It is important that we as an industry speak as one on this topic, and as often as possible, to the outside world, our overseas tour operators, and our customers. The positive message that must go out is this – that the South African tourism industry is very much open for business. We are all conducting business as usual, obviously with a special regard to client safety. The current unrest has been very localised and restricted to very limited and specific areas; mainstream tourism areas (including all airports) have NOT been affected, and it is very unlikely they will be either. It is still safe to visit South Africa, with our vast array of attractions, wildlife and scenic beauty; and we all stand ready to welcome our guests with open arms. There is no need for anyone to cancel any tourism activity. It would be sensible for us all to proceed cautiously, and keep informed on a daily basis regarding developments. In particular it would be sensible to proceed with caution with regard to township activities, and be sensitive to local developments. Whilst this xenophobia violence is a serious crisis, there is quite simply no need for blind panic and total doom and gloom in the tourism sector. And you can be confident in advising your partners and customers accordingly. Please actively go out and communicate this as widely as possible.
It would be a huge tragedy if all the hard work that has gone into marketing South Africa in recent years was to go to waste. Tourism interest in South Africa is definitely on the up, as evidenced by a great Indaba last week.
Michael Tatalias CEO - Southern African Tourist Services Association
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
MOUNT NELSON HOTEL IS THE BEST HOTEL IN AFRICA! CAPE TOWN’S LEADING LUXURY HOTEL SCOOPS TWO PRESTIGIOUS TRAVEL AWARDS
Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town’s most iconic luxury hotel, outshone its competitors last week by winning not one, but two of the world’s most sought after travel accolades. Voted ‘Africa’s Leading Hotel’ at the World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony 2008 The world’s top travel and trade industry professionals agree that Mount Nelson Hotel is Africa’s leading hotel. Now in its 15th year, the World Travel Awards is often referred to as ‘the travel industry’s Oscar’s’. 165 000 travel agents and industry professionals from over 200 countries cast their votes online, and for the first time ever, a glittering gala ceremony was held in Durban last week to acknowledge, honour and promote organisations who have made the greatest contributions and innovations to tourism and travel throughout Africa. The event culminated in the announcement of the winner of the ‘Best Hotel in Africa’ award.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Beautiful South Africa
The USA might have the longest mountain range, the deepest canyon, the tallest tree, the hugest plain. There is snow, desert and sea. But these attractions are several days journey apart, unmanageably large and difficult to get to. In South Africa we have all of these things, and you can see several of them in one day.
Scotland has castles, Germany has beer, England has countryside, Italy has ruins, France has, well, frogs, Austria has hills, India has curry, Thailand has beaches, Greece has islands, Australia has reefs, Kenya has animals. South Africa has all of these – and usually in the same place.
And often we overlook just how beautiful these attractions are. It is only when you look at a topographical map that you realise that the southern Cape coastline is actually a series of delicate mountain ranges marching along the coast and trailing their tails in the sea. The road between Port Elizabeth and Plettenberg Bay goes over the top of a number of river gorges of deep mysterious grey rock with shy ferns at the bottom. All you ever see of them is a gap on the side of the road, a glimpse of stone, and a patch of bridge. From the bottom, however, they are so gorgeous that – if they were anywhere else on earth – they would be international beauty spots with hot dog stands, postcard kiosks and curio shops selling tins of air.
Then there is the amazing Karoo. My most enduring travel memory is driving to Grahamstown from Kimberley on an early winter misty morning. The sun was rising and as we came over a hill just after Smithfield, the huge flat plain in front of us was a sea of pale pink mist, shot through with gold, with koppies rising out like enchanted islands, stretching off into the unimaginable distance. We were all so captivated by the sight that our driver narrowly avoided leaving the road to wipe out the Karoo’s only tree.
Of course, this is just on the surface. The country underground is writhing with undiscovered fossils, which very few people know about but which get palaeontologists into an ecstatic froth. And where there are fossils, there are thick and abundant seams of precious metals, stones and other Aladdin’s-cave-type goodies.
On the fauna and flora front, we have the flowers and the fluffies. And I’m not talking about the large obvious ones, I’m talking about the ones you have to get down on your hands and knees to see. Usually you have to be nimble and quick because whatever you are getting close to is likely to slither off if you take too long.
Our natural features are just wonderful. They are not as big as the Rockies (thank goodness) and they are not as tiny as the European lakes (which always make me nervous when I cruise on them in case I inadvertently pull out the plug). The best, of course, are the lesser known ones: the unexpected little waterfall, the beautifully-decorated Ndebele hut in the middle of nowhere, the strange knuckles of rock that don’t appear to have a name.
Story by: Niki Moore
Scotland has castles, Germany has beer, England has countryside, Italy has ruins, France has, well, frogs, Austria has hills, India has curry, Thailand has beaches, Greece has islands, Australia has reefs, Kenya has animals. South Africa has all of these – and usually in the same place.
And often we overlook just how beautiful these attractions are. It is only when you look at a topographical map that you realise that the southern Cape coastline is actually a series of delicate mountain ranges marching along the coast and trailing their tails in the sea. The road between Port Elizabeth and Plettenberg Bay goes over the top of a number of river gorges of deep mysterious grey rock with shy ferns at the bottom. All you ever see of them is a gap on the side of the road, a glimpse of stone, and a patch of bridge. From the bottom, however, they are so gorgeous that – if they were anywhere else on earth – they would be international beauty spots with hot dog stands, postcard kiosks and curio shops selling tins of air.
Then there is the amazing Karoo. My most enduring travel memory is driving to Grahamstown from Kimberley on an early winter misty morning. The sun was rising and as we came over a hill just after Smithfield, the huge flat plain in front of us was a sea of pale pink mist, shot through with gold, with koppies rising out like enchanted islands, stretching off into the unimaginable distance. We were all so captivated by the sight that our driver narrowly avoided leaving the road to wipe out the Karoo’s only tree.
Of course, this is just on the surface. The country underground is writhing with undiscovered fossils, which very few people know about but which get palaeontologists into an ecstatic froth. And where there are fossils, there are thick and abundant seams of precious metals, stones and other Aladdin’s-cave-type goodies.
On the fauna and flora front, we have the flowers and the fluffies. And I’m not talking about the large obvious ones, I’m talking about the ones you have to get down on your hands and knees to see. Usually you have to be nimble and quick because whatever you are getting close to is likely to slither off if you take too long.
Our natural features are just wonderful. They are not as big as the Rockies (thank goodness) and they are not as tiny as the European lakes (which always make me nervous when I cruise on them in case I inadvertently pull out the plug). The best, of course, are the lesser known ones: the unexpected little waterfall, the beautifully-decorated Ndebele hut in the middle of nowhere, the strange knuckles of rock that don’t appear to have a name.
Story by: Niki Moore
What is there to do in Jozi?
Johannesburg, affectionately known as Jozi or Joburg has always been a vibrant place since its inception more than a hundred years ago. The City of gold is not normally the number one South African tourist attraction, but it is the number port of entry!
Most of people use it as a transit venue en-route to a Safari or Cape Town trip. People are often ''trapped'' in Jozi while waiting for local and International connecting flights.
What do you do in Jozi during this time do you ask?Well there are quite a few places to visit in this supposed concrete jungle (Psst....this is the city in the world with the highest number of trees per area of measurement)! Personally I love Johannesburg pulsating beat and lifestyle.
Start with a trip to Soweto to see the biggest township (what african areas were called during apartheid rule) ; visit Gold Reef city and go down this old mine to see how gold was mined here decades back.
The Cradle of Human Kind is situated in the North Western area of Gauteng near Sterkfontein caves, where you can trace the origin of our early human ancestors. See the skull of Mrs. Pless at Maropeng.
The Magalies Meander is a ''locals'' route that can keep one occupied for a whole day, but added to the visit to Maropeng, there will be ample time to try the cheese board at Van Gaalen's original Dutch Cheese Farm.
The Rhino & Lion Park will provide enough of a thrill for those with a few hours to spare, wishing to escape busy airports and city areas.Top the day off with a visit to Lesedi traditional village for a dose of African culture, food and dancing. Visit the sample Basotho, Ndebele, Pedi, Xhosa and Zulu villages. Do try the tribal dances!
Alternatively start the morning drifting high above the Magaliesburg area in one of Bill Harrop's original balloon Safaris.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Tourism Growth in South Africa
International tourism to South Africa has surged since the end of apartheid. In 1994, the year of South Africa's first democratic elections, only 3.9-million foreign visitors arrived in the country.
By 2004, international arrivals had more than doubled to 6.7-million. In 2005 they grew to 7.5-million (+10.3%), in 2006 to 8.4-million (+13.9%), and in 2007 to 9.07-million (+8.3%).
Tourism is also one of the fastest growing sectors of South Africa's economy, its contribution to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) increasing from 4.6% back in 1993 to 8.3% in 2006. Directly and indirectly, tourism constitutes approximately 7% of employment in South Africa.
And the outlook for the industry is extremely positive, particularly with the exposure the country will receive in the lead-up to the world's biggest sporting event, the Fifa World Cup, taking place in South Africa in 2010.
South Africa attracted over 22 000 more travellers from the US in 2007 - an 8.7% increase over 2006.
Arrivals from Asia and Australasia also grew strongly in 2007 compared to 2006, with a 16.9% increase from India, 12.9% increase from China, and 6.9% increase in visitors from Australasia.
By 2004, international arrivals had more than doubled to 6.7-million. In 2005 they grew to 7.5-million (+10.3%), in 2006 to 8.4-million (+13.9%), and in 2007 to 9.07-million (+8.3%).
Tourism is also one of the fastest growing sectors of South Africa's economy, its contribution to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) increasing from 4.6% back in 1993 to 8.3% in 2006. Directly and indirectly, tourism constitutes approximately 7% of employment in South Africa.
And the outlook for the industry is extremely positive, particularly with the exposure the country will receive in the lead-up to the world's biggest sporting event, the Fifa World Cup, taking place in South Africa in 2010.
South Africa attracted over 22 000 more travellers from the US in 2007 - an 8.7% increase over 2006.
Arrivals from Asia and Australasia also grew strongly in 2007 compared to 2006, with a 16.9% increase from India, 12.9% increase from China, and 6.9% increase in visitors from Australasia.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
South Africa Weather & When to Go
Summer in South African lasts from October to February. It is generally hot, often with convection thundershowers in the late afternoon, which clear quickly to reveal pleasant evenings.
Autumn or fall in South Africa is February to April. It is generally warm and dry with days getting shorter and the temperature cooling as it gets closer to winter.
Winter in South Africa is May to July. It is generally dry and cool, with light snow falling in the Drakensburg mountains. The Cape is however wet as it gets most of its rain in winter.
August to October is spring time and the weather can be good, although rain is common.
Best time for various activities:
The best time for beach weather is late spring to early Autumn. Mid summer has the hottest weather, but is also the busiest time. Kwa Zulu Natal is the best place to spend a beach holiday in winter because of the Mozambican current flowing down the Eastern Coast.
Namaqualand flowers in the Western and Northern Cape are best seen in Spring - September
Whale watching season is from June to the end of October.
The best seasons for hiking are spring and autumn as the weather is the mildest. Summer can be very hot and have violent thunder storms while winter snowstorms can be unpredictable and dangerous.
Most people agree that winter is the best time to go on Safari as the foliage is sparse and the animals are easier to spot. Being the dry season the animals also need to go to the waterholes offering better game viewing, it is also more comfortable for us humans as it is not hot.
Autumn or fall in South Africa is February to April. It is generally warm and dry with days getting shorter and the temperature cooling as it gets closer to winter.
Winter in South Africa is May to July. It is generally dry and cool, with light snow falling in the Drakensburg mountains. The Cape is however wet as it gets most of its rain in winter.
August to October is spring time and the weather can be good, although rain is common.
Best time for various activities:
The best time for beach weather is late spring to early Autumn. Mid summer has the hottest weather, but is also the busiest time. Kwa Zulu Natal is the best place to spend a beach holiday in winter because of the Mozambican current flowing down the Eastern Coast.
Namaqualand flowers in the Western and Northern Cape are best seen in Spring - September
Whale watching season is from June to the end of October.
The best seasons for hiking are spring and autumn as the weather is the mildest. Summer can be very hot and have violent thunder storms while winter snowstorms can be unpredictable and dangerous.
Most people agree that winter is the best time to go on Safari as the foliage is sparse and the animals are easier to spot. Being the dry season the animals also need to go to the waterholes offering better game viewing, it is also more comfortable for us humans as it is not hot.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Gourmet dining by rail
Romantic five-star dining on rails at Victoria Falls is now possible with Bushtracks Africa’s Victoria Falls Steam railways.Guests will be picked up from the Royal Livingstone Hotel in luxury vehicles and be taken to the railway siding to board the train.The 15km journey begins in Livingstone through the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, and continues along one of the most historic railway lines in Africa to a viewing point above the Zambezi River. Passengers can disembark to enjoy traditional entertainment while viewing the sunset over the river.Guests have pre-dinner drinks in the lounge or observation cars before enjoying a six course meal, prepared and served by Sun International’s Royal Livingston, in the dining carriages. This superb dining experience should not be missed.
The five carriages of the Royal Livingstone Express have been renovated by Rovos Rail.The cost per person of R985.00 includes the six course meal with wines, beers and soft drinks. The train will be available for private hire.
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