Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   Growth in South Africa’s tourism industry is affected negatively by reduced government expenditure, slow visa approvals, crime perceptions, infrastructural restrictions, language barriers, and poor domestic tourism, said SA Tourism CEO Thulani Nzima at the South African Travel and Tourism Summit.

*   A massive storm has affected air, train and ferry travel in the United Kingdom.  More than 130 flights have been cancelled at Heathrow alone.

*   A Climate Experience Centre is to be built in the V&A Waterfront next year, for usage from 2015, Princess Astrid of Belgium announced in Cape Town on Friday.   It will be the first centre of its kind in the world, allowing visitors to learn about the effect of climate change via virtual reality technology.   The royal party also visited Almenkerk Wine Estate in Elgin last week.

*   Car rental rates could increase by 10% due to the introduction of e-tolls in Gauteng.  Car rental companies are registering their entire fleets, and will charge their clients afterwards, leading to higher deposits being requited by these companies as a result.

*   The top end of the hotel market is over-traded, while capacity exists at 2 and 3 star level, says the CEO of the Tourism Business Council Matšatši Ramawela.  She also addressed the ‘arrogance’ of the local accommodation industry in not wanting to deal with investors from other African countries, a problem for our country as Africa is showing high tourism growth and interest.

*   Gillian Saunders of Grant Thornton SA highlighted a number of tourism strengths of South Africa, including environmental sustainability, natural resources, airport infrastructure, and attitude to tourists.  Ranking 64th out of 140 countries on the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitive Index, it is the country’s poor reputation on safety and security (crime and vehicle accidents), government budget allocation, and ground transportation infrastructure that negatively affects the country’s ranking.   Switzerland is ranked number one on the Index.

*   Ouch: The New York Times Travel recommends ‘Durban instead of Cape Town‘!

*   Lawrie MacIntosh, a director of Constantia Uitsig, denies that the wine estate has been sold. He did indicate that there would be changes made should there be no sale!

*   Despite being called the Gateway to Africa, South Africa’s airport hub OR Thambo does not yet offer enough connections into Africa, some delegates said at the South African Travel and Tourism Summit.

*   Spier is launching a Movie night with movie and picnic at R300 for two, on 16 November, screening ‘Like Water for Chocolate‘.  The picnic basket will contain food items from the movie as well as a bottle of Spier wine. (received via e-mail from Spier)

*   Shoprite, Pick ‘n Pay and Edgars were voted by South Africans to be their three favourite retailers, in The Times Sowetan 2013 Retail Awards.  Woolworths only made it into 6th place!   Top three liquor stores are Tops at Spar, Pick ‘n Pay and Liquor Shop.  The V&A Waterfront (despite construction interruptions), Canal Walk, and Cavendish Square are the favourite Western Cape shopping malls. Shoprite, Pick ‘n Pay and Spar are the favourite supermarkets/hypermarkets.   Woolworths only made the top 3 in the women’s clothing, children’s and baby clothing, home accessories and decor, and men’s clothing stores. (via The Times)

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