Meetings Africa 2011 Much Improved

Meetings Africa 2011 has been voted a success as the four-day show concluded at the Sandton Convention Centre.

Said Nomasonto Ndlovu, Global Manager of Business Tourism at South African Tourism: “Meetings Africa 2011 has definitely paved the way for South African Tourism’s strategic development to grow the business tourism industry in South Africa.”

The positive sentiments were shared by many of this year’s exhibitors. “Meetings Africa 2011 was much improved and we saw a lot of growth this year. I was particularly pleased that there was a definite increase in the number of buyers interested in Africa,” says Beatrice Makawiti from The Kenyatta International Conference Centre.

Unaudited attendance numbers for the event were 3 353, up from last year’s 2 899 delegates. South African Tourism hosted 123 international buyers and 32 international media from global core markets and this year’s Association Day was attended by 52 delegates.

South Africa Awarded Golf Destination Of The Year 2011

South Africa's exhibition show, Meetings Africa 2011, has already been hailed as a success and it seems South Africa's winning streak is not coming to an end just yet.

South Africa has been named the ‘Africa, Indian Ocean and Gulf States Golf Destination of the Year 2011' by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO). The announcement was made at a recent awards function for the golf industry in Spain. The selection for the winning destinations was made via votes cast by over 300 golf tour operators from more than 50 countries. This award is further testimony that South Africa is a must-do premier destination with a versatile offering including lifestyle, fashion, design and adventure.

Some of the delegates who attended Meetings Africa 2011 were lucky enough to experience one of South Africa's world-class golf courses when they participated in the inaugural Meetings Africa Golf Day at Dainfern Country Club, north of Johannesburg.

SA and Kenya In Tug Of War For Tourist Arrivals

South Africa and Kenya are long-standing rivals, with both vying for the attention of international travellers seeking a safari experience.

But in recent months, has this competition intensified?
Absolutely, says Carlos Leite-Ferraz, MD of Finland-based Credo TM Management. “I see it on a weekly basis where we get asked for two quotes, one for Southern Africa and one for East Africa,” he says. “About 60% end up going for Southern Africa while the rest choose East Africa.”
Leite-Ferraz says the main reasons travellers opt for East Africa is price and shorter travel time. He adds that perception of less crime in East Africa is also a factor in the decision-making process.

Bob Walley, Chairman of African Outposts, says there are several key differences between Kenyan and South African tourism. “While SA was troubled by sanctions, Kenya established itself internationally and immortalised the safari with legendary personalities, early wildlife movies and famous authors. Kenya also offers the world-renowned migration and large concentrations of animals that SA lacks.”

While these historical differences play a major role in the international tourist’s travel decisions, there are also more recent factors that come into play. Walley says the South African hospitality industry tends to be surly and unhelpful in comparison with the warm, friendly and hospitable nature of the Kenyan industry. “Lastly, South African lodges, hotels, transport and flights are all expensive,” he adds.

Source: SA Tourism Update

Do You Work Like You Own It?

No matter what the job title is, everyone has the power to create memorable experiences for their customers. Regardless of the setting or the industry, service excellence begins and ends with at least one person having the desire to not just serve, but to literally improve the life of someone else.

While for some, "improve someone's life" may sound like over-reaching, think of the days when nothing seems to be going right. Then all of a sudden you go to a grocery store, petrol station, or a restaurant and one employee gives a smile, positive eye contact, and treats you like absolute royalty. That one employee just made a profound and memorable impact on you whether you realize it or not.

A famous quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., reads, "If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well".

It is always refreshing to see service superstars with passion, pride and professionalism. If they had a declaration, it would read:

I am passionate about serving others.
I follow up with guest complaints until they are 100% satisfied with the resolution.
I do not blame other departments for service errors.
I consistently look for ways to go above and beyond to delight my customers.
I take initiative and ownership to create memorable experiences for my customers.
I am consistently warm and receptive.
I am not only an ambassador of my company, but of my industry.
I can make my customers feel special by being attentive and eager to serve.
I help my teammates get better.
I always search for ways to improve my service.
I am engaging.
I work like I own it!

Source: e-hotelier.com

SA Moves To Raise Its Business Tourism Profile

South Africa had already secured 200 international conferences for the coming five years, which would attract 300 000 delegates and provide an economic boost worth R1,6-billion, Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk reported on Monday.

Speaking at the ‘Meetings Africa 2011’, South African Tourism’s yearly business tourism exhibition (expo), Van Schalkwyk described tourism on the whole as a major jobs driver. From January to November last year, South Africa attracted 7,3-million tourists.
But he also argued that South Africa should move to raise its profile as an attractive and competitive international conference destination.

The three-day event, which is taking place in Sandton, has attracted more than 150 exhibitors, ranging from accommodation groups and transport companies to provincial tourism bodies.
It aims to showcase the capabilities, services and products that the country has to offer, and has also included a specific “green” tourism focus.

The expo is the only meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions gathering in Southern Africa and Van Schalkwyk said that it was an important platform for the tourism industry to raise the region’s profile.

Source: Engineering News

SA Not On India's Top Ten Destinations List

The Indian leisure traveler is now more open to exploring newer destinations, reveals the latest edition of the Nielsen India Outbound Monitor.

While on the current list of most visited destinations, Singapore remains the top destination for both the business and leisure travller, but its dominance has diminished since 2008.

Countries that have shown a rise in business traffic from India include Japan, China, and Sri Lanka. On the whole, Asian countries account for 76% of leisure travel by Indians and 63% for business travel. Regions such as Europe attract a higher percentage of business traffic (14%) rather than leisure (10%).

Thai Airways emerged as the top airline among leisure travelers in terms of customer satisfaction, followed by Jet Airways and Malaysia Airlines. For business travelers, Singapore Airlines tops the list, followed by Emirates and Malaysia Airlines.

Name of Country

Singapore

Malaysia

Dubai

Thailand

Switzerland

Nepal

Australia

Hong Kong

US

Japan

Source: ehotelier .com

CWC DMO Up To Speed

The Cape Whale Coast DMO recently put out an open invite to all the relevant businesses in Hermanus to attend a presentation on tourism marketing. Amongst the group, there was representation from: Hotels, guesthouses, adventure operators, tour guides, pamphlet distributors, and destination marketing companies.

Ms Neesha Padayachy, Manager - Trade Relations - Product Support, presented the attentive audience with hugely interesting inbound tourist statistics and it was patently clear that Germany and the USA were South Africa's target market. German tourists rely on television to decide on a holiday destination, while the USA relies on word of mouth.

It was also clear from the stats that to be successful, a guesthouse or tour operator must have a website and actively make use of social media marketing. One of the attendees, Ms Joan-Anne Harris co-owner of Southern-Stroll Marketing said, "I decided a month ago to undertake a trip to the USA to actively market interested companies in the Hermanus region. Our busy itinerary is well advanced and we will be visiting the larger cities such as Miami, Chicago, Washington DC and others to entice the USA tour operators and travel agents to send holiday makers to our shores. The invitation to be part of this groundbreaking trip is open to all interested companies and I look forward to representing them in the USA."

"This will be my fourth such vist to the USA and the CWC DMO has sanctioned our trip and we look forward to this pro-active exercise with great interest", said Harris.

Don't Lament Your Luggage Loss

Whether you're traveling for a week-long family vacation, a get-a-way weekend or a luxury cruise around the world, getting your luggage to your destination on time and in once piece can make or break your trip.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that over 2.19 million mishandled-baggage claims were filed in 2009 alone. Veteran travel consultant Joyce Kliger, president of See More Travel in Southfield Michigan, today offered the following tips for getting you and your valuables to your destination safely.

Never put your home phone number and address on your luggage tag. Doing so will signal to all who see your luggage that your home is likely to be vacant and an easy target for thieves. Use your own name but insert the address and phone number of your travel agent instead. If your luggage is lost, your agent will know how to contact you.

Label both the outside and the inside of your luggage. Luggage tags frequently come off during handling and putting your name and contact information inside ensures that airline, hotel and cruise line personnel will be able to identify your belongings if they are misplaced. It's also wise to include an itinerary for the first few days of your trip including hotel addresses, phone numbers and/or cruise line ports of call.

Divide your valuables. If you're traveling with others, divide cash, credit and bank cards between the members of your party. This will reduce the risk associated with a possible robbery or loss of a handbag or wallet. Each of you should have a copy of the other's credit cards and emergency phone numbers. And remember, if it's something that is absolutely too valuable to lose, leave it at home.

"Cross pack" clothing. Make sure you and your traveling partner each has several items of the other's clothing in your bag in case one piece of luggage is lost or delayed.

Keep valuables in your carry-on. Medications, laptop computers, important papers and a change of cloths should all be packed in your carry-on bag.

Consider shipping your luggage ahead. Overnight and two-day delivery rates are less than you may think and today's airline baggage fees keep rising. Ask your travel consultant about agency shipping discounts. Many travel agencies, like See More Travel, extend their discounted shipping rates to clients.

Don't travel with expensive bags. They are a signal of wealth and invite thieves. Stick with sturdy, non-descript mid-priced bags that do not draw too much attention.

Make your bag easy to identify. Colorful ribbons or luggage tags will help you find your bag more quickly and reduce the chances of a stranger picking it up by mistake. Always verify each bag as you take it off the luggage carousel.

Always keep your luggage stub. This stub positively identifies you as the owner of your bag and will

speed the process of recovering it or filing a claim for lost-baggage compensation.

Call your credit card company before you leave. A simple but important pre-trip call to your credit card company, informing them of your itinerary, can save you the embarrassment of the company denying a charge because of suspected fraud.

Hotel Staff Sick Of Valentine's Stains

Valentine's Day is a time for love, but Melbourne hotel workers say they are fed up with cleaning rooms covered in fruits, chocolates and other things.

"For us, Valentine's Day means flower petals scattered all over the floors, spilt champagne everywhere and some very questionable stains all over the beds, but no extra time to clean," said one Hilton Hotel room attendant. "We see exotic fruits and chocolates ground into the carpets, bubble bath all over the bathroom and massage oils all over the bed. And don't even ask me about the whipped cream," she said.

The Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union (LHMU) has planned a protest outside the Hilton South Wharf Hotel in Melbourne, where they will be handing out cleaning wipes and asking for a hand.
The union said cleaners get as little as 15 minutes to tidy a room, a job staff say requires about 45 minutes to do properly.

Melbourne was in the grip of a hygiene crisis because of the insufficient cleaning time, which was putting guests' health at risk, the LHMU said.
LHMU state secretary Jess Walsh said hotels like the Hilton got a financial bonanza from Valentine's Day, but were loath to pay room attendants for the extra time required to clean up afterwards.

"Valentine's Day should be a beautiful occasion for everyone, but hotels like the Hilton ruin it by not giving room attendants enough time to clean rooms properly," Ms Walsh said.
Hilton South Wharf general manager Michael Bourne said the LHMU had been making allegations concerning the hotel for quite a while, but had refused to discuss the claims.

Source: e-hotelier.com

Top Ten Most Romantic Destinations

There's no better way to profess your love to the apple of your eye than with a romantic getaway. Whether you're a planning your honeymoon or aspiring to amp up the sparks, here's a list of the top ten most romantic destinations in the world, guaranteed to set your paramour's hearts-a-flutter.

1. Amalfi Coast, Italy

Renown for its picturesque towns, turquoise waters and confetti-hued houses, the historical charm of this region will definitely get you buzzed off life. That, and four glasses of vino. Check out: Sea Gem boats at Casa Angelina Hotel

2. Maldives

Float over endless infinity pools and indulge your inner water-baby with an afternoon of wakeboarding and snorkeling. Perfect for an unforgettable honeymoon. That is, if powder white sand, coconut trees and basking in 24-karat sunshine is your kind-of thing. Check out: Underwater spa at Huvafen Fushi.

3. Costa-Rica, Central America

Nothing like a good adrenaline rush to get your heart pumping, literally. Glide through the lush Costa Rican rainforests by day, and unwind in a volcanically heated hot spring by night. Check out: Beach horseback riding at Hotel Punta Islita

4. Bali, Indonesia

Get your Eat, Pray, Love on in this culturally rich island. Enjoy a romantic sunrise at Sanur, sip fresh coconuts beachside, and work your haggling skills at the art market. Afterwards, retire to a relaxing natural spa treatment back at your private villa. Paradise. Check out: Floating Chapels at Conrad Bali

5. Tibet, China

Tucked away between sky-scraping peaks crowned by ivory clouds, Tibet is a hidden romantic gem. Rekindle your lust in this mysterious city and partake in an adventure of a lifetime. Check out: Meditation Garden at The St. Regis Lhasa Resort

6. Mauritius

Palm tree-lined beaches. Vibrant virgin forests. Exotic fruit tree orchards. With a cocktail in your hand and sega music ringing in your ears, this slice of paradise is sure to charm your heart. Check out: Beachside dining at The Oberoi

7. Santorini, Greece

If whitewashed villas, free-flowing infinity pools and breathtaking volcano views is up your alley, then island hop over to Santorini. Dress up in your nautical blues and whites and spend the day sailing the Aegean Sea. Check out: Secret wine cave at Mystique

8. Lake Louise, Alberta

Make like snow bunnies and enjoy some of the best powder skiing in the world. Or, cuddle up with your beau on a romantic sleigh ride through the alpine woods around Lake Louise's emerald glacial waters. Cold hands, warm heart, right. Check out: Rustic log cottages at Post Hotel & Spa

9. Tasmania, Australia

Head Down Under to the Natural State where you can heat things up at the Bay of Fires, then get your wine on and explore the island's charming vineyards. Check out: Helicopter dining tour at Saffire Freycinet

10. Provence, France

There is no better place to whisper "tu es ma joie de vivre" in the ear of your lover than in the town of sloping vineyards, dramatic sunflowers and nodding lavender fields. This town is so romantic, it once sparked the flame in artists such as Cezanne, Van Gogh and Chagall. While your trip may not inspire you to paint a masterpiece, it will surely leave you wooed. Check out: French cooking classes at La Mirande

Source: e-hotelier.com

What Is Social Media Marketing All About

The social media has become over powering and not everyone is able to fathom what it is all about. For the small business owner too, social media does offer potential for his business whether or not he is enthusiastic about the idea. However, social media has emerged as one of the most powerful tools for online marketing and few can afford to ignore the potential it holds for the betterment of their business. Above all it is an inexpensive marketing tool which can yield results simply by establishing and managing relationships.

Facebook and MySpace
These two are famous sites for personal contacts and networks, but are being increasingly used for promoting businesses as well. Both MySpace and Facebook help in establishing a circle of friends, and join groups, have fan pages and have business groups as well. Joining these groups enables a business person to post messages that all members can see. Facebook is a rich source of customers and that too free of cost. It is an informal and casual networking site but helps to reach out to thousands of people.

Blogging
In the olden days people maintained diaries to write their thoughts. Today there is an online method to do the same. What started for this purpose has become a one-million strong presence on the web. People have blogs for personal statements and businesses, where they post articles on anything and everything. Blog draw traffic according to the subject it provides information and high traffic blogs attract event calendars and advertisements, turning them into money spinners. Blogs have become notice boards, information sites, news boards and advertisement carriers as well. A lot of blog activity costs very little or nothing. But it is again a great way to get a message across to thousands of people.

All these social networking sites can be the best channels of communication for the small business wanting to use minimal expense amounts. The internet offers enormous potential because if pursued directly it can help a small business reach millions of customers or potential ones. It at least provides the links to do so. The rest depends on the effectiveness of the communication of the small business.

Source: Travelwires.com

Top Ten Countries Will Change Your Life

Some holiday destinations are good for just that: holidays. Getting away from it all. You turn up, have a little look around, drink a few beers, buy a few souvenirs, and go home.

It’s nice, but it’s not going to rock your world. It’s not going to change who you are, or how you look at the world. And that’s fine. But travel can be a lot more than that. If you’re looking for a country that will change your life, then these are the places to start.

Laos
Depends where you go really. Head to Vang Vieng for a token day’s tubing, and your life will be changed by the fact you now have a new best day of your life. Head to Phonsavan and learn about the atrocities committed during the Vietnam War, and you’ll never look at the USA the same way again. To be honest, the whole country is an amazing eye-opener.

Mexico
One thing’s become clear through this kerfuffle about theTop Gear presenters slagging off Mexicans: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May have never been to Mexico. Forget the clichés: it’s a country of rich history, fantastic people and great food. That discovery is life-changing enough.

Japan
Wow. So this is how a society works when everything… well, works. The streets are clean because people don’t litter. The trains turn up on time because they’re well designed and well run. The food is healthy because it’s fresh. The locals are friendly and helpful because that’s the way they’re taught to be. Makes you wonder…

India
It will either change your life for the better or for the worse, but one thing’s certain: no one leaves India unchanged. It’s beguiling, frustrating, amazing, annoying, and always interesting. All you want to do while you’re there is leave. All you want to do once you’ve left is go back.

South Africa
It might be me over-romanticising things, but there just seems to be something different in the air in South Africa. The country bleeds history, and the game parks are amazing, but there’s something more to it I can’t put my finger on. A childhood of Wilbur Smith novels might have something to do with this fascination.

Germany
You want life-changing? Walk around Dachau or Mauthausen, the former Nazi concentration camps. Walk through the Topography of Terror in Berlin. Walk the length of theEast Side Gallery. Then have a look around you and think about how the country has transformed itself.

Brazil
Brazil runs the full gamut: gigantic cities you can’t even begin to wrap your head around; deserted beaches that stretch on forever; the joy of a packed football stadium; the violence of a Sao Paulo backstreet. With its huge size and hundreds of cultures and landscapes it feels like a world within a country – always changing, and endlessly interesting.

Uganda
I arrived in Uganda knowing about one thing: Idi Amin. I hadn’t even thought about the mountain gorillas. I hadn’t considered rafting the Nile. I didn’t know about the rolling green hills, or the cows with the hilariously big horns. Add the amazingly welcoming people, and you have a place that will stay with you forever.

China
Pay a visit to your average Chinese toilet, and you’ll say a silent thank-you for every clean crapper you encounter for the rest of your life. But there’s much more you’ll never forget about China for better reasons: the Great Wall, the great food, the friendly people, the shopping malls the size of Newcastle… Did I mention the food?

Cambodia
South-East Asian people are the nicest in the world. The cliché is that you’ll be humbled by the locals’ generosity. I dunno if that’s totally true, but themiddle class Aussies whingeing about the flood relief levy would be made to feel embarrassingly petty by a brush with your average Cambodian. Some have almost nothing, but would give almost anything. (Others, unfortunately, may attempt to rob you. At least it keeps you on your toes.)

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) commends President Jacob Zuma for the positive tone expressed towards the Travel and Tourism sector in his State of the Nation Address this evening.

“This must be the first time that Tourism has received such an extensive mention in the President’s speech, says TBCSA Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Mmatšatši Marobe. “We hope this positive tone is not restricted to the President’s office, but also reflected across Cabinet”.

Word Of Mouth (or social media) Works

Hotel marketers dedicate precious resources - hard earned rands, time and energy - luring and converting new customers. Often, their most valuable marketing resource is overlooked: brand advocates.

This powerful segment of influential and passionate people is already singing your praises. They are more than just happy or satisfied customers are ultimate promoters who love your brand and are poised to recommend it, and convert others to it, through positive word of mouth, both online and off. Fueled by social media and driven by passion and trust, advocates are mighty messengers and influencers.

The power of your brand has typically been defined by who you are and what you do to tell consumers about yourself. Yet today, your brand is very much influenced by what "they" say. Consumers are interconnected with influence that runs rampant as social platforms provide them with a powerful voice. They give their opinions and recommendations through blogs, tweets, and Facebook updates in addition to dinner party discussions, and at the office water cooler.

Five Reasons For Eating Breakfast

Here are five very short reasons why you should eat breakfast.

Breakfast restores our body's blood sugar levels after up to twelve hours of not eating.

It can raise metabolism by as much as 10%. People who eat breakfast are more successful at losing weight and at sticking to a diet.

It is extremely difficult to get all of your necessary daily nutrients and fibre without breakfast.

Adults who skip breakfast are less mentally and physically efficient for longer periods during the day.

Eating breakfast has been shown to increase concentration and lower the risk of heart disease.

Print Your Own Boarding Pass

Kulula has announced the launch of its new online check-in service, allowing travellers to print boarding passes from their home or office.

Self-printed boarding passes are accepted at most South African airports except Durban, George and Nelspruit. Kulula customers can select their preferred seat 24 hours prior to departure, with a cut-off time of two hours before departure. The online check-in service is only available for flight numbers with three digits, for example MN101.

Customers with a self-printed boarding pass can simply drop off their luggage at the ‘fast bag drop off’ airport counters located near the check-in counters. Passengers without luggage may proceed directly to security.

“Online check-in with the option of printing boarding passes at home or work means our customers can spend their time planning fabulous trips rather than waiting in queues. It’s a great way to start the new year!” says Nadine Damen, kulula Marketing Manager.

Source: SA Tourism Update

'Golden Boldies' More Active Than Ever

They want to see the world and explore unknown destinations. They want to eat things they have never heard of. They want to abseil and scuba dive.

No we're not talking about gap year students... these are a new generation dubbed the ‘Golden Globetrotters' - and they're likely to be a pensioner. New research has revealed that it is the more mature generation that make the most adventurous travellers, with over 4.6 million UK ‘pensioners' spending their free time travelling to exotic locations, trying new things and meeting new people. Research revealed that:

· 35 percent of those aged 55 and over prefer to travel away from the beaten track on holiday - a higher figure than any of the younger generations.

· Whereas 56 percent of the over 55s crave a holiday which allows them to see something new every day, the younger generation are much more likely to want to spend a week lying on a beach.

· 10 percent aged over 55 has abseiled, one in two has eaten something when they didn't know what it was and one in 25 have done a parachute jump.

Not only are they more adventurous with what they do, but the study revealed Golden Globetrotters - or Boldies as they are also known - are also far more frequent with their trips away than the younger generation.

Psychologist Dr David Lewis explains: "In the past many people felt trapped by some of the myths of ageing imposed by society. Myths like ‘You can't teach an old dog new tricks' or ‘Act your age'. Today more and more people over the age of 50 are refusing to become victims of chronology. Increasing numbers are prepared to strike out into unfamiliar territory, to visit new places and take on unfamiliar challenges. "In relation to travel, this is due to several factors. Golden Globetrotters gain encouragement from the fact that increasing numbers of their generation are grabbing life by the horn and modern media gives them a wider awareness of what is happening in the world. They often have a more balanced and mature approach to travel that comes from greater experience of life in general. In addition they may be bored with familiar places which they perhaps visited with their children, and that goes hand in hand with a natural desire to recapture some of the excitement and challenge of their carefree youth."

Aquila's New Arrival

After a tense few months with poaching scares at Aquila as well as a week that has seen the first rhino lost to poachers in the Western Cape at a Mossel Bay reserve, Aquila has announced the birth of a baby rhino.

The calf is the third rhino born at Aquila and mother and baby are both doing very well, reported the reserve.
Under two hours from Cape Town, Aquila is now home to a herd of six rhino as well as a large variety of game and the rest of the Big Five.

Towards the end of last year Aquila experienced suspected poaching activities in the area, when at around 21h00, a helicopter flew suspiciously low approximately 25-50 metres over the reserve, making two passes at 15-minute intervals, and then disappeared. The chopper’s lights were off, except for one small red light, which could be seen, so it was assumed that the chopper was using night vision.
“These activities are a major concern to the owner of Aquila, Searl Derman, as this has proven to be the modus operandi of poachers practising in the major parks up north. Derman has taken necessary measures to keep his herd of rhino safe. He said that although he did not want to share too much detail on the measures taken to secure the rhino, these did include a 24-hour elite team of anti-poaching security staff and no expense has been spared to secure the latest equipment needed to complete the task.”

Guests visiting the reserve are able to see the new addition on the regular game drives and are invited to send any photographs to the reserve’s Facebook page.

30 Million Votes Required To Win

The campaign to install Table Mountain in Cape Town as one of the 'New 7 Wonders of the World' has moved up a notch with new social media activities and ambassadors climbing on board to support the cause.

The campaign has been running for over a year now and Table Mountain has made it into the top 28 sights, from which the final seven will be chosen. The South African attraction is, however, in the bottom 14 and currently needs about 30 million votes to win.
To bolster excitement about the competition and gain more votes, a new website http://www.votefortablemountain.com/ has been launched and Twitter, Facebook and Flickr campaigns have been started.

Celebrity ambassadors on board so far include Desmond Tutu, Soli Phillander, Kia Johnson (presenter of Expresso, SABC3) and Carol Thorns and her band, Coda.

Have you voted for Table Mountain yet?

Twenty One Rhino Poached During January

The Chief Executive Officer of South African National Parks (SANParks), Dr David Mabunda, has announced that in the month of January 2011 South Africa has lost 21 rhino to poaching.

In the same period there have been 31 arrests made throughout the country, with 16 having been made in North West province, 10 in the Kruger National Park, three in Gauteng province and two in Limpopo. Since the beginning of the year five suspected rhino poachers lost their lives during skirmishes with park rangers in the KNP, while two suspects have been wounded and are still hospitalised.

“The loss of 333 rhinos to poaching in 2010 was a devastating loss for us but we are determined that in 2011 that should not happen. Anyone who is involved in poaching at whatever level will be a prime target for our investigations and we will leave no stone unturned in this respect, including going for the kingpins of these operations”, said Dr Mabunda.

Last week SANParks announced the implementation of a new tool to assist with the fight against rhino poaching. By documenting individual rhino DNA and using this information to link recovered rhino horns to specific crime scenes, it will be able to pin individuals to a specific crime and to prosecute them for more than the lesser crime of possession alone.

Source: SA Tourism Update

Travel Distribution Summit Asia 2011

EyeforTravel is proud to announce the 7th Travel Distribution Summit Asia conference at the Marriott Downtown in Singapore, May 18-19th.

The summit brings together Asia-Pacific’s travel & hospitality industry leaders to network, gain cutting-edge trends and discover best-practice strategies to keep up with a rapidly changing online landscape and travel consumer.

Their 55+ industry experts will get you fully up-to-speed on a wide range of challenges, including:
How to create a lasting competitive advantage as your customers, competitors and online landscape continue to change at lightning speed.
Discover the most profitable distribution strategy for your business from leading OTA’s, Hotels, Airlines and GDS’s.
Boost Top-Line Revenues with innovative Revenue Management trends, tactics and technologies
Cutting-edge social media and mobile strategies to maximize engagement, ROI & loyalty.

Packed full of cutting-edge insights, best practice strategies and powerful networking opportunities with an unrivalled industry elite – Can you afford to miss this event?

Registering is easy - Simply go online to the secure registration page or email sinead@eyefortravel.com