Tag Archives: Airports Company of South Africa

Cape Town faces tough tourism challenges

Cape Town is facing strong tourism competition, and will have to set itself far tougher tourism challenges and to market itself more creatively to be able to meet this competitive challenge, said Cape Town Tourism CEO Mariette du Toit-Helmbold at the tourism member association AGM earlier this week, reports Southern African Tourism Update. 
Innovative marketing, and strong e-marketing and e-commerce platforms are vital to ensure that Cape Town remains an attractive tourist destination, she said.
 
Cape Town Tourism’s new leadership vision for Cape Town for 2020 is to :

” * be recognised as one of the top cities in the world to live, visit, study and invest in
  * double its tourism income
  * use the Fifa World Cup as a springboard to create an economic legacy and unite Capetonians
  * to solve its seasonality problems.”

Marketing investment in public/private partnerships, joint marketing and technology and the Internet are vital, she added
 
Cape Town Tourism’s four priorities are the following:
 
“1) To host a successful Fifa World Cup in 2010: CTT’s actions were aimed at inspiring confidence that Cape Town was ready for the event; excite its citizens with a series of ‘Cape Town: Live it, Love it, Louder!’ campaigns; and inspire ownership of the event. With this in mind, CTT had already launched a Citizens Activation Campaign and a dedicated 2010 website.
2) To realise the long-term promotional legacy of the World Cup: In this regard, CTT developed a dedicated 2010 marketing master plan. Most resources would be spent on in-destination and local marketing initiatives, while focusing on PR and media management in key source markets. A new customer-focused website (www.capetown.travel) and a dedicated 2010 mini website were launched. A Facebook fan page for Cape Town signed up 44 000 members in less than a month from all over the world. CTT also got permission from Fifa for a Cape Town Soccer Brand logo.
3) To position Cape Town as a year-round destination: CTT developed a Cape Town 365 strategy to address seasonality, focusing on events and business tourism.
4) Cape Town at large: This strategy aimed at unlocking the unexplored corners of greater Cape Town to spread the benefits of tourism. CTT, the industry and communities were collaborating to produce a series of new maps, mini guides and information for the website.”
At the AGM the Chairman of Cape Town Tourism, Ian Bartes, raised the issue of the financial independence of Cape Town Tourism, and stated that privatisation could be one way in which the association’s income could be increased, ensuring a reduced dependence on public funding.   The association aims to increase its income from R44 million in 2009 to R66 million by 2013, with a ratio of public to non-public funding of 60:40.  The City of Cape Town’s allocation to the association for the year ending June was R36 million, while Cape Town Tourism itself generated R7 million, less than budgeted.  Cape Town Tourism plans to increase its self-generated revenue to R9 million, and expects the City to increase its allocation to R39 million. 
He said the association’s focus in 2009/10 would be on addressing seasonality in particular:

 “* a commercial business development strategy focusing on retail, use of technology to upgrade the visitor services network, and expansion of a patron partnership programme with the corporate sector.

* Joint marketing agreements with the tourism industry to expand private-sector funding contributions.

* Joint marketing agreements with airlines to stimulate direct travel to Cape Town.
* Greater investment in PR and guest relations.
* Expanding joint marketing plans with Cape Town Routes Unlimited with the focus on 2010, business tourism, major city events, e-business, trade shows and exhibitions.”
 
Three new board members were elected during the AGM.  They are re-elected Chairman Ian Bartes, who is also Manager Service Standards and Quality Assurance at the ACSA (Cape Town). Rashid Toefy, CEO of the Cape Town International Convention Centre,  and Guy Lundy, CEO of Accelerate Cape Town.
Chris von Ulmenstein. Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com

SA not yet ready for 2010 airport-wise

The Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) and SAA have told Parliament that they have a number of concerns about the 2010 World Cup, and their role in its success, reports SA Tourism Update Online.

For ACSA its concerns include planning the movement of soccer fans around South Africa over the month of the World Cup.  It is also concerned about “the lack of co-ordination between land and air transport”.  A further concern is jet fuel supplies, a shortage meaning a “disaster” for the event.  Recently such a shortage was experienced at O.R. Thambo airport.   The airports company is confident that it can cope with the increased number of passengers.

For SAA the concern is also the fuel supply situation.   In addition, it is also concerned about the limited number of aeroplanes, as well as technical problems, as the planes will be fully utilised, with little room for downtime.     Further concerns are insufficient ground handlers at Pilansberg and Bloemfontein airports, and the lack of equipment at Polokwane airport.   According to the report, SAA has a responsibility to MATCH to supply 20 aircraft and crew to transport the 55 000 FIFA officials and media around South Africa, to and from matches.

SAA is not yet selling individual tickets for domestic flights during June/July 2010, only taking block bookings and selling group tickets currently.  The Final Draw takes place in Cape Town on 4 December, and will determine which teams will play at which stadia.   The outcome of the Final Draw will influence the demand for airline tickets.

ACSA stated that the congestion experienced at Cape Town International airport will be relieved in November, when most of the upgrades are completed, while Durban International’s congestion porblems should be relieved in May.

Baggage theft and pilferage, which was prominent at OR Thambo airport, appears to be “minimal” since the airport company changed its baggage handling company.   General security for airports and flights will be covered by a security plan for 2010, with the police and army getting involved.

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