Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* The reports that Emirates flights between Johannesburg and Dubai will be ‘grounded‘ are untrue, says the Department of Transport. The Department had demanded that an UAE official meet with the Department by yesterday, it was reported. The DA has threatened to call for the resignation for the Minister of Transport should the Emirates flights to our country be cancelled as a protection measure for SAA. The Department said that it is meeting with officials regarding the introduction of the 4th daily flight. The Department spokesperson said: ‘There is no need for travel agents or passengers to panic. We have no intention to disrupt the service’.
* Fuel surcharges and ticket prices are not likely to decrease in our country greatly, despite the big drop in the oil price to below $80 a barrel, and the first decline in jet fuel prices since 2008. It appears that the exchange rate is partly to blame; it is a way for airlines to avoid paying higher commissions on bookings made by agents; and it is influenced by airlines’ fuel hedging strategy.
* Cape Town is likely to lose tourism income of around R 100 million as a result of the Loeries Awards moving to Durban next year, being closer to Johannesburg and warmer in winter, reports the Cape Times today. The advertising awards event will be held from 10 – 16 August in the Durban International Conference Centre.
* Western Cape Tourism Minister Alan Winde will be awarding certificates to 29 young professional chefs, who qualified after a training and 18 month internship programme, funded by the province’s Artisan Development Programme. (received via media release from Minister Winde’s office)
* Vergelegen winemaker Andre van Rensburg is to make a tongue-in-cheek NTS (Not the Swartland) blended wine, with Cabernet Sauvignon,Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, to be sold exclusively at High Timber restaurant in London, run by South African Neleen Strauss, and co-owner with Gary Jordan. The launch of the NTS wine is to turn attention back to Stellenbosch, Jordan said. He added: ‘The Swartland thing is a fad, and long may it last, but South Africa’s classic regions shouldn’t be forgotten about. I think some producers in Stellenbosch are a bit jealous of the attention the Swartland is receiving, but what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. We’re all in the same game and we need to promote South Africa together’. He added: ‘Stellenbosch is finally waking up to regionality and producers are realising that you don’t need to add a jam jar of acid and whack everything with new oak in order to make good wine’.
* The restaurants in Franschhoek and Stellenbosch which support StreetSmart SA have handed over R220000 in monies collected in the past year, which will be used to support the Kusasa Project in Franschhoek, as well as the Home from Home charity project in Stellenbosch. Participating restaurants add R5 to each bill, which goes to StreetSmart SA. A total of just more than R 1 million was raised nationally in restaurants this year. (received via media release from GC Communications)
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Tel (021) 433-2100, Twitter:@WhaleCottage Facebook: click here
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