Moja Media has built up a stable of quality, well-designed tourism guides, including Moja Heritage Collection, Visit with Visa and Joburg Tourism’s Ultimate Guide. Online, Moja Media manages golimpopo.com for Limpopo Tourism as well as several of its own information and booking websites.

Director James Delaney says: “We’re honoured and excited to become the custodians of Portfolio Collection, which has been a trusted brand for decades. We won’t be rushing into any major changes and we’re first listening closely to what the market needs, particularly in the digital arena.”

Liz Westby-Nunn adds: “We are delighted that after 30 years, Portfolio will begin the next chapter in its life as part of Moja Media, and know that Ian and James will continue to fly the Portfolio flag with pride.”

Portfolio Collection will shortly launch its App for iPad, along with updates to portfoliocollection.com. Any queries can be sent to kirsty@portfoliocollection.com or go to www.mojamedia.com.

The TGCSA has embarked on a national roadshow during this last week of February 2012, during which its staff are visiting every province to recruit more businesses into the fold of graded establishments. The organisation is explaining the numerous competitive benefits that come with being graded and giving evidence of significant dividends delivered against investment in seeking and securing star grading.

Grading gives the hospitality industry a global network of businesses with which they are automatically aligned in the minds of tourists. The phrase ‘five-star’, for example, has powerful resonance in the mind of a consumer shopping for a holiday. And it gives the establishment that has earned that grading a significant competitive edge. Consumers know what to expect from a graded establishment. They know how much to expect to pay.

The provincial roadshow follows the significant overhauling of grading criteria two years ago. Thembi Kunene, chief quality assurance officer at TGCSA, says slightly more than 5 000 establishments in the country are presently graded. However, with 17 000 establishments not enjoying the benefits of being graded, the council says there is much to be done to invite them into the fold and work with the larger industry to power up South Africa’s global destination competitiveness.

“Grading is an entirely voluntary process. But the benefits are immense,” she says. “Graded establishments enjoy the powerful marketing platforms of national destination marketing organisation, South African Tourism. They enjoy the personal advice and consultative services of an expert grading assessor. They enjoy being prioritised for government business and they are able to rightfully claim independent endorsement of their quality, service, standards and reliability.”

The provincial roadshow, she adds, are a key component of the TGCSA’s commitment to integrity and transparency. They provide a platform for everyone, both graded and ungraded establishments, to talk to senior members of TGCSA, ask questions and interrogate the grading process as it applies (or would apply) to them.

Last year’s roadshow was declared a success not only for TGCSA, but also for thousands of business owners who came to learn more about grading, and to network with each other.  Those events focused on the minimum grading criteria and entry requirements. This year the roadshows will focus on the benefits of grading and how grading boosts the national and global competitiveness not only of establishments, but also of the larger destination.

Star graded establishments enjoy:

• Preferential listing on the TGCSA and South African Tourism global web pages;
• Government departments only procure accommodation and/or conferencing venues from graded establishments;
• Only graded establishments get an opportunity to advertise in the Star Guide, the official guide to graded establishments in South Africa. This guide is distributed to all South African Tourism’s offices worldwide and to all the South African embassies abroad;
• Only graded establishments are eligible to enter the Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (ETEYA);
• South African Tourism only procures accommodation or conferencing facilities from graded establishments when hosting both local and international trade and media; and
• Graded establishments benefit from various training courses provided by South African Tourism. These include, but are not limited to, speed marketing exercises at home and in the key markets; and product packing and bundling for purposes of itinerary sales and planning.

Dates for the roadshows were provided, as follows (please check on website or with TGCSA regarding confirmation of all dates, venues and times):

• North West – Rustenburg: 21 Feb; Hunters Rest Hotel, R24
• Eastern Cape – Port Elizabeth: 23 Feb; Pine Lodge, 1 Marine Drive
• Eastern Cape – East London: 24 Feb; Regent Hotel, 22 Esplanade, Beachfront
• Free State – Bloemfontein: 28 Feb; Protea Hotel Bloem Central, Bloem Plaza, East Burger St
• Limpopo – Polokwane: 1 Mar; Meropa Casino & Ent. World, Plot 59 Sterkloop, Roodepoort Rd
• KwaZulu-Natal – Durban: 2 Mar; DICC, 45 Bram Fischer Rd, Durban
• Mpumalanga – Nelspruit: 19 Mar; Protea Winkler Hotel, R538 Numbi Gate Rd, White River
• Mpumalanga – Witbank: 20 Mar; Protea Witbank, 167 Jellicoe St, Witbank
• Northern Cape – Kimberley: 27 Mar; Southern Sun Garden Court, 120 Du Toitspan Rd
• Western Cape – Knysna: 2 Apr; Simola Hotel, Old Cape Road
• Western Cape – Robertson: 3 Apr; Graham & Rhona Beck Skills Centre, R60, Riverside/Goree Rd
• Western Cape – Cape Town: 4 Apr; CTICC, 1 Lower Long St
• Gauteng – Soweto: 11 Apr; Ubuntu Kraal, 11846 Senokoanyana St, Orlando West Ext
• Gauteng – Johannesburg: 12 Apr; Gallagher Estate, 19 Richards Dr, Midrand

For more information on the 2012 roadshows please go to www.tourismgrading.co.za/roadshow.

On 21 February the roadshow was in Rustenburg in the North West and on 23 February is headed for Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Seen here is Thembi Kunene, chief quality assurance officer of the Tourism Grading Council of SA, presenting at the roadshow.

Rickety Bridge has launched its Tasting Room in the Vines. The tasting room, housed on an elevated platform with a three-sided full-height glazed façade, offers dramatic views of the vineyards with the majestic Franschhoek Mountains towering in the background. The rustic charm of the old Rickety Bridge tasting room has been retained, but a monochromatic contemporary design and a number of stylish new elements infuse the setting with a striking modern elegance. An impressive feature is the tasting counter, once a feeding trough on the Argentinian Pampas, and now, with the addition of a glass- and steel-framed countertop, it creates a discreetly sophisticated tasting environment. To further enhance the vinous experience, the tasting room virtually spills over, through massive glass walls, into the cellar, affording guests a clear view of a working winery.

On hot days insulated roofing and ceiling fans keep the guests cool when sipping on Rickety Bridge’s Brut Rosé or refreshing white wines, or, on cooler days, guests can recline on leather couches around the wood-burning fireplace and soak up the warmth while enjoying Rickety Bridge’s fine red wines.

A ‘big hit’ this summer will no doubt be Rickety Bridge’s floating terraces in the vineyards, where wine-lovers can taste Rickety Bridge wines, entirely surrounded by vines. A laid-back game of boules may beckon, just a few steps away, while children amuse themselves on the jungle gym and adjacent lawn.

On the launch of Rickety Bridge Brut Rose 2010, a delighted Wynand Grobler, winemaker at Rickety Bridge, says: “We are very excited about the launch of our maiden vintage Cap Classique. Being in the MCC capital of South Africa, we are very pleased to release yet another world-class W.O. Franschhoek bubbly. Our new release, a classic blend of 55% Chardonnay and 45% Pinot Noir, captures in a bottle, the lively, stylish elegance which is Rickety Bridge.”

Tasting Notes: This gorgeous, enticing pale salmon pink Brut Rosé displays delicate citrus notes and hints of red berries on the nose. On the palate, a crisp freshness combines seamlessly with a classic richness. The fine continuous mousse kisses the palate and lifts the wine to a long elegant finish.

Food Pairing: Delightful on its own, ideal for any occasion and perfectly paired with fresh oysters, shellfish-especially steamed crayfish and salmon, as well as sushi and duck.

Retail price: The Rickety Bridge Brut Rosé 2010 will retail for approximately R115.

Maturation Potential: Already delicious, this wine has great aging potential for up to 15 years from harvest.

Viticulture: All grapes used in this Méthode Cap Classique originate from Franschhoek. The Pinot Noir vines grow in sandy Tukulu soils on the banks of the Franschhoek River and the Chardonnay grapes on the granite slopes of the Franschhoek Mountain, all low-yielding vineyards at 4.5 tonnes per hectare.

Harvest: Both the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were hand harvested on 18 January 2010 at 18⁰ and 20⁰ Balling respectively, into small crates and carefully transported to the cellar.

Winemaking: Fermentation of 30% of the blend took place in older small French oak barrels and the rest in stainless steel tanks, using a noble yeast, namely CE 1118. The must was fermented between 14⁰ and 17⁰C and the lees was stirred daily for three months and then twice a week for a further three months. Six months barrel maturation was followed by blending and bottling. During and after the second fermentation in the bottle, the wine spent another twelve months on the lees before it was de-gorged and released.

Rickety Bridge markets itself as a wine and lifestyle estate. When visiting Rickety Bridge today, one still crosses a bridge over the Franschhoek River to enter this picturesque sanctuary, this jewel in the vines, which offers far more than the conventional wine estate. This Franschhoek wine estate is home to a modern boutique-style winery producing award-winning wines, a ‘tasting room in the vines’, a popular à la carte restaurant, gourmet picnics for groups, luxurious 4-star accommodation, a romantic wedding and function venue, a conference centre, a boules court and a playground for children.

Current vintages, recent awards and recommended retail prices are as follows:

Icon Wines

• The Bridge 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (R400)

(One of the Top 100 wines in the inaugural Top 100 SA Wines competition and 4½ Stars in the 2012 Platter’s Wine Guide)

Paulina’s Reserve Range

• Rickety Bridge Paulina’s Reserve Chenin Blanc 2009 (R70)
• Rickety Bridge Paulina’s Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (R80)
• Rickety Bridge Paulina’s Reserve Semillon 2008 (R90)
• Rickety Bridge Paulina’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (R160)

(Gold medal and a Top 10 Cabernet Award at the 2011 Decanter World Wine Awards)

Rickety Bridge Range

• Rickety Bridge Chenin Blanc 2011 (R50)
• Rickety Bridge Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (R60)
• Rickety Bridge Chardonnay 2011 (R70)
• Rickety Bridge Rosé 2011 (R40)
• Rickety Bridge Merlot 2007 (R75)
• Rickety Bridge Pinotage 2010 (R80)
• Rickety Bridge The Foundation Stone 2010 (R85)

(Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Tannat, Grenache, Cinsaut blend)

• Rickety Bridge Shiraz 2009 (R130)

(2011 Veritas Double Gold and Michelangelo Gold Medals)

• Rickety Bridge Natural Sweet Chenin Blanc 2010 (R70)
• Rickety Bridge Brut Rosé 2010 (R115)

Rickety Bridge is open seven days a week.

Tel: 021 876 2129

Email: info@ricketybridge.com

www.ricketybridge.com

In the image collage above are: 1) Winemaker Wynand Grobler with a glass of the Rickety Bridge Brut Rosé inside the new Tasting Room in the Vines; 2) Rickety Bridge entrance with vineyards and Manor House in the background; 3) Rickety Bridge Tasting Room in the Vines exterior showing one of the floating terraces; 4) Rickety Bridge Tasting Room in the Vines showing the balcony and the view; 5) Rickety Bridge Tasting Room in the Vines interior; 6) Rickety Bridge Tasting Room in the Vines interior showing tasting counter; 7) Rickety Bridge Brut Rosé 2010.

The Australian source market remains important for South Africa. By October 2011, more than 84 000 Australians had visited South Africa, spending an average of R11 800 per trip and staying for approximately 15 nights. Addressing the tourism trade and media in Sydney, the minister cited the current continued growth period in the Australian economy as an opportune time for South Africa to take full advantage of the burgeoning outbound travel market in the region.

“Australia ranks sixth in terms of South African Tourism’s top 20 long haul source markets. Between 2005 and 2010, South Africa has steadily grown annual tourist arrivals from Austalia by 39%, reaching more than 107 000 in 2010. We are aiming to achieve and exceed the target of 120 000 Australian tourist arrivals in the next two years.”

In addressing the issue of combating seasonality in the Australian source market, van Schalkwyk adds: “We actively need to work at improving seasonality by exposing and promoting South Africa’s all-year, easy-to-do and value-for-money experiences.”

South Africa is an appealing destination to the Australian market because of its wildlife, beaches and coastlines, urban centres and friendly people.

According to the minister, the relationship between the South African and Australian travel trade is “mutually beneficial”, backed by a number of initiatives managed on the ground by South African Tourism’s Australia office. Such initiatives include trade familiarisation trips, joint marketing campaigns, workshops, roadshows and the FUNDI training programme, all of which are reported to be successful. South African Tourism opened its Sydney office in 2003. 

Another draw card for Australian travellers is South Africa’s growing importance as a business tourism destination, particularly given the positive awareness achieved after South Africa’s successful hosting of high-profile mega-events, including last year’s IOC congress and COP17.

“South Africa has the proven capacity and the infrastructure to successfully host major international business events and meetings, and, with the implementation of the National Convention Bureau, we now also have the strategic platform for collaboration to claim a bigger slice of the global business tourism market,” the minister says.

Van Schalkwyk attended the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) during his visit to Australia. AIME is the premier meetings and incentives event in the Asia-Pacific region and an ideal platform to promote South Africa as an accessible and value-for-money destination, and to highlight the recent developments and the accolades received since the hosting of the Fifa World Cup and COP17 in the build-up towards Meetings Africa. Meetings Africa is South African Tourism’s marketing platform that exposes local and international buyers to the range of services and products in Southern Africa’s MICE (meetings, incentives, conference and exhibitions) industry. It will be hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre on 28 February 2012.

The primary focus areas for 2012 by South African Tourism Australia will be to continue highlighting the product, adventures and experiences, driving the accessibility of the ‘South Africa as the preferred destination’ message. This includes building strong partnerships with trade partners in wholesale and airlines. More than 33 flights between major cities in both countries are available each week, with direct routes via South African Airways, code-sharing with Qantas. With Australians spending more money on travel as their economy grows and as the Australian dollar appreciates, South Africa is well positioned to continue growing arrivals from a fast-maturing Australian travel market.

At a presentation on 15 February, the JSE-listed group handed over R163 500 to the Cancer Association, reflecting the proceeds from its 2011 (1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011)  “Cuppa for Cancer” campaign.

The money was donated by the group on behalf of guests who purchased tea and coffee at its 21 Road Lodges around the country. Whenever anyone bought a cup of tea or coffee, the group put aside a R3.50 donation (half of the price charged to the guest), which built up over 12 months into a meaningful six-figure amount.

Since the group started the “Cuppa for Cancer” campaign in 2001, it has donated more than R1-million to the Cancer Association. The first annual donation was R18 000, so it has risen sharply over the years.

Meanwhile, the two charities listed on the City Lodge website – Hospice and Food & Trees for Africa – were also big beneficiaries at the presentation which took place at the Courtyard Eastgate hotel.

Whenever guests make online bookings via the City Lodge website – www.citylodge.co.za – they are able to select one of these two charities as beneficiaries. The group then makes a R5 donation on guests’ behalf.

For the six months to 31 December 2011, the group set aside an amount of R79 590 through online bookings for Hospice and R47 710 for Food & Trees for Africa.

“We are delighted that on behalf of our guests, we are able to make such worthwhile donations to these very worthy causes which each do fantastic work in our country,” says City Lodge’s CEO, Clifford Ross.

In the image above are (back, from left): Joel Perry, advocacy officer at the Cancer Association of SA; Peter Schoeman, divisional director of sales and marketing at City Lodge Hotels and (front, from left) Jeunesse Park, founder of Food & Trees for Africa and Richard Perkins, financial officer at the Hospice Palliative Care Association of SA.

On hand to receive the team on their arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was Kenya Airways chief executive, Dr. Titus Naikuni, accompanied by the Commissioner of Sports Gordon Oluoch and the Kenya Rugby Union officials led by its vice chair Fred Odhiambo.

The team beat Argentina to clinch the Plate title, emerging 12^th overall in the table standings after two rounds of the IRB sevens series.

Dr Naikuni reiterated the airlines’ commitment to continue supporting the team as part of its engagement with its key markets. “Rugby is a popular event through which we can market Kenya as a destination for sports tourism,” he added, stressing the need to promote sports as a way of healthy living.

Kenya Airways has sponsored the Kenya Sevens team since 2009 and the airline is committed to support the Kenya team to achieve even better results in the world stage. The team will now rest for a month before embarking on the next IRB round in Japan and Hong Kong.

Kenya Airways flies to Hong Kong via Bangkok three times per week and will be announcing promotional fares for the fans intending to go watch the Kenya team in action.

She is responsible for developing relationships and growing the business within the corporate market in Cape Town on behalf of Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat and Oyster Box Hotel.

Solomon has close on a decade of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry. Prior to joining The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, she was sales executive at The Taj Cape Town.

The event was attended by 177 timeshare and fractional industry professionals representing 91 companies who came together to share best practices, discuss new development projects and provide an open debate on topics such as the need to adapt products to meet changing consumer behaviour and the effect of regulation, re-sales and transfer companies on the vacation ownership industry.

Perspective Magazine is an independent, multi-media information provider for the shared ownership industry. The company publishes five regional brands covering North America, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East, South Africa, and Asia Pacific. It is a global publication aimed at the vacation ownership industry.

Southern Sun’s Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort received awards for Best Timeshare Resort, South Africa and Best Timeshare Unit, South Africa. Winners were decided through a combination of online voting and decisions from a panel of four industry experts, each of the five components accounting for 20% of the overall tally. Online voting took place in January, with over 9 000 votes received from online professionals across the globe.

Deon Viljoen, operations director Southern Sun Lifestyle Resorts, says:“We are delighted to have received these two coveted and prestigious rewards from Perspective Magazine. This is great recognition for our share clock directors, timeshare owners and resort management and staff.”

Situated in Plettenberg Bay, the Southern Sun Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort is built on a rocky peninsula jutting into the Indian Ocean. In 2011, for its 40th birthday, Southern Sun Hotels implemented a complete refurbishment of the resort. Apart from the concrete shell, the entire property was refreshed.

“My team and I are grateful to be recognised by the industry globally.  These awards fully endorse the refurbishment of the resort and the dedication of the team to ‘create great memories’. These awards prove once again that a combination of great product and committed people is the recipe to use,” says Jacques-Louis Moolman, GM at the Southern Sun Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort.

The event includes a panel of industry experts – chefs, restaurateurs and F&B managers – and the delegates (the event is free) will include professional chefs and operators of food establishments. After an opening presentation by the guest speaker, the discussion will be open to the floor for delegates to pose the kinds of questions they have always wanted to ask to the panel and encourage robust debate.

The first breakfast topic is: “The value of food critics to the success or failure of a food establishment”. The discussion will look at what qualifies one to be a food critic; rules (if any) of reporting; relevance of food critics in the digital age of Twitter and Facebook; issues of integrity; recourse if unfairly criticised; as well as restaurateurs’ personal experiences and how they have handled them.

Hilary Biller, food editor at the Sunday Times, will be the guest speaker and joining her on the panel are: Julian Cohen, F&B manager at Sandton Sun; Gianni Mariano, owner of Mastrantonio Restaurant Group; Mark Cameron, group executive chef at Doppio Zero group of restaurants; Saul Mervis, owner of The Grillhouse, Katzy’s, Gourmet Garage and Meat.etc in Johannesburg; Wandile Ndala, owner of Wandi’s Place in Soweto; Obakeng Leephile, owner of Green Room Productions in Soweto; and Coco Reinhartz, chef patron of Sel et Poivre and Le Petit Sel restaurants in Johannesburg.

Alan Ford is master of ceremonies.

Tiger Brands Out of Home Solutions marketing manager, Mbulelo Tangweni, says: “The key objective of these events is to provide a forum and platform for the South African chefs and key hospitality decision-makers to discuss topical issues of particular interest to chefs and food service operators.”

Topical issues are chosen by the South African Chefs Association, which is partnering with Tiger Brands in this initiative. Each event will include a guest speaker chosen for their expertise on the chosen topic as well as a panel of experts in the food service industry, who can debate the issue at hand.

While Tiger Brands Out of Home Solutions is behind the two annual breakfasts, its role is to facilitate industry discussions rather than simply punt its products. It has a huge amount of research data and nutritional information available on various generic topics related to its products, and is looking to improve industry knowledge of key categories.

Tangweni says the ‘Conversations with Chefs’ concept is designed to focus on what the company’s clients and consumers want to know, and to package this information in an easily accessible way. “We want to channel conversations in a constructive way that leads to solutions. The end result must be tangible solutions to real problems. We want to give people new ways of looking at key issues thanks to these conversations, so that they walk away with at least one solution that will make a difference to the success of their operation. It is an industry-driven forum,” he adds.

For more information, contact Charl Kriek on 011 482 7250 or email events2@saca.co.za.

Interim summer statistics for November 2011 to January 2012 reflect an increase in arrivals at the Cape Town International Airports as well as greater visitor numbers at the main attractions in Cape Town.

International arrivals are up by more than 14% from 214 607 in November 2010 – January 2011 to 245 029 over the same period this season. Total arrivals this season are up by almost 10% compared to the last season.

“The main attractions are also performing very well with Table Mountain National Park seeing a 20% increase in visitors. We are also very pleased to see that Robben Island recorded a 10% increase in visitor numbers over the full period after a much better performance in January.

“The upswing we are experiencing this summer season is as a result of effective strategies employed by all players in the tourism industry to encourage travellers emerging from the global recession to experience the outstanding offering available in Cape Town and the Western Cape,” says Alan Winde, MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism.

“After being voted one of the New7Wonders of the Nature, Table Mountain has understandably become the must-see attraction in Cape Town. Statistics for November 2011 to January 2012 show a 25% increase (from 234 973 to 294 077) compared to the same period last season.

“This clearly illustrates the impact that international accolades can have on the popularity of an attraction,” added Calvyn Gilfellan, CEO of Cape Town Routes Unlimited, the destination marketing organisation for Cape Town and the Western Cape.