Tag Archives: immigration regulations

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

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   International airline traffic in November 2014 grew by 3,6% on the year prior, the same level of growth as in October.   Travel within Europe grew at a somewhat faster rate, especially to Asian countries.

*   The International Monetary Fund has downscaled its forecast for the growth of our country’s economy this year to 2,1%, mainly due to strikes,  weak demand,  and electricity loadshedding. The growth projection for next year has been downscaled from 2,8 to 2,5%.

*   Statistics South Africa  has not issued tourism arrival figures since March 2014, awaiting data from the Continue reading →

Film industry reaches Immigration Regulation agreement with Department of Home Affairs!

Film industryThe film industry has negotiated  a special outcome with the Department of Home Affairs to ensure that its recent new Immigration Regulations do not affect the lucrative local film industry.

The agreement reached with the Department of Home Affairs by the Commercial Producers Association, the South African Association of Stills Producers, and the National Association of Model Agencies will make it easier for international film clients to bring business to our country.

Wesgro’s Head of Film Promotion Monika Rorvik commented that the agreement caters for two types of film travelers:  ‘the Continue reading →

Immigration Regulations become political Tourism hot potato, could become a recession tipping point!

Cape Town Stadium and Table MountainThe DA-run Western Cape government appears to becoming embroiled in a political battle with the ANC government about the Immigration Regulations.  Earlier this week the Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba demonstrated his arrogance when he was called to appear before a Western Cape Provincial Parliament’s Economic Opportunities, Tourism and Agriculture Standing Committee.

After having failed to appear before the Standing Committee in September, Minister Gigaba was sent a summons to appear earlier this week.  The Minister dismissed the Standing Committee’s request to delay the implementation of the Immigration Regulations, particularly the requirement that tourists have to apply for the visa in person, saying that he had not been given any Continue reading →

Cape Town Tourism celebrates 10th anniversary with colourful, fun, and festive AGM!

CapeTownTourism AGM Cake Whale CottageLast night Cape Town Tourism held what many say is the best AGM ever, with a dynamic and funny keynote speaker Vusi Thembekwayo, and a very entertaining Anton Groenewald from the City of Cape Town  Tourism, Events, and Marketing Directorate, being the highlight of the event held at the Tsogo Sun Cape Sun, which celebrated the 10th anniversary of Cape Town Tourism since its re-invention in 2004.

I arrived late, returning from Franschhoek, as Groenewald was speaking.  He kindly gave me his notes, for use for writing this blogpost.  His Mayoral Committee member for Tourism, Events, and Marketing, Councillor Garreth Bloor, was present, and many a joke was at his expense.  Groenewald started his talk by reflecting on the past three years in which he has headed up theCapeTownTourism AGM Anton Groenewald Whale Cottage Tourism Directorate of the City, and has spent R1,5 billion.  He confirmed the three-year agreement signed with Cape Town Tourism, which came with a promise of R120 million over the next three years.   Reflecting on the successes of the past year, Groenewald presented its highlights as being World Travel Market Africa, a collaboration with Thebe Reed, which attracted 4500 trade visitors and 220 media, and for which the city has signed for another two Continue reading →