{"id":65957,"date":"2015-02-03T18:46:13","date_gmt":"2015-02-03T16:46:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.whalecottage.com\/blog\/?p=65957"},"modified":"2015-02-03T18:46:13","modified_gmt":"2015-02-03T16:46:13","slug":"whaletales-tourism-food-and-wine-news-headlines-3-february-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog\/cape-town\/whaletales-tourism-food-and-wine-news-headlines-3-february-2\/","title":{"rendered":"WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 3 February"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"WhaleTales\"<\/a>Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

* \u00a0 The Tourism Business Council of South Africa FNB Tourism Business Index reflects that the tourism industry is improving, with a score of 108 for the last quarter of 2014. A score of 100 is the norm. \u00a0The Accommodation sector did even better, with an Index of 113, despite the impact of Ebola, and the Immigration Regulation changes introduced late last year. \u00a0‘Other Tourism<\/em>‘ (e.g. transport, food and beverage) scored 104, lower than had been forecast for the quarter. \u00a0The exchange rate has played a role in the improving Index. \u00a0For the first quarter of this year an average Index of about 102 is expected.<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 The Cape Winelands is experiencing its earliest harvest in 49 years<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, having started very early in the new year, almost a month earlier than last year. \u00a0VinPro explains that three perfect winters with enough cold and sufficient rain, combined with an unusually warmer August, has led to the earlier harvest. \u00a0A smaller harvest is expected this year, but is expected to be of a good quality. \u00a0Winemakers are facing a challenge in their cellars in that many cultivars are ripening almost at the same time.<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Cycling in Cape Town is one of the best ways to see our city<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, writes the Los Angeles Times, <\/strong>describing it as ‘an adventure capital’. \u00a0<\/em>Benefits of seeing Table Mountain (‘the most visited spot in Africa<\/em>‘) on a bicycle is that one can ride through fynbos rather than summit in a ‘moving tin box’<\/em>!<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Veuve Clicquot is sponsoring the Masters Polo Cape Town 2015 for the fifth year, taking place on 7 March. The event will be held at Val de Vie, and attracts socialites, fashionistas, celebrities, and horse lovers. \u00a0Veuve Clicquot sponsors some of the world\u2019s leading polo events, including the UK\u2019s Gold Cup, USA\u2019s Manhattan Polo Classic, and LA Polo Classic. \u00a0A Veuve Clicquot bar will be set up. Entrance of R850 includes a glass of Veuve Clicquot and the polo, tickets at Computicket. Picnic hampers R150. \u00a0A Deluxe Hospitality package with butler service, champagne, food, and decor is available. \u00a0Uber is available to provide transport from Cape Town. (received via media release from Vivid Luxury)<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 HQ is joining the Urban Brandy Cocktail Route on 4 February, and is celebrating in its Cigar Lounge, with the theme of ‘Vintage Jazz<\/em>‘. More than thirty venues around South Africa form part of the Cocktail Route, focusing on the variety of cocktails one can make with brandy. Four brandy cocktails will be offered, with canap\u00e9s. Cost R180. \u00a0(received via e-mail from HQ)<\/p>\n

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio:\u00a0www.whalecottage.com<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 Tel (021) 433-2100, Twitter:@WhaleCottage \u00a0Facebook: \u00a0<\/strong>click here<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines * \u00a0 The Tourism Business Council of South Africa FNB Tourism Business Index reflects that the tourism industry is improving, with a score of 108 for the last quarter of 2014. A score of 100 is the norm. \u00a0The Accommodation sector did even better, with an Index of 113, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false},"categories":[7,3,124,1918,266,18677,20,22,21,19],"tags":[32367,2158,29791,32366,573,32378,6983,29790,358,27161,127,30,1007,29787,14505,1706,25843,29789,29785,29788,29786,13,32388,4,5,29784,9511,200,32410,18966,2800,10216,13936,29792,28750,32373,10,365],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t