Matsatsi Ramawela | WhaleTales Blog by Chris von Ulmenstein

Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

* Growth in South Africa’s tourism industry is affected negatively by reduced government expenditure, slow visa approvals, crime perceptions, infrastructural restrictions, language barriers, and poor domestic tourism, said SA Tourism CEO Thulani Nzima at the South African Travel and Tourism Summit.

* A massive storm has affected air, train and ferry travel in the United Kingdom. More than 130 flights have been cancelled at Heathrow alone.

* A Climate Experience Centre is to be built in the V&A Waterfront next year, for usage from 2015, Princess Astrid of Belgium announced in Cape Town on Friday. It will be the first centre of its kind in the world, allowing visitors to learn about the effect of climate change via virtual reality technology. The royal party also visited Almenkerk Wine Estate in Elgin last week.

* Car rental rates could increase by 10% due to the introduction of e- Continue reading →

Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

* Auslese Summer Sessions will pair tapas dishes created by Aubergine owner Chef Harald Bresselschmidt, fine wines, and good jazz every second Thursday evening, from 21 November onwards. (received from Auslese via e-mail)

* The 325th anniversary of the arrival of the French Huguenots was celebrated with a special concert, ranging from classical music to cabaret, last night at the Endler Hall. (received from the University of Stellenbosch via e-mail)

* Tour operator ‘Great Safaris’ has launched a ‘South African Culinary Treasures Journey’ 7 day tour of the Winelands and Cape Town, which includes learning about wine blending, food and wine pairing, bread baking, and a cooking class ‘in Cape Malay‘!

* The South African Pinotage restaurant is opening in Beijing.

* Scandinavia, Russia and the United Kingdom could become the main vine growing regions in Europe by 2050.

* ‘Franschhoek Uncorked’, the annual event in which the Continue reading →