Tag Archives: Stellenbosch Tourism Bureau

‘Stellenbosch Wine Experience’ pushes Stellenbosch to be ‘leading wine tourism destination in Africa’!

StellenboschWhen I see any writing by Mariette du Toit-Helmbold, CEO of tourism consultancy Destinate and former ineffective Mommy-Tweeting CEO of Cape Town Tourism, I have to hold back the urge to laugh, not only because of her poor writing skills (despite English being one of her BA majors!) but also because of her lack of marketing skills.  Helmbold has just launched the ‘Stellenbosch Wine Experience’ for the Stellenbosch Wine Routes and Stellenbosch 360, as a joint venture between the wine and tourism elements of the second oldest town in South Africa, with the goal of becoming ‘the leading wine tourism destination in Africa‘. Helmbold adds in her document that Stellenbosch should be positioned as ‘amongst top in the world‘ too, and become ‘Africa’s wine tourism capital’!

The Stellenbosch Wine Routes is the first wine route in our country, having been established in 1971 by Spatz Sperling of Delheim, the late Frans Malan of Simonsog, and the late Neil Joubert of Spier.  Its mandate is to market the wine estates and wines of the 150 or so wineries in Stellenbosch, with its CEO Annareth Bolton having mainly run a PR campaign to date.  Previously sponsored by American Express, it no longer appears to have the backing of the credit card company.  Credit card companies appear to be all over the seemingly lucrative wine industry, Diners Club appearing to have a head start. Stellenbosch 360 is the new name for the Stellenbosch Tourism Bureau, and is run by a very competent Annemarie Ferns, long the SA Tourism Country Manager for Germany.

Helmbold spent nine years at the helm of Cape Town Tourism, never being able to rise to the level of the marketing done with close to zero budget by her predecessor, the vivacious Sheryl Ozinsky.  Helmbold did formula marketing, if one can call it that Continue reading →

Vodacom Sweet Service and The Cameo Sour Service Awards

The Sweet Service Award goes to Martene at the Parkade branch of Vodacom, who helped me to find the most economical Vodacom contract package, saving a substantial amount of money, after she highlighted that I was wasting money by being on a Talk 1000 package, when I rarely use my phone to call, and use it more to send sms messages and for social media. She also helped me to subscribe to sms and data bundles, which are cheaper when bought this way, than if Vodacom just adds the cost to the invoice when one exceeds one’s monthly quota.  She was assisted by her colleague, and both were friendly and helpful, even if it was a Friday afternoon, and they had had a long and busy day.

The Sour Service Award goes to The Cameo Gallery on Church Street in Stellenbosch, and is nominated by tour operator Garth Luxton.  I have edited his lengthy nomination: Geoff Smith from Canada bought two small African drums from the owner Nana Wagner in November 2010, and paid R16000 for them, inclusive of freight. He had not received them five months later, Mrs Wagner promising that they had been sent, and refusing to cancel the transaction when requested by the client. After Garth’s involvement on behalf of the client, threatening to lay a charge of theft and fraud against the owner, and after the client paid for the freight again, the drums arrived.  Garth is frustrated that the Stellenbosch Tourism Bureau and Cape Town Routes Unlimited would not get involved, nor take action against this shop which deals with tourists, and he hopes that the Sour Award may be a warning to others.

The WhaleTales Sweet & Sour Service Awards are presented every Friday on the WhaleTales blog.  Nominations for the Sweet and Sour Service Awards can be sent to Chris von Ulmenstein at info@whalecottage.com. Past winners of the Sweet and Sour Service Awards can be read on the Friday posts of this blog, and in the WhaleTales newsletters on the www.whalecottage.com website.