Tag Archives: SA National Parks

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 24 June

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*  Ticket sales for Opulent Living’s black-tie event ‘Chefs who Share’ 2014, to be held on 11 September in the City Hall, open from tomorrow.  A total of 14 local chefs, 7 international chefs, and 7 local sommeliers will be in attendance.  Tickets cost R3000, and the proceeds go to the MADD Charity and to Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. (received via media release from Opulent Living).

*   SA National Parks (SANParks) is to invest R50 million in enhancing the tourism infrastructure of Table Mountain National Park, including Cape Point (receiving 860000 visitors per year) and Boulders’ Beach (receiving 680000 visitors every year), making them important tourism assets for Cape Town.  The announcement comes as the Park celebrates its 16th anniversary.  Improved roads and services can be expected at Cape Point.

*   The latest Reserve Bank’s Quarterly Bulletin reflects household consumption growing at a mere 1,8%, the slowest growth rate since the global economic crisis commenced in 2009.  Growth in food and drink expenditure in particular declined for the first time in the past five years.

*  Namaqua  wines, one of the Top 5 South African wine brands distributed in the UK by Raisin Continue reading →

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

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   SA Tourism is taking 60 local product suppliers on a road show through India, being one of the top 5 source countries for our tourism industry. Cape Town Tourism and Wesgro are representing our local tourism industry.  In the first eight months of last year more than 76000 tourists arrived in South Africa from India.

*   A new Fossil Trail has been launched in the Karoo National Park, a joint venture between SA National Parks and the University of the Witwatersrand. The trail demonstrates how nature formed the geology of the area.  Entrance is free.

*   Wines of South Africa (WOSA) is kickstarting its ‘From BBQ to Braai’ national tour of ten events in the USA in New Orleans, using a traditional South African barbeque to help Americans understand our country’s culture via food, wine, and music.  South African chef Hugo Uys and multi-media artist Xander Ferreira will create a cultural American/South African mix, with a ‘bottle of wine and a boerewores (sic) roll‘!  Proceeds will go to a charity.

*   Bouchard Finlayson is one of the wine estates participating in the inaugural Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir Celebration, to be held on 31 January and 1 February.   Winemaker Peter Finlayson, who brought Pinot Noir to our country, will host a talk and tasting of 30 years Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 4 September

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   Chapman’s Peak has re-opened, while  the Franschhoek Pass remains closed, reports Kfm News. (update: The Franschhoek Pass was re-opened today)

*   Signal Hill in Cape Town may have a controlled access system between 22h00 and 5h00, to control crime during the evening.

*   The 2013 Sustainable Tourism Marketing Guide is about to be published, co-sponsored by Cape Town Tourism.

*   Travelers in the UK, USA, and Australia use a mix of e-mails (for reminders), mobile apps, and online (to make bookings) before, during, and after their holiday. Surprising is that 70% switch off whilst on holiday, especially the UK tourists.  Most of those sharing their holiday information and photographs do so when they return from their holiday.

*   BA is introducing more flights between Cape Town and London for the Continue reading →

freeRange Sweet Service and SA National Parks Sour Service Awards!

freeRange Jewels 1The Sweet Service Award goes to freeRange Jewels in the Cape Quarter, for offering to replace a butterfly with a stronger stabiliser to hold a pearl on my jacket lapel, having picked this up spontaneously when I attended the launch of the Jenny Morris-inspired range at the jewellery story three weeks ago.  While I was in the store to collect the pearl, they repaired a link to a charm for my bracelet as well, all done with a smile and at no charge!  One can see why Giggling Gourmet Chef Jenny Morris has associated herself with this brand, and why she loves their jewellery. Continue reading →