Cape Town Reports 'fair' Summer Season

Cape Town Tourism has released the results of its 2010/2011 Summer Tourism Survey, based on polls of member organisations, attractions and visitors between December 2010 and February 2011.

The report suggests that there is cause for optimism as traditional markets begin showing signs of recovery, while new source markets are increasingly becoming interested in Cape Town.

Accommodation establishment respondents had mixed feelings about performance during the Cape Town 2010/ 2011 summer season, with 45,8% stating that the period had met their expectations, while the rest said it was average or below average.

Almost 18% (17,60%) of accommodation establishment respondents operated at 81% to 100% occupancy during December, dropping to 12% of respondents for the same levels in January and increasing to 20,70% for February.

The majority of local bookings were received from Gauteng (75,6%), followed by the Western Cape (46,3%) and KwaZulu Natal (26,8%). Internationally, the traditional source markets of the United Kingdom, Germany, The Netherlands and the US performed well.

The tour operator member base of respondents noted a general increase in bookings for the period December to February when compared with the same period in previous years, with the international market being the source of the majority of their visitors. Traditional markets from the UK, US, Germany and The Netherlands led the pack. The most popular booking methods were via direct e-mail by returning guests, telephonically, and bookings through travel agents, in that order.

CEO of Cape Town Tourism, Mariette du Toit-Helmbold, said: “We have experienced a fair summer season for 2010/ 2011. It has been a season dominated by many unpredictable factors and perhaps inflated expectations after the World Cup. The biggest trends Cape Town Tourism has noticed are the slow recovery of international tourism due to various global crises, an encouraging growth in domestic tourism, and a significant increase in online and last-minute bookings, the use of social media and user-generated websites.”

Source: SA Tourism Update

South Africans saved 350 MW – enough electricity to power the city of Bloemfontein – when they switched off their lights during Earth Hour this weekend, power utility Eskom said on Tuesday.

As part of its support for the Earth Hour campaign, Eskom measured the reduction in electricity used during the hour against typical consumption for this time on an average Saturday evening.

Eskom’s support is in line with the 49M movement launched recently by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe to mobilise South Africans to save electricity.

“We encourage every South African to ‘lift a finger’ − which is all it takes to switch off a light when it is not in use. Simple actions, such as using compact fluorescent lamps instead of incandescent globes, keeping unused appliances switched off, adjusting the thermostat on your geyser and switching it off when we leave for work and turning it on before we go to bed. Reducing electricity wastage can have a dramatic impact on electricity consumption. If you are not using it, switch it off,” said Eskom CEO Brian Dames.

In 2010, Eskom measured an estimated reduction of approximately 420 MW during the hour-long campaign.

Source: Engineering News

New Star Grading Plaques Launched

A new star grading plaque, together with a universal accessibility plaque, has been introduced by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA). The launch of the new plaques is being hailed as a major milestone in the TGCSA's bid to overhaul its grading criteria, minimum requirements and operating systems.

The previous grading criteria were originally introduced in 2002. Inconsistencies in the application of the grading criteria and minimum requirements, coupled with inadequate management processes and systems, led to a lack of uniformity in the awarding of stars.

Speaking at the unveiling event held at the King Edward Hotel and the Forest Hall Guest House in Port Elizabeth, Chief Quality Assurance Officer, Thembi Kunene, said: "The new plaques will help protect our brand and put a stop to the illegal use of stars as they are now trademarked."

On the new plaques the stars are placed above the category name. A critical inclusion is a sentence stating that the plaque is the property of the TGCSA, which will allow officials to legally enter a property to remove a plaque if necessary. Each plaque also features a unique serial number linked to the membership number of the property.

Also in attendance at the unveiling was Minister of Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, who said: "Our grading plaques are a symbol of the assurance we provide to tourists, both local and international, that they can rely on star graded establishments when making their choice of accommodation or conferencing establishment. A significant amount of time and energy was spent during this process in fine-tuning the criteria to get them right for the industry. The aim was to not only ensure that South Africa can maintain its international competitiveness as a tourist destination, but indeed to show that we can be world leaders in terms of quality assurance."

"But a system is only good as the people who are participating in it. The public are not only on the receiving end, but also an active player in the system. As South Africans, we tend to accept poor service, but we are asking that the public not only complain, buy also provide feedback on where improvements can be made," said Van Schalkwyk

Starting March 22, South Africa’s newest carrier will launch its inaugural flight from Johannesburg to Durban.

Following months of speculation and rumours, Velvet Sky Aviation yesterday announced its launch.

“As a new airline offering the lowest possible ticket prices, our corporate philosophy mandates cost saving through all levels of our operation. It was this mandate that dictated the city of Durban, with its lowered operating costs as the administrative centre of the business.”

“In-flight service will consist of pre-ordered snack boxes and drinks which are available online as part of the booking process. You can also book meals at the check-in desks in the terminals. Skychefs, which are part of the Lufthansa group will be providing on board catering. Alcohol is unavailable on our flights, for now, said Cecil Reddy, chairman of Velvet Sky.”

Massive Price Hikes During 2012 Olympic Games

Tourists are facing the prospect of massive hikes in the cost of accommodation in London during next year's Olympic Games.

Many of the capital's hotels intend to raise their prices during the Games and one hotel intends to charge five times the normal tariff, according to a report by the Financial Times.

A four-star hotel quoted £1100 for a room that would normally cost £200, according to a wholesale tour specialist who asked for neither the hotel nor his company to be named.

Another four-star hotel quoted £297 per room per night during the Games compared with £131 this year, and a three-star hotel has more than doubled its £80 a night rate to £162.

One hotel is planning to implement a strict 100 per cent cancellation fee during the Games, which run from 27 July to 12 August 2012.

The same hotel is also demanding that 70 per cent of bookings must be paid by the end of September 2011 and it is insisting that the final balance should be handed over by 31 January.

Tickets for London 2012 go on sale tomorrow and tourism chiefs are worried that the price hike will deter people from visiting London during the Games.

Chris Foy, a spokesman for the government's tourism agency Visit Britain, told TravelMail: ‘We will get a much clearer idea of hotel prices once the tickets go on sale but we have heard from tour operators overseas that they are having trouble booking hotels during the Games'.

Source: ehotelier.com

British Airways, operated by Comair Limited, has announced that it will soon be servicing all major South African coastal routes and will commence flights between Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town at the end of this month.

“We are experiencing demand for premium travel options to coastal destinations, mostly from the increased number of business travellers on these routes,” said Heidi Brauer, Comair’s executive manager for group marketing. “British Airways will therefore be taking over the servicing of these routes from LCC, kulula.com from March 27, offering travellers the full-service Club (business class) experience as well as Executive Club benefits.

“Furthermore, the current BA flight configuration and aircraft types are better suited for these routes, further enhancing operational efficiency,” Brauer said.

BA will offer daily return flights between the following destinations:

- King Shaka International Airport and Port Elizabeth International Airport

- Port Elizabeth International Airport and Cape Town International Airport

SA Tourism Competitiveness Declines

S.A's tourism competitiveness declined in 2010, according to the fourth Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Factors influencing our position are diverse and a few are listed here:

SA is ranked 14th for its natural resources and 55th for its cultural resources. Despite the buzz in the industry that SA is overpriced, we continue to fare well in terms of price competitiveness, ranking 37th.


The report says infrastructure is also well developed for the region, with air transport infrastructure ranked 43rd and a particularly good assessment of railroad quality (47th) and road quality (43rd). “Overall, policy rules and regulations are conducive to the sector’s development (ranked 31st); this is an area where the country has improved since the last assessment, with well-protected property rights and few visa requirements for visitors,” says the report. “Indeed, in 2010 the government selected tourism as one of the five priority sectors in its growth plan and has been reviewing tourism legislation in an effort to streamline it further.”

But some areas of weakness have brought down SA’s overall ranking. “Safety and security remains of serious concern (ranked 129th), as is the level of health and hygiene, where SA is ranked 88th as a result of its low physician density and concerns about access to improved sanitation in particular,” says the WEF report.

Top 10 countries in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index:

1. Switzerland
2. Germany
3. France
4. Austria
5. Sweden
6. United States
7. United Kingdom
8. Spain
9. Canada
10. Singapore

Source: SA Tourism Update

Hermanus Wines Wow The World

Local winemakers continue to make Hermanus proud as they gain worldwide recognition and prove themselves a force to be reckoned with.

Hamilton Russel's Chardonnay 2009 was selected for the Sommelier Journal's Top Releases of 2010 - a list compiled by their editors and writers and other leading professionals from around the world. This Sommelier's choice is one of only five from around the world.

This year's vintage will be the 30th vintage of Hamilton Russel Vinyards Chardonnay.

The Bouchard Finlayson wine estate in the Hemel-en-Aarde valley has also recently received another feather in its cap.

Their Galpin Peak 2009 Pinot Noir was among the selection of exciting New World wines reviewed in the February issue of the exclusive Wine Spectacular magazine. The wine scored an outstanding 92 points out of 100.

Top Ten Cruise Destinations

A newly launched cruise comparison website has revealed the top 10 cruising locations across the world for those planning on enjoying a cruise holiday anytime in the future.

The top 10 'cruising locations', as outlined by Danielle Fear of CruiseCompare.co.uk, are:

Alaska

Alaska is and always has been a firm favourite as a cruise destination. The region offers amazing sights and plenty of activity opportunities that can only be found in this part of the world. Cruisers can catch a glimpse of whales and other marine life as they silently glide through the deep blue waters. Here you can also visit the Rocky Mountains or even go bear watching. Alaska is the largest of all the US states and is also the least densely populated. On offer in Alaska is 34,000 miles of tidal shoreline.

Australia & New Zealand

What could possibly be more amazing than sailing under Sydney's Harbour Bridge and being greeted by the iconic Sydney Opera House. The Australasia region has something for everyone; there are endless sights to see and monuments to photograph and New Zealand offers some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world.

Bahamas

The Bahamas are home to glistening clear blue waters and pristine white sandy beaches. When you throw in the location, and the fantastic weather, it becomes even more appealing. The Bahamas are situated in the Atlantic Ocean, north of Cuba, and Nassau on New Province Island is the most popular stop for cruise ships visiting the region. Here you can find fine dining and some of the freshest seafood on the planet along with boutique shopping and various casinos.

Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are ideally situated for hot summer sun; just off the coast of West Africa, the cluster of islands offer varied landscapes and Lanzarote boasts a rather large volcanic area. Most cruises to the Canaries will visit all islands within the cluster. Although all within a stone's throw of each other, they are all individual and each offer something different. Tenerife boasts various wildlife and water parks along with a pleasant year round temperature. In Gran Canaria, tourists can feast their eyes upon the extremely impressive sand dunes of Maspalomas.

Caribbean

The Caribbean is quite possibly the most popular cruising destination overall. You can find picture-perfect beaches and superb diving locations, along with the chance to experience the region's blend of Caribbean, African and French cultures. The best place for diving and snorkelling is Grand Cayman. Here you can explore shipwrecks beneath the clear blue sea along with the chance to spot some rather colourful tropical fish. If exotic locations and relaxation is what you desire then the Caribbean was made for you.

Egypt and the Middle East

This particular area has become more popular in recent years. Now with itineraries offering both Egypt and the Middle East on one cruise, it is a perfect chance to experience what these ancient and mysterious lands have to offer. Egypt is a must visit; you can view and even enter the Pyramids, as well as catch a glimpse of the Sphinx or even visit the valley of the kings. For something more relaxing you can bask yourself in the waters of the Dead Sea where it's natural minerals will cleanse and refresh your body and mind.

Far East Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand

These are just some of the amazing destinations on offer with a Far East cruise. Bargain hunters will be in their element when they stumble upon the various street markets and vendors. You have everything on offer here from tropical rain forests to lush sandy beaches and exotic landscapes. Definite places to visit in this region are the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha Temple. Tease your taste buds with exotic cuisine and enjoy this trip of a lifetime. Beautiful, unspoilt white sand beaches, warm crystal clear seas and lush tropical landscapes in this destination of a lifetime!
MediterraneanVisit stunning Gaudi architecture in Barcelona, cruise through the water filled streets of Venice in Italy or how about stepping back in time and visiting the ancient monuments in Rome? The Mediterranean offers something for everyone and the regions perfect summer climate continues to keep it as a firm and loyal favourite.

Norway and the Fjords

Norway offers some of the world's most amazing panoramic scenery and quite possibly one of the most exciting cruising experiences you could ever imagine. A popular stop is Bergen, a small city that lies neatly amongst glorious mountains and is essentially the gateway to the Fjords. Mabodal Valley offers stunning views of the Voringsfoss waterfall; this is for the more adventure-hungry amongst us, as the climb will see you navigate your way to the very top. Other popular stops in this area are Flaam, Honningsvaag, Eidfjord and Alesund.

Panama Canal

A cruise through the Panama Canal can offer you a glimpse into two very different worlds as you embark on a journey both to the Pacific Region and the Caribbean. Popular stops include Costa Rica where you can explore neo-classical architecture or how about Puntarenas where you can try and spot white hawks as they nestle among the lush mountains. The Panama Canal is one of the greatest engineering achievements and a cruise along the canal will certainly not disappoint. Be sure to explore your way around the Amador Causeway as it offers some extremely pleasing views and tasty restaurants.

Source: ehotelier.com

South Africa recorded a 15.1% increase in tourist arrivals to the country last year, the Minister of Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, announced yesterday at a media briefing at Parliament.

The top ten overseas markets for 2010 were as follows:

- UK, up 1,5% from 446 369 to 453 030

- USA, up 22,6% from 230 324 to 282 377

- Germany, up 24,7% from 194 034 to 242 028

- The Netherlands, up 8,4% from 114 431 to 124 088

- France, up 14,4% from 100 890 to 115 401

- Australia, up 30,4% from 82 753 to 107 905

- India, up 29,7% from 55 203 to 71 587

- China, up 90,7% from 34 561 to 65 920

- Canada, up 21,9% from 45 330 to 55 263

- Italy, up 8,6% from 50 303 to 54 641

"It is important to acknowledge that the particularly good growth in South Africa's arrivals figures was undoubtedly given a significant boost by the World Cup. South Africa in fact recorded a peak in tourist arrivals in June and July 2010, which is traditionally our low season. From the results of our survey on arrivals during the World Cup, we know that more than 309 000 tourists arrived in South Africa for the primary purpose of the World Cup. The World Cup arrivals therefore represent about 4% of the total arrivals for 2010.

"In terms of growth from the respective regions, tourist arrivals from the Americas grew the fastest at 37.4% compared to 2009, followed by Asia and Australasia with 34.6%. Long-haul markets grew the fastest in 2010, showing an increase of 21%, and the strong growth of 14% from air markets within our continent is also particularly encouraging," Minister van Schalkwyk said.

"In 2010 we saw more than eight million tourist arrivals (8 073 552) to the country compared to just over seven million (7 011 865) in 2009. This compares very well in international terms. Figures from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) show that global tourism arrivals are estimated to have grown by 6.7% in 2010, which means that South Africa outperformed the global market by more than 8%.

"The 15.1% growth in tourist arrivals to South Africa outperformed that of every other region in the world, including arrivals growth of 13.9% for the Middle East, 12.6% for Asia and the Pacific, 7.7% for the Americas, 6.4% for Africa and 3.2% for Europe. We are delighted with these strong growth figures, particularly as it comes so soon after a global economic recession," Minister van Schalkwyk said.