight behind Durban to bid to host the 2020 or 2024 summer Olympic Games.

World tourism rebounded strongly this year from the global financial crisis, led by Asia and the Middle East, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.

This Brazilian city fascinates, writes Mark Jackson.

Kevin Pilley embarks on a 'heaven scent' holiday in France.

One of South Africa's prime holiday destinations, Umhlanga, is well known for its beaches, parks and the landmark lighthouse. Anel Lewis stayed at two of its newest hotels.

Foreign visitors to South Africa increased by more than 350 000 in the first four months of this year compared to the same period in 2009, says Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk.

The 12 decades of Johannesburg's existence are reflected in the 12 rooms making up a new boutique hotel at Main Street Life, one of Joburg's newest places to be seen, and the brainchild of the same developer who brought the successful Arts on Main to the inner city.

Johannesburg visitors and residents who are keen on seeing the architectural masterpiece that is Africa's biggest stadium - known as Soccer City during the 2010 Fifa World Cup, since renamed FNB Stadium - can now take a guided tour of the city's famous "African calabash".

Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk took a tour of Soweto with a difference on Thursday - as a guest of the Soweto Sopranos Bikers Club - to help encourage South Africans to "get out of their comfort zones" and start exploring some of the tourism "gems" of their own country.

Comair Limited, operator of low-cost airline kulula.com and the British Airways franchise in South Africa, is again expanding its African network, and will soon be offering five return flights a week between Johannesburg and Dar es Salaam.