Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* Hotel star ratings are becoming increasing irrelevant, in that they do not reflect travellers’ needs any more. The lack of a consistent international definition of the star categories is largely to blame, as recommendations seen on Social Media as well as online reviews influence what accommodation is booked and at what price. Location, type of trip, features such as wifi and parking, value for money, and reviews are the factors influencing the choice of establishment.
* The Good Food & Wine Show will be bugged at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on 31 May, when the Pop-Up Rentokil Pestaurant is set up for the day, serving a host of edible insects! Tasty treats to be served are cricket crostini, crispy mealworms, roasted locust canapés, chocolate covered ants, and scorpion lollipops! Pestaurants will be setting up world-wide (in London, for example) on 4 June, but the Cape Town event has been brought forward to tie in with the Show. Insects are high in protein, Vitamin B, iron, and zinc. (received via media release from Affinity Strategic Communication)
* Diners Club SA has received an award from its global head office for Best Integrated Marketing Campaign in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, for its 2013 Winemaker of the Year campaign, an annual highlight of the wine industry. (received via media release from African Sky Communications)
* The Zingara Group has been awarded the tender by the City of Cape Town to operate the Company’s Garden Restaurant, which it will name Haarlem & Hope. (received via media release from the Zingara Group)
* The FNB Whisky Live Showroom will be held in Cape Town at the Southern Sun Cape Sun from 19 – 21 June. Tickets cost R150 – R170. (received via media release from Tribeca Public Relations)
* Interesting is the announced ‘strike’ by the black taxis of London on 11 June, by ‘gridlocking’ the city’s roads, in protest against the new Uber app, which offers a driver service at a far lower cost than taxis. The taxi association is protesting against the lesser regulations applied to Uber! Uber operates in 100 countries, including South Africa. Payment is made in advance by credit card.
* Blaauwklippen is showing the American wine cult film ‘Sideways’ on Friday 23 May at 18h00, at a cost of R50 which includes popcorn and a glass of wine. (received from Blaauwklippen via Facebook)
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage
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