Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* Etihad Airways has bought a 49% share in Alitalia. The investment will benefit Alitalia as follows: ‘The recapitalized Italian national airline will now be able to invest in a comprehensive strategic business plan which will see new long-haul routes from Rome and Milan, a revitalized brand, and a greater focus on Italian tourism and trade promotion’.
* The award-winning winemaking team of Andrea and Chris Mullineux, of 2014 Platter’s Winery of the Year Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, now has access to the Roundstone wine farm inRiebeek-Kasteel, on which they will plant new vines (with viticulturist Rosa Kruger) as well as make their own wines in the cellar already on the farm, reports wine writer Tim James.
* A recent meeting between the Ministers of Tourism and Home Affairs gained little benefit for international tourists, says the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, with little leeway on the two major obstacles to tourism contained therein: the biometric data required for visas, and the unabridged birth certificates required for children.
* Russia’s proposed ban on imported European wines and fresh produce, in retaliation for sanctions imposed upon Russia for its annexation of Crimea, is positive for the Crimean wine industry, but will be a severe knock for EU countries. Italy and France would be worst-hit, in providing 35% of Russia’s imports of European wines. While wines have not yet specifically been included in the ban on European imports, the decision will be made on 20 August. Australia, Canada, and Norway are expected to be affected too if the ban is imposed, and Scottish whisky may suffer the same fate.
* The 12th Annual Nelson Mandela Lecture was hosted by the City of Cape Town, and held in the City Hall on Women’ Day, the second time that it has been held in Cape Town. It was addressed by Dr Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile, who spoke to ‘Building social cohesion through active citizenship’.
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: WhaleCottage
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