Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   Passengers want comfort when flying, and are prepared to pay more to secure this comfort on long haul flights.

*   Wilhelm Pienaar, Nederburg winemaker, led a tasting of the 56Hundred range at the residence of the South African High Commissioner to Kenya last week, oddly with entertainment by dancers from Botswana!

*   Kfm’s Breakfast Show with Ryan O’Connor and his team is broadcasting from The Rubens at The Palace Hotel in London, sister hotel to the Twelve Apostles, The Oyster Box, and Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve,  all belonging to the Red Carnation group,  until Wednesday. (received via FIVE STAR PR)

*   The Beachhouse Red 2010 is the only South African wine in the ‘Wine Pick of the Week‘ in the Vancouver Sun.

*   South African born but London-based Chef Petrus Madutlela is a member of the WORLDCHEFS Dream Team, participating in the Dubai World Hospitality Championship.

*   Kokkedoor judge Nic van Wyk and Season 1 contestant Toitnette du Toit are popping up in Hermanus from 6 – 8 December at Harbour House Hotel. The cost of the 5 course meal, including wine and a gift pack, is R300. (Received via media release from Errieda du Toit PR)

*   The UK has improved on perceptions of how welcoming it is since the 2012 Olympic Games, reaching the Top 10 of welcoming countries for the first time.

*   Marriott International is involving its guests to ‘co-create’ the hotel room of the future.

*   Southern Right has changed to more environmentally friendly 6-bottle kraft packing for its wines. (received via e-mail from Hamilton Russell Vineyards)

*   The Grand Café Camps Bay is hosting a Macallen whiskey and food pairing on 4 December, at R395. (received via e-mail from The Grand)

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com  Twitter: @WhaleCottage