NOTE FROM STEPHANIE:

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" ~Robin Williams

Isn't it great that Spring is here and Summer on its way after the rather trying and testing Winter we've just had! It also takes us into the last quarter of 2011 and the end of yet another year...
Let us know if you'd like ideas for your year-end function as there are many great ideas with entertainment that have been developed for the forthcoming festive season and costs are looking competitive throughout the market place at least.
Hope you find the newsflash as interesting as always and feel free to give me feedback

Regards

STEPHANIE MOSS

With our beautiful South African summer just around the corner what better way to celebrate than having a look at some of South Africa's top beaches.

10.	Cape Vidal, Part of the St. Lucia Wetlands Park http://www.southafricalogue.com/maputaland
9.	Durban, A great rarity among African coastal metropolis is a viable and adjacent beach culture, but Durban is the exception. http://www.southafricalogue.com/durban
8.	Willard Beach, Ballito. http://ballito-online.com/
7.	Margate/Ramsgate, The KwaZulu/Natal South Coast is the raucous cousin of the quietly sophisticated Cape and Garden Route coastline. http://www.southafricalogue.com/south-coast
6.	Mdumbe Beach/Wild Coast, Mdumbe Beach typifies the long expanses of untrodden beach that so characterize the Wild Coast. http://www.southafricalogue.com/wild-coast
5.	Humewood Beach, Port Elizabeth. http://www.southafricalogue.com/garden-route
4.	Grotto Beach, Grotto beach is the signature white sand Cape seascape set in the signature Cape Coast small town. http://hermanus.com/beaches.mv
3.	Jeffreys Bay, The home to perfect waves, and the surf capital of SA. http://www.jeffreysbay.org.za/
2.	Gaansbaai, Visitors to Gaansbaai are not usually thinking about the beach. http://www.gthermanus.com/gansbaai/beaches.html
1.	Cape Town, Cape Town is not a beach but a bunch of beaches, and all rank up there as among the best in the land. http://www.aboutcapetown.com/beaches.htm

NAMAQUALAND IS IN BLOOM

Namaqualand is a semi-desert environment, however in the spring (July to September) depending on the rains, a miracle occurs. As the rains soak into the thirsty earth, millions upon millions of flowers emerge in a phenomenal explosion of colour which transforms the landscape into a wonderland of beauty. The Namaqualand spring flowers are justifiably world famous. In a good year this botanical masterpiece puts on a show that is unrivaled anywhere on Earth. If you experience this natural wonder you will remember it for the rest of your life.

-- AIRLINE NEWS --

EDELWEISS AIR INTRODUCES NEW FLIGHTS TO SA

Starting from the end of October, Switzerland's Edelweiss Air will introduce twice-weekly flights to Cape Town on Tuesdays and Fridays during the airlines 2011/12 winter season.

Air France will be launching a new thrice-weekly non-stop service from Cape Town to Paris from November 3. Flights will be operated by a Boeing 777-200 with a total capacity of 309 seats. The airline's new business class seat will be on board.

ETIHAD AIRWAYS AND CZECH AIRLINES SIGN CODESHARE AGREEMENT

Etihad Airways and Czech Airlines have signed a new codeshare agreement that will see Czech Airlines launch new direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Prague and offer onward global connections through Etihad's network. The agreement will allow Etihad passengers to book flights through to Prague and beyond to other Czech Airlines serviced routes.

LUFTHANSA PAY HOMAGE TO JOHANNESBURG

LUFTHANSA OPENS NEW LOUNGE

Lufthansa has opened what it says is its largest airport lounge in the departures area of Terminal 1 at Frankfurt airport. Customers who have achieved Senator status can now enjoy a modern wellness area with luxury facilities that include 10 showers and two spa rooms. The entire lounge has a floor space of about 1800 square meters with seating for over 300 guests. In addition to the comfort zones, bistros and work areas, there is also a separate relaxation area with leather day beds and a smokers' room.

NEW MEASURES TO CUT DELAYS AT HEATHROW

Passengers using Heathrow and communities around the airport could benefit from reduced delays, less stacking and fewer unscheduled night flights at the airport as part of a trial of new measures. The measures are set out in the final report by the Government's South East Airports Taskforce. The measures focus on making Heathrow more resilient and better able to recover on days when the airport's operations are disrupted by poor weather or other problems. The taskforce also endorsed plans for a switch to a smarter, more effective and more passenger friendly airport security regime for all UK airports.

BA, UK BORDER AGENCY CLARIFY SHENGEN VISAS

British Airways has sourced comment from the UK Border Agency regarding a C or D type visa. The response reads as follows: A South African passport holder who has a valid common format Category D visa for entry to an EEA state or a valid common format residence permit issued by an EEA state can transit the UK without a visa, provided they have a confirmed onward booking and are transiting within 24 hours. If they have a Category C Schengen visas, they need a UK transit visa.

Air Seychelles will increase its frequency from Johannesburg to three flights a week starting December 1. The airline, which currently flies twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays, will fly three times a week on Fridays, Sundays and Tuesdays. The increase in frequency will add a new dimension to long and short term packaged stays in the Seychelles. The increase capacity comes as a result of the airline's plans to replace its current B767 aircraft which has a capacity of 212 passengers with a B737 which can accommodate 162 passengers.

AIRLINES THAT BUMP WILL HAVE TO PAY

Airline passengers bumped due to overbooking can now expect to be compensated, according to the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act. The Act also provides for compensation for any other expenses that the consumer incurs. Section 47(3) is specifically directed at suppliers of goods and services who, in the past, would arbitrarily and unilaterally implement changes to what they had promised to supply, without fear of any serious consequences. The Act says that where they can find someone else who can provide the same service to you, they are obliged to do just that.

They must try and put you on another flight, perhaps one of that airline’s competitors or whomever they have an agreement with. Section 47 provides that a supplier such as an airline can mitigate its failure to provide the service by supplying or procuring ‘another person to supply a consumer with comparable goods or services’. In theory, one should see rival airlines using each other to transport their bumped passengers, on a regular basis, only to remain compliant with the Act. In cases where the airline has overbooked a flight, the passenger would not only be entitled to a refund of the cost of the ticket, but also interest on the cost until it is repaid. In addition, a passenger could justifiably claim the reasonable costs of a meal, of calling home, reasonable accommodation costs and basic toiletries. Overbooking is an industry standard for most airlines to ensure that every seat is filled when a flight departs.
So - know your rights and what is due to you..!

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL RETURNS TO JAPAN

Royal Caribbean International have resumed calls to Japan starting. The cruise line made the decision in view of the stabilization of the situation in the country and the recent lifting of travel advisories on Japan by countries such as Singapore and China.

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4 BEST HONG KONG BARS WITH A VIEW

NEW HIGH SPEED RAIL TUNNEL TO LINK FRANCE TO ITALY

Construction on a new high speed rail link from Turin to Lyon is expected to start early July despite objections by local residents and environmentalists. The new tunnel is expected to cut the travel time by nearly half. Local residents recently built barricades to prevent heavy machinery from starting work in Val di Susa, in northern Italy and police were forced to use fire hoses and tear gas to disperse them. However, the Italian government is determined to go ahead with the project, which is heavily backed by EU money and is estimated to cost €15 bn.

The largest cruise ship to be officially named in Germany recently sailed into Hamburg ahead of its naming ceremony. Celebrity Silhouette, the £500 million ship from cruise line Celebrity Cruises, was also built in Germany at the Meyer Werft ship yard in Papenburg.

With just under a year to go until the start of the London 2012 Games, the Olympic Delivery Authority has announced it is coming to the end of its procurement after awarding more than 1500 direct contracts worth over £6 billion, 98% of which have gone to UK based companies.

AMERICAN AIRLINES SIGNS LARGEST EVER AIRCRAFT ORDER

American Airlines has signed deals for a total of 440 aircraft with future purchase rights for 465 more, with both Boeing and Airbus. In a busy day for the carrier, parent AMR Corp also confirmed it would spin off American Eagle, while also releasing results showing it lost $286 million in the second quarter of 2011.

South African Airways has launched a fast track service at London Heathrow for all business class passengers travelling to London on the airline. The fast track service will allow qualifying passengers to pass through Heathrow immigration speedily, saving the passenger time and enhancing their travel experience. An announcement is made on board the aircraft prior to arrival at Heathrow and vouchers are presented to business class passengers on board the aircraft prior to arrival.

Hilton Worldwide is set to increase its presence after signing a management agreement with Cape Sierra Hotel Company to develop the first Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in Sierra Leone. The new property, Hilton Freetown Cape Sierra, will be located in Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital and the economic and financial hub. The signing of Hilton Freetown Cape Sierra is the second signing the company has made in Africa in August, following shortly after Hilton D'Njamena, Chad. Hilton Worldwide currently has 34 hotels across the continent of Africa with another eight in the development pipeline. So far this year, Hilton Worldwide has opened eight hotels and signed 14 management agreements across the Middle East and Africa.

LESSER KNOWN MURPHY'S LAWS!

-- SOUTH AFRICAN NEWS --

BIGGER CRUISE TERMINAL PLANNED FOR DURBAN

With the opening of properties in Namibia and Seychelles, the Seychelles Kempinski Resort at Baie Lazare on the island of Mahé is scheduled to open in October and a major project in Namibia sees the acquisition of the Midgard Country Estate, which follows the takeover of Kempinski Mokhuti Lodge in 2008. Kempinski has also entered into a management agreement for the Kempinski Strand Hotel in Namibia

Johannesburg Tourism Company (JTC) recently announced its commitment to working with Jo'burg Gems, a newly launched golf tourism initiative aimed at promoting golf courses and facilities in Johannesburg. In light of rising travel and accommodation costs impacting on South Africa's golf tourism industry, Jo'burg Gems is working to market the city as a golf destination of choice. By working with Jo'burg Tourism, Jo'burg Gems makes it possible for visitors to add sightseeing excursions to their golf itinerary, such as a visit to The Cradle of Humankind, Apartheid Museum, wildlife parks or even a high-profile sports event or music concert.

The MSC Sinfonia will make her first ever call at Port Elizabeth on South Africa’s Eastern Cape coast on March 28, 2012. The ship is returning to Southern Africa for a third successive summer season in November this year. She will enjoy a 10-hour visit to the ‘friendly city’, which is renowned for its sweeping beaches, via malaria-free game reserves and historic roots. The Port Elizabeth stop over is part of MSC Sinfonia’s four night end of season cruise from Durban to Cape Town, which links to the 18 night northbound repositioning cruise that calls at ports on the west coast of Africa and the Mediterranean before docking in Genoa, Italy.

The view from The Westin Cape Town has now become part of an interactive collection of views by Starwood Hotels and Resorts. The 'Room with a View' initiative was recently launched at the hotel and enables participating Starwood hotels worldwide to broadcast via webcam, their locations in real time, to a global audience. Users can explore live webcam feeds of New York’s Empire State Building, Argentina’s Iguaza Falls, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Rome’s Via Vento, the Great Pyramids of Giza and London’s Big Ben, among others. The Westin Cape Town’s webcam showcasing Cape Town, offers guests information as to what they can expect of their stay at the hotel. Each landmark, such as the V&A Waterfront is tagged on the portal page, offering additional information about each attraction

Cape Town could be added to the Formula 1 Grand Prix calendar within the next two years. The first serious talks about a return of the F1 to South Africa emerged about five years ago, but despite ongoing efforts, nothing concrete seemed to materialize.

According to a survey released by Mastercard, Johannesburg is the third most visited destination city in the Middle East and Africa region. The Mastercard Index of Global Destination Cities ranks cities by their total international visitor arrivals and the cross-border spending by those same visitors in the destination cities and gives visitor and passenger growth forecasts. Dubai (7.9 million) and Cairo (3.7 million) took the top two spots as the region's most visited cities, with Johannesburg ranked third with three million visitors in 2011.

According to a survey released by Mastercard, Johannesburg is the third most visited destination city in the Middle East and Africa region. The Mastercard Index of Global Destination Cities ranks cities by their total international visitor arrivals and the cross-border spending by those same visitors in the destination cities and gives visitor and passenger growth forecasts. Dubai (7.9 million) and Cairo (3.7 million) took the top two spots as the region's most visited cities, with Johannesburg ranked third with three million visitors in 2011

South Africa is the third most popular dream destination, according to the Virtuoso Travel Dreams survey, which is aimed at top luxury travellers. The top dream destination for Virtuoso members is Australia, followed by Italy. South Africa also featured in fifth place as the most ideal family destination. Photographing the Big Five on an African safari was listed in sixth place among the top trips of a lifetime, beating experiences such as renting a private island and blasting off on a Virgin Galactic flight. Virtuoso is a by-invitation-only organization and comprises over 300 agencies with more than 6000 elite travel specialists in 22 countries in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand.

Forever Resorts has announced that it will be closing two of its properties, The Blue Mountain Lodge in Hazyview and Tulani Safari Lodge near Phalaborwa, due to criminal attacks on staff and patrons. Recurring incidents, especially at Blue Mountain Lodge, where trespassers entered the property and held patrons and staff to ransom have taken place recently. The drastic deterioration of roads and other infrastructure in Graskop, Sabie and Hazyview areas have contributed to lower tourist activities and occupancies. Despite having doubled security at both properties, it has reached a point where it did not make business sense to continue operating.

The serious pressure being exerted on the hospitality sector is reflected in an increasing number of hotels having to close their doors and being put on auction. The Garden Route is especially distressed.
The latest victims of the sector's downturn are the Riviera Coastal Inn & Suite Hotel in Hartenbos, the Diaz Beach Garden Route Boutique Hotel near Mossel Bay and the Boland Park Hotel & Lodge in Mossel Bay. The selling of the hotels are unfortunately a sign of the present downturn in the hotel and hospitality industry. The hotels are being auctioned in September at the Riviera Coastal Inn.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Can you believe how quickly the year has flown by, December is looming. This means that it is time to start preparing for your Companies Year-End Function.
With great specials currently running and spectacular year end packages, we are sure to find the venue and entertainment that suits you to the letter. Be it Dinner and a Show, a great comedian or inspirational speaker or a more lighthearted luncheon or champagne breakfast we have the expertise and knowledge to help you plan the perfect year-end celebration.
For a more formal ending, follow your final conference with a gala dinner with all the trimmings at one of our many trusted venues.

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