Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*  While two-thirds of large corporates are involved in Social Media in the USA, only 10% report benefiting from it, using it mainly as a means of marketing their brands to their consumers.

The first international Arctic Circle conference will be held in Reykjavik from Saturday until Monday to discuss climate change, shipping lanes, and economic development.

*   The Association for Airline Passenger Rights is hosting its first conference on Air Travel Accessibility later this year, to focus on ways in which the travel by aeroplane by special needs passengers, including ‘Wounded Warriors, passengers with disabilities, passengers of size and senior citizens needing assistance‘ can be improved.

*   Travel service suppliers such as airlines are under fire in the UK for charging excessive fees for paying with their credit cards, 2% extra being the maximum charge but in reality far more than this is charged.

*   The DA has admitted to erecting the e-tolling billboards: ‘E-tolls. Proudly brought to you by the ANC’  in Gauteng last week.

*   Heathrow and Gatwick are due to increase their airport taxes for the next five years, from next year, to a huge outcryby the airlines!

*   Africa is the only continent to have seen a reduction in growth of its airline load factor, says IATA (International Air Transport Association).

*   MasterChef SA Season 2 has been nominated for an Emmy Award in the Non-Scripted Entertainment category!

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