Cablecar
for London
Plans to construct London's first cable car to carry visitors over the
River Thames in time for the 2012 Olympic Games were unveiled by city officials
on Sunday. The £25-million scheme, which would be privately funded, would
connect the Greenwich Peninsula with the Royal Docks in the Docklands area
of east London.
f it goes ahead, the cable car would cut the journey time between the 02
arena — previously known as the Millennium Dome — and the ExCel exhibition
centre, both Olympic venues, from over half an hour to about five minutes.
The cars would be able to carry around 2500 passengers per hour in each
direction and would travel around 50 metres above the river.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said of the plan: “Passengers would be able
to drink in the truly spectacular views of the Olympic Park and iconic
London landmarks whilst shaving valuable minutes from their travelling
time. It would also provide a much-needed enhancement of cross-river options
to the east of the city."
Visa card spend up over WC
Some US$97m (R739m) was spent on foreigners’ Visa cards on travel-related
spend during the World Cup in South Africa.
This included spend on, among others, airlines, hotels, car rental, cruises
and travel agencies and accounts for over 30% of the spend recorded by
Visa in the country over that period.
Visa spending data indicates that the US (19,05%), followed by the United
Kingdom (19,03%), Australia (4,7%) and France (3,4%) have been the strongest
contributors to visitor spending to date. These five countries alone accounted
for 51% of spending.
Court Classique refurb nears completion
Court Classique Suite Hotel in Pretoria has announced that its R4,5 million
upgrade of the property is nearing completion, with the final touches being
put to the interior of the public areas in the main building.
Completed projects include the launch of Orange Restaurant & Wine Cellar,
a R100 000 investment into a state-of-the-art security system, a R400 000
investment in the repainting and maintenance of the exterior of the property
and a R4,3 million investment into a complete refurbishment of all 58 suites
and public areas, including conference facilities.
Air Zimbabwe launches Johannesburg-Vic Falls service
AIR Zimbabwe has introduced flights from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls.
The three-weekly services are operated by a B737 departing Johannesburg
at 09h30, arriving in Victoria Falls at 11h15 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Saturdays. The return service departs Victoria Falls at 12h30, arriving
in Johannesburg at 14h15 on the same days.
Let tourists map you out with Google Street View
It’s not every day that you find an elephant in Street View, or for that
matter get to visit most of the new soccer stadiums in one day. But now
people can do both with Google’s newly released Street
View images and 3D models in Google Earth.
Julie Taylor, Communications Manager for Google South Africa, said: "This
is a first for Africa, and a really exciting development for South Africans,
who can now explore their country in new ways, whether a local neighbourhood
in the city or a scenic costal route they've never seen. Tourists and locals
will be able to take a look at sights before going to them, while the rest
of the world can enjoy the view from their mobile phone or PC."
Roshene Singh, Chief Marketing Officer at South African Tourism added,
"We're delighted that Street View has arrived in South Africa. Whether
you're looking at Cape coastal scenery, the Blyde River Canyon, or at our
state-of-the-art sports stadiums, Street View is going to be an excellent
tool for the tourism industry at large."
Take Note - Danish Schengen visas!
FROM June 1, the Danish Consulate and Embassy have outsourced their visa
processing to VFS Visa Processing South Africa.
Visa applications are to be submitted either at the Denmark Visa Application
Centre operated by VFS in Pretoria, or Consulate of Denmark in Cape Town
and Durban. All applications will be assessed by the Embassy of Denmark,
Pretoria. The Denmark Visa Application Centre offers the option of courier
service for return of documents submitted.
Furthermore, applications will no longer be accepted from visa couriers
or travel agencies
Pay up, Khaya!
FORMER SAA ceo Khaya Ngqula’s alleged penchant for using the airline’s
resources to benefit personal friends and associates has landed him in
hot water.
SAA announced last week it would institute action against Khaya to the
tune of at least R30m. This, more than a year after he was booted from
his position as ceo with the airline.
An investigation by KPMG into various allegations levelled against the
former ceo revealed that not only did he grant free junkets to the value
of R500 000 to personal friends and associates, he also allegedly approved
the hiring of hospitality suites in various sports stadia countrywide,
which were hardly used.
Khaya is also alleged to have treated friends and associates unrelated
to SAA’s business to overseas trips to watch sporting events like the
2006 Soccer World Cup in Germany, the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France and
the 2008 ATO tennis tournament in Monte Carlo.
A summons will be served on him for granting R27m in sign-on retention
bonuses to SAA employees without having the authority to do so.
The Commercial Crimes Unit has been tasked with the investigation of possible
criminal contraventions.
HI LIFE Experiences
Hi LIFE Experiences is an exclusive collection of unique, all-inclusive
escapes for those who want to make the most of life. Hi LIFE Experiences
are available in 5 categories –
adventure
romance
indulgence
family fun
extravagance
Hi LIFE Experiences are ideal for loved ones, birthdays and anniversaries
or as a special indulgence just for yourself. You’re sure to find the
perfect experience to celebrate life’s special moments. For more details
go to www.hilife.co.za.
VIP Assist now available in SA
VIP Assist (VIPA) is now available to South Africans who are looking for
emergency, security and general care services when travelling locally or
abroad. To co-ordinate its services, VIPA has established the VIPA911,
SPOC (Single Point of Contact) Crisis Management Centre, allowing members
to make one easy phone call when assistance of any nature is needed, 24
hours a day, 365 days a year.
On calling the VIPA911 care line on 080 HELP 911, an assistance co-ordinator
immediately evaluates the situation a member is faced with and swiftly
co-ordinates the appropriate response with service providers to attend
to and resolve the member’s crisis.
To join, visit the VIPA 911 website. Travellers can also ask their travel
agent to include VIPA membership in their travel package.
Take-off for the new Gatwick
GATWICK Airport has revealed its new brand identity, signalling the beginning
of a £1bn plan to transform the airport.
The new development plan will be rolled out over the next two years, delivering
new, modern facilities throughout the airport.
From July, passengers flying through Gatwick can enjoy the new state-of-the-art
inter-terminal shuttle. At the same time a new extension to the airport’s
North Terminal will be ready to welcome passengers.
BA gets ready for the Dreamliner
AS the Boeing 787 made its first international appearance at the Farnborough
Air Show this month, preparations for the aircraft to enter the British
Airways fleet are well under way.
British Airways has ordered 24 of the new aircraft, which will join its
long-haul fleet from 2012.
The aircraft are 30% more fuel efficient than the Boeing 767s they will
replace and make only a quarter of the noise of a Boeing 747. They will
be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.
The BA design team is already working on developing the 787’s interior,
which will have a premium feel throughout the cabin.
Top 10 Beach & Sun Destinations in the World
|
| Providenciales, an
island in the Turks and Caicos Islands
|
|
| Tulum, Mexico
|
|
| Byron Bay, Australia
|
|
| Cook Islands
|
|
| Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
|
|
| Huatulco, Mexico
|
|
| Negril, Jamaica
|
|
| Culebra, Puerto Rico
|
|
| Boracay, Philippines
|
|
| San Diego, California |
SAA amends Mauritius seasonality
EFFECTIVE June 18, SAA has amended the current seasonality ex-South Africa
to Mauritius. The new seasonality is as follows:
Low season:
January 12-March 23
April 11-June 9
July 16-September 19
October 4-December 7
Shoulder season:
March 24-April 10
June 10-July 15
September 20-October 3
High season:
December 8-January 11
Park Inn becomes ‘Park Inn by Radisson’
THE Rezidor Hotel Group is changing the name of its mid-market brand Park
Inn to Park Inn by Radisson.
The name change is significant in South Africa, where the first Park Inn
by Radisson opened its doors in Sandton on July 1 with more to follow.
"This is the brand we see the most growth with in South Africa in
the future, as Rezidor believes there is space in the local market for
an international mid-market brand like Park Inn by Radisson," said
Andrew McLachlan, vice president of Business Development for Africa &
the Indian Ocean Islands.
He expects to announce another three Park Inn by Radisson hotels before
the end of 2010 in South Africa.
The Sheraton Pretoria Hotel voted as one of the hotels with the best Club
Lounges in Africa
The Business Traveler Magazine (U.S.A) recently published an article in
their May 2010 issue highlighting some of the world’s best executive hotel
floors and the Sheraton Pretoria Hotel was listed as one of the hotels
with the best Club Lounges in Africa.
Fancy a bush and wine experience?
Asara Wine Estate and Hotel outside Stellenbosch in the Western Cape has
partnered with Kichaka Luxury Game Lodge near Grahamstown in the Eastern
Cape to offer a unique Bush and Wine tour package.
The seven-day package, consisting of four nights at Asara and three nights
at Kichaka, includes self-drive or transfer
options from the nearest airport, luxury five-star accommodation, gourmet
cuisine, connoisseur wines and indigenous game-viewing activities,
The accommodation at Asara is on a bed and breakfast basis and includes
wine on arrival, a fruit basket in the room and a three-course welcome
or farewell dinner. Other extras include a 30-minute back or shoulder massage
and a complimentary wine tasting in Asara’s wine tasting centre.
Kichaka’s three-day accommodation package includes all meals, refreshments
and house wines, two scheduled game drives per day and a one-hour massage.
Best Shopping Vacations - Africa & the Middle East
|
| Dubai, United Arab
Emirates
|
|
| Marrakech, Morocco
|
|
| Cairo, Egypt
|
|
| Cape Town, Western Cape, South
Africa
|
|
| Johannesburg, Johannesburg,
Gauteng, South Africa |
QR to add six more routes
QATAR Airways will continue its expansion programme, with plans to launch
six new routes in Europe and Asia from October. The airline plans to phase
in the route expansion over a four-month period with daily flights to Phuket
– after launching Bangkok – on October 11. The new flights will operate
via Kuala Lumpur.
November 1, Qatar Airways will add the Vietnamese capital Hanoi to its
network with four flights a week via Bangkok. The new route will support
existing services to Ho Chi Minh City, where the airline will also increase
flights from four a week to daily.
November 24 will mark the airline’s European expansion drive with thrice-weekly
flights to Nice via Milan. On January 17, 2011, Qatar Airways will launch
four weekly flights to Bucharest. The expansion programme will round off
with five flights a week to Brussels on January 31, 2011.
On June 24th Qatar Airways introduced South America into the airline’s
family of routes with the launch of flights to the Brazilian city of São
Paulo and Argentine capital, Buenos Aires.
Shanti Maurice launched
Shanti Ananda in Mauritius has been relaunched as Shanti Maurice, a boutique
lifestyle resort.
Shanti Maurice is now part of Nira Hotels and Resorts, a luxury hotel management
company that was launched in 2009.
It is located near St Felix, in the southernmost part of Mauritius. Shanti
Maurice welcomes couples and families, and offers a Kids’ Club and Kids’
Activities Programme, with recreational pursuits such as non-motorised
water sports, tennis, and arts and crafts including shell painting, clay
modelling and ‘treasure hunts’.
Shanti Maurice offers extensive dining options, with an emphasis on locally
sourced fresh fare. The resort’s new signature restaurant, Stars, is defined
by its contemporary Cape cuisine and wide selection of South African wines.
Mantis Opens Baines' River Camp, Lower Zambezi Valley, Zambia in August
2010
In the midst of the unspoilt African bush, set amongst the giant Tamarind
and Jackal-Berry trees on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River the newly
built safari camp, Baines' River Camp, named after the legendary artist
and explorer, Thomas Baines, is to be officially opened by world leading
hospitality group, Mantis, in August 2010.
The Royal Zambezi Airstrip is located nine kilometers from the camp. Baines’
River Camp is a Mantis property and a proud partner of Mantis Preferred
Boutique™ Hotel Group.
Robben Island ferry finds itself in troubled waters
Robben Island has been facing numerous problems and scandals including
allegations of gross financial mismanagement, leadership battles, corruption
and theft during the last few years. A statement released by the City of
Cape Town mentioned that if the poor management of Robben Island continues,
the island risks losing its status as a World Heritage Site. Desiree van
der Walt, DA deputy minister of arts and culture, said last year she was
shocked by the state of the island.
One of the biggest stumbling blocks in the management of the island is
the ferry, which came in the spotlight numerous times because of recurrent
breakdowns. The new R26m ferry Sikhululekile (We are Free) broke down three
times in four months at the beginning of 2010. The breakdowns resulted
in thousands of tourists having their trips cancelled during peak tourism
periods. In January this year, former acting ceo Jatti Bredekamp, questioned
the suitability of the vessel to do the work required. He said: “It’s
being used as a workhorse, and I have asked, how equipped is it to be exploited.”
Other scandals in the history of the ferry include an alleged non-payment
of R2 million to boat builder Farocean as well as large amounts of fuel
for the ferry allegedly being siphoned off by staff.
SAA reinstates codeshare with Thai Airways
SOUTH African Airways has reinstated a codeshare with Thai Airways after
Thai resumed flights on June 2 to South Africa. “SAA will codeshare as
the marketing carrier on Thai’s international operations on the route
between Bangkok and Johannesburg,” confirms head group corporate affairs,
Fani Zulu.
SA7291 departs Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 01h15 from
Bangkok to arrive in Johannesburg at 07h30. SA7290 departs at 13h40 from
Johannesburg to arrive the following morning at 05h55 in Bangkok.
QUOTES:
“I like thinking big. If you’re going to be thinking anything, you might
as well be thinking big”.
Donald Trump
“To think is easy. To act is difficult. To act as one thinks is the most
difficult”
Johann Wofgang von Goeth
“The life which is unexamined is not worth living”.
Socrates
| Articles per:
|
|
| Go – travel guide
|
|
| Tourism update
|
|
| Trip-advisor
|
|
| Business Travel Now
|
|
| Ventagé
|
|
| ETNW |
|
