Tag Archives: Car rental

J&B Met has millions riding on it for Cape Town!

The J&B Met has become one of the largest events to be held in Cape Town, probably second to the Argus Cycle Tour, in attracting 50 000 spectators and in generating income of R20 million for the fashion industry alone, with further income benefits to the Mother City of expenditure on accommodation, restaurants, car rental, and shopping. 

Taking place at Kenilworth Racecourse today, the J&B Met is THE society event of the year in Cape Town, and is all about style, glamour and fashion.   It showcases the best fashion design in the country.   The theme this year is “In Full Colour”, allowing fashionistas to express their creativity on a perfect Cape Town summer’s day.

The J&B Met is branded in 400 shops around the country, even in Durban and Gauteng, to gain marketing mileage for J&B.   Fashions than can be worn to the Met are on display in the shop windows. 

Sixteen horses will gallop to the finish line, competing for the R 2,5 million prize money.   The J&B Most Elegant couple will also be selected.

More information can be obtained from www.jbmet.co.za 

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

Argus Cycle Tour adds a spin to Cape Town economy

The Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour generates a significant revenue for Cape Town and its surrounding towns and villages, whilst also raising funds for charity.   The Cycle Race this year is expected to generate R 400 million in accommodation, restaurant, petrol, car rental, shopping, and cycling accessory expenditure over the three day period of 12 – 15 March.

The recession has made itself felt with somewhat fewer entries from other provinces, say the Race organisers, reports the Cape Argus.   International entries are still open, and come in much closer to the time of the race.  

The 109 km race on 14 March will see 35 000 cyclists ride around the Cape Peninsula.  It is the largest individually timed cycle race in the world.  The Race is organised by the Rotary Club of Claremont and the Cycle Tour Trust.   Last year R 2,5 million of the proceeds went to charities, while a further R 2,5 million went to organisations supporting the development of cycling as a sport. 

The Race starts at 6h30 at Hertzog Boulevard, goes via Newlands, Wynberg, Lakeside, Simon’s Town, Noordhoek, via Chapman’s Peak to Hout Bay, Camps Bay, Sea Point, and finishes in Green Point outside the new Cape Town Stadium.   The cyclists drink 50 000 litres of Powerade, 160 000 litres of Coca Cola, 100 000 liters of water and 50 000 kg of ice during the race.

A week before the Cycle Tour, the Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Mountain Bike Challenge will be held on 6 and 7 March at Boschendal.

Post-script 6 February

Lance Armstrong has announced via Twitter that he will be riding in the Argus Cycle Tour.  The organisers have welcomed his participation: “He is cycling’s superstar and has done more for the global growth of the sport than any rider in history”. 

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

Cape Town International new Departures opens today

The new Departures Terminal at Cape Town International opens today, reports Southern African Tourism Update.

Built at a cost of R 1,6 billion, the 200 meter-long terminal will have a common check-in area for departing domestic and international passengers, with 120 check-in and 20 self-service check-in desks.  Security screening is centralised, and 5 new airbridges have been built, of which 2 will be operational from today.   A R 103 million automatic baggage sorting system has been built, and 30 shops and restaurants will cater for passengers’ needs.

The Airports Company has been testing the new building and its equipment, and mock passengers as well as airline company staff have checked their systems and processes.   Information booklets will be handed out to passengers from today onwards, to help orientate them.   Passengers have been requested to arrive at the airport half an hour earlier, to allow for the new Departures terminal.

The second parkade, with an additional 4 000 parking bays, will open in phases from December onwards.   A new consolidated car-rental facility will open in February, and in March the road upgrade is expected to be completed.

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

2010 World Cup: cash in or lose out?

2010 World Cup soccer fans coming to South Africa next year will be the target of overpricing of car rental, hotel accommodation and air transport, according to a number of travel industry players interviewed by Travel News Weekly.

Tour operators and travel agents complain about the “2010 rip-off”, and many have been quoted double the normal accommodation rate by hotels.  Showing their greedy side, the hotels are also cutting the commission percentage they are offering agents, given that they expect to be fully booked.   “It is great for those making the money, but in the long run, it is going to reflect badly on South Africa.” said an agent.  Others have decided to not be part of the ‘rip-off brigade’, and Dorienne Levitt of African Stay said as follows: “I have decided to not be part of that and am only dealing with providers who offer reasonable prices.  I will try my hardest not to use vendors who are acting without integrity, during 2010 and thereafter”.    In addition the conditions set by hotels with minimum stays of 8 – 30 days are too stringent, agents say.   Protea Hotels has contracted 80 % of its rooms to MATCH, at prices ranging between R 950 – R 4 500 per room. 

The Travel News Weekly article also quotes Brett Dungan, the national CEO of FEDHASA, as saying that his organisation would not “associate with nor support hotels that were not affiliated to MATCH and were “ripping off” clients.  The reason why we have been working so closely with MATCH is to eradicate the issue of price gouging”.  But it is MATCH that is ripping soccer fans off, by adding 30 % commission on all its contracted accommodation rates!

Transport costs too have soared, with car rental prices doubling from the already high 2009 Confederations Cup rates levels.  Avis says it will increase its rates by 15 – 20 %, justifying this on the basis of “the expected demand and additional work required”!

Airfares for 2010 too are a rip-off, for both incoming and outgoing flights, and for domestic travel, that is if any tickets can be found to be available.  Most airlines have not released their seats for the World Cup period.    Domestic flight tickets are likely to cost double the normal fare, reports the Weekend Argus, at about R 3 800 for a return airfare between Johannesburg and Cape Town on SAA, and at R 5 300 on BA/Comair.   International flight prices are set to triple, the airlines milking a money-making opportunity after many years of tough trading.  

Coach companies too have imposed “crippling conditions”, agents say.

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