Top 100 | WhaleTales Blog by Chris von Ulmenstein

Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

* At the SAACI Congress Wesgro has been named as South Africa’s best Convention Bureau, and the Cape Town International Convention Centre the country’s best Convention venue. (via Twitter)

* Hanneli Slabber, SA Tourism Country Manager for India, has received the ‘Best Professional in Marketing‘ award at the Safari India National Tourism Awards. Since her appointment in India, there has been a marked growth in tourists from India to South Africa.

* Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom has praised the role of Business Tourism as well as of Events, in addressing the SAACI (South African Association for the Conference Industry) Congress today. He said that this sector of Tourism, which has an above average spend when visiting Continue reading →

Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

* Brangelina’s Miravel Rosé is the first pink wine to have made the Wine Spectator Top 100 exciting wines list. This year South Africa’s Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2012, Ashbourne Sandstone 2008 (also made by Hamilton Russell), and AA Badenhorst Family 2009 are also on the Top 100 list.

* Hartenberg is hosting its annual Riesling Rocks Festival on 25 January, with our country’s best Rieslings available to taste, paired with gourmet deli food. Hartenberg winemaker Carl Schultz is regarded as one of the best local Riesling winemakers. Tickets cost R120. (received via media release via Smart Communications & Events)

* Indaba will run over only three days next year, from 10 – 12 May, SA Tourism giving the ‘stagnant’ trade show in Durban a makeover with changes being implemented over the next two years. The focus will be to meet and engage, rather than man large stands. SA Tourism Chief Marketing Officer Jan Hutton will meet with the tourism industry in Durban and Cape Town next week, to share her plans for Indaba 2014.

* Tony Romer-Lee is said to be leaving the McGrath Collection at the end Continue reading →