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2010/06/02
Hello Everyone
 Well it’s final count down to the hugely anticipated World Cup soccer. It’s going to be an unbelievable experience for all of us in so many different ways. I hope business carries on much the same as usual and that all our client’s continue to show great results in the second quarter of 2010!
As always I hope you find the information herein of use to you – it’s rather a jam packed Newsflash I’m afraid – clearly there’s too much happening in the travel and hospitality industry at the moment!! And don’t forget that it’s sent to you from your favourite Events & Conferencing Company!
Hoping to talk to many of you in the near future with a view to seeing what we can do for you.
Regards
STEPHANIE MOSS
Holiday Inn Rosebank enters the scene
The Holiday Inn Rosebank is one of the hottest new addresses in town located in Rosebank’s trendy The Zone shopping district and just metres away from Rosebank’s new Gautrain station. The brand new Holiday Inn Rosebank, offering 158 rooms, opens its doors on May 7. Managed by ISO Leisure, Holiday Inn Rosebank will offer guests access to a business centre, fitness centre, outdoor pool, cocktail bar and restaurant, among other facilities. The Holiday Inn brand is undergoing the biggest relaunch in the hospitality industry with a US$1bn investment across more than 3 200 hotels and 430 000 rooms worldwide.
Air Mauritius
Air Mauritius has bumped up its Durban frequency to two flights a week from April. Despite the economic downturn, the airline saw an increase in demand along this route. There will be a third frequency during seasonal peak periods and if the airline continues to see growth and demand in the market, it will increase flights to three a week on a more permanent basis. In other news, Air Mauritius has decided to centralise its reservations and ticketing operations in Johannesburg as well as having its own offices at Durban and Cape Town airports.
Allée Bleue launches event venue
Allée Bleue in the Franschhoek valley has launched Le Grand Hall, a 250-seater venue designed for lavish receptions and launches. Offering sophisticated country hospitality, Le Grand Hall has a wonderful indoor-outdoor flow for entertaining guests as well as cutting-edge sound technology throughout the venue. A wedding or function at Le Grand Hall can be enhanced by wine tasting or a private tour of the estate’s modern cellar. Overnight accommodation is available in Kendall Cottage, a luxury retreat with two suites and a living room leading to a secluded terrace. The cottage will soon be complemented by further luxury accommodation in historic buildings currently under restoration.
Time to SLOW down
COMAIR has set a new global standard for domestic airport lounges in South Africa with the launch of its SLOW lounges. The idea for SLOW’s tranquil and stylish environment was conceived by local designers to provide a “perfect sanctuary”. Features include a chef, a barista, a bar, a library, Nintendo games room, private meeting spaces and business facilities. Cape Town International Airport’s SLOW lounge also includes an on-site spa. Already up and running at OR Tambo and Cape Town International, the SLOW lounge is exclusive to qualifying British Airways Executive Club holders, British Airways Club ( business class) passengers, RMB Private Bank clients, FNB platinum card holders and FNB Private Bank travellers.
MSC to operate two ships for 2010/2011 season
MSC Cruises has announced it will be operating two cruise ships, the MSC Melody and the MSC Sinfonia out of South African ports during the 2010/2011 summer season to meet increased demand. The MSC Sinfonia, with a capacity of over 2 100 passengers, enjoyed a successful maiden season operating out of Durban and will operate an extended cruise season from November 2010 to May 2011. MSC Melody has a capacity of 1 500 passengers.
New Avis branch opens at CTIA
AVIS opened its new state-of-the-art car-rental branch at Cape Town International Airport on March 27. The new branch is located at the new dedicated car-rental area and replaces the three kiosks operated around the airport. The new kiosk is located where domestic and international traffic merges after being directed out of the arrival halls to pedestrian underpass walkways. The walkways ensure that customers avoid crossing roads, bringing them directly to the car-rental service area.
TAM Airlines to join Star Alliance
SOUTH America’s TAM Airlines will become a full member of the Star Alliance on May 13, becoming the alliance’s 27th member. Once it is a full member of the alliance the airline will be able to share products and services at more than 1 000 destination in 175 countries.
Members of TAM’s frequently flyer programme ‘TAM Fidelidade’ will also be integrated with the programmes of the other Star Alliance members.
Revamp for Rhodes Memorial Restaurant
The Rhodes Memorial Restaurant is to be revamped, to open in time to cater for the surge of visitors expected to visit Cape Town for the Soccer World Cup. The restaurant will close at the end of March when renovations will begin. Tenders have been advertised for operators to undertake the upgrade and to run the restaurant as a private-public partnership. Plans include re-thatching the restaurant building, re-engineering the sewage system, and optimising the internal and external space. The tender allows for the inclusion of revamping the chapel, to enable events to be celebrated there. All construction and other enhancements will be very sensitive to the natural environment and historic significance of the site.
1Time looking to expand in Africa
1TIME commercial director Desmond O’ Conner has confirmed that the airline has applied for rights to operate services between Johannesburg and Harare, as well as a other African routes including Lusaka and Victoria Falls. Said O’ Conner: “1time’s main focus is now to grow into Africa. We are already operating into Zanzibar, Livingstone and shortly Maputo in Mozambique, which we are looking forward to.” He continued to say that airfares regionally in Africa are extremely high and looking at the growth in air travel that came about in the domestic market as a result of low cost carriers, 1time thinks the impact in Africa will be even bigger.
Jet Airways arrives in SA
JET Airways launched its daily services to South Africa this month, the airline’s first African destination. The flights will operate between Johannesburg and Mumbai, from where passengers will be able to connect to a network which covers 51 destinations across India and 22 international destinations in south east Asia, the Far East, North America, Europe and the Gulf.
Flight arrival times vary marginally due to slot times at OR Tambo International Airport but will land between 07h00 and 08h00 and will depart between 10h30 and 11h30. Flights will arrive in Mumbai at 23h35 and depart for South Africa at 02h05. The airline will operate A330-200 on its South African routes in a two-cabin configuration, with 30 business and 190 economy class seats.
OR Tambo new Central Terminal Building to open
On Tuesday, April 20, President Jacob Zuma opened the newly constructed Central Terminal Building (CTB) at OR Tambo International Airport. GM of OR Tambo International Airport, Chris Hlekane, declares that the official opening of CTB marks the completion of the state-of-the-art airport facility well in time for the World Cup.
“Acsa works closely with FIFA to share data on traffic volumes around key games and venues. The airports are prepared to run 24 hours a day to ensure the smooth flow of operations.” Completed facilities at the airport include the International Pier and a multi-storey parkade for 5 200 vehicles, bringing the total number of parking bays within and offsite the precinct to 17 500. Other facilities comprise seven new aircraft apron stands and the Gautrain Rapid Rail link.
CTIA launches shuttle bus service
A new shuttle bus system at Cape Town International Airport will transport passengers from the new Central Terminal Building to the new Civic Bus Station in Hertzog Boulevard at a cost of R50. Buses will depart every six minutes during peak hours and will be in operation from May 29.
KMIA to handle 45 000 pax over World Cup
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport is expecting to handle approximately 45 000 passengers over the period of the 2010 FIFA World Cup starting in June. Although the airport is very small, it will utilise a drop-and-go policy throughout the month-long tournament regardless of whether aircraft are full or not on take-off, says Operations Manager, Rowan Torr. Torr says with the constraints that are expected to be placed on the airport’s apron coupled with the fact that the airport has no taxiway, it must be conservative in managing the facilitation of passengers. “The airport can handle eight aircraft per hour – four in and four out,” says Torr. “This results in about 600 passengers per hour.”
Free visa for World Cup visitors
Overseas visitors who have tickets for the World Cup will be able to obtain a free visitor visa when they enter South Africa. The visa can only be used for the World Cup and will only be valid for 90 days. A valid travel document/ passport, proof of return air ticket, a match ticket booking voucher and two identity photographs in colour will be required to obtain the visa.
Airline losses estimated at US1,7BN
IATA has estimated that the Icelandic volcano crises cost airlines more than US$1,7bn in lost revenue by late April. “Lost revenues now total more than $1.7 billion for airlines alone. At the worst, the crisis impacted 29% of global aviation and affected 1.2 million passengers a day. The scale of the crisis eclipsed 9/11 when US airspace was closed for three days,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO. Iata said that although airlines saved costs on fuel, they faced added costs such as passenger care. For an industry that lost US$9,4bn last year and was forecast to lose a further US$2,8bn in 2010, this crisis is devastating.
QUOTES:
Harmony
”Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well.” – Mahatma Ghandi
Carry Your Load
"It's not the load that breaks you down, it's how you carry it..."
Articles per:
iafrica.com, a division of Primedia Online* a Primedia Company
The Travel Industry Review
Nowmedia.com
The Travelhub
Tourism Review
News24.com
www.conven.imix.co.za
BTN
SA Tourism update
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Cairo Marriott Hotel is surrounded by the sights and sounds that makes Cairo the most popular destination in the Middle East for both business and leisure travellers and is a perfect base for exploring historic Cairo..
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