Tag Archives: Tripadvisor

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   A giant sun fish has beached in Camps Bay.  Attempts by the City of Cape Town Fire & Rescue Services, the NSRI, and the City’s Solid Waste Department to move the fish back into the sea have proven unsuccessful so far, in part due to the sea conditions, and beachgoers pushing it out to sea.  Originally the fish was thought to be a baby whale.  It is injured from attempts made to get it back into the rough sea, and has beached itself again.

*   A #BoycottWoolworths campaign is costing the retailer R8 million a month, and is currently targeted for the festive season, at stores around the country, including the Cavendish branch in Cape Town.  The campaign is using ’till-jams‘, whereby trollies are filled and then left at the till. BDS South Africa says it is not involved in the latest campaign, having previously organised boycotts against the retailer for stocking produce from Israel.

*   Chinese investor William Wu has bought a 51% share in Swartland Winery, which produces Lion’s Hill Merlot, Continue reading →

Bye Bye Brucie Baby: a tribute to Chef Bruce Robertson

Bruce Robertson in sea 2Today we celebrated the life of one of our country’s most creative and maverick chefs, Bruce Robertson having passed away suddenly of leukemia on Monday, only four days after he received the diagnosis.  Hundreds of restaurant industry friends, family, and past patrons gathered at the False Bay Rugby Club in Constantia, to pay tribute to the happy-go-lucky man.

A special marquee had been erected, with benches, a table with eats brought along by the Bruce Robertson Programme Whale Cottagefoodies, and lots of wines supplied by Cederberg (he only served this brand ‘with altitude and attitude‘ at his former The Boat House, and most recent The Flagship), Spier (where his close friend Tony Romer-Lee is involved), Villiera MCC, and Flagstone (winemaker Bruce Jack and Chef Bruce jointly made a wine called Bruce’s Juice at one stage).  On the marquee walls were blown up black and white photographs of Chef Bruce, including one of him dressed in drag!  There were so many familiar Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 27/28 October

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   Retailers’ service sucks – we may have thought so – but now it’s official, according to the ‘Retail Shopper Survey 2014′, conducted by Why 5 amongst households with a total income of R10000 or more.  More than half of respondents said service is bad; they want shops close by; shopping is a grudge purchase; the majority research offers online;  payment by mobile phone would be supported by one-third of shoppers; loyalty programs are highly popular, 96% of shoppers using them; sales do attract shoppers; shoppers want information via catalogues, newsletters, and e-mails, but in-store radio broadcasts are a waste of time; shoppers feel that shopping malls all look the same.

*   TripAdvisor has launched a new ‘Just for You‘ service, offering ‘tailor-made’ accommodation recommendations based on past searches on their website as well as preferences.  It links with Facebook to gain a better understanding of its customers, to enable better recommendations to be made.

*   The Vineyard Hotel has been recognised by the 2014 Travel + Leisure Global Vision Awards for its promotion of Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 5/6 July

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   The Knysna Oyster Festival has kicked off, running until next weekend, and is estimated to generate R70 million in revenue for the town and attract 60000 visitors, says Western Cape Minister of Tourism Alan Winde.  ‘The events economy is a big revenue and jobs driver, and a vital part of the Western Cape’s tourism industry. Specifically for our smaller towns, events bring much needed stimulus to their economy.  Domestic travellers are the bread and butter of our tourism industry. By supporting local events, residents are able to contribute to job creation in the area‘, said Minister Winde.

*   The music one listens to while drinking beer can influence its taste, says Professor Charles Spence of Oxford University, after conducting a multi-sensory study amongst 3000 drinkers. which tested the impact of sound, light, and taste. Colour and sound can affect the taste of wine.  The study was replicated for beer, with a similar finding.

*   TripAdvisor has launched its Smartphone App, which allows one to download the information before leaving home, Continue reading →