Tag Archives: Chinese tourists

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 15 January

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   Every day the world’s airlines fly 8 million passengers around the world, a total of 3,1 billion in 2013, breaking through the 3 million passenger mark for the first time.  More than 50 million tonnes of cargo is transported annually, and the airline industry’s direct global economic contribution is $540 billion.

*   South African wines will be represented at the Wine Buyers Forum Windsor 2014, at which buyers with a buying power of $2,2 million each will attend on 10 and 11 March.

*   The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports that passenger numbers stabilised in November 2013, relative to the same month a year prior, with a growth of only 4%.   The Middle East had the highest growth rate at 10%, while Africa saw a decline Continue reading →

Wine estates should embrace Chinese tourists, to benefit wine tourism!

GWCGN Vergelegen Sharon Hosking AndreYesterday was the second time that I had the privilege to attend the Best of Wine Tourism Awards, the 2014 awards presented to the winning wine estates at Vergelegen’s Stables restaurant.  The wine estate representatives were advised to not neglect the booming Chinese tourism generally, as well as wine tourism market specifically.

Cape Town/Winelands is one of ten members of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, and within each of these geographic regions the wine estates compete for the honour to be named the best in the category.  Winners for 2014 were awarded as follows: Wine Tourism Restaurant (won by Camphors at Vergelegen), Art & Culture (Vergelegen), Accommodation (Babylonstoren), Architecture and Landscapes (Babylonstoren), Wine Tourism Services (Delaire Graff), Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices (La Motte), and Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences (Spice Route).  Vergelegen was named the overall South African winner for 2014, with two first places and four second places out of the seven awards (it did not enter the Accommodation category, not offering any).

I was lucky to sit next to Bradley Brouwer, SA Tourism Regional Manager GWCGN Vergelegen Bradley Brouwer Whale Cottage Portfoliofor Asia Pacific, who was the keynote speaker, especially as I had missed his talk, driving through from a function at Jordan Wines at that time. Bradley is very entertaining, and shared that he was first appointed to head up the Japanese SA Tourism office eight years ago. and on arriving at his hotel and offering a generous tip, the taxi driver threw the money back at him, the hotel explaining to him that is regarded as an insult to be given a tip, as the Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 14/15 September

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   Cape Town has been selected to be on the route for the Volvo Oceans Race 2014/2015, which means that all five continents will be included in the race.

*   Distell owns 99% of the cider market in South Africa with its Savanna and Hunter’s brands.

*   Chinese tourists are spending less, a more middle class Chinese tourist focusing on practical purchases rather than on luxury top-end products.

*   While it benefits Franschhoek, this Australian travel article gets the food focus of Cape Town very wrong, referring to ‘5 star restaurants’!  But it does focus Australians on our Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 26 July

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   Agricultural Tourism is a new opportunity for our country, reports Southern African Tourism Update, offering a learning opportunity for international farmers, according to Margi Biggs, MD at Specialized Tours & Events, Marius Botha, Owner at Guttera Tours, and Eugene Booysen, MD of Cape AgriTours. Farmers from other countries want to learn about new farming products, to network,  and to meet farmers to learn about techniques, to apply in their home countries.  The top source markets for agricultural tours include the UK, Germany, Brazil, France, Austria, India, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Canada, Ukraine, Chile, and the USA.

*   Champagne sales are bubbling in the UK, reports Decanter, almost doubling.   Best sellers include  Dom Perignon 2004, Taittinger 2002 and 2004 and Pol Roger Winston Churchill 2000.

*   South Africa has 14 million internet users, representing 39% of adults, according to research conducted by Digital Media & Marketing Association. Continue reading →