Contents Issue 2 of 2012 (Mar/Apr)
PUBLISHER Tourism Tattler (Pty) Ltd. PO Box 891, Umhlanga Rocks, 4320 KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Company Reg.No.: 2006/015252/07 Website: www.tourismtattler.co.za MANAGING EDITOR Des Langkilde Tel: +27 (0)32 947 2554 Cell: +27 (0)82 374 7260 Fax: +27 (0)86 651 8080 E-mail: editor@tourismtattler.co.za Skype: tourismtattler EDITOR Marjorie Dean Tel: +27 (0)11 886 9996 Fax: +27 (0)11 886 7557 E-mail: communications@satsa.co.za Skype: satsa-comms ADVERTISING MANAGER Bev Langkilde Tel: +27 (0)32 947 2554 Fax: +27 (0)86 656 3860 Cell: +27 (0)71 224 9971 E-mail: bev@tourismtattler.co.za Skype: bevtourismtattler SUBSCRIPTIONS Email: subscriptions@tourismtattler.co.za Skype: subscribetourismtattler Official Trade Journal of:
The Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (RETOSA) PO Box 7381, Half Way House, 1685 Tel: +2711 315 2420/1 Fax: +2711 315 2422 Webite: www.retosa.co.za
The Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA) PO Box 900, Ferndale, 2160 Tel: +2786 127 2872 Fax: +2711 886 755 Webite: www.satsa.com
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Win a train trip to Vic Falls with Rovos Rail
Bartering room nights for media exposure
EDITORIAL 05 From the Editors desk / Cover Story 06 About SATSA and RETOSA 08 Letters to the Editor 10 Competitions 11 Crossword Competition
GLOBAL
BUSINESS 12 Tips to improve Cash Flow 13 Global tourism to reach One Billion MARKETING 14 Attracting the Luxury Travel Market TECHNOLOGY 16 Gadgets & Gizmos 17 Thechnology - the Key to Future Travel
AFRICA
MARKETING 18 Golf - the Driving Force behind Business 20 Barter - a solution to excess inventory RESPONSIBLE TOURISM & CONSERVATION 22 Africa’s Parrots under threat PHOTO GALLERY 26 Hwange National Park - Zimbabwe TRADE NEWS 30 Trade Snippets
MOZAMBIQUE
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM & CONSERVATION 34 Collaboration with local community EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Adrian Amod Andrew Jernigan Annelie Barkema Apolinari Tairo Brenden Ruiter Des Langkilde Dr. Peter Tarlow Dr. Steve Boyes Get Smarter George Dooley Leandi Cameron Marjorie Dean Martin Jansen van Vuuren Megan Hall Mike Wilson Nafeesa Ally Nicilette Lambrechts Sadhna Vaishnav Sandra Mombelli
SOUTH AFRICA
PROCUREMENT 35 Hotel Supplies BUSINESS 36 Market Intelligence Report and Tourism Business Index CONSERVATION 37 Saving Africa’s Wildlife ENVIRONMENT 38 Fossil site water quality assessed 40 Environmental message finds traction 41 Mossel Bay trails on TV EVENTS 42 Water from air machines made in Durban 43 Durban to host IVth Wildlife Management Congress 44 SA wins 2016 World Plumbing Conference 45 Klein Karoo National Arts Festival MARKETING 46 Online marketing for small businesses SAFETY & SECURITY 48 Tourism Safety Initiative aids KNP floods TRANSPORT 49 Safety First with Mercedes Sprinter
TANZANIA / ZANZIBAR
MARKETING 50 Economic diplomacy markets tourism ZAMBIA SAFETY & SECURITY 51 Minister proves bungee jumping is safe ADVERTISERS 02 Mercedes Commercial Vehicles 04 ABSA Bank 07 Savage, Jooste & Adams Attorneys 07 NOX Rentals 21 Trans Media Barter 25 SATIB Trust 35 Hotel Amenities Supplies 41 Mossel Bay Tourism 41 The Point Hotel Disclaimer: The Tourism Tattler is published by Tourism Tattler (Pty) Ltd and is the official trade journal of the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA). The Tourism Tattler digital e-zine, is distributed free of charge to bona fide tourism stakeholders. Letters to the Editor are assumed intended for publication in whole or part and may therefore be used for such purpose. The information provided and opinions expressed in this publication are provided in good faith and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Tourism Tattler (Pty) Ltd, SATSA, its staff and its production suppliers. Advice provided herein should not be soley relied upon as each set of circumstances may differ. Professional advice should be sought in each instance. Neither Tourism Tattler (Pty) Ltd, SATSA, its staff and its production suppliers can be held legally liable in any way for damages of any kind whatsoever arising directly or indirectly from any facts or information provided or omitted in these pages or from any statements made or withheld or from supplied photographs or graphic images reproduced by the publication.
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EDITORIAL
From the Editor’s Desk Be sure to check out how you could win the wonderful prize for our exclusive new Rovos Rail Crossword Competition - an excursion for two on the fabulous luxury train worth R44 600. Get your thinking cap on and enter right away! The astonishing figure of a billion tourists worldwide per annum is fast approaching! This year promises to be a most interesting one for all of us, as our industry adjusts to so many challenges. We have entered a period of great change both at a local and international level, and it is demanding on all of us to keep up to speed. At Tourism Tattler we aim to cover change as – and even before - it occurs, so that you have the tools at your disposal to keep your own business, large or small, abreast of what is happening. Economic conditions are not going to improve rapidly, but indications are that we may have come through the worst (see page 36). Meanwhile, our simple checklist of cash flow tactics is a very handy reference to keep in front of you daily (page 12). An important result of the recent slowdown in business is that we have had time - and reason – to focus on responsible tourism. Not only are its principles ethical, in many cases they make huge money sense. See how Mossel Bay is making use of its wider environment to add new attractions (page 40); and find out how water can be
Cover Story This edition of the Tourism Tattler is dedicated to the Hwange Lion Research Project – all images courtesy of Brian Courtenay. The Hwange lion project is a conservation initiative that has been operational for 12 years in and around Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and is funded and coordinated by Wildcru – the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit of the University of Oxford in association with SATIB Trust. The project has made significant gains in conserving and managing lions in the region. Since 2007 a significant component of the project has focused on the issue of conflict between the local agro-pastoralist people and lions. The research has sought to gain an understanding of both the underpinning ecological factors and the human socioeconomic factors that contribute to conflict situations. The Lion Watch Awareness Programme is one of their new ongoing projects. By placing satellite collars on seven selected lions and pride females, the programme coordinator, Brian Courtenay is able to remotely monitor from his home in
created from air in a brand-new “green” process which is exciting technology for the future (page 42), as well as ways that new water technology is helping to save the ancient Maropeng fossils from damage by water from old mines (page 38). We look at ways to use the latest communication technology and its future effects on travel (page 17 & 46). We investigate how barter trading can sell excess inventory and improve your cash flow in today’s recessionary economic world (page 20). We check out the latest gadgets for travel (page 16). We watch Zambia’s Minister of Tourism make a brave and daring plunge off the Vic Falls bridge to reassure tourists that this is safe after a terrifying accident (page 51). We check out high end tourism, and what differentiates it from mass tourism (page 14), and look at how golf contributes to luxury tourism around the world (page 18). And we don’t forget our wildlife – backbone of African tourism. The trade in African parrots is investigated, with disturbing results (page 22). On a positive note, Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park Lions are bristling with pride - see some amazing pics and action sequence shots in our Photo Gallery (pages 26-29). All in all, an issue bursting with information you can use to take you forward into the tourism world of the 21st century. Marjorie
Durban the lions’ movements and report any lions that have roamed outside of the park’s perimeter to avoid potential conflict with local communities. The project has extensive experience working in the local area and managing both research and conservation in the Zimbabwean context together with Parks and Wildlife Management Authority in Zimbabwe. For more information or to make a donation contact Brian Courtenay at elephant@satib.co.za P.O. Box 427, Umhlanga, 4320, South Africa.
Detailed information on the research and conservation of Hwange’s lions is available in digital book format at the following URL: http://www.satib.co.za/ebook/Hwange_Lions/ 2/2012
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EDITORIAL
About SATSA “SATSA has been the Hallmark of Quality Tourism in Southern Africa for more than 40 years”. Craig Dysdale - SATSA President Our Vision is to be the most recognised and sought after endorsement of good business practice in the Southern Africa Tourism Industry. Our Purpose is to provide domestic and international tourism buyers with quality advice and reliable information on credible tourism partners in Southern Africa.
SATSA has an Executive Committee (ExCo), elected by members, that is charged with making policy decisions concerning the running of the organisation. The National Office is managed on a day-to-day basis by an appointed CEO, COO and staff.
Our Aim is to help our members manage successful, profitable businesses that are part of a vibrant and sustainable inbound tourism industry.
SATSA is committed to enhancing quality in tourism throughout Southern Africa and has signed an MoU with RETOSA to facilitate this objective.
We achieve this by focusing on:
SATSA is committed to transformation in the industry and has signed an MoU with the Tourism Empowerment Council of South Africa to this effect.
LOBBYING – We champion the interests of our members with Government to ensure South Africa has a legislative and fiscal framework that allows their businesses to grow and prosper. PROFESSIONALISM – We promote best practice and encourage lifelong learning. We facilitate through mentoring of newcomers to the tourism industry, and other means, the provision of vocational and management training that will improve quality, encourage staff development and provide the prospect of a fulfilling and rewarding career path in inbound tourism. To ensure standards are maintained, SATSA members are required to update all their information every year. NETWORKING – SATSA is a trans-national organisation, but provinces in South Africa have their own Chapters, with a Chair and Committee. This allows members to be more involved in provincial matters at a local level. The chapter structure also enables SATSA to obtain detailed feedback from its members on issues affecting the tourism industry. Through our Chapter meetings and annual conference we provide opportunities for our members to develop relationships with tourism suppliers, buyers and partners both abroad and in Southern Africa through a programme of business and social events.
SATSA promotes Responsible Tourism SATSA is the only inbound non-government organisation whose members are bonded against involuntary liquidation of other members. SATSA offers members a variety of benefits from an excellent provident fund, insurance and specialist legal advice, to arbitration in case of disputes. SATSA looks after the interests of the private sector and private enterprise by lobbying government on behalf of its members - and others in the industry. SATSA works with other tourism organisations to promote and run various national recognition programmes. SATSA promotes education in tourism through its Annual Conference, its bi-weekly electronic newsletter SATSA RAP and its journal, The Tourism Tattler, which is available in both online and print versions. For more information visit http://www.satsa.com
About RETOSA
“RETOSA aims to foster tourism growth to the benefit of all SADC stakeholders”. Francis Mfune - RETOSA Executive Director The Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (RETOSA) is a Southern African Development Community (SADC) body responsible for the development of tourism through marketing and promotion of sustainable regional tourism in SADC member countries. The organisation works closely with member states, institutions and societies to ascertain their interests and priorities, to help identify potential counterparts and to promote tourism growth and development by marketing the region as a multi–faceted but single destination. RETOSA believes that if sustainably developed tourism offers the SADC countries the opportunity to: • Drive economic growth and boost job creation throughout the economy; • Increase export earnings and attract inward investment; • Aleviate poverty and stimulate rapid economic development in rural and peripheral areas; • Assist with broader economic development by using Tourism related
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infrastructure networks;
and
transport
• Increase lobbying efforts in the transport and communication sector in liberalization of air transport and development of international hubs to allow direct air access to more destinations in SADC; • Work with the private sector in collaborative ventures with a focus on sustainable development, open markets and human resource development; • Draw on abundant natural and cultural resources in partnership with local communities and other stakeholders and improve the quality of life for all residents; • Draw on a strong core Brand already developed by the sector in communicating the Region’s tourism identity. For more information visit http://www.retosa.co.za/
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor, Everyone purports to know how to organise (an event – Ed), but when push comes to shove – literally – both accidents occur and reputations are tarnished. With the second page not even opened in most of those spanking new 2012 diaries – two logistical meeting/event management disasters caused severe negative aftermaths. Crowd control and human traffic flow patterns proved to be tragically lacking way back at Ellis Park when many lives were lost. And now not for the first time but with the very worst of disasters once again – the loss of life and many injured - is the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) student registration day. There are laws that ensure these situations do not happen. Were these rules applied? Whether this has been caused by short lead times following matric results, or off-campus scuffles to get through the UJ gates - the ramifications for the academic institution in the weeks ahead are not good. In fact it is likely that UJ’s time will be spent on many other issues besides sorting out the new student intake. Has a lesson been learnt for the future…let’s hope so. It was all happening at the ANC centenary celebration in Bloemfontein – as we all know. Certainly from the amount of media coverage, sound bites and televising of the masses, indeed everyone appeared to have been invited. By the looks of things everyone who is anyone and even those who are your average nobody was there. Or were they? Was Ronnie Kasrils singled out for special attention for a variety of political reasons when he did not get an invitation or more likely a casualty of suspect meeting/ events management, resulting in questionable protocols being applied? Here we have a stalwart of the ANC movement in so many roles that go back to MK, exile and Cabinet Minister in the new ANC government and he didn’t get an invitation? Less than proficient planning can cause so many lasting negative effects. Undoing what has been done is some challenge. Unless the powers that be decided to ignore the 08
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lack of basic courtesy in this instance, which will undoubtedly fuel a flame of rumour – surely a public apology will follow. Helen Brewer of Certified Meeting Planner (CMP). CMP is neither an academic curriculum, training course or theoretical audit application - CMP is a comprehensive programme which stringently tests an individual’s knowledge & experience within every sector of applied meeting / event management –Ed. Errol Ninow, CMP of Alex Gintan commented on the UJ situation as follows – Ed. Let’s not mince our words on this matter, because if it were the case that the legal protocols as required by Act 2 of 2010 were followed, the next question this raises is the level of professionalism applied to the planning and rubber stamping thereof! With a history going back to last year at this same venue dealing with the same crowd control problems, surely the level of expertise should have been appropriate to this occasion? Sadly, in the face of the facts and now a death, something was lacking. We will hear the usual excuses, all boiling down to “unfortunate”,” unforeseen” and no one to blame or accept responsibility. Unforgivable! Dear Editor, Thanks for publishing our response to the letter submitted by Neville Thompson in the Tourism Tattler (refer letters page in Issue 1 2012 edition – Ed). Please note that Mr. Richard Prinsloo is an ordinary member of the AIKONA GROUP, he is not a founder member as stated. The Africa Wild forum used to be the AIKONA forum but due to unsatisfactory happenings, I cancelled all involvement with the then AIKONA forum and requested that the AIKONA emblem be removed and the name be changed. Mr. Prinsloo is in no way a representative/spokesperson of AIKONA and AIKONA will remain unattached to the Africa Wild forum.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
What I am trying to say is that the AIKONA GROUP is in no way involved with the Africa Wild forum. The AIKONA GROUP is a group of persons who love nature and are conservation minded. We are supporters of our National Parks but we are objecting to the Commercialiation of our National Parks. Yours sincerely. Gerhard Smit
fired the EIA company originally tasked with the Malelane Hotel Project, replacing it with V&L Landscaping, a company formerly directed by an ex-Board Member of Sanparks, who is also currently a consultant for the same project! Similarly, no mention was made of the fact that the Parliamentary Environmental Standing Committee recently recommended that Sanparks’ commercialisation policy be reviewed! Here is a link to the specific forum involved with the hotels:
Convenor of the AIKONA GROUP.
http://aikona.forumup.com/viewtopic.php?t=18&mforum=aikona
Dear Editor, I am a teacher from Nelspruit with a lot of Kruger experience, and am also a founder member of AIKONA...Gerhard Smit’s organisation as mentioned in the letters’ column of your excellent publication! I am also heavily involved with Africa Wild Internet Forums, a relatively small but growing website recently set up precisely to address issues of concern relating to Sanparks (and other conservation matters in Africa), after Sanparks failed to address these concerns satisfactorily, and in fact simply accused those opposed to developments of being purist, conservative and racist...etc...and telling foreign visitors to basically mind their own business.
Our website is staffed and supported by highly experienced and committed nature lovers, MANY from overseas, and provides an up to date and uncensored discussion platform regarding current conservation affairs, as well as various chat, photography, quiz, birding and other forums. We have in fact already added a link to your publication, and would like for you (and our readers – Ed) to feel free to use our resources at any time. Here is the overall link to the website: www.sagr.co.za Wishing you success in your venture and a wonderful 2012. Richard Prinsloo Nelspruit
They have not, for example, alluded to the fact that they
Wi n
CONGRATULATIONS to Helen Brewer who has been selected as our winning letter and has won two Kikoy Sarongs, which are hand made in Kenya using quality local material, with the compliments of Livingstones Supply Co – Suppliers of the Finest Products to the Hospitality Industry.
For more information visit their website at www.livingstonessupplyco.co.za
The winning letter published in the Tourism Tattler Issue 3 (May/June) 2012 edition will receive two (4 Pack) boxes of Govino wine glasses. Letters should be sent by 29 March 2012 to editor@tourismtattler.co.za
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COMPETITIONS
READER COMPETITIONS Win a 2-night breakaway for 2 people sharing at the Sani Pass Hotel & Leisure Resort To enter this competition, which is valued at R3,760 ($486), simply ensure that you are opted-in to the Tourism Tattler mailing list by subscribing at http://www.tourismtattler.co.za/subscribe and answer the following question by email: “In which World Heritage Site mountain range is the Sani Pass Hotel and Leisure Resort located?” Email your answer with Sani Pass Hotel Competition in the Subject field to editor@tourismtattler.co.za by 29 March 2011. Remember to include your contact details (Name, company trading name, telephone numbers, City/Town, Province and Country). The first correct email received will win the Prize. NB: Read the Terms and Conditions of this competition at http://www.tourismtattler.co.za /competition/sanipass
Visit the Sani Pass Hotel stand at INDABA 12 - 15 May 2012 DEC 1B31
The Sani Pass Hotel and Leisure Resort is nestled in the beautiful Mkhomazana valley at the foot of the spectacular Sani Pass in the World Heritage Site Southern Drakensburg region of KwaZuluNatal, South Africa. Now under new management, a team with a wealth of international hospitality experience, renovations have been well underway since 2011 restoring this historical hotel to its former glory with a whisper of modern styling. The master building (28 bedrooms) in addition to 4 mountain facing cottages have been completely renovated, all bedrooms and public areas have been redesigned with warm comfy furnishings and select fittings. The balance of the cottages are currently undergoing their final transformation. The resort has two well equipped conference venues accommodating up to 150 delegates and offers a host of team building ac-
tivities. Our wellness and beauty centre with breathtaking views of the mountain range and golf course offers a large selection of services, treatments and packages as well as tailor made pamper days. 2012 Welcomes two new venues, The Sports Bar for those who can’t make it to the game and The Cigar Lounge serving sushi and exclusive whiskies for guests with more discerning tastes” With thanks to the Food & Beverage Manager, Wilfred Maphalala and our team of highly experienced chefs, the Mountain View Restaurant offers an international fine dining experience. For more information visit http://www.sanipasshotel.co.za or book through reception on +27 (0)33 702 1320.
WINNERS OF THE ‘KRUGER NATIONAL PARK - FACTS & FABLES’ COMPETITION CONGRATULATIONS to the following five Tourism Tattler readers, whose competition e-mail entries were the first to be received by the Tattler’s Executive Editor: 1. Elsabé Jooste - ecoAfrica Travel, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. 2. Linda Greaves - Kruger Park South Tourism Centre, Nkomazi, Mpumalanga, South Africa. 3. Mornay Marais - Tours-De-Mornay, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, South Africa. 4. Ulrike Schmidt - Fancourt, Babanango, Limpopo, South Africa. 5. L.K.Mathi Nirai Chelvan - Chennai, India Our winners each won a CD Box-set of ‘Kruger National Park - Facts & Fables’ with the compliments of Bounty Productions. For more information or to order a CD box-set visit: http://www.bountyproductions.co.za
WINNERS OF THE ‘SEARCHING AFRICA’ COMPETITION The following five Tourism Tattler readers each won a copy of the book ‘Searching Africa’ by David Robbins with the compliments of Porcupine Press. 1. Parinita Jeaven - Comair, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. 2. Rachelle Seymore-Mackay - TBA, Melkbosstrand, Western Cape,, South Africa. 3. Richard Greenaway - Hill Watering Country House, Sabie, Mpumalanga, South Africa. 4. Pramodkumar T. Kushwah - TBA, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. 5. Anil Garg - Explore Travel Channel, Malad, Mumbai, India. For more information, or to order a copy of this book, visit: http://www.porcupinepress.co.za
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COMPETITIONS
CROSSWORD COMPETITION Complete and submit the crossword below and stand the chance of winning a Rovos Rail prize valued at R44,600.00, consisting of a three day excursion for two people sharing a Deluxe Suite on board Rovos Rail’s luxurious Pride of Africa train, departing from Pretoria, South Africa to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. This experience of a lifetime includes accommodation, meals and excursions as well as alcoholic beverages while on the train journey that covers 1 600-kilometres through diverse and truly African scenery. As the Pride of Africa meanders westwards through Mafikeng into Botswana and then north towards Mahalapye, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn just after Gaborone, the train will have passed through the dry reaches of Botswana to arrive at Plumtree in the late afternoon for border formalities in Zimbabwe. Continuing in a north-westerly direction, the train will pass Bulawayo heading towards Thompson’s Junction and Hwange Game Reserve where animals can be spotted from the train. The Victoria Falls and the elegant colonial-style Victoria Falls Hotel form an ideal destination. The brainchild of Rohan Vos (thus the name Rovos), the Pride of Africa transports passengers in high Edwardian style on various routes throughout South Africa. Its meticulously restored coaches, outfitted with twenties and thirties style furnishings
and mahogany panelling evoke the colonial glamour and elegance of prewar rail travel. Rovos Rail have four classic trains – the first three consists of thirty-nine suites and can accommodate up to seventy-two passengers, while the fourth is the original Edwardian Train (all wooden coaches) and has a maximum capacity of 42 passengers in 23 suites. For more information visit: www.rovos.com How to enter this competition Visit http://www.tourismtattler.co.za/crosswordcompetition/rovosrail/ to view the Rovos Rail Crossword Competition Terms & Conditions (PDF) and read point 1.2.7 for instructions on how to enter How to complete the crossword Where possible the clues relate to RETOSA member country tourism attractions. You may find it easier to complete the crossword online at http://www.mycrosswords.com/471/MichaelCosser/ DestinationSouthernAfrica.html
The winner of the Rovos Rail Competition and the solution to this crossword will be published in the Issue 3 (May/Jun) 2012 edition. 14 Abbreviation of the eighth month in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars (3) 16 Educated class of Muslim legal scholars engaged in Islamic studies (5) 18 Burial place (4) 19 Aquatic amphibian of the salamander family (4) 22 Treat unjustly (5) 25 Pygmy people of the Congo (3) 26 Mountain in South Africa and the only natural site on the planet to have a constellation of stars (Mensa) named after it (5) 27 Something of which Namibia gets very little (4) 29 One of the Great African Lakes, on the DRC and Rwanda border (4) 31 Game reserve contiguous with the Serengeti National Park, together forming the larger Serengeti Masai Mara ecosystem, which experiences the famous wildebeest migration (8) 32 Abbreviation of the medical term for artificial insemination (3) 33 South African province, home to the Cradle of Humankind UNESCO World Heritage Site (7) 34 Beach in Madagascar (7)
© Michael Cosser - All rights reserved. Email:mcosser@gmail.com ACROSS 1 National Park in the north-west of Angola (7) 4 Zambian National Park on the south-western edge of the Lake Bangweulu basin (7) 9 Brief sleep (3) 10 Common means of travelling to Southern African destinations (8) 11 National Park in Botswana that was once a salt lake (4) 12 Largest group of the Khoikhoi people who live in Central Namibia (4) 13 Promotional statement as found on the dust jackets of books (5)
DOWN 1 National park in Malawi extending along the Zambian border (7) 2 Luandan beach for Chileans? (8) 3 One thousand years ago, centre of the largest kingdom in the African subcontinent, which traded gold and ivory with China, India and Egypt (10) 5 Declare (4) 6 Member of a pair of genes that occupy a specific position on a specific chromosome (6) 7 Coral atoll in the Indian Ocean, home to the world’s largest population of giant tortoises (7) 8 Shape (4) 15 World’s longest freshwater lake, divided among four African countries (10) 17 Past (3) 20 Someone lacking in strength (8) 21 Southernmost town in Lesotho, near which is Masitise Mission, famous for the cave house built by the Reverend Ellenberger in the 19th century (7) 23 Beach in the south-east of Mauritius (4,3) 24 Dry red Bordeaux wine (6) 28 Genus of flowering plants common in South Africa, the mountains of tropical Africa and the islands of Africa (4) 30 Soon (4) 2/2012
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BUSINESS
GLOBAL
Seven Common Mistakes that Impact Cash Flow and How to Avoid Them Cash flow is the life-blood of small business. Fail to plan properly for the month-end cash flow needs and you will start losing sleep when the time arrives to write pay-cheques for employees or to pay vendor bills. That’s why it is very important to keep a keen eye on money coming in and going out, and plan for those times when you will need sizeable cash outflow, writes Sadhna “Sally” Vaishnav. Not only that, but you have to take into account unexpected emergencies that will force you to spend money here and now. Managing your inventory, account payables and receivables can help you better manage your cash flow. MISTAKES
In addition, you should also look at the obvious as well as notso-easy-to-find ways in which small business owners squander cash and end up in dire situations. Here are some examples of mistakes small business owners make and how to avoid them. SOLUTIONS
1.
Spending money on expensive furniture before there is Be Spartan as much as possible till you have extra money to spend sufficient cash inflow. While expensive furniture will impress on non-essential items. your customers and make you feel good you may end up in situations where that nice furniture will be the only thing left in your business.
2.
Renting office space earlier than needed. Do you really need a Work out of a home office and utilise virtual communication full-time office in this day and age of telecommuting? technology. If you do need physical space look into sharing it with another business to divide the cost.
3.
Hiring full-time employees in a hurry. Full-time employees can Look into hiring temporary workers on an as-needed basis. Also, cost you lot more than you realize. see if you can outsource the tasks on the cheap rather than doing them in-house.
4.
Not negotiating with vendors. It’s amazing how much money Seek quotes from at least 2-3 vendors, play them against each small business owners leave on the table by failing to even ask other or simply ask your existing vendor for discount! Remember, for discount let alone using advanced negotiation tactics with everything is negotiable in business. their vendors. In these difficult economic times, vendors will go out of their way to keep your business.
5.
Spending too much on marketing without a clear understanding Explore low-cost marketing techniques. Also, explore how you can of the return. Why should you keep advertising on radio when utilise online and social media marketing more effectively. Ask your most of the people are not even listening to them anymore? marketer, and yourself, to justify the return on marketing investment.
6.
Trying to do everything yourself. On the surface this may seem Find out if the task can be handled by someone else more effectively. counter-intuitive. After all, doing work yourself will save you Delegate, delegate, delegate. money, right? But think about it – the time and effort you spend on the non-essential tasks could be utilised on more productive and higher-return activities if you let others take care of those tasks.
7.
Having large fixed cost and not being flexible. You will be Convert fixed cost to variable as much as possible. hurt badly with fixed cost when sales go south while expenses remain the same.
Can you think of other common mistakes small business owners make that hurt their cash flow? How would you handle them? Email your comments to editor@tourismtattler.co.za For more information visit: http://www.angelbusinessadvisors.com/ 13
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MARKETING
GLOBAL
International tourism on course to hit 1 billion in 2012
According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourist arrivals grew by over four per cent in 2011 to 980 million. With growth expected to continue in 2012, at a somewhat slower rate, international tourist arrivals are on track to reach the milestone 1 billion mark later this year. International tourist arrivals grew by 4.4 percent in 2011 to a total 980 million, up from 939 million in 2010, in a year characterized by a stalled global economic recovery, major political changes in the Middle East and North Africa, and natural disasters in Japan. “International tourism hit new records in 2011 despite the challenging conditions,” said UNWTO Secretary General, Taleb Rifai, “For a sector directly responsible for five per cent of the world’s GDP, six percent of total exports, and employing one out of every 12 people in advanced and emerging economies alike, these results are encouraging, coming as they do at a time in which we urgently need levers to stimulate growth and job creation.” Europe surpasses the half billion mark in 2011 Despite persistent economic uncertainty, tourist arrivals to Europe reached 503 million in 2011, accounting for 28 million of the 41 million additional international arrivals recorded worldwide. Central and Eastern Europe and Southern Mediterranean destinations (+eight per cent each) experienced the best results. Asia and the Pacific (+ six per cent) was up 11 million arrivals in 2011, reaching a total 216 million international tourists. South Asia and Southeast Asia (both + nine percent) benefited from strong
intraregional demand, while growth was comparatively weaker in Northeast Asia (+ four percent) and Oceania (+ 0.3 per cent), partly due to the temporary decline in the Japanese outbound market. The Americas (+four per cent) saw an increase of 6 million arrivals, reaching 156 million in total. South America, up by 10 per cent for the second consecutive year, continued to lead growth. Central America and the Caribbean (both +four per cent) maintained the growth rates of 2010. North America, with a three per cent increase, and hit the 100 million tourists mark in 2011. Africa maintained international arrivals at 50 million, as the gain of two million by Sub-Saharan destinations (+seven per cent) was offset by the losses in North Africa (-12 per cent). The Middle East (-eight per cent) lost an estimated five million international tourist arrivals, totalling 55 million. Receipts confirm positive trend in arrivals Available data on international tourism receipts and expenditure for 2011 closely follows the positive trend in arrivals. Among the top ten tourist destinations, receipts were up significantly. Emerging economies will regain the lead with stronger growth in Asia and the Pacific and Africa (four per cent to 2/2012
six per cent), followed by the Americas and Europe (two to four per cent). The Middle East (0 per cent to +five per cent) is forecast to start to recover part of its losses from 2011. Governments urged to facilitate travel As destinations worldwide look to stimulate travel demand under pressing economic conditions, UNWTO is urging governments to consider advancing travel facilitation, an area in which, in spite of the great strides made so far, there is still much room for progress. UNWTO advises countries to make the most of information and communication technologies in improving visa application and processing formalities, as well as the timings of visa issuance, and to analyse the possible impact of travel facilitation in increasing their tourism economies. “Travel facilitation is closely interlinked with tourism development and can be key in boosting demand. This area is of particular relevance in a moment in which governments are looking to stimulate economic growth but cannot make major use of fiscal incentives or public investment,” said Mr. Rifai. For more information visit: UNWTO World Tourism Barometer: http://mkt.unwto.org/en/barometer
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MARKETING
Cashing in
on the
GLOBAL
Luxury Travel Market
Despite the worldwide recession, there is one area of the tourism market that is rapidly expanding, that is the upscale or luxury market, writes Dr. Peter Tarlow.
Asian airlines, for example, have not only increased their first class capacity, but continue to offer a wide variety of this new luxury travel products. In fact, the luxury travel market is the fastestgrowing segment of the travel industry worldwide. For example, in North America luxury travel produces almost a trillion dollars in annual sales. Business travellers have fuelled much
of the new luxury travel market. These travellers have discovered that the cost of arriving tired at a destination outpaces the cost of the first class ticket. Luxury travel and tourism however is not restricted merely to the business travel component of the tourism industry. New opportunities abound throughout this portion of the industry. Many hotels have now opened a “hotel within their
There is no one definition of upscale travel. Upscale or luxury travel is determined by a range of products, from offering the unusual in the way of scenery and cuisines to breathing taking decors, to an integrated travel experience that combines everything from gourmet foods to spa experiences. While there is no one common definition for luxury travel there are a few basic traits that are common to those seeking luxury travel among these are: They often seek a full range of travel experiences from the active to the passive • 14
Luxury travellers are often health-conscious travellers
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hotel”. These are special areas that afford extra comfort and service to hotel guests. In a like manner, upscale restaurants are offering a greater and more personal fare that take into account not only caloric intake, but a host of diets that cater to every form of dietary need. In order to take advantage of some of this growing trend in tourism consider some of the following:
•
Luxury travellers understand that time is money and are willing to pay extra in order to save time
•
Luxury travellers seek to guard their privacy
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Luxury travellers often seek unique educational experiences or experiences that enrich them both spiritually and psychologically
•
Luxury travel is now often multi-generational, with clients seeking both personal and family experiences on the same trip
GLOBAL
MARKETING
Upscale travellers tend to be both sophisticated and knowledgeable about their products.
Meet with your staff regularly and encourage them to come up with out of the box ideas.
Do not try to fool these people. Although most travellers who want a luxury experience are willing to pay the price, they still want value for their money. Many of these people are social media savvy, they know how to investigate your offering and are not afraid to praise your successes and criticize your failures. These clients know what they want and how to make the world know when you fail to provide what you have promised them.
The luxury traveller expects to be on the cutting edge, that means that no matter in which part of the tourism industry you are located your luxury travellers will expect high levels of innovation coupled with consistent high-quality services, excellent security and safety and no errors. .
Do not charge for every item that you offer. It is all too common for upscale hotels to charge for everything from internet usage to extra towels at the swimming pool. A guest who is paying hundreds or thousands of dollars per night can easily come to resent paying for services that are part of hotels of a lesser category. If you are going to charge top dollar, then offer top of the line services. Not every business should cater to the upscale market. Know what you have, do not claim to be an upscale travel experience if you do not have the facilities and accommodations to make upscale tourism work in your locale. Remember that the travel experience takes in the entire community, so an excellent hotel in an area that is not desirable becomes a “palace located in the heart of a slum.” When deciding if you can offer and charge for an upscale experience, consider the total tourism environment in your locale. Train your staff to anticipate needs before your guest makes the request. Do not provide good service; provide excellent service! All too often tourism entities such as airlines place their most senior personnel in the first class section, even though these people are often jaded and tired of serving the public. Good service means having personnel who care about the welfare of their guests, are enthusiastic, and find each tourist or guest experience to be a unique challenge that inspires them. Test the room or location before the guest arrives. Luxury travellers do not expect mistakes. Go over each room or visitor location with a fine toothcomb. There is no excuse for a toilet over-flowing, the audio not working or the television set not being plugged in. It would behoove airlines catering to this market to ask passengers which choice of meal(s) they desire at the time of purchase rather than when the traveller is already on the airplane. All too often first class passengers are told that their choice of meal is not available. Such errors are not acceptable in the luxury travel world.
Develop seamless experiences. Luxury travel should begin from the moment the traveller leaves his/her home until the moment that s/he arrives back at his/her destination. That means that the luxury travel experience should begin by being picked-up a the traveller’s home, passing through airport control with a minimum of hassle, checking into a hotel without having to wait in line and having food in the room that meets the guest’s needs and tastes. To accomplish this form of seamless travel, the wise luxury travel provider develops a personal relationship with his/her client from the moment that person has booked the travel experience. Learn what others are doing in the luxury travel market. There are a number of periodicals that cater to the luxury tourism market. If interested in pursuing this market, then take the time to see what other people are offering. Many of these magazines have on-line editions or can be downloaded very inexpensively. Provide the unusual and the chic. What differentiates luxury travel from mass travel is the level of perfection combined with elegant simplicity. Luxury travellers often seek to separate themselves from the pack. These are people who want individual attention, desire privacy, and look for the unique. For example, a villa providing a personalized staff, meals cooked to order, and high levels of both security and safety should be part of the offerings of those working in the luxury travel field. Luxury travel then is all about individual service and a sense of being treated not a part of a herd but rather as a unique individual. Remember that the upscale market covers multiple age ranges. Often upscale tourism businesses forget that the luxury market is composed of more than the business traveller. Both older and retired people often seek out this market along with families or grandparents who are seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience for younger children. Develop innovative ideas for both of these age groups.
About the Author: Dr. Peter E. Tarlow is the President of T&M, a founder of the Texas chapter of TTRA and a popular author and speaker on tourism. Tarlow is a specialist in the areas of sociology of tourism, economic development, tourism safety and security. Tarlow speaks at governors’ and state conferences on tourism and conducts seminars throughout the world and for numerous agencies and universities. For more information visit: http://www.tourismandmore.com/
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&
TECHNOLOGY
GLOBAL
gadgets gizmo’s
This editions’ selection has been sourced with acknowledgement to http://www.livingstonessupplyco.co.za/ If you come across any interesting items while surfing the web, do let us know by emailing: editor@tourismtattler.co.za MYPRESSI TWIST HANDHELD ESPRESSO MACHINE
The mypressi TWIST is a hand held portable espresso machine. This device can make up to 8 single shots and 4 double shots with one gas canister and is the perfect resource for coffee on location. It doesnt require power, only heating up with a bit of hot water before use. Price: R1,410.00 ($183.85)
CERAMIC PORTABLE PIZZA OVEN
Make authentic wood-fired pizzas in your own home, quickly and easily. This oven was designed 1st and foremost to make the best pizza this side of Napoli, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t versatile. The bottom half of the oven used with the stainless grid is a handy portable braai, pop on the lid to turn it into a kettle BBQ or a smoker. Price: R2,188.60 ($285.40)
GERBER CRUCIAL TOOL - GREEN BOX
To survive in the modern world today owning the right tool is Crucial ... Stylish and compact the new Crucial features all the essential tools for everyday carry. Light enough for pocket carry. This Crucial Multi Tool comes with: - All tools feature Saf.T.Plus Locking System - V-Cut Wire Cutters and Butterfly Pliers - Anodised Aluminium Handles - Medium Flat Driver - Large Cross Driver - Bottle Opener & Carabineer Clip Pocket Clip - Outboard Easy Access Plain Serrated Blade One Handed Opening Price: R525.00 ($68.45)
DRIFT HD170 STEALTH ACTION CAMERA
The HD170 Stealth Camera is an all-around helmet camera with everything that you need to capture your extreme sports videos and photos in glorious HD. The Drift HD170 is the worlds first sports action camera which films in full 1080p HD and has a playback screen and remote control. This rugged water resistant camera is the first camera that gives people what they want from an Action Camera. Price: R2,192.00 ($285.48)
CELESTRON SKY SCOUT
The Award-Winning SkyScout is a revolutionary handheld device that uses advanced GPS technology with point and click convenience to identify thousands of stars, planets, constellations and more. A fun learning tool for all ages, the Celestron SkyScout personal planetarium puts the knowledge of an expert astronomer in the palm of your hand. Price: R3,853.85 ($502.38)
LIGHTFORCE SPOTLIGHT
Hand-Held spotlight of 0.5 million candelas light intensity. 170mm reflector. With coiled cord, car cigarette lighter fitting and 12v 100w Xenophot lamp. The Lightforce range of high output night shooting lamps are lightweight , impact and corrosion resistant. The lamp has a focussable beam for zeroing in on small targets, or progressively flood broad areas with brilliant light by rotating the reflector housing. Suitable for all lamping applications, such as camping, boating, fishing, hunting, security, driving lights.12 V (volt) operation by battery pack or car cigarette lighter. Highest candle power output for a given reflector diameter Price: R1,352.40 ($176.30)
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TECHNOLOGY
AFRICA
Technology is Key to Future Travel Technological innovation will alleviate the stress of travel while simultaneously providing a richer travel experience, Amadeus reports in a new study, ‘From Chaos to Collaboration - Trans formative technologies and evolving social values and trends will combine to establish a new era of collaborative travel over the next decade and beyond’, writes George Dooley, a US Travel Agent.
A new Amadeus report concludes that there will be demand for increased partnership across the travel industry, in turn removing the stress, uncertainty and chaos that is usually associated with travelling in the 21st Century, as well as providing much richer, deeper and more personal travel experiences, Amadeus says. The report details a vision of how travel may be transformed by 2020, Amadeus notes. Key findings cover many aspects of travel, including what tomorrow’s travel experience might look like; removing travel stress; and the rise of technologies that will enable automatic transit, payment with memory and intelligent recommendation, among them. Results cited by Amadeus include: • 47 percent of respondents were happy to provide personal data to a company if it means more personalized service • 89 percent said that an integrated travel service that provides transportation every step of the way is at least somewhat appealing • 59 percent of business travellers (46% of leisure travellers) want a “home away from home” when travelling Key findings cited by Amadeus: • The next generation of experience: Travel is increasingly about depth rather than breadth of experience. Technologies such as smart mobile devices will transform the travel experience. • Automatic transit: Checking in could become the exception rather than the norm, with the rise of faster and more efficient identity management systems. Chips, biometrics, long range fingerprinting and near field communications (NFC) can be deployed in a more integrated way to fastforward how people move around. • Payment with memory: All data on payments made before and during a trip will be integrated, acting as a digital memory of expenditure and activity for individuals, groups and travel industry operators. Intelligent passenger records, ‘digital bread crumbs’ and contactless technologies
could be used to personalize and bundle services, delivering higher value and more profitable relationships. • Intelligent recommendation: As technologies make it easier for people to tag and review all aspects of travel experiences, travellers will be more influenced by peer groups and expert curators. The prospect of personal travel guides and mobile tour representatives will give travellers the tools they need to enrich their experience. • Taking the stress out of travel: The wellbeing agenda and changing demographics will place greater emphasis on removing travel stress. Intelligent luggage tags and tickets will give greater reassurance while m-Health (mobileHealth) applications will allow travellers to manage and monitor their health and wellbeing as if they were at home. • The business tourist: Continued emphasis on work-life balance and wellbeing at work may see the rise of the business tourist, which will demand speed and efficiency as well as a home-away-from-home. “Over the next decade, there is a significant opportunity to redefine how the industry delivers and packages services to meet changing traveller needs. Key to this is more intelligent information exchange, a willingness to challenge the status quo and greater two-way partnership between travellers and travel players. We are committed to stimulating debate within the travel sector about how the world is changing, what travellers will increasingly expect and how the industry can evolve in a way that secures growth and profitability for our customers’ future success,” said Eberhard Haag, executive vice president, global operations, Amadeus. Developed by The Futures Company and commissioned by Amadeus, the report details a clear qualitative shift, Amadeus notes “where service-users become partners rather than customers and where context is as important as the transaction. At the heart of this new era of collaboration is a set of discrete ‘enabling’ technologies and innovations.” For more information visit: http://www.amadeus.com
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AFRICA
MARKETING
GOLF
The Driving Force Behind Business For a generation and more, the game of golf has been playing a key role in driving the location marketing business, positioning countries, regions and venues as desirable destinations in the highly-competitive arena of both business and leisure tourism. Sports Business journalist Mike Wilson examines exactly how golf plays a major part in the marketing mix, a unique and costeffective global positioning device. By its very nature, the royal and ancient game of golf is tailor made for destination marketing, showcasing countries, regions and resorts on two fronts. Firstly, the business-to-consumer angle through global TV reach and media coverage, secondly, the lucrative business-tobusiness sector through opportunities only golf can deliver, a business-friendly platform including prestigious Pro-am places and key client and customer entertainment opportunities. Try inviting blue-chip travel trade or economic development executives to play a set with Raphael Nadal, a five-a-side with David Beckham or a bike ride with lance Armstrong, and you’ll realise just how potent golf’s business offer actually is. “Golf tourism is an important segment of the overall tourist market, both in terms of volume and spend-per-visitor,” says Mike Pask, Senior Vice President IMG Golf, Academies and Sports, Leisure & Tourism adding, “Golf tourism can drive substantial investment into resort developments, generating substantial economic growth and job creation.”
Continues IMG’s Pask, “The level of investment into golf resorts and its trans formative effect on local and regional economies is indicative of the scale and up-market positioning of golf tourism within the broader tourism market.” Pask adds, “The ease with which golf holidays can be integrated into beach holidays for the family, spa retreats for a spouse or even weekend city-breaks is why golf dominates the sports tourism sector.” And Scott Kelly, Group Marketing Director of the European Tour, global golf’s most multi-national and cosmopolitan circuit – South Africa is one of twenty seven countries on the 2012 International Schedule – agrees. “The great thing about golf is that it is the sport of business and the sport of a lifetime,” says Kelly, explaining, “It is a people business but with a whole international network.
Golf tourism can drive substantial investment into resort developments, generating substantial economic growth and job creation
Image courtesy of Fancourt
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Image courtesy of Volvoingolf.com
Per Ericsson, President Volvo Event Management - Golf and South Africa’s Retief Goosen.
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AFRICA
“You can be inviting clients from China, India or Korea to an event like this or be going to an event there and then seeing businesses overlap,” continues the man largely responsible for the global development of the European Tour, concluding, “Golf represents a meeting place for those relationships.” “The direct impact of golf tourism – to either events or golf resorts – is substantial, as the average spend of golf tourists is substantially higher than that of your average tourist,” continues Mike Park of global sports and media company IMG, the copromoter of the Volvo Golf Champions, adding, “This is in part due to the range of expenditure incurred by golfers, which includes but is not limited to admission fees for golf tournaments, green fees, club hire, golf lessons, driving range usage and purchase of equipment.“ He continues, “Golf is a lucrative sector due to the up-market segments of the market that the sport typically attracts, including high net worth individuals, corporate members and the lucrative Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions (MICE) business, whilst golf tourists tend to be among the upmarket segments interested in second home ownership near golf resorts.” Adds Pask, “Many visitors to golf events will be of a director level or higher and will form opinions of the local market during their travels [and] the provision of networking opportunities, such as gala dinners, banquets, Pro-am and associated business golf may facilitate the promotion of local, regional and national business and generate legacy effects lasting well beyond the conclusion of the championship. “The corporate hospitality on offer at golf events may present opportunities for new business deals to be made, driving economic growth long after the tournament is over,” predicts the IMG man. Given that the Volvo Golf Champions, featuring winners from the 2011 European Tour and the elite group of golfers with ten or more wins on the circuit is the jewel in the crown of a series of six events in South Africa’s ‘sensational summer,’ momentum can be built, traction gained in what is one of the most competitive tourist sectors on earth.
MARKETING
“Volvo has traditionally taken its events – and we are now up to one hundred and twenty five, seventy five of them on the European Tour alone – to distinctive, desirable destinations, where we can entertain our stakeholders in a world-class environment,” says Per Ericsson, President, Volvo Event Management – Golf, adding, “And of course it is immensely helpful to us to establish partnerships with local, national and international tourism marketing agencies.” Continues Ericsson, “As well as the Volvo Golf Champions, we will stage the world final of our global series for club golfers, Volvo’s customers and prospects, and with almost fifty thousand players taking part in twenty five different countries, all aiming for one of just sixty places on offer at Fancourt, our research shows that there is a tourism dividend arising out of that.” “There are three types of economic impacts associated with hosting golf events, including direct (new money entering the economy), indirect (increased orders to suppliers due to new money entering the economy) and induced effects (additional domestic demand due to additional wages paid to local residents)” explains IMG’s Mike Pask. “And,” he insists, “The media value of the event drives additional, albeit less tangible benefits to the host market in terms of awareness and legacy effects and the direct economic impact to the host region can move up as a result of the exposure and media value of a golf tournament.” But the man from IMG sounds a cautionary note. “To be effective, the event strategy needs to be tied into longterm objectives, which are best identified through discussions with local and national tourism boards as well as with the resort hosting the event,” says Pask, explaining, “Each event is unique in the opportunities and challenges presented by its location, the demographics of the local catchment area and the corporate landscape in nearby towns and cities”. For more information visit: www.volvoingolf.com or http://www.facebook.com/volvoingolf or http://twitter.com/#!/ volvoingolf
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MARKETING
AFRICA
Barter Exchange A Viable Solution for Excess Inventory Barter is defined as the action or system of exchanging goods or services without using money. With barter having developed into a sophisticated business tool, barter exchange can help Africa’s travel and hospitality trade to increase business efficiency by monetizing unused capacities and excess inventories, writes Andrew Jernigan. The advent of the Internet and sophisticated relational database software programmes has made it easier to conduct barter exchanges and has advanced the barter industry’s growth phenomenally. Organised barter has grown globally to the point where virtually every country now has a formalised barter and trade network of some kind. Bartering benefits companies and countries that see a mutual benefit in exchanging goods and services rather than cash, and it also enables those who are lacking hard currency to obtain goods and services. According to the International Reciprocal Trade Association (IRTA) their member companies using the ‘Modern Trade and Barter’ process, made it possible for over 400,000 companies World Wide to utilize their ‘Excess Business Capacities’ and under performing assets, to earn an estimated $12 Billion dollars in previously lost and wasted revenues.
admin or transaction fee of between eight and fifteen per cent of the barter value, which is usually payable in currency (cash) by debiting the clients credit card. Currency and Regulation The barter exchange industry is self-regulated by two groups, the National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE) and the International Reciprocal Trade Association (IRTA). Both offer training and promote high ethical standards among their members. Moreover, each has created its own currency through which its member barter companies can trade. NATE’s currency is the known as the BANC and IRTA’s currency is called Universal Currency (UC).
Universal Currency (UC) was created in 1997 by the IRTA and is wholly owned by IRTA. UC is a While one-to-one bartering is “zero-based” trading system, Modern barter is an effective method of practiced between individuals and meaning that UC maintains increasing sales, conserving cash, moving businesses on an informal basis, a bad debt reserve account inventory, and making use of excess organized barter exchanges have to offset any unforeseen production capacity. developed to facilitate third party defaults that may arise in the bartering. A barter exchange system. UC’s bad debt reserve account is well funded and operates as a broker and bank in which each participating therefore is positioned to assure the integrity of the system member has an account that is debited when purchases in the future. UC is a model for sound financial principles in are made, and credited when sales are made. Compared to the barter industry and also is the oldest and most successful one-to-one bartering, concerns over unequal exchanges are inter-exchange clearinghouse in the industry. UC set an allreduced in a barter exchange. time annual trading record of six million dollars in 2011. The clients of a barter exchange network buy and sell products Corporate Barter and services to each other using an internal currency known Corporate barter focuses on larger transactions, which are as barter or trade dollars. different from a traditional, retail oriented barter exchange. Businesses in a barter exchange earn trade credits (instead Corporate barter exchanges typically use media and of cash) that are deposited into their account. They then advertising as leverage for their larger transactions. It entails have the ability to purchase goods and services from other the use of a currency unit called a “trade-credit”. The trademembers utilising their trade credits – they are not obligated credit must not only be known and guaranteed, but also be to purchase from who they sold to, and vice-versa. The valued in an amount the media and advertising could have exchange plays an important role because they provide the been purchased for had the “client” bought it themselves record keeping, brokering expertise and monthly statements (contract to eliminate ambiguity and risk. to each member. Commercial exchanges make money by For more information visit: charging a commission on each transaction either all on the http://www.transmediabarter.com buy side, all on the sell side, or a combination of both. or email des@transmediabarter.com While most barter exchange networks charge a joining fee to become a member, not all do. All do however charge an 20
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AFRICA
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM & CONSERVATION
Wildlife trade and uncontrolled deforestation threatens Africa’s parrots Africa’s parrots are a unique assemblage of lovebirds, Poicephalus parrots, grey parrots, and Rose-ringed parakeets that have managed to find a home in the forests and savanna of this wild and primordial continent. All species are now under serious threat from escalating trade due to emerging markets in the Far East and habitat loss due to deforestation, agricultural development, climate change, and poor land management practices, writes Dr. Steve Boyes of the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology. Africa is home to the two most traded birds on earth – the grey parrots and Senegal parrot. To add to the removal of as many as 8 million African parrots from the wild over the last 25 years, Africa’s deforestation rates are twice that of the rest of the world. Our charcoal industry, commercial logging and widespread burning for pastures are cutting down huge numbers of large hardwoods for emerging and established markets. South Africa has emerged as a global hub for the wild-caught bird trade with traders and importers taking advantage of an advanced aviculture industry in a country with under-resourced enforcement and permit officers. Perceptions need to change, new laws need to be drafted, and the wild-caught bird trade needs to be halted throughout Africa. Read here about the efforts of the World Parrot Trust Africa to halt any further trade and ensure that important parrot populations are adequately protected on a rapidly changing continent.
The World Parrot Trust Africa is coordinating a continent-wide survey of all African parrot species over the coming years to establish which species require urgent conservation investment. The primary goal is to ensure that healthy populations of all African parrot species are adequately accommodated and protected for future generations. Unfortunately, most of our recent African parrot surveys have ended in failure with only small relict population associated with commercial crops (e.g. coconut palms), degraded forest or protected areas being recorded. We urgently need funding to finance further expeditions to remote areas that may have healthy parrot populations.
Aerial view of Hogsback Village showing small isolated Afromontane forest patches surrounded by pine plantations and development. This visible degradation has resulted in the decline of the Cape Parrot. (Steve Boyes/Wild Bird Trust) 22
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During 2012, we are conducting the most indepth study of the distribution and status of Africa’s parrot ever undertaken by networking with established NGOs and conservation authorities across Africa.
AFRICA
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM & CONSERVATION
Africa’s parrots are charismatic, colourful, and larger than life. They have found their way into the hearts and minds of private collectors, parrot enthusiasts and aviculturists around the world. Most African parrot breeders that I interact with are absolutely passionate about the species they work with and have often specialized in raising Poicephalus parrots, Agapornis lovebirds and/or grey parrots. As with all things that are left unregulated, the trade in wild African parrots boomed in the 1980s and 1990s. This lucrative trade was fuelled by profiteering middlemen and resulted in the Senegal Parrot becoming the most traded bird on CITES Appendix II with over 45,000 parrots being removed from the wild each year. Between 1996 and 2000, 474kg of red Timneh grey parrot tail feathers were exported from W Africa for use in manufacturing flies for trout fishing. As a result the grey parrots became the second most traded wild birds in the world. In Namibia, cross border trade in wild-caught Ruppell’s Parrot caused their disappearance from many parts in their distributional range where they were previously abundant. In 2006, while finishing my PhD Zoology (University of KwaZulu-Natal) at the University of California (Berkeley) we conducted a study of the UNEP-WCMC CITES Trade Database for all records of trade in African parrots to determine the scale of this trade and the potential impacts on wild parrot populations. See Table 1 from the World Parrot Trust report.
According to the issuance of CITES Export/Import permits, the grey parrots and the Senegal parrot are the top two most internationally-traded wild-caught birds. It must be noted that almost twice as many African parrots (mainly lovebirds) in international trade were sourced in captivity. As can be seen in Table 1 there are, however, several species (e.g. grey parrots) that have almost exclusively been sourced in the wild over the last few decades. In addition, the huge numbers of parrots that died during capture and transport, were killed for consumption or never exported, and those were smuggled across international borders to avoid tax and permit issues, are not accounted for in these records. According to research conducted in the Americas, up to 50% of the actual off-take from the wild (e.g. nest poaching, snaring in nets or loops, bird glue, etc.) is not represented in international trade numbers. Some 3,085,322 wild-caught African parrots were recorded in international trade between 1975 and 2005, and we project that over 8 million will have been exported by the end of the decade, which will be too much for most species. Conservative estimates indicate that up to 8 million African parrots have been removed from the wild since 1975. There is no way that African parrot populations that we have studied so far would be able to sustain this constant pressure from the wild-caught bird trade. If parrots are being pushed out by deforestation, they are being captured at unsustainable rates… Adverts like these ones shown below are no longer published due to a temporary moratorium on the issuance of CITES import permits for African grey parrots from the
Millions upon millions of African parrots have been removed from the wild over the last two years. Is this sustainable at current levels? (Steve Boyes/UNEP-WCMC)
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AFRICA HEADING
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM & CONSERVATION
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This moratorium resulted from a presentation on this unsustainable and unethical trade to the Scientific Authority here in South Africa by Prof. Mike Perrin and myself. The decision was to halt trade until the DRC conducts a Non-Detrimental Findings workshop on the trade in wild-caught African grey parrots.
costs, source and pay for all food, and look for a release site in Uganda or Rwanda. Unfortunately, this story ended terribly with the traders being awarded the parrots by the State Attorney after 6 months in quarantine, but that is the subject of a future blog… The point is that this battle between unscrupulous traders and conservationists rages throughout Africa. Just last month over 300 wild-caught African grey parrots were confiscated in Congo-Brazzaville. We need to step up or efforts and get serious about saving the soul of Africa’s rain forests, the enigmatic grey parrots flying high above the canopy… What we need to do now is get out into the Congo forests and the forest of West Africa to stop any further capturing of wild parrots by interacting with local communities and investing them in the conservation of the local parrot populations and the forests they depend upon. We are currently networking with established conservation NGOs in Africa (e.g. Birdlife International and Wildlife Conservation Society) to mobilise as many people on the ground as possible.
Advertisements for wild-caught African Greys from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which exceeded its legal export quota by 2.5 times in 2009. South African imports alone-exceeded Congo’s CITES export quota. (Steve Boyes/Wild Bird Trust)
On Christmas Eve in 2010 at 1pm a commercial flight landed in Durban with over 700 dead wild-caught African grey parrots originally from the DRC. The World Parrot Trust Africa broke the story to the newspapers on the 10th January 2011 and kept the story in the media for over 6 months. Investigations into the syndicates involved in these tragic deaths are on going. In essence, these poor parrots were at the centre of an ownership battle and were rushed to Durban when the necessary court order was issued. The actions of the people involved were unethical and beyond justification. The reaction of the general public to the over 60 newspaper articles, YouTube videos, petitions, radio broadcasts, and TV news pieces put out by the World Parrot Trust Africa was public outcry that has seen African grey parrots become less popular pets in South Africa and the establishment of new advocacy groups (e.g. African Grey Action Group (AGAG). With further trade in African grey parrots from the DRC into South Africa temporarily halted and airlines and cargo carriers committed to avoiding the transportation of wild-caught animals, illegal traders have resorted to smuggling these parrots by road through the Mozambican and Namibian borders. On the 31st March over 160 wildcaught African grey parrots were confiscated on the Mozambican border by military police at midnight. The World Parrot Trust Africa stepped in to cover all veterinary 24
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Grey parrots discarded like rubbish to avoid tax. What is driving people to smuggle grey parrots like this? In 2011, African grey parrots being smuggled through Uganda and Kenya were found in shipments of children’s toys and motor parts. (World Parrot Trust)
The mission of the World Parrot Trust Africa is clear. We need to achieve three primary goals within the next five to ten years or face a future with no African parrots in the wild, including the following: 1) End the wild-caught bird trade in Africa and support African aviculturists that adhere to accepted norms and standards. 2) Update all records of the distribution and status of all African parrots in relation to deforestation rates. 3) Establish community-based conservation projects (e.g. Cape Parrot Project) and conservation areas that stimulate positive change for Africa’s parrots and the forests they depend upon. To join the World Parrot Trust and for more information on how you can get involved in or contribute to African parrot conservation projects (e.g. Cape Parrot Project), contact Dr. Steve Boyes at: boyes@worldparrottrust.org or visit: https://www.facebook.com/WorldParrotTrust
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PHOTO GALLERY
The following pages depict some stunning action images taken by Brian Courtenay, project coordinator of the Hwange Lion Research Project, during a visit to the park in November 2011. The following is his account of this unique experience – Ed.
“Nature’s life cycle” in Hwange National Park - Zimbabwe “A long very dry and hot summer in Hwange National Park greeted me when I visited our research project. The annual summer rains were late and the temperature by mid afternoon was 40°C! The area becomes a huge dust bowl and the animals were visibly very stressed as evidenced by the concentration of herds of animals around the water holes. As a Kalahari sand veld area, Hwange game reserve has no surface water so concentrations of plains game and of course huge herds of elephant gather around the small pumped water holes. Needless to say, the elephants control the waterholes for their own needs and chase away other species. To add insult to injury, after quenching their thirst they will not leave without a ‘mud bath’ utilizing and wasting precious water. Whilst observing endless elephant traffic all day and night at the waterhole I noticed a concentration of lions in the area waiting for an easy meal. Some prides, for example the ‘Junior Spice’ pride with mature male ‘Jericho’ (a pride of 17 adult and sub adult lions plus 4 cubs approximately 5 weeks old) were very active around the water holes. ‘Cecil’ (an adult male) operating at another watering hole has a pride family of 16 felines in total, so times are good for lions! The dry season is a time of great hardship and we came across many orphaned elephant wandering aimlessly in the bush struggling to survive. Without the protection of the herd these young animals become targets for our ‘Junior Spice’ lion pride. I personally witnessed the pride kill a very weak adult female elephant. The fatal attack took approximately three hours to conclude – they literally ate their prey alive! That was really early in the morning, by midday they had killed a juvenile elephant. In my opinion cats cannot help themselves when food is abundant and take every opportunity for a kill, irrespective of how much food has been consumed. During the first week of my trip, I only had to travel one kilometre from our camp to witness wall to wall elephant, sable antelope, eland, buffalo, zebra and other plains game (antelope), and of course fat (very fat) lions - I was spellbound! I took full advantage of the spectacle while I could because once the rains come the animals literally disappear as I experienced when ‘mother nature’ drenched the land with 40 mm of rain during the evening of my second to last day. The next morning (actually the entire day) I saw only two elephants. I imagine that their families had trekked south to areas of grazing abundance, as they knew that the rains had provided surface water thus enabling them to migrate. The only animals on view were the ‘Fat Cats’ - they were not going anywhere. It’s amazing how nature works - two days before I was enthralled at the animal interactions, then the rain came and the herds moved on, giving that area a chance to recover. Nature at its best!” For more information on the project contact Brian Courtenay on elephant@satib.co.za or mail to P.O. Box 427, Umhlanga, 4320, South Africa.
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PHOTO GALLERY
An orphaned baby elephant becomes the afternoon meal for the ‘Junior Spice’ pride. While heart breaking to photograph, this is ‘nature’s life cycle’.
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The prides don’t always get their meal – here a young buffalo calf is rescued by the herd. The lioness did survive her injury, as did the buffalo calf.
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TRADE NEWS
BOTSWANA Possibly the only Botswana lodge choir on iTunes Tuli Safari Lodge’s staff choir has earned its first royalty cheque from iTunes. To our knowledge, Tuli is the only Botswana safari lodge choir to feature on iTunes. All proceeds from the Tuli Safari Lodge choir CDs and performances go towards the Tuli staff healthcare fund. The album ‘The Tuli Choir – Live In the Boma at Tuli Safari Lodge, Botswana’ features 14 songs all sung a cappella or with the rhythmic accompaniment of stamping feet, clapping or shakers worn on the hands or feet of the performers. The Tuli Choir songs can be previewed or downloaded here: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/the-tuli-choir/id324557718
RWANDA Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge seeks trade links Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge is situated just a few kilometers from the Volcanoes National Park, the home of the endangered Mountain gorillas, in Kinigi, Musanze District of Rwanda. Deluxe rooms and budget accommodation set amongst flowery gardens are perfect as a home away from home for guests. These rooms plus the services offered by our highly qualified staff are readily available at affordable prices. “Your bookings with us are highly welcomed and we promise to reserve you rooms once you make a booking with us” says Managing Director, Jacqueline Mujawayezu. For more information contact Jacqueline Mujawayezu on +25(0)78 475 3415 or visit: www.lebambougorillalodge.com
SEYCHELLES New CEO at the helm of Air Seychelles Minster Joël Morgan, the Minister responsible for Transport in the government of Seychelles, and Mr. James Hogan, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, have announced that Air Seychelles, the national airline of the republic of Seychelles, has appointed Mr. Cramer Ball as Chief Executive Officer, with effect from February 1, 2012 under the management contract that it has with Etihad Airways, its new strategic partner. Mr. Ball, who was formerly Etihad Airways’ Regional General Manager, Asia Pacific South and Australasia, has been seconded to 30
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the Seychelles national carrier as part of the restructuring program for Air Seychelles, which will be implemented jointly with Etihad Airways. Before joining Etihad Airways, in a career spanning two decades, he held senior management positions at Gulf Air, Qantas, Kendell Airlines, and Ansett Australia/Air New Zealand. Commenting on his new role, Air Seychelles Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ball said: “This a very exciting Cramer Ball & Shelley Cole point in the development of the airline. The recently announced Photo: Seychelles Tourism Board strategic partnership with Etihad Airways, backed by the 40 percent stake the UAE national carrier has taken, will allow us to consolidate our position as a brand leader on the routes we serve. Shelley Cole has also been seconded to Air Seychelles to take on the position as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Prior to joining the Air Seychelles, Ms. Cole, who is member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, was Etihad Airways’ Regional Finance Manager, Asia Pacific, and has also held positions at Shell International Ltd. in London and Caltex in Sydney.
SOUTH AFRICA Hospitality industry mourns the loss of Mike Simpson Mike Simpson, highly respected Managing Director of Valley Lodge & Spa in Magaliesburg, tragically died in a car accident on the Broederstroom Road when a truck allegedly collided with the vehicle he was driving on Wednesday night, 15 February 2012. Mike was 44 years old. Mike was a professional in every sense and understood and loved the hotel industry. Prior to heading up Valley Lodge & Spa, Mike was general manager for the Mount Grace Hotel in Magaliesburg, prior to which he managed the award-winning Sabi-Sabi Game Lodge in Mpumalanga. Mike is survived by his beloved wife Fiona and children Nicole, James, Gregor and Erin, his twin brother Bruce, sister Diane and parents John and Penny. “This is a devastating loss to us and the incredible team Mike created at our hotel; this honourable man had not only run our country hotel successfully for the past 9 years, but was also regarded as a son and friend to us,” said Italo and Leila Mazzoni, owners of Valley Lodge & Spa.
AFRICA
TRADE NEWS
Registration opens for the Hotel Investment Conference Africa
Arabella Golf Cub to host SA’s first ‘Els for Autism’ Golf Challenge
Registration is open for the 6th Hotel Investment Conference Africa (HICA), taking place from 9 to 11 May 2012, at the Southern Sun Elangeni Hotel in Durban, South Africa.
Only 20 four-balls will be in contention when SA’s first Golf Day Challenge goes ahead on May 3rd at the Par 72 Peter Matkovich Championship Arabella Golf Course for the Els for Autism (E4A) Foundation, which is raising funds for a learning centre in this country.
HICA is an established business networking platform for investors, developers, owners and operators within the subSaharan Africa hotel sector. The conference attracts financiers, entrepreneurs and intermediaries such as architects and transactional advisors, as well as government leaders and officials. The conference programme features, amongst others, sessions specifically designed to share ideas on managing businesses in distress and improving their operational efficiencies. It includes topics ranging from restructuring hotel debt, re-engineering hotel operations and understanding changing consumer behaviour and travel patterns. It is also the conference to attend to gain further knowledge on the opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors alike, and for public sector officials and policy makers to better support the sector. For further information phone TBCSA on: +27(0)12 654 7525 or visit: www.hica.co.za
Are 5-Star Hotels heading in a positive direction? The outlook for the 5-Star hotel market in South Africa is looking brighter, says Joop Demes, CEO of Pam Golding Hospitality, particularly when viewed against the backdrop of global uncertainty. “The Rand exchange rates to the Euro, Pound and Dollar that prevailed during December 2011 and January 2012, translated on average to a 15 per cent discount compared to prices last season. There is no doubt that this has contributed to a sharp improvement in ‘high end’ leisure business in Cape Town and to a lesser extent in Johannesburg. Lead times for visitor bookings are indeed becoming shorter and the 2010 Soccer World Cup gave many new visitors a very favourable impression which is clearly paying off as foreign tourists are attracted by word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family who were here during June/July 2010. This is coupled with prices that are lower compared to the prices during the World Cup event,” he says. “There are a number of international funds and private individuals seeking operators and hotels that provide a compelling offer to a target market that can demonstrate growth and stability. In conjunction with this there are a number of sellers needing to raise liquidity and this could well result into a one or two larger deals with critical mass that will pave the way for one of the bigger global brands. Starwood and Hilton have all announced aggressive expansion plans in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is going to be an interesting year and acquiring properties to re-brand seems at present a better option compared to building something new. When speaking to a number of regional hotel operators most agree the timing is right to acquire existing hotel properties in Southern Africa,” adds Demes. For further information contact Joop Demes of Pam Golding Hospitality on 082 883 2231 or email jdemes@goldinghotels.co.za.
Els and his wife Liezl launched the E4A Foundation in 2009 after his only son Ben was diagnosed with Autism. “One in 110 children is affected by Autism and that is perhaps the most shocking thing about all of this; the number of people it affects. It hits the whole family hard. For a long time you are trying to figure out ‘What just happened to my life?’ You feel sorry for yourself and for your kid and for your family. And the tragedy is that even in this day and age, the kid who has Autism is often forgotten about. The feeling is that he’s almost a waste of time, which says a lot more about society than it does the child. It’s heartbreaking.” The cost per four-ball at Arabella Hotel & Spa’s E4A Challenge is a mere R3 600, which includes arrival snacks, 18 holes, a golf cart, halfway house meal and a cocktail dinner. There will also be a silent auction on the day for a host of exclusive items and it’s hoped South Africa’s Blue Chip corporates will be challenging each other on the course and with the silent auction to raise as much money as possible for the E4A SA computer learning centre, said Protea Hospitality Group Marketing and Advertising Manager Nicholas Barenblatt. For more information contact Theresa Salhab on +27 028 284 0105 or email theresa.salhab@arabellahotelandspa.com.
Legacy announces launch of rewards programme The Legacy Group and its associate company Legacy Hotels and Resorts recently unveiled their latest innovation by way of its new luxury rewards programme, Legacy Lifestyle. The programme is a cash back rewards programme that allows customers and patrons to earn Legacy Rands each time they spend money at a Legacy Lifestyle partner. In a bid to shake up the loyalty programme industry, Legacy Lifestyle does not merely promote the company’s brand, but through its partners has tapped into the needs and brands associated with a luxury lifestyle. The brands that have to date come on-board include in excess of 160 partners ranging from dining, entertainment, spas, fashion, home, art, electronics, fine jewellery, health and beauty, hotels and resorts, as well as a range of speciality suppliers and a number of charities who too can benefit from members spending their Legacy Rands. “The criteria to becoming a Legacy Lifestyle partner are straightforward, if an organisation feels that what it offers customers fits in with the lifestyle demands of a Legacy customer, then they immediately qualify,” states Rowley. “Our partners have been selected because they add specific value to the lifestyle of a Legacy customer, they are iconic, desirable and sought after.” Before its launch, the company conducted extensive research into what works and what doesn’t when it comes to loyalty programmes and according to Rowley are confident that it has created a programme that is geared towards answering one key question – what do its customers really want? For more information visit www.legacylifestyle.co.za
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TRADE NEWS
Launch of cocoon design at Hotel Formula 1
Africa’s greenest hotel at Cape Town Airport
The Hotel Formula 1 Bloemfontein, has unveiled its “cocoon” concept room design which received the ‘Best Interior Design’ award at the 2008 European Hotel Design Awards and was awarded the “Business Janus” label.
Domestic and international travellers to Cape Town International Airport will soon be able to check into what will be ‘The Greenest Hotel On The Continent’. Currently in the final stages of approval, the hotel will be built by the Cape Town-based developer Dematech. The luxury hotel has been earmarked for completion in early 2013 in nearby Michigan Street, less than 500m from the terminal building.
Zahra Peera, Chief Executive Officer of the Hotel Formula 1 Group in South Africa says, “Times are changing fast and along with that so are the needs of our customers. The Hotel Formula 1 is undergoing a metamorphosis and is currently in its fourth year of a roll out plan of its new ‘cocoon’ concept room.” This comes at a time when a talk of a double dip recession is rife and business travel is affecting companies’ budgets severely. For this reason business travellers need to make the right choice and ‘Be smart, Stay smart’. Companies need to be far more discerning with a focus on what the essential needs of business travellers are. Taking into consideration the expectations of guests, the teams introduced high technology features that were designed with a strong focus on sustainable development and which are aligned with Accor’s environmental and corporate social responsibility policies. For more information visit: http://www.hotelformule1.com/
The Royal Elephant Hotel & Conference Centre signs Sales & Marketing agreement with Signature Life Hotels. The Royal Elephant Hotel & Conference Centre is a splendid Moroccan themed property situated in Centurion - a vital nucleus linking the premiere African business nodes of Johannesburg, Midrand and Pretoria. The Royal Elephant is close to three airports, and suitable for both business and leisure travellers. Says CEO of Signature Life Hotels Alan Vels- “this gem of a property enhances our Signature Classic range, and is perfectly situated geographically for our portfolio. Its’ unique decor and design and superb conference facilities make it a prestigious venue that we are delighted to market”. With 40 bedrooms and a royal presidential suite all rooms are individually decorated using Moroccan & North-African furnishings and antiques, as well as original artworks from distinguished African artists. Dining at the Royal Elephant offers a menu of combined Moroccan, international and African flavours. There are two restaurants and a bar - the elegant Zagora Grill Room, Wine Cellar and Cigar Lounge, the Fezorati Coffee Emporium and Oasis Residents Bar. For more information visit: http://www.signaturelifehotels.com/ 32
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Aptly named Hotel Verde – “verde” meaning green in Italian – the 143room, contemporary hotel will fall into the three-star category, although the room sizes, services and fittings will be similar to a four-star hotel. The focus will be on sustainable construction as well as operation practices. Hotel Verde will generate an estimated 103 direct jobs and a further 247 indirect jobs. Hotel Verde is registered with the certification goal of LEED Gold, a stringent programme spearheaded by the US Green Building Council. Called “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” (LEED), the programme is an internationally recognised green-building certification system that uses third-party verification to confirm that a building was constructed to excel in performance aspects such as energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions-reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, as well as the stewardship of resources and the sensitivity to their impacts [www.en.wikipedia.org]. For more information visit: http://www.hotelverde.com/
Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees Entertain the whole family and Go wild in the Eastern Cape this winter at the annual Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees over the weekend of June 29 to July 1. Now in its eleventh year, the Wildsfees attracted 42 000 visitors in 2011, making it one of the country’s top events – and the only festival to include an auction of premier game. Visitors browse at over 300 speciality stalls, and savour the unusual game and gourmet foods on offer. There is also a choice of the best vintages from select wine cellars. The Kidz Zone is the place for the younger members, while the rest are entertained by shows, live jazz and many of the country’s top artists on the Eastern Cape’s biggest stage. Headline acts include Karen Zoid, Elvis Blue, Arno Carstens, Emo Adams, and Chris Chameleon and band. For more information, go to www.wildsfees.co.za.
Host of your own Mountain Retreat Samara Private Game Reserve have announced that their Mountain Retreat can now be booked on a self-catering basis. The rate is R7500.00 per night for up to 10 guests with game drives offered as an optional extra. Note that their catered option is no longer available but reservations already booked on this option will be honoured. For more information call Jenny on +27(0)49 891 0558 or email her on reservations@samara.co.za
AFRICA
TRADE NEWS
TANZANIA
SAA expands into three more African routes South African Airways launched services to three new destinations in Africa in January with flights to Kigali in Rwanda and on to Bujumbura in Burundi operating from January 17 and a new service to Pointe Noire in the Congo scheduled to start from January 26. The move is part of the airline’s strategy to develop an expanded intra-African network and greater presence across the continent, saying the new routes would better link South Africa to “thriving destinations that were previously difficult to reach by air”.This follows the launch of services to Ndola, Zambia in October last year.
Protea Hotel Witbank upgrades A refurbishment of the Protea Hotel Witbank started on January 3, 2012, which will see all the public areas and 74 standard rooms given a multi- million rand face lift. The hotel was closed from January 3 to January 18 for the first phase of the project which comprises the entrance, reception area and all demolition work in the restaurant, lounge and bar areas. The second phase will consist of completing the renovation of the restaurant and bar areas, after which work will begin on the bedrooms. Derick Tait, Managing Director of the Boulevard Hotel Group that manage the Protea Hotel Witbank, said guests would not be inconvenienced in any way by the renovation. Approximately 15 Protea Hotels across Africa have been refurbished in the past 18 months. The cost of the upgrades, done in conjunction with the various property owners, have collectively topped more than R300m. Protea Hospitality Group Director of Sales, Marketing and Revenue, Danny Bryer, said the revamp of older property stock was in line with the company’s vision to provide accommodation excellence matched only by the company’s institutional service excellence.
Spreading the love through giving all year round The African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa in Cape Town led the way in caring and compassion last year, with their social investment efforts garnering them the Protea Hospitality Group’s prestigious 2011 CSI Award. The award is made annually to the property among the more than 120 Protea Hotels and African Pride Hotels in Africa that demonstrates a broad-based commitment to improving the lives of those in need, whether it be through providing meals to primary school children or prize vouchers to NPOs.
Retreat in tropical paradise joins Protea Hotels The Amani Beach Hotel in Tanzania has joined the Protea Hotels portfolio. Set amongst 80 acres of beautiful tropical gardens, each of the 10 luxury beach bungalows overlooks the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. The luxury retreat is located just over 30km from Dar es Salaam. The hotel is air-conditioned and provides massage services, volleyball, tennis and petanque. The opensided beach bar provides outdoor seating while at night the main restaurant provides the perfect setting for a romantic dinner under the stars. Protea Hospitality Group Director of Sales, Marketing and Revenue, Danny Bryer, said the Protea Hotel Amani Beach brought to four the number of new Protea Hotels outside of South Africa this year. “Protea Hotels is the largest hospitality group in Africa and we will continue to expand on the continent in 2012 because we provide unparalleled local management knowledge and skill, as well as a trusted brand that prides itself on service excellence,” Bryer said.
ZIMBABWE Emirates launch provides lifeline for Zim Tourism Emirates’ introduction of services to Zimbabwe in February has offered the country’s tourism businesses some relief in terms of international in-bound visitor numbers. The introduction took place as Zimbabwe’s ailing national carrier, Air Zimbabwe, was placed under judicial management in January - a process that is expected to lead to its liquidation. Air Zimbabwe had already been forced to cancel international and regional services, including to London and Johannesburg in December and is still grappling with a reported US$140-million debt. It had failed to return to full operation after a series of strikes last year. Although links between Zimbabwe and South Africa remain, with South African Airways, BA Comair and SA Airlink continuing to operate, most international carriers have pulled out of the country. Emirates has been a welcome entry and a lifeline to international markets, with its service operating five times a week through Lusaka. The Dubai-Lusaka-Harare service is operated by an A330-200 in a three-class configuration.
It’s a minimum requirement in Protea Hotels that each and every hotel, our regional offices and head office all support at least one charity per year. Most do far more than this. “All hotels in the Protea Hospitality Group are immovable parts of their local communities and as such had a responsibility towards them, which is why we consider social investment to be one of the cornerstones of our business.” Barenblatt said. 2/2012
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MOZAMBIQUE
The signing of a ten-year tourism-operating contract in Mozambique between the Covane Community Association (CCA) and Barra Resorts on 16 January 2012 bodes well for this rural community and the region at large, writes Sandra Mombelli.
Image: Steve Collins
Mr Zitha, CCA President and Mr Dave Law, Barra Resorts
Peter John Massyn from the African Safari Lodge Foundation (ASLF) says, “The signing of the contract is hugely significant because now the community has an operator on board with a proven track record in Mozambique. We see this as a major boost for tourism to the area.” Dave Law from Barra Resorts has a big vision for the region. He says, “Covane is one of a chain of community-owned bush camps that we will be developing as a touring circuit through southern Mozambique. It is well positioned and will be part of the Transfrontier Park, and will also be an ideal stop-over for clients going through Giriyondo border, apart from a number of other activities we plan to develop in the area.” The final construction work on the community-owned lodge is under way and should be completed by July 2012. The lodge on the banks of the Massingir Dam will offer two houseboats, self-catering chalets and luxury tents, as well as overnight camping. The area is becoming known for good tiger-fishing and nature lovers will enjoy the relatively unspoilt surroundings and outdoor adventure activities on offer. Steve Collins, the ASLF’s Project Manager for Mozambique, says the partnership shows a lot of promise. “Barra Resorts already has a successful tourism offering in Inhambane and many of its guests will now be able to spend some time at Massingir en route to and from the coastal resorts,” says Collins. Barra Resorts will begin operating later this year - once the construction financed by the World Bank and the Ford Foundation is complete. The signing of the contract followed a visit by the CCA members to Barra Lodge in Inhambane in November 2011, where the basis of the partnership was agreed. Collins says, “The CCA members had a chance to ask 34
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local staff at Barra Lodge how they were treated and what impact Barra Resorts had made on the area. The positive feedback they got made them comfortable signing the 10year deal, which is renewable for another 10 years.” Massyn says the signing will have multiple benefits for the locals. “The community will get a basic rental plus a levy per bed-night sold to tourists. There are undertakings by Barra Resorts to purchase local produce and materials, as well as train and permanently employ community members.” Collins points out that another exciting development angle to the project is the installation of water pipes and tanks that will provide the local village with water. “The water system piggybacks on the lodge water pump and will make a significant impact on the community, who still fetch water on foot or by using local pick-ups”. Collins says the pipes and tanks were bought with a grant from the World Bank. Maputo-based H&L Construction will supervise the installation of the water pipes as part of its work at the community lodge. Dave Law says Barra Resorts will be able to give the community the sustained support it needs in growing the product offering. “I believe Barra Resorts can bring its experience in lodge management and marketing. This should be of great benefit to the community. We look forward to developing this destination. We have had previous experience on how the effect trickles back into the community. We are hopeful that other developments might be attracted to the region.” Law also points out that the ASLF’s support did much to move the processes along. “We certainly would not have got as far and as quickly as we did without their support.” Peter John Massyn and his colleagues at the ASLF are excited about future prospects for the Covane community. “Having Barra Resorts on board is going to create major opportunities for the community; this partnership is just the beginning”. For more information contact ASLF director Steve Collins on 082 8086255, stevecollins@iafrica.com. Or Sandra Mombelli on (011) 646 1301, email: Sandra@asl-foundation.org. Or visit: www.asl-foundation.org Covane Community Association members on a guided tour of Barra Resort
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Image: Steve Collins
Historic signing with Covane Community
SOUTH AFRICA
PROCUREMENT
Branded hotel toiletries and amenities can be considered an extension of marketing budgets, as guests do take these items home as mementos of their visit, says the Managing Director of Hotel Amenities Suppliers (Pty) Ltd. Hotel Amenities Suppliers is the largest guest supply company in South Africa. Successfully supplying over 1400 clients with an extensive range of toiletries and over 300 Independent Hotels with their own personalised guest amenity range. Hotel Amenities Suppliers have a selection of ‘Off-the-Shelf‘ ranges available, which are stock lines packed to the suit smaller establishments needs and their budgets. Each range is designed to suit their clients’ specific location whether it be on the beach or in the bush. Prestigious In-House brands like ‘Duke & Forsythe’ and ‘Pascalé’ are highly sought after. The accessories division has a selection of products available, such as wooden hangers, trouser presses, hair dryers, mirrors, clothes lines, trolleys, portable posts, slippers and bins to name but a few. Specialised design and quality products, innovative packaging ideas and absolute commitment to service excellence have allowed Hotel Amenities Suppliers to become the nominated supplier to the majority of group and independent hotels in Southern Africa, such as City Lodge Group, African Sky, Southern Sun, Legacy, Orion, Peermont, Premier Hotels & Resorts, Protea Hotels and Three cities
Resorts, including many other independent hotels and resorts around Africa, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean Islands. Hotel Amenities Suppliers through their shareholdings in the International companies, Luxury Hotel Cosmetics and Strategic Amenity Alliance, can offer over forty world brands, such as Cornelia, Garden Elements, Nourish, June Jacobs, Esthétique, Judith Jackson, Zenology, Hermés Parfums, Pharmacopia, Water l’eue, Tocca, Abahna, James Gent, Treatments, Seboni, Rituals and Cinq Mondes to name but a few. Hotel Amenities International was formed to service the needs of the rapidly expanding export business. This division is totally focused on exports and is staffed by experienced personnel. An extensive distribution network around Africa and South Africa ensures timely delivery of orders. Hotel Amenities Suppliers are committed to a programme of supplying totally “green” products. All guest-amenities are manufactured inhouse using natural ingredients, which are environmentally friendly, biodegradable and recyclable, from the bottles and packaging to the filling. Using only recycled material and products, Hotel Amenities Suppliers are justifiably proud of their developments and feel confident that they can safely say that they have gone ‘GREEN’ in terms of guest amenities. For more information visit their website: www.hotelamenities.co.za
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BUSINESS & FINANCE
SOUTH AFRICA
SATSA Market Intelligence Report The SATSA MIR information below was extracted from available data as at 14 February 2012, writes Martin Jansen van Vuuren. ARRIVALS Statistics South Africa shows that South Africa received 1 526 983 overnight arrivals (excluding same day visitors) from overseas between January & September 2011, which was a 4.8% decrease over January to September 2010. South Africa’s main overseas source markets recorded a mixed bag of results with overnight arrivals from the UK declining by 8.8% (to 297 741 overnight arrivals) between January and September 2011 over the same period in 2010. Overnight arrivals from Germany recorded 8.2% growth (to 153 341 arrivals) while the USA also achieved marginal growth of 0.2% (to 216 911 arrivals) for the same period. Overall total foreign arrivals were up 2.6% to 6 100 270 with overnight arrivals from Africa being up 7.6% to 4 555 489. HOTEL STATS Data from STR Global indicates that for the full year 2011, all hotels in South Africa achieved an average occupancy of 56.3% which was down 0.6% on the full year 2010. The average room rate (ARR) decreased by 10.4% to R857 while the RevPar decreased 10.9% to R482. For the full year 2011 five-star hotels achieved an average occupancy of 52.8% (up 3.5% on 2010), with four-star hotels achieving 55.9% (down 0.6%) and three-star hotels achieving 57.2% (down 1.3%). ARR for the full year 2011 were down for all star graded hotels. 5-star hotels were down 18% to R1 551, while four-star hotels were down 9.3% to R830 and three-star hotels being down 5.3% to R683. For the full year 2011, RevPar were also down for all grades of hotels with five-star hotels being down15.1% (to R819), four-star hotels being down 9.9% (to R463) and three-star hotels being down 6.5% (to R391). ACSA DATA The data from ACSA for the full year 2011 indicate increases in passengers arriving on international, regional and domestic flights for all three major airports. 2011 over 2010
Internationa Passenger Arrivals
Regional Passenger Arrivals
Domestic Passenger Arrivals
OR Tambo
2.4%
7.4%
4.6%
Cape Town International
5.8%
5.8%
4.1%
Durban International
8.1%
N/A
6.2%
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR MY BUSINESS The data relating to arrivals (Stats SA and ACSA) indicate that there has been growth in 2011. However the data relating to room nights sold (STR Global) indicate that there has been a decline in 2011. The reason for this is that visitors are still travelling but they are stay for shorter periods. The impact of this change in behaviour depends on which segment you are operating in, in the tourism industry. Airports and car rental companies are not experiencing the decline in their businesses as the accommodation establishment are. Anecdotal evidence indicates that tour operators are also experiencing a decline in their business. For more information visiit: http://www.gt.co.za
Tourism Business Index Shows Improvement For Last Quarter Of 2011 The latest results of the TBCSA FNB Tourism Business Index (TBI) show a marked improvement in business performance for the last quarter of 2011. TBI registered a performance index of 87.3 in quarter four of 2011, against an expected industry index of 80.7 and an actual index of 70.0 for the previous quarter. This report also marks the first anniversary of the index. The TBCSA FNB Tourism Business Index is an initiative of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), sponsored by First National Bank (FNB) and compiled by Grant Thornton. The index provides a national indication of the current and future performance, across the various businesses operating within the South African travel and tourism sector. Chief Executive Officer for the TBCSA, Mmatšatši Marobe says the positive results are encouraging: “Considering that the index had been on a steady decline since the start of 2011, it is encouraging to see that we have ended the year on a more positive note and we hope that this is a trend that will continue in 2012, despite the ongoing economic hurdles”. In this edition of the TBI, both sub-indices (accommodation 36
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and other tourism business sectors) performed better than was anticipated, with the results of the accommodation sector showing a near return to normal operating levels. However expected business performance is still a modest 82.2 for the first quarter of 2012. “The surge in domestic leisure business over the festive season and the recent hosting of COP17 have provided a much needed boost to business performance in quarter four of 2011, but the index also indicates that industry still has a realistic view of the challenges that lie ahead” explained Gillian Saunders, Head of Advisory Services at Grant Thornton. In conclusion, Marobe urged the private sector to “go a little further” in catering for the domestic and regional markets, by actively engaging these markets and developing suitable packages which still offer value for money. “At this point, renewed focus on these markets might just be industry’s solution for sustaining growth in the long-term” she said. The TBI report is available for download on the TBCSA website at http://www.tbcsa.org.za/ or at http://www.tourismtattler.co.za/ tbireport/
SOUTH AFRICA
CONSERVATION
Saving Africa’s Wildlife The proper care and conservation of wildlife in Southern Africa is a hugely emotive issue. Particularly with regard to rhinos, the fact that almost every day a rhino is slaughtered, whether in a national park or on a private game reserve is a national shame to all of us. However while the hype and sensational reporting keeps the rhino issue right in the public eye, there are other creatures too, who need protection. Our article on the plight of African parrots brings into the daylight the shady dealings going on all over Africa involving our wildlife. Everybody wants to help, and therein lies a problem. Far too many individual funds have been set up, some so small as to be barely viable, even if the cause and the feeling of the people behind them are admirable. And each little fund has overheads such as staff, postage, internet accounts and even buildings that gobble up far too large a percentage of the funds collected. So not enough goes to conserving the animals. So where do willing donors put their money? What is needed is one overarching organisation, that can include all the smaller, special interest guys, who want to save the Blue Swallow, the dung beetle or whatever. It would have to be non-partisan, non-political, non commercial – in fact none of the things that currently bedevil wildlife organisations. Is anyone brave enough to take this on? Well Lawrence Anthony was brave enough to go to Baghdad, and rescue
animals in the zoo there, so maybe he can do it through ‘The EARTH Organisation’ that he founded for this very purpose. Lawrence Anthony is the author of “The Elephant Whisperer” - a phenomenal account of his trials and tribulations while rescueing a traumatized rogue herd of elephants at his reserve and the relationship that was built between them, “Babylon’s Ark” is an adventurous and heart-warming story about the animals of the Baghdad Zoo and their plight in war-torn Baghdad. His third book, “The Last Rhino’s” is due for release in South Africa on March 29th, in England on April 15th and in the U.S. on July 3rd and tells the amazing story of his travels into the DRC (Congo) to rescue the remaining Northern White Rhinos Lawrence Anthony was the recipient of the prestigious United Nations “Earth Day Medal” presented in New York in 2004 for his contribution to conservation, and he is a member of the esteemed Explorers Club. There is a function in Durban on 29 march (see below) to launch his new book and to raise funds for The EARTH Organisation, and he has got some powerful backers. If you can get there, why not go along and support this truly worthy initiative? For more information on ‘The EARTH Organisation’ visit: http://www.earthorganization.org/
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ENVIRONMENT
SOUTH AFRICA
Fossil Site Water Quality Assessed For many years the debate on the quality of the water on the West Rand has been raging. Now the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site Management Authority (COH WHS MA) has released its monitoring report on water in the area and the results will go a long way to informing the discussion on the issue, writes Adrian Amod. Dawn Robertson, CEO of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, says: “Previously there was a very poor understanding of both the surface and ground water in the area and so the COH WHS MA commissioned a situation assessment into the water quantity and quality which will be used by the Department of Water Affairs in charting a way forward on the matter.”
include the discharge of treated municipal wastewater effluent into the river system, impacts from agricultural activities, high load-bearing on-site sanitation facilities in the areas not served by a municipal sewerage system, and sanitation and waste concerns associated with informal settlements. Nine of the fossil sites reflect a very low or low vulnerability due to their location. This low vulnerability was assigned because (a) they are situated in groundwater compartments that are hydrogeologically separated from those where the contaminated water is found and (b) are at an elevation above the ambient groundwater level.
The COH WHS Management Authority recognised its mandate to protect and preserve the heritage site and so this study was conducted to determine the impact that human activity has on the water resources of the area. One of the major concerns with that has been raised with regards to water in the world heritage site is AMD. AMD occurs when acid, metals and sulphates are released into the water system as a result of disused mine shafts filling with water and overflowing (or decanting) onto the surface. However, the impacts of AMD are as important as the impacts of agricultural activities in the area.
The red coloured water shows evidence of AMD in the Hippo Dam in the Krugersdorp Nature Reserve just a few kilometres to the north of the point of decant. Bolt’s Farm reflects a very high vulnerability. Sterkfontein Caves was assigned a high vulnerability despite the fact that the site has to date reflected a very low historical impact in terms of water quality. This is a precautionary measure because the caves intersect the water table.
The yellow line depicts the study area. The black line is the boundary of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. Robertson says: “This is a particular concern in the COH WHS as it is downstream of various disused mines on the Western Basin and in recent years this has negatively impacted on aquatic life and the quality of water in the area.” The results from the study are both interesting and surprising. The first finding was that AMD is not the only factor that is degrading the water quality in the area. The other factors 38
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The Swartkrans, Minnaars and Plover’s Lake sites reflect a moderate vulnerability. From this assessment it can be concluded that the majority (70%) of the fossil sites in the COH WHS are not under threat from either changes in surface or ground water quality or quantity. More importantly, however, the authorities now know where to concentrate their efforts to protect those sites that are more vulnerable. A petrographic study and laboratory kinetic leach tests were conducted to study the impact of AMD on dolomite. The study found that the dolomite initially acts as a buffer and helps to neutralise the water entering the natural groundwater system due to dissolution of the dolomite. However, this effect reduces over time, diminishing both the neutralising influence and the dissolution of the dolomite. As a result of the studies, it was decided to earmark the more vulnerable fossil sites for short-, medium- and long-term monitoring. This will allow the COH WHS MA to continue to observe and assess any changes in the situation specific to
SOUTH AFRICA
ENVIRONMENT
over time and to inform the relevant authorities accordingly. In addition to collaborating with government departments and institutions the COH WHS MA also partners and collaborates with other organisations to keep track of the challenges posed by AMD. The COH WHS MA is a member of the Western Basin Void Monitoring Committee convened by DWA as well as the Inter-Governmental Task Team on AMD.
Gathering samples from the Tweeloopie Spruit for testing.
Mills says: “The Department of Water Affairs (DWA) continues to support the Management Authority in its water-resources monitoring activities in the area by providing monitoring boreholes and instruments and the AMD concern is being addressed by the Inter-Governmental Task Team (IGTT) on AMD.”
these sites. Now that the assessment has been completed and the report sent to the Department of Environmental Affairs, the Department of Water Affairs, it will help to inform the Government’s approach to the issue.
The IGTT, in accordance with the recommendations of the team of experts report to the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on AMD, has implemented measures to control the decant of AMD from the Western Basin. This will roll out in the very near-term.
The Department of Water Affairs (DWA) is in the process of implementing a mine water control, management and treatment system in the Western Basin, while the COH WHS MA is currently rolling out a water resources monitoring programme in conjunction with the DWA. This monitoring will continue to track changes to the water resources system
Robertson concludes: “The COH WHS is one of the richest fossil sites in the world and we are committed to protecting and preserving this significant heritage site also in regard to its water resources within the Karst environment. We will continue to work with all the government departments to find a sustainable solution to this environmental challenge.”
For more information contact the COH WHS 011 355 1227 or email: Adrian.Amod@gauteng.gov.za. For technical enquiries: Peter Mills at (011) 355 1458 or e-mail peter.mills@gauteng.gov.za
Cradle Of Humankind Cracks Top 12 EvotourismT List The Cradle of Humankind, has been ranked as one of the Top 12 EvotourismT destinations in the world, making it the only site in Africa to have made the list. EvotourismT, the newly launched travel information service curated by Smithsonianmag.com., aims at helping science travellers find and fully enjoy the wonders of evolution through providing dynamic and expert scientific content. The top 12 world-class EvotourismT destinations span six continents and 500-million years and as one of the most fossil-rich sites in the world, most notably for hominid fossils
lasting impression,” says Tony Rubin, Managing Director of Maropeng.
“As the official visitor centre for The Cradle of Humankind, Maropeng is extremely honoured to be included as one of the top EvotourismT destinations in the world. We look forward to welcoming all evolution-interested visitors from across the globe and I am confident our state-of-the-art facilities, extraordinary fossil displays and fascinating tours will leave a
The Cradle of Humankind’s international standing as a hotbed of fossil discovery began in 1924 following the discovery of the Taung Child by Professor Raymond Dart. The recent discoveries by Professor Lee Berger last year, of a new hominid species, did much to bolster the area’s reputation as one of the primary contributors in the ongoing search for pieces of the evolutionary puzzle. 2/2012
The EvotourismT site features profiles on both The Cradle of Humankind as well as the Maropeng Hotel. There is also a link to the Maropeng website and The Cradle of Humankind Flickr account. Visitors to Maropeng will be able to enjoy the Kingdom of the Big Cats fossil display up until the end of February. It features a diverse range of original animal fossils discovered at Bolt’s Farm, the oldest fossil site in The Cradle of Humankind.
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ENVIRONMENT
SOUTH AFRICA
Mossel Bay Environmental Message Finds Traction
Members of the Mossel Bay Environmental Partnership (MEP) are at last beginning to feel that their work is making a difference to the way people think about - and act towards - the natural environment.
Municipality’s ban on Chinese Lanterns, which could be seen as a fire hazard.” One of the MEP’s big success of 2011 was the turnaround in the fortunes of the St. Blaize Trail - a 13.5 km contour path along the cliffs west of the Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse.
“Despite the fact that large numbers of visitors descended on the area over the holiday season - which placed considerable strain on the regions resources - everyone seemed to be generally more aware of their responsibilities towards the environment” said the MEP’s Fred Orban. “You’re no longer considered a radical if you’re thinking green, and, of course, this isn’t just because of what the Mossel Bay Environmental Partnership has achieved - rather, it’s a conglomeration of all the work of all the environmental activists and agencies around the world. “I think this might have been the biggest spin-off of COP17 - that it brought the environment and the environmental challenges that we face into sharper focus” he said. “The simple fact that a visitor who found a strange snake in his holiday house would bring it to the authorities - rather than kill it (as he might have done before) - shows that people are becoming more sensitive and understanding, and this represents a major turn-around. “Even when it comes to fishing licenses, more and more people are taking them out and abiding by their quotas because they understand the consequences of doing so.” But, he said, not everyone was playing the game. “It was disturbing to see that some people were ignoring the
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“The Trail has been cleaned, upgraded, and properly marked, and the Garden Route Casino Community Trust has published a hiker’s map, so the whole thing’s become much more accessible both as a tourism product and as a way of exploring the natural fynbos and the ocean environment,” said Mr. Orban. The Trail is also expected to start generating sustainable employment during this year. “MEP is sending four members of the local community on a veld school course with Johan Fourie at the Nature College, and after their internships, they’ll be available as guides and conservation workers,” he said. Mossel Bay Tourism’s Marcia Holm said that the environment is one of the town’s most important tourist attractions. “We have a unique combination of marine, fynbos, and mountain ecosystems which deserve protection for themselves and what they represent - but also because they can and do provide Mossel Bay with important economic advantages and tourism opportunities,” she said. For more information visit http://mep.org.za/ or http://www.visitmosselbay.co.za/
ENVIRONMENT
SOUTH AFRICA
Mossel Bay trails on TV Presenter Crystal Roberts and a team from the hit South African TV programme Pasella spent a week in Mossel Bay, where they filmed a show about the Hunter Gatherer Trail - a guided coastal hike from Dana Bay to the Gourits River Mouth. The team was guided by Andre Swanepoel and Willy Komani, permanent guides on both the Hunter Gatherer Trail and its sister, the luxury Oystercatcher Trail.
Mossel Bay Tourism’s Marcia Holm said that the Pasella insert, which was screened on 15 February, provided a strong boost for tourism in the area. “It highlighted Mossel Bay as a destination of note - especially in the fields of science, archaeology, and the environment - and once again demonstrates that the cultural and environmental heritage of Mossel Bay is almost without equal,” she said.
“The Hunter Gatherer Trail aims to educate hikers in the ways of the ancients who left a great legacy along this coast,” said Fred Orban, who developed both of the Trails.
For more information visit: http://www.visitmosselbay.co.za/
He said that the area is rich in stone artefacts like blades, digging tools, and ochres - which were used for symbolling and decoration - as well as numerous shell middens, “which are basically rubbish dumps, although, of course, they contain only organic material. These middens were deposited over many thousands of years and provide modern day scientists with a treasure trove of information about how our forefathers ate and lived.” The most important of the middens of the Mossel Bay area are found in the Pinnacle Point Caves - which, said Mr. Orban, are out of bounds to the public because they’re the subject of intense scientific study. Members of the Mossel Bay Archaeology project have shown that this was where modern human behaviour emerged about 165,000 years ago,” he said. “Nevertheless, there are many other middens in the dunes along the way, and we were able to show these to Crystal and her team - and we were fortunate enough that archaeologist Cindy Nelson, who works for the leader of the Mossel Bay Archaeology Project, Professor Curtis Marean, was able to come along and interpret them for our guests.” One of the highlights of the Trail is a visit to the stone fish traps at Cape Vacca - built in the intertidal shallows, they were an important source of food and proteins for the ancients. Orban said that he and Mr. Komani also showed the crew a set of elephant bones which were found in the Boggomsbaai area some years ago.
ENVIRONMENT
SOUTH AFRICA
Water from air There is a new water source that is pure and does not draw from the precious water resources of South Africa – enough water to ensure safe drinking water for each and every South African and it is all around us – the air, writes Megan Hall. A group of South African businessmen based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal have changed the way we will get water forever. Spokesman for the group, Ray de Vries, is convinced that the answer to man’s water challenges has been found. The water contains no chlorine or any other chemicals. “We have machines that suck in air and cool the water in the air down which drops into a UV bin. The water is filtered five times and then bottled. The business went ballistic from day one and we struggled to keep up with demand as our capacity was about 200 litres per day” said de Vries. According to de Vries, to produce normal bottled water takes a few litres of water to make one litre of bottled water and that water is drawn from the country’s water resources. “Our only concern was that we still used electricity to drive the machines. We built a wind turbine that drives a machine that delivers 1000 litres per 24 hours and when the tanks are full delivers electricity back to the national grid. The first Dew Catcher was bought off plan and the group have received enquiries from all over South Africa, southern Africa and lately from as far afield as Libya.
The wind turbines are manufactured in Durban, the host of the 2011 COP17 Conference. “Not bad for a bunch of local Durbanites! We have a factory right here in Durban that produces the turbines and that has already created 32 new jobs. Our bottling plant is also in Durban, but will need to expand soon to increase our manufacturing capacity” he said. The website www. dewcatcher.co.za stats are monitored daily and interest from all over the world, especially Africa, is huge according to de Vries. De Vries is better known as a sports promoter of big events including The Unlimited Dusi Canoe Marathon and the Durban Airshow and first got interested in the Water From Air concept at an event last year. “Transporting drinkable water to an event is a huge undertaking, especially when the event is in rural areas. An average of 2.5 litres of water is required per participant per day. If you have 1000 entrants this means that we have to transport 2.5 tons of water per day, which is no easy task. I read about Water From Air and started our Water From Air brand and the rest is history. We now have the capacity to make water at events. It is a magic feeling that we can help people all over the world, employ people and make a difference to our country, continent and the world. We plan to roll out a turnkey business to entrepreneurs in South Africa who can make a great business and spread our business all over South Africa. This is service delivery at it’s best” concluded de Vries.
For more information visit the Water Dew website at : www.waterfromair.co.za or contact Ray de Vries on ray@waterfromair.co.za
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EVENTS
SOUTH AFRICA
IVth Wildlife Management Congress to be held in Durban The Wildlife Society (TWS) in partnership with the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA), South African National Parks (SANParks), and EZEMVELO KZN Wildlife will be hosting the IVth International Wildlife Management Congress (IWMC) at the Nkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban from 9-12 July 2012, writes Nafeesa Ally. This is the first time the Congress will be held in Africa. The first three Congresses were held in Costa Rica, Hungary, and New Zealand in 1993, 1999, and 2003, respectively.
Africa, raise awareness for wildlife management legacy programmes, and raise the profile of wildlife management globally. “The IVth IWMC 2012 in Durban, will be informative, exciting, and an ideal venue to establish new and lasting partnerships to benefit wildlife and their management. Please plan to attend. We hope to see you there.” Says the Wildlife Society’s President Elect, Paul R. Krausman. “We are really proud and excited to co-host this Congress. The planning and staging of this Congress is an exciting collaboration between NGOs, Parks, educational institutions, a highly qualified Scientific Committee and an extremely competent conference organizing company.” Says Mumsie Gumede, WESSA Chief Executive.
Africa has always taken a broad view of social, economic, and political dimensions that all affect, and become affected by, use and management of natural resources. Their survival, and indeed, the survival of the world depend on cooperative and effective management of our natural resources. The TWS and its partners hope to attract over 1,000 delegates from around the globe to attend. South Africa is an ideal venue because of the numerous examples of exemplary practices in wildlife management and the human capacity for building innovations ranging from adaption of scientific developments to community-based natural resource management and empowerment programmes to share in the global forum. Wildlife management worldwide faces complex challenges including depleted resources, competition for habitats used by wildlife, poaching, changing habitats, and an increasing human population. The goals of the IVth IWMC are to provide increased capacity for participants to integrate global needs into their work, continue to develop and expand global networks, experience wildlife management in Southern
For more information visit: http://www.iwmc2012.org
or contact the IWMC 2012 event organisers at: The Conference Company Project Manager: Nafeesa Ally - 031 303 9852 or Nafeesa@confco.co.za Sponsorship and Exhibition Manager: Jacki De Beer - 031 3039852 or Jacki@confco.co.za Registration Enquiries: Phindile Madlala on 031 303 9852 or Phindile@confco.co.za
The theme of the IV IWMC is Cooperative Wildlife Management across Borders: Learning in the Face of Change. Sub-themes will include: • Human dimensions of wildlife management and conservation (i.e.: conflict, urban, land use) • Professional development and training • Climate change • Wildlife health and disease • Wildlife population management • Endangered species recovery • Invasive species • Trans-border cooperation and conservation • Natural resource use and sustainability • Habitat restoration, modification and stewardship
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EVENTS
SA To Host 2016 World Plumbing Conference
SOUTH AFRICA
The Institute of Plumbing South Africa (IOPSA) have won their bid to host the World Plumbing Conference (WPC) 2016 in Cape Town, South Africa, writes Leandi Cameron. IOPSA outbid Melborne, Australia in September last year to clinch the WPC 2016 for Cape Town, South Africa. Australia last hosted the WPC in 1985. The team who worked tirelessly to ensure that secure the conference, consisted out of Lee Goldie, IOPSA vice-president and working committee chairperson, Chris Burgess, IOPSA president, Rory Macnamara, Plumbing Africa publisher, Steve Brown, IOPSA national operations manager and Gary Macnamara, Plumbing Africa online publisher.
Part of the IOPSA presentation team. Left to right: Lee Goldie, Rory Macnamara and Steve Brown outside the Edinburgh International Conference Centre after the winner was announced.
The IOPSA team are currently in discussions with their Indian counterparts who will be hosting the 2013 WPCC and have committed to a mutual benefit of support from South Africa for the next conference in terms of delegates and, in turn, India have undertaken commitment to support and offer a large delegation from their country for the 2016 conference.
Africa has a multitude of problems relating to health and safety aspects and, one only has to think about how many people die daily because of waterborne diseases and unsafe drinking water to realise the importance and need of focusing on eradicating these very local situations for African problems and challenges.
Looking forward
“We believe that these challenges can be debated and that an international focus will create a platform to solve these problems. Health, safety, and upliftment of standards within Africa needs to be addressed. The international delegates can share, guide and assist Africa in our goals to uplift standards and this will also create job opportunities on all levels throughout the continent,” says Goldie.
IOPSA want to change the format of WPC for 2016. “We want to add a real trickle down benefit to the host city and country by attracting challenge driven industry professionals to attend the conference and provide them and ourselves with real-time tangible solutions to problems such as sanitation, plumbing, water safety, training, skills upliftment during the conference,” says Goldie. The idea is to create interaction between South Africa’s local authorities and the international professionals to create mediation and a flow of ideas during the conference. They also intend to use Cape Town as the focal point where Africa, per se, can benefit from meeting the World Plumbing Council and, to create a platform for negotiation of membership for all Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. It will also allow other African countries to apply for World Plumbing Council membership, and will open up doors to the obvious benefits trade and opportunities for local and international business transactions. Water for Africa The theme of the upcoming 2016 conference is ‘Water for Africa’. The theme underpins IOPSA’s commitment, not only for the provision thereof, but, also, for the fact that Africa’s means are vast but, our challenges are so prevalent. 44
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Cape Town was chosen as the hub for the conference, because of its diversity and incredible blend of all things African. “It illustrates the true beauty of South Africa and we intend to raise the bar on how conferences are held. Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa and this creates a unique platform for the World Plumbing Council to rub shoulders with local legislators to further the World Health Organisation’s objectives as well,” says Burgess. IOPSA intends to role out a world-class conference and there will be pre-and post conference tours and it will also cater for spouses and partners of conference-goers. IOPSA aims to offer tailored packages for delegates to suit the pocket of every type of attendee. Tattler readers in Cape Town who would like to submit tour itinerary proposals for the WPC 2016 delegates may contact Rory Macnamara on: 011 579 4940
EVENTS
SOUTH AFRICA
Eighteenth Klein Karoo National Arts Festival Launched
The Absa KKNK (Klein Karoo National Arts Festival) takes place from 31 March to 07 April and has launched its programme for this year’s festival in Cape Town. It will be the eighteenth time that the festival takes place in Oudtshoorn, in the Klein-Karoo, writes Brenden Ruiter. Brett Pyper, CEO of the Absa KKNK, says that this year the festival promises to build on the success of the greater part of the past two decades. “The festival in Oudtshoorn presents, as always, a range of arts, entertainment and festivities in abundance. In a year where there was more than enough drama on the world economic stage, the festival management has worked with various partners to ensure that the festival remains affordable. For example, the ticket prices of the popular Rivierbuurt stay the same as last year, with the age for free entry raised from 12 years to age to 15. As part of the free festival offering, the popular and colourful Klein Karoo Festival parade, as well as various other projects from the Festival of Opportunities, will guarantee further entertainment,” says Pyper. Programme Manager, Theo Kemp, says visitors to this year’s festival can expect productions of outstanding quality in a variety of genres. “The Absa KKNK boasts with major flagship productions and more than 40 debut productions. The brand new venue, Deurbraak, will also be a highlight, where festival goers can expect fresh, upcoming voices. Nicola Hanekom’s award-winning trilogy of open air productions culminates with Babbel, which deals with the aftermath of a revolution, another must-see production this year,” says Kemp. Kemp says music lovers can prepare themselves for Kaktus op die Vlaktes, an open-air rock festival that returns to the
▲ Drama lovers can look forward to Nicola Hanekom’s third sitespecific production, Babbel, about the aftermath of a revolution where language disintegrates, resulting in chaos.
Absa KKNK. On the other hand, “there will also be opera by Janelle Visagie, Stefan Louw, Liesl Stoltz and others, as well as a programme filled with exciting artists performing on the Huisgenoot Musiekplaas,” he concludes. There is a strong visual arts offering, with amongst others Living Things: Handspring Puppets Now, which includes the magical War Horse by the world famous Handspring Puppet Company, as well as a retrospective exhibition by the late painter, Kevin Atkinson. Mr. Louis von Zeuner, Deputy Group CEO of Absa, emphasised the bank’s continuous support of the arts in South Africa. “Absa has had an association with the arts in this country for many years and sponsorships include the Absa L’Atelier arts competition and the popular television programme, Noot vir Noot. The Absa KKNK is a highlight in the South African festival calendar and we are proud to be part of a festival, where a platform is created to bring the arts together and where artists can express their talents. Through our sponsorship of the Absa KKNK we not only contribute to the arts in South Africa, but also to the community of Oudtshoorn and the Western Cape as a whole,” says Von Zeuner. For more information visit www.absakknk.co.za where accommodation bookings can also be made. Tickets are available at Computicket or Shoprite/Checkers from 27 January 2012.
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SOUTH AFRICA
MARKETING
Online Marketing for your small
Business
The internet has expanded dramatically in the last decade and is becoming a part of every aspect of daily life. Businesses are recognising that their customers spend a considerable amount of time online and are coming up with innovative ways to market and promote their services on the web, writes GetSmarter. Where should you start? Do I need to be online? Definitely. In South Africa, there has never been a better time to market your business online: over six million affluent South Africans are using the internet, and this number is growing by more than 10 per cent each year. A clever business owner uses every channel available to get word out about their business. And if you are not online yourself, chances are that somebody else in your area is, which means that they are offering better service, they will receive all of the internet traffic and your business will remain invisible. In today’s competitive environment, every advantage should be taken. Learning about the internet is the first step Before you dive into online marketing, the first step you should take is to learn about the internet world. If you are unfamiliar with online behaviour, lingo and tools, you could do considerable harm to your brand image. Masha du Toit, an experienced internet teacher, says that web skills are highly sought after in our interconnected world, and that no forward-thinking businessperson can afford to ignore the internet. Create a solid foundation of web know-how so that you can build appropriate, responsive and lucrative online marketing campaigns. You can achieve this by researching about the web, joining networking forums or taking a course in the subject, which allows you to experiment online in a safe learning environment. Basic principles Once you feel comfortable online, you can start to plan your online marketing strategy by keeping the following basic principles in mind. • Create a holistic strategy. To be truly successful online, you need to create a varied and interconnected strategy across various platforms. For example, there’s no sense creating a beautiful website if you neglect to optimise it for search engine and don’t spread the word on social media and in emails. Each marketing channel must feed into and build on the others. 46
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• Only use what you need. Some people who venture into online marketing try to do it all – they open profiles on every social network, build websites, send emails, launch SMS campaigns – but never take the moment to consider what is best for their brand and target audience. Only use the tools that are appropriate to your image and that you know your customers are also using. • Start slow. Online marketing takes years to perfect and optimise, so don’t be afraid to start with one or two tools and expand from there. Doing too much at once will create added stress and raise your expenses, and will usually mean that you cannot devote yourself to any one aspect fully. • Don’t focus on the hard sell. Very little of internet marketing involves proper advertising and hard selling; it’s usually more about subtle approaches, community building and public relations. Pushiness and blatant self-promotion are generally not appreciated online. When you get these aspects right online, the sales will follow naturally. There are many aspects or approaches that you can take when marketing your business online. The most popular ones are creating a social space for your customers, creating an online “office” and getting word out about your brand. Building a community Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter are perhaps the best-known online marketing tools and are ideal for social branding. Social branding is the process of marketing your brand in an online social space. It’s all about creating brand equity, increasing awareness and fostering loyal communities. Social media are less about making direct sales and more about building a community of fans and followers. Social networks are used for chatting, sharing information and photos, writing recommendations and passing on links to friends. They are a place for having a conversation with your customers, responding to questions, addressing complaints, offering special deals and sharing media and offers. In basic terms, social branding involves creating profiles on
SOUTH AFRICA
social media websites and filling them with brand-related content that is geared towards reinforcing the business’ desired brand image. It’s not enough to create a Facebook, Twitter or WordPress account, however; you need to engage daily, meaningfully and appropriately with your social networks. Conversations, good and bad, will happen around your brand regardless of what you do. Therefore, it’s vital that you participate in them and steer them in the right direction. Participating involves both acting – creating and adding content, links and information – and reacting – listening and responding to customers. Having an active and engaging social media strategy is a large element of building a reputable brand image. If customers see your activity frequently, they will begin to trust your business over the long term. Your business will appear supportive, legitimate and enduring. While it won’t happen instantly, this goodwill will build and will become incredibly valuable. Creating your online office Before the advent of the internet, companies needed an office or some sort of physical presence to interact with customers. This included the need for high rental fees and reception staff, and severely limited the scope of the business. Online, the picture is very different. Many companies now have a virtual presence, and some exist as a website alone – their “office” is a digital address on the web. Customers are comfortable interacting with a business through the digital portal and often find it more convenient, efficient and rewarding. They can examine the product offerings, do research, read testimonials and contact the company in one place, without having to travel physically. A website is the cornerstone of any marketing strategy – all of the adverts, social media, email messages and so on must direct to one central space to be truly effective. It is possible to replicate the intimacy, personality and interaction of the physical office through a website, and it allows the business to market itself globally. The market reach potential is endless – but make sure that your infrastructure can handle doing business internationally. Having an attractive, professional and informative website is essential. It is the definitive source of information about your business, and a place where you can include the most up-todate information available. Spreading information The internet seems to be an endless database of information, so getting the word out about your business requires careful thought and targeting. Conveying your message over the clutter can be difficult, so it is very important to be original and visible. The more precisely you can target your information to people who are interested in your business, the more successful you will be in generating sales. A few ways of doing this are creating content, optimising your website and sending email marketing campaigns. Content and search engine optimisation (SEO) go hand in hand. Creating content involves writing website copy, articles,
MARKETING
blog posts, brochures and any other written or multimedia information about your business. SEO is the process of optimising this content so that the right people can easily find it by using a search engine like Google. SEO is a highly specialised skill and usually requires an expert touch, but you can learn to do some basic SEO yourself. Setting up a regular email newsletter is an excellent example of how to keep your current customers up to date on information about your business and to inform them of special offers, discounts and deals. Email is an excellent way to reach people because you can target your recipients very specifically; you can gather data from your own customers and find other likely people to approach online. If you include good content and offers that your customers enjoy, it will be easy for them to pass the email on to their friends and grow your customer base for you. Measuring your effectiveness Perhaps the biggest benefit to marketing yourself online is being able to monitor and track your efforts accurately. The web offers a wide variety of analytics tools that can help you understand your customer by tracking and reporting on their online behaviour on your website. Analytics tools can show you, for example, how many people are visiting your site, which pages are the most popular, and how they spend their time on your page. Measuring your key performance indicators gives you valuable insight into your online marketing return on investment. For example, seeing how many people opened your marketing email and clicked on the link to your website will immediately tell you if your approach was successful. The immediacy of online marketing means you can test and adapt your strategy to better reach your audience. Remember the risks While online marketing is easy, accessible and very powerful, it also comes with its own set of risks. The biggest one is that an online presence leaves you exposed and transparent – everybody on the internet can potentially see your content, comments and strategies, so any misstep will be magnified considerably. While a small typo on your website will be excused, the aggressive comment you leave on an unhappy customer’s Facebook page will not. The adage “think before you speak” should always be on the forefront of your mind. The other big risk is legal trouble, especially in light of the new Consumer Protection Act. It is never acceptable to spam or harass anyone online, so be very careful with any direct marketing that you do. Customers should always have the option of opting out of email communication, for example. Breaking the law when marketing is not only ethically unsound, it also makes your business look bad – nobody will want to do business with you. The part-time University of Cape Town Internet Marketing short course is presented online throughout South Africa. For more information contact Amy-Jane on 021 447 7565 or visit www.getsmarter.co.za
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SAFETY & SECURITY
SOUTH AFRICA
tsi played key role in Kruger Park Floods When devastating floods hit South Africa’s Kruger National Park and the surrounding low lying areas in January, the Tourism Safety Initiative (tsi) played a key role in ensuring that important and constantly updated information was sent out as widely and quickly as possible, writes Annelie Barkema, tsi’s National Project Leader. The damage done was considerable. Roads and bridges were washed away. Camps and the people in them were cut off, and thus it was very difficult for rescue efforts to be co-ordinated to make best use of available resources. For the first time tsi was available to use its wide network of contacts with people in key positions in the emergency services to enable them to make decisions based on facts.
http://www.satsa.com/pages/Page.asp?PageID=13
Images courtesy of Tzaneen Country Lodge
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While fixing the most serious damage to infrastructure especially roads and bridges will have to be a long term project, in the short term tsi is proud to have been part of the combined operations that enabled the immediate crisis to be dealt with in the best possible manner and ensured that loss of life was minimal. This incident highlights the role that tsi can now play and will continue to play at times of crisis or when the safety and security of the people of South Africa and their visitors is threatened either by natural disaster or by criminal activity. tsi is a tourism industry knowledge & resource centre. For more information visit:
As the worst floods in twelve years raged for several days, and the serious nature of the damage caused to transport infrastructure in particular became obvious, organisations such the Mpumalanga Disaster Management
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Centre and local medical emergency service providers, Africa SAFE-T and SATIB24 Crisis-Call swung into action to make sure that as few lives as possible were lost, that communities received the assistance they needed and that tourists trapped in the park were safely evacuated.
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TRANSPORT
SOUTH AFRICA
Safety First with Mercedes-Benz Sprinter The introduction of the extended Electronic Stability Program (ESP) package for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter from February 2012 will improve brake performance in critical situations and enhance the safety of passengers and other road users. “ADAPTIVE ESP 9i replaces the current ADAPTIVE ESP 8.1. This is further proof that safety is one of the fundamental values of the Mercedes-Benz brand,” says Nicolette Lambrechts, Brand Manager, Mercedes-Benz Vans. The successor to ADAPTIVE ESP guarantees greater safety The intelligent ADAPTIVE ESP safety system complements other aspects such as careful driving techniques, effective brakes and sophisticated chassis systems, to achieve the greatest possible active safety. Just like the ADAPTIVE ESP 8.1 safety system, fitted as standard ever since the current Sprinter was introduced, the new ESP 9i takes the vehicle load into account. Depending on the weight and the position of the vehicle’s centre of gravity, the ESP sensors ascertain the vehicle load at any given time; this ensures that ESP 9i can stabilise the vehicle with individually modulated intervention action. This new ESP system
will also intervene selectively if a trailer begins to sway, thus helping drivers to stabilise their vehicle and trailer combination. ADAPTIVE ESP 9i has two important additional functionalities: Brake Disc Wipe and Electronic Brake Prefill. Brake Disc Wipe accelerates brake response time in wet conditions In wet weather, light braking pressure is applied to the wheel brake at regular intervals to wipe the film of water off the brake disc. If emergency braking occurs, full braking power is immediately available. This gains valuable stopping distance compared with braking with wet brake discs. 2/2012
Electronic Brake Prefill ensures that brakes respond rapidly If the accelerator pedal is released suddenly and quickly, the brake pads will automatically be gently applied so as to eliminate in advance the air gap between brake pad and disc. If emergency braking then occurs, valuable milliseconds will have been won since the friction surfaces of the pads and discs will already be in contact, facilitating effective deceleration. This functionality also reduces stopping distance which, depending on the circumstances, will either avoid an accident or diminish its severity. “The new ADAPTIVE ESP 9i will be fitted as standard from February 2012 at no additional cost,” concludes Lambrechts.
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MARKETING
TANZANIA / ZANZIBAR
Tanzania embraces economic diplomacy to market tourism Looking at wooing more tourists from key markets, Tanzania will be marketing tourism in Europe, North America, the Far East and other key tourist sources through its foreign missions and diplomats accredited in respective nations, writes Apolinari Tairo.
on a tour of Tanzania to see for themselves the tourist attractions in northern Tanzania and the Indian Ocean Beaches of Zanzibar as a strategy to expose them to Tanzania’s premier attractions, which included the Serengeti National Park, the prehistory sites of Olduvai and Laetoli and the famous Ngorongoro Crater.
Foreign Minister Bernard Membe said more emphasis will be in place, focusing on making Tanzania’s tourist attractions known in nations where this East African nation has diplomatic missions and consulates.
Given the economic and socio-political shift that has occurred in the domestic and international scene, Tanzania has adopted a Foreign Policy that focuses on economic diplomacy to secure its core national interest as a sovereign state.
Minister Membe said that plans are underway to broaden Tanzanian representation abroad by increasing embassies from the current 32 to 50 over the next nine years, to enhance the economic diplomacy.
The policy manifests itself in active international engagement, which is basically leveraged upon the pursuit of economic objectives, while at the same time preserving the gains of the past and consolidating the fundamental principles of Tanzania’s traditional foreign policy.
The minister escorted ambassadors and high commissioners
Zanzibar focuses on tourism to boost its economy and job creation The Indian Ocean tourist island of Zanzibar is looking at tourism as the isle’s leading economic sector and a leading employer to a half of the island’s workforce, writes Apolinari Tairo. Zanzibar President Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein says that tourism is the leading economic wheel for the island, with new hopes to see more tourists calling there for holidays. He said the isle’s government would work closely with the private sector to improve marine transportation in order to improve the national economy through the tourism sector, which has seen an annual growth of 15 percent and has contributed between 25 and 27 percent to the isle’s gross domestic product (GDP). With tourism currently contributing 70 percent of Zanzibar’s foreign currency earnings, the president noted that 50 percent of the isle’s population would be involved in tourism activities by the year 2020.
of agriculture, employment, and fisheries and helping in creating more jobs in local industries. Cruise tourism is another area of potential growth due to the island’s geographical position to the Indian Ocean island states of Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, and Mombasa on the Kenyan coast. Frequent Somali piracy on cruise ships had forced cruise ship companies to cancel Zanzibar activity along the Indian Ocean coasts, affecting Zanzibar’s beach tourism. Zanzibar became a favourite port of call for an increasing number of global cruise operators five to ten years ago as a leading tourist destination, but recent fears over piracy have diverted the ships to other destinations. Recent data by the Zanzibar Tourism Commission has shown tourism becoming a leading economic sector in the island, providing 11,500 workers with direct employment and an additional 45,000 people engaged in tourist activities.
The tourism sector would be a major catalyst in the promotion Articles published with acknowledgement to eTN | Nov 02, 2011 http://www.eturbonews.com/africa 50
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SAFETY
ZAMBIA
Minister Bungee-jumps from Vic Falls to prove safety View the video clip as reported by NTDTV at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROl-uD4GnbY
Zambia’s tourism minister bungee-jumped from Victoria Falls to reassure tourists the activity is safe after an Aussie backpacker’s rope snapped in January. Given Lubinda took the plunge after footage of Australian backpacker Erin Langworthy falling into the Zambezi River was shown around the world in January. Langworthy survived, despite falling head-first into the rapids when her bungee cord snapped as she leaped from the 111m-high bridge on New Year’s Eve. Mr Lubinda said he remained convinced the accident was a one-off and the attraction was safe. Speaking after completing the jump, Mr Lubinda said “I myself will be engaging the operator on how we can make this exciting tourism event become totally incident-free.” Mr Lubinda’s display of confidence in the jump came as its operator confirmed Ms Langworthy’s snapped rope had been sent to South Africa to be tested by experts. Meanwhile the operator of the bungee jumping equipment regretted the incident, saying that it came to them as a shock. “Despite the experience of the crew and parameters and procedures, which have successfully guided the operation for 17 years and over 150,000 jumpers, we were unable to prevent this accident.”, read the statement released to the media. ” We take this incident exceptionally seriously and our objective now is to learn from this incident and review every component part of our operation to determine where we can
further minimise the risk of bungee jumping from the Victoria Falls Bridge.” The Operator has taken the following measures to ensure the incident does not happen again: We have removed all bungee cords from the system, which were made with the same batch of rubber as that used to make the failed cord. These have been retained for further testing. • An entirely new set of bungee cords have been installed on the system. These have been extensively load tested and inspected thoroughly and we are satisfied that they are safe to jump on. • The entire bungee system has been thoroughly inspected and checked and we are fully confident that everything is safe to jump on. • In addition to our normal checks and procedures we have instigated additional daily and intermittent checks on the bungee cords and we are fully satisfied that these checks and procedures are more than sufficient to ensure our clients’ safety. • Our own crew are conducting test jumps before the commencement of daily operations and throughout the day. • Experts in South Africa have been contacted and we expect them to 2/2012
be on site shortly to help us with our ongoing investigations as to the cause of the incident. • The broken cord has been carefully stored and will shortly be sent to South Africa for forensic testing. • A qualified river guide with first aid certification and necessary safety and recovery equipment will be positioned in the gorge below the bridge. ”In light of the above Victoria Falls Bungee are entirely satisfied that everything humanly possible has been done to ensure the safety of our clients and bungee jumping operations have now recommenced without further incident,” concluded the statement Describing her survival as a “miracle”, Ms Langworthy told Channel 9 she blacked out as she hit the water. “It felt like I had been slapped all over,” she said. After hitting the water she started swimming downstream but her bungee cord became snagged on rocks. “I actually had to swim down to yank the bungee cord out of what it was caught in,” she said. When she made it to rocks, her rescuers rolled her on her back. “All the water I inhaled meant I couldn’t breathe and I made them roll me on to my side and that’s when I started coughing up water and blood.” Source: heraldsun.com.au / Lusaka Times
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Advertise to the Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Trade in Africa, Germany & the Netherlands
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Email: bev@tourismtattler.co.za Skype: bevtourismtattler
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