Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* The 6% decline in international Tourist arrivals in the first quarter of this year is the biggest since our country became a democracy 21 years ago, writes the Financial Times. Ebola is partly to blame, but the new visa rules are the main reason, requiring personal biometric evaluation in India, China, and Russia, and unabridged birth Continue reading →
Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* Cape Town Film Studios is likely to expand to meet demand for its facilities for the increasing use of Cape Town as a location for movies and TV commercials. It is working at full capacity, and has had to reject 32 productions in the past year due to capacity restraints. Two new studios are planned to be ready by next year, and to double its capacity by 2017. Not only the location beauty, but also the wardrobe and set building services offered in Cape Town are highly regarded. The Western Cape film industry was worth R 5 billion, and more than 7000 film permits were requested in the past year.
* Tough new packaging and marketing guidelines protecting children under 18 years are being considered by the Department of Health for marketing ‘unhealthy foodstuffs to children‘, including those which are high in sugar, fat, and salt, and ‘nutrient poor food and/or non-alcoholic beverage‘. Advertising, promotions, and TV sponsorships for unhealthy foodstuffs aimed at children will be prohibited, as will be the use of cartoon characters, celebrities, puppets, and computer animation in their marketing of foodstuffs to children.
* The 40th Nederburg Auction yesterday generated R7 million is sales. The Nederburg Auction website has not yet been updated to reflect this result. (seen via Twitter)
* Department of Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba announced on Friday (less than 3 weeks prior to implementation) that a task Continue reading →
Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* Travelers have barely heard of ‘sharing’ services such as Uber and Airbnb, and they are not yet a threat to established accommodation and taxi services, a Travel Weekly Consumer Trends survey has found. More than two-thirds of the respondents had not heard of the services, and only 8% had used them. The target age group of sharing services appears to be the 18 – 23 year olds, highest users of these services.
* Western Cape Minister of Tourism Alan Winde has announced the new members of the Board of the tourism, investment, and trade agency Wesgro: Professor Brian Figaji (previously of Pentech) is the new Chairman, while other Board members are Paul Continue reading →
Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* Western Cape Tourism, Economic Opportunities, and Agriculture Minister Alan Winde has congratulated two local businesses, Blue Africa Trading and Munch Bowls, which won SIAL Innovation Awards in Shanghai recently, for highlighting the local food industry and for being ‘brand’ ambassadors. The Western Cape food industry employs 50000 staff and is worth R19 billion, the Minister said. Blue Africa Trading designed a tea box which is round, with a slot at the back to enable it to be hung, while Munch Bowls was recognised for its eco-friendly edible crisp wheat bowls. A number of local food companies attended the Asian exhibition. (received via media release from Minister Winde’s office)
* The City of Cape Town is welcoming public comment until 22 August for its draft scoping report on the financial viability of the Cape Town Stadium, including plans to add sports bars, shops, offices, and clubs.
* The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa has come up with a clever way of celebrating Women’s Month in August, by offering a Pink Tea in collaboration with Pongrácz. The Rosé MCC will be served on arrival, whereafter pink-themed treats will be served, Continue reading →