Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* Red Savannah Gourmet South Africa has prepared an 8 day gourmet wine and dine package for American visitors to the Cape. The tour includes a visit to Babylonstoren, where they stay over, and go on a tour of the vegetable garden, and do wine, cheese, olive, and chocolate tastings in the area. In Cape Town they learn Cape Malay food preparation, and spend time with top chefs Luke Dale-Roberts and Bruce Robertson.
* A tough year lies ahead for airlines, which have seen capacity increase, and reduced numbers of locals flying domestically, due to the airline rate increases driven by the weak Rand and fuel prices, says Comair CEO Erik Venter.
* Wine blogs help create brand awareness and pack recognition, but their direct effect on sales cannot be measured, as is the case with any media coverage. However, mentions of a wine brand on JancisRobinson.com, Vinography.com, BiggerthanyourHead.net, Terroirist.com, and even 1WineDude.com can show an immediate impact on wine sales.
* The 24th anniversary of the release of the late Nelson Mandela from the former Victor Verster prison outside Paarl will be commemorated with an Anglo-Zulu war exhibition at The Castle, which opened yesterday. Zulu King Cetshwayo kaMpande was imprisoned at The Castle in 1879, reports The New Age. The Castle CEO Calvyn Gilfellan says that the exhibition will be one of a number of educational and cultural exhibitions which The Castle has planned to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our country’s democracy, and the role of Cape Town hosting the World Design Capital 2014.
* American travellers check TripAdvisor before they book accommodation (77%), a restaurant (50%), or a tourist attraction (44%).
* Airplanes flying to and from Australia offer between 43 – 48 cm economy class seat width, Singapore Airlines offering the widest seats, followed by Virgin, Emirates, Etihad, and then Qantas.
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage
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