Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* Retailers’ service sucks – we may have thought so – but now it’s official, according to the ‘Retail Shopper Survey 2014′, conducted by Why 5 amongst households with a total income of R10000 or more. More than half of respondents said service is bad; they want shops close by; shopping is a grudge purchase; the majority research offers online; payment by mobile phone would be supported by one-third of shoppers; loyalty programs are highly popular, 96% of shoppers using them; sales do attract shoppers; shoppers want information via catalogues, newsletters, and e-mails, but in-store radio broadcasts are a waste of time; shoppers feel that shopping malls all look the same.
* TripAdvisor has launched a new ‘Just for You‘ service, offering ‘tailor-made’ accommodation recommendations based on past searches on their website as well as preferences. It links with Facebook to gain a better understanding of its customers, to enable better recommendations to be made.
* The Vineyard Hotel has been recognised by the 2014 Travel + Leisure Global Vision Awards for its promotion of sustainability, describing it as a ‘trailblazer‘ and a powerful voice in focusing on sustainability and protecting natural resources, a ‘beacon of energy-efficient hospitality’. It is the only South African award-winner.
* Famous Brands has posted a profit increase of 18%, which it attributes to its Tasha’s, Vovo Telo, and Turn ‘n Tender restaurants doing well, at the expense of its lower-income-customer outlets Wimpy and Fishaways. The results show that ‘mainstream middle-income South Africans are stressed, but for the people at the top end there’s no stopping them spending‘, said its Chief Executive Kevin Hedderwick. Competitors Spur Corporation and Taste Holdings, with their brands Captain DoRegos and Fish & Chip Co in particular, are also feeling the pinch. By the end of the year the group will have a total of 2500 outlets locally and internationally.
* Kamers Stellenbosch will be held at Webersburg from 4 – 9 November, with a fusion of 220 crafters, designers, and food and beverage artisanal pop-up stands. Entrance R75 at gate.
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Tel (021) 433-2100, Twitter:@WhaleCottage Facebook: click here
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