Tag Archives: Smart Communications & Events

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 7/8 June

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   Franschhoek Wine Valley has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Barossa Valley, having similar wine tourism goals and characteristics.  Both wine regions have excellent wines, top restaurants, and good accommodation.  Tourism and wine industry expertise will be shared between the regions, and programs planned include exchanges for chefs, winemakers, sommeliers, and cellar assistants.  Experience of festivals, customer service benchmarking, sustainable wine-making, and wine tourism practices will be shared. (received via media release from Smart Communications & Events)

*   A hard-hitting video from USA asks ‘How much has really changed on South Africa’s wine farms?‘ since the protests in De Doorns two years ago, critical not only of some farm owners but also of the government.

*   The FIFA World Cup, which kicks off next week, will generate $4 billion for the soccer federation, 66% up from the revenue it earned from the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.

*   Noble Hill wine estate on the outskirts of Franschhoek has brought the Japanese Hitachino Nest beer range to our country, Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 2 June

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   The 2014 season will be remembered by local winemakers as one of the most challenging. For Sumaridge Wines in the Hemel en Aarde Valley it was the smallest harvest in ten years, and the most stressful for winemaker Gavin Patterson.  For Kleine Zalze winemaker Johan Joubert it was the most challenging too, brought about by unseasonal rain in October, November, and January, which affected the Kleine Zalze Chenin Blanc bushvine in particular, the bunches doubling in volume. Spraying regimes were affected too.  For Sumaridge’s investors it was a ‘year of sacrifice’.  For Kleine Zalze the harvest was delayed, and more tartaric acid was added.  Chardonnay, Pinotage, and Merlot benefited from the weather conditions, while Sauvignon Blanc was negatively affected, with disease and ripeness.  The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in Hermanus was more strongly influenced by the weather than was the Swartland.  Patterson said about the 2014 vintage: ‘It’s really going to sort the sheep from the goats.  Very sadly many winemakers are driven by accountants at the head of their companies and that will have an effect on how 2014 is judged’.

*   Next year sees two major motor shows in Johannesburg: AutoMechanika will take place from 6 – 9 May, while The Johannesburg International Motor Show will be held from 14 – 25 October.

*   Alan Winde, the Western Cape Minister of Economic Development, Tourism, and Agriculture, is at the Regional Leaders Summit in Atlanta in Georgia, to sign a ‘strategic agreement’ between the province/state. Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 16 April

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   The Peace Table 2014 will take place on Tafelberg Road  below Table Mountain on 25 May, with a 3-course lunch for 700 prepared by Chef Peter Tempelhoff of The Greenhouse at Cellars Hohenhort in conjunction with Myatt in the V&A Waterfront.  There will be live music and a fashion show too.  Cost R480, all proceeds go to charity. (received via e-mail from The Little Black Book)

*   Schengen visa applications are likely to become more tourist-friendly from next year, reports Travel News Weekly.   The European Union wants to reduce the processing time of a visa, and to introduce a one-year touring visa in the 26-country Schengen area in Europe.   Regular travellers may receive multiple-entry visas for a three year period.

*   30000 Two Oceans Marathon runners are participating in the 45th race on Saturday, offered as a half and a full marathon and themed ‘Designed to Run‘ in recognition of Cape Town hosting World Design Capital 2014.  Western Cape Minister of Tourism Alan Winde is estimating the event contributing R200 million to the province’s economy.   The province has sponsored R350000 for the event. There appear to be mainly local runners participating this year, with few accommodation bookings received. (received via media release from Minister Winde’s office)

*   All Nippon Airways (ANA) will be serving Cederberg Merlot Shiraz 2010 in Business Class. Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 15 April

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*     More direct flights between Cape Town and Luanda in Angola could create close to 4000 jobs and close to R400 million for the economy, an Air Access strategy study has estimated said Alan Winde, Western Cape Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Tourism.  The province’s Air Access strategy ‘is to improve our competitiveness and we will focus on routes into Africa. Research shows a direct link between economic growth and improved air access. We are serious about investment, exports and tourism and direct routes play a major role in stimulating growth in these areas‘, the Minister said.  Two years ago the value of trade between Angola and our country was R31 billion, almost half of this from the Western Cape.  An increased number of direct flights would benefit tourism, and the oil and gas industry.  The Minister said that his department will work on increasing the number of flights. (received via media release from Minister Winde’s offices)

*   Tourism performance in the first quarter of 2014 (at 114.6) dipped slightly from the last quarter of 2013 (112.4),  despite the weaker exchange rate and international leisure tourism demand, the Tourism Business Council of South Africa FNB Tourism Business Index has measured, in a study conducted by Grant Thornton.  Tourism businesses’ optimism remains for the period ahead.  Interesting is that the study found that the tourism industry sees the general election on 7 May to have a negative impact  on tourism. (received via e-mail from the Tourism Business Council of South Africa) 

*   The Van Ryn range has won a double gold for the Van Ryn 15 Year Old, and two gold medals for its 12 Year Old and 20 Year Old at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. (received via media release from De Kock Communications)

*   The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa sister hotel Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat will host a 5 course Continue reading →