Tag Archives: immigration regulations

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 14 April

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom has acknowledged that visitor numbers from China have dropped dramatically in the second half of last year, by close to 25%, and attributes this to the new Immigration regulations but to Ebola as well.

*   Highly acclaimed UK wine journalist Jancis Robinson has expressed her concern about the supply of grapes for the ‘Young Gun‘ winemakers, most not owning their own land. In addition, the suppliers of their grapes Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 31 March

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   British travelers can experience a virtual taste of Cape Town and other South African highlights whilst in Manchester(NoHo) and in London (Corbet Place), with a special film about our city on the virtual reality headset Oculus Rift.  Abseiling down Table Mountain, shark-cage diving, paragliding, kite-surfing, feeding elephants, and visiting the Johannesburg Neighbourgoods Market are featured. Two viewers will win tickets to travel to South Africa, to experience our country’s beauty in reality.

*   For the first time Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom has admitted that the Immigration Regulations, which were Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 20 February

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   Bad news for tourists is that SA National Parks is closing Chapman’s Peak every Wednesday, from 25 February from 9h00 – 16h00, for a month, to clear alien vegetation! (received via Twitter from the Western Cape Government).

*   The Noordhoek Crush is a child-friendly wine event taking place at Noordhoek Farm Village on 28 March. Entrance is free and a ‘tasting passport’ costs R75. Eighty wines from 18 wine estates will be available to taste. The Noordhoek Farm Village restaurants will be open, with pop-up stalls added too. Live music. (received via e-mail from Siris Vintners)

*   Durban is increasingly becoming a tourism threat to Cape Town, having seen particular growth from the USA, representing 15% of its tourists, its largest source market.  This results from a workshop road show held in Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 3 February

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   The Tourism Business Council of South Africa FNB Tourism Business Index reflects that the tourism industry is improving, with a score of 108 for the last quarter of 2014. A score of 100 is the norm.  The Accommodation sector did even better, with an Index of 113, despite the impact of Ebola, and the Immigration Regulation changes introduced late last year.  ‘Other Tourism‘ (e.g. transport, food and beverage) scored 104, lower than had been forecast for the quarter.  The exchange rate has played a role in the improving Index.  For the first quarter of this year an average Index of about 102 is expected.

*   The Cape Winelands is experiencing its earliest harvest in 49 years, having started very early in the new year, almost a month earlier than last year.  VinPro explains that three perfect winters with enough cold and sufficient rain, combined with an unusually warmer August, has led to the earlier harvest.  A smaller harvest is expected this year, but is expected to be of a good quality.  Winemakers are facing a challenge in their cellars in that many cultivars are ripening almost at the same time.

*   Cycling in Cape Town is one of the best ways to see our city, writes the Los Angeles Times, describing Continue reading →