Tag Archives: OR Thambo airport

SA not yet ready for 2010 airport-wise

The Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) and SAA have told Parliament that they have a number of concerns about the 2010 World Cup, and their role in its success, reports SA Tourism Update Online.

For ACSA its concerns include planning the movement of soccer fans around South Africa over the month of the World Cup.  It is also concerned about “the lack of co-ordination between land and air transport”.  A further concern is jet fuel supplies, a shortage meaning a “disaster” for the event.  Recently such a shortage was experienced at O.R. Thambo airport.   The airports company is confident that it can cope with the increased number of passengers.

For SAA the concern is also the fuel supply situation.   In addition, it is also concerned about the limited number of aeroplanes, as well as technical problems, as the planes will be fully utilised, with little room for downtime.     Further concerns are insufficient ground handlers at Pilansberg and Bloemfontein airports, and the lack of equipment at Polokwane airport.   According to the report, SAA has a responsibility to MATCH to supply 20 aircraft and crew to transport the 55 000 FIFA officials and media around South Africa, to and from matches.

SAA is not yet selling individual tickets for domestic flights during June/July 2010, only taking block bookings and selling group tickets currently.  The Final Draw takes place in Cape Town on 4 December, and will determine which teams will play at which stadia.   The outcome of the Final Draw will influence the demand for airline tickets.

ACSA stated that the congestion experienced at Cape Town International airport will be relieved in November, when most of the upgrades are completed, while Durban International’s congestion porblems should be relieved in May.

Baggage theft and pilferage, which was prominent at OR Thambo airport, appears to be “minimal” since the airport company changed its baggage handling company.   General security for airports and flights will be covered by a security plan for 2010, with the police and army getting involved.

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com

Vida warms up London

Vida e Caffe is set to open its first two London stores, its magazine Obrigado reports.  

The hotshot coffee shop with a Portugese touch and distinctive red branding, has spread in major cities, and has branches in Stellenbosch, Sea Point, Willowbridge, Camps Bay, Somerset Mall, Cavendish, Claremont, the V & A Waterfront, Canal Walk, Kloof Street, Green Point, Bayside, Green Market, Black River Park, Constantia and Collosseum.    In Johannesburg the seven branches are located in Sandton, OR Thambo airport, Greenside, Rosebank, Hyde Park, Parktown North, Bedford Square and Commissioner Street.   Knysna and Bloemfontein each have a Vida, while there are three in Durban.

A joint venture is also on the cards between a Vida e Caffe and Nando’s Peri Deli in Rivonia.

Credit crunch creates capital

The global economic crisis may not be such a bad thing for South African tourism after all, given its effect on the Rand exchange rates, and resultant greater affordability as a destination for international tourists.  Domestic tourism too should benefit from the exchange rate volatility, in that locals may switch to local holidays over the festive season, instead of going overseas.

The outlook for 2009 and 2010 is favourable, given the Confederations Cup and British Lions Tour taking place in winter 2009, and the soccer World Cup taking place in winter 2010.  Winter traditionally is a very low income period for the Western Cape in particular.

The past week has seen the US dollar exceed R 10, its weakest ever,  and exchange rates of R 18 to the pound sterling and R 14 to the Euro.   It is the dollar exchange rate volatility that may cost the country a petrol price decrease next month, and also may see an interest rate increase instead of the hoped-for decrease.

The tourism industry appears to be optimistic to date about the effect of the international credit crunch.   Tourism Business Africa quotes Joop Demes of Pam Golding Hospitality as saying that the hotel market grew by 19% in the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year.  Growth is in Gauteng, and particlurly for hotels at OR Thambo airport in Johannesburg.   Revenue per available room has increased by 16 %, and by 19 % for 5-star hotels, and by 25% in Johannesburg.  Demes says that about three-quarters of the country’s 57 000 hotel rooms are booked by locals, driven in particular by the MICE market of conferences and meetings, as well as budget holidays.  

Travel agents are seeing a switch to domestic products. Their international clients are booking accommodation inclusive of meals, as a result of the exchange rate weakening, and are paying more promptly, to avoid further price increases, reports Travel News Weekly.

The credit crunch is also driving locals to game reserves, instead of overseas, says FEDHASA KwaZulu-Natal, as well as to beach hotels in the province.

Southern Sun Hotels is confidently predicting that 2009 will be busier than 2010, not only because of the Confederations Cup and British Lions Tour, but also due to the elections and inauguration of the new President, Soccerex, the Australian and English cricket tours, and the FIFA World Cup Final Draw, which takes place in Cape Town in December 2009, reports Travel News Weekly.   Southern Sun has contracted about 10000 of its rooms to MATCH, the FIFA accommodation agency, and is the single largest accommodation provider for the World Cup 2010.