Red Archives - Com Namibia

Santa Maria: The Sunny Island of the Azores Where a Red Desert Meets a Lush Forest

October 19, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

The first chapter of the Azores’ Portuguese history unfolded here, on Santa Maria, the first island to be discovered in 1427 and subsequently colonized. In 1493, while returning from the New World, Christopher Columbus paused there after weathering a fierce storm, and held a Mass in the chapel of Baía dos Anjos.

GNV Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Travel Agencies in Marrakech

October 8, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

C'est Sète, port d'attache français de GNV, qui accueillera la prochaine cérémonie des GNV Awards, à l'automne 2027 - Photo : LG

Aer Lingus

The travel agencies certainly deserved this spotlight.

With more than 50% of sales generated via indirect distribution, they constitute the primary sales channel for GNV.

Even more, they have grown by 6.2% year over year, a pace that outstrips the company’s overall performance.

A point that Matteo Della Valle, the company’s Chief Commercial Officer, did not fail to mention during the 7th edition of the GNV Awards.

Held in grand fashion this weekend in Marrakech, the event allowed participants to discover the Ochre City through several excursions, while enjoying the comfort of the Mövenpick Marrakech, a five-star establishment whose stars are well deserved.

The Mediterranean Voyages Trophy

During this ceremony, which annually rewards the most successful partner agencies and welcomes new members into the Elite Partner and Elite Premium programs, the Méditerranée Voyages agency was named the most performing on the French market.

As proof of the importance placed on France, it’s Sète, the main French home port for GNV, that was chosen to host the next edition of the event.

From the port of the Hérault region, the company operates routes to Morocco (Tangier and Nador) as well as to Algeria (Algiers and Bejaïa).

Another eagerly awaited announcement: the opening of sales for summer 2027. It will take place on October 12, with a promotional campaign planned during the first two weeks of sales.

2.2 million passengers in nine months

GNV also took the opportunity to present its results for the first nine months of 2026.

The airline carried around 2.2 million passengers, up 2% compared with the same period of the previous year.

In North Africa, results are up in Algeria, while performances recorded in Morocco and Tunisia remain broadly stable compared with 2025.

Traffic to the Italian islands likewise continues to grow, with an 8% rise in Sicily and 6% in Sardinia. Volumes to the Balearic Islands and Albania remain, for their part, stable.

Four new LNG-powered vessels

The company also signed on Monday a three-year partnership with the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT).

This agreement provides for joint promotional campaigns to support the kingdom’s tourism ambitions, which aim to attract 30 million visitors by 2030.

Finally, GNV unveiled the names of four future ships: GNV Jupiter, GNV Mars, GNV Venus and GNV Mercury.

These LNG-powered units are currently under construction at Guangzhou Shipyard International in China. The first, the GNV Jupiter, is slated to join the fleet by the end of 2027.

The vessel will be able to accommodate up to 2,500 passengers and will feature 500 cabins. It will also offer a freight capacity of 3,500 linear meters.

Published by Laurent Guéna Journalist – TourMaG.com
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DUNE Debuts Longara, a Luxury Red Sea Diving Yacht

August 22, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

DUNE franchit un nouveau cap avec Longara - Photo DUNE

CroisiEurope

After more than thirty years of activity in the diving sector, DUNE continues to raise the bar of its offer.

The Marseille-based company has just launched Longara, a 43-meter yacht designed for diving cruises in the Red Sea.

Starting from the 2026 season, three itineraries will also offer a gastronomic experience conceived with the two-Michelin-starred chef Michel Portos.

The project fits within a broader trend of upscaling sea experiences, where comfort, gastronomy and service become integral components of the journey.

A 43-meter yacht dedicated to diving

Inaugurated in April 2026, Longara constitutes the new showcase for DUNE.

The yacht features 15 cabins and hosts a crew of 13 members, including three chefs and two dive guides.

“With Longara, we want to offer an exceptional experience in the Red Sea: sites among the most spectacular in the world, attentive service and an atmosphere that is both friendly and refined, as well as wellbeing or leisure activities for accompanying guests“, explains Steeve Hans, CEO of DUNE.

The offering is thus aimed at divers, but also at companions who do not necessarily practise this activity. The yacht must provide them with alternative activities, in a shared-stay logic.

A collaboration with Chef Michel Portos

From autumn 2026, DUNE will add a gastronomic dimension to the Longara experience. Chef Michel Portos, a two-star Michelin chef, will design a specific culinary offer for three cruises scheduled between 2026 and 2027.

A passionate scuba diver since his adolescence, the chef will combine this personal experience with cuisine focused on local products and short supply chains. Menus will be prepared using seasonal ingredients, in an eco-responsible approach.

Three departures planned between 2026 and 2027

Three gastronomic cruises guided by Michel Portos are planned aboard Longara :

from November 28 to December 5, 2026;

from December 26, 2026 to January 2, 2027;
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from May 29 to June 5, 2027.

Publié par Amelia Brille Rédactrice TourMaG.com
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