Tag Archives: World Travel Market Africa

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 26 August

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   The Pinot Noir producers in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley are hosting their second Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir Celebration at Bona Dea Estate on 30 and 31 January, with only 150 tickets available for the event.  The key-note dinner speaker will be Norman Hardie, regarded as Canada’s best Pinot Noir producer. (received via e-mail from Hamilton Russell Vineyards)

*   South Africa has the lowest transport costs compared to 50 other countries, according to GoEuro’s Transportation Price Index.  For air travel our country ranked third cheapest, while our costs of train travel ranked cheapest of all countries.

*   Cape Town has been appointed for the second time as Official Host City for World Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 27 May

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*  The Tourism Business Council of South Africa has welcomed the appointment of new Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom, and has thanked the former Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk for his contribution to growing the Tourism industry in his ten year tenure.  Minister Hanekom previously served as Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs, and most recently as Minister of Science and Technology. (received via media release from the Tourism Business Council of South Africa)

*   South Africa is against an Africa Tourism Tax, the Ministry of Tourism has stated, deeming it to be an ‘unworkable plan’. Taxes are country-specific and cannot be levied across the continent, the department said.  Last week the African Union called for a tourism levy on flights and accommodation, which has also been opposed by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.  IATA has added its voice, saying that the proposed taxes would make travel within Africa even more expensive.

*   SA Tourism has admitted that the number of visitors to Indaba earlier this month had declined Continue reading →

Fine Brandy Fusion: an evening of fine flavours, Bisquit takes the cake!

Fine Brandy Fusion This Is Brandy Whale Cottage PortfolioOn Thursday evening my friend Bettie Coetzee-Lambrecht and I attended Fine Brandy Fusion at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, having been invited by Manley Communications.   Fine Brandy Fusion is a fine showcase for the local brandy industry, the Bisquit cognac with South African links being our highlight.

At the registration desk we received a goody bag, and a booklet of coupons, to allow us to taste brandy cocktails and taste some of the 50 fine brandies neat.  Immediately on entering we passed a smallish restaurant, catered by the Convention Centre kitchen.  The food quality of the Convention Centre has been poor at every exhibition attended in the past, but picked up when its new Chef Warwick Thomas arrived a year ago, reaching a new low at World Travel Market Africa last month.  I was immediately sceptical, but the food options which were displayed in a refrigerated unit looked better (just from the plating) than I have ever seen there before.   We received two food couponsFine Brandy Fusion Food Whale Cottage Portfolio each, which Bettie used for linefish and I ordered tasty calamari rings, Bettie saying that it would be important to line our tummies for the brandy tasting to come.  We both ordered a cheese platter as well.  The service was excellent and professional, and the prices very reasonable at about R50 each.  We felt severely under-dressed when a fashionista wearing fur and her partner shared our table! Continue reading →

Cape Town Tourism goes mobile, travels to where tourists are!

Cape Town Tourism ThandoIn a unique definition of ‘mobile marketing‘, Cape Town Tourism has invested in a Mercedes Benz panel van to become a truly mobile Visitors Information Centre, which travels to events, parks at Cape Town’s major attractions, and generally will be visible and available at the popular places where the tourists are in the city.  The new vehicle is called Thando, being the isiXhosa name for love, and was launched at World Travel Market Africa last month as the first mobile Visitor Information Centre in Africa.

Cape Town Tourism CEO Enver Duminy said of the new mobile tourist information service: ‘We have tracked a rising trend of visitors and would-be visitors using our online portals to access information about Cape Town. It is this call for mobility and ease of access that has inspired our move to create a personal interface that will be able to assist Capetonians and visitors at gatherings or in spaces where there is sudden seasonal traffic’.

The mobile Visitor Information Centre allows bookings to be made for Cape Town Tourism member products and services, and for SANParks properties.  Via Computicket and Webtickets one can buy tickets for shows, events, and bus transport. Free wifi is available, and crates covered with colourful African print material offer seating outside the panel van.  A TV screen allows tourists to learn more about Cape Town, and is supported with Cape Town Tourism Visitors’ Guides, and  brochures of some members’ products and services. Continue reading →