CEO's Blog
From the CEO: Fostering trade with Turkey
With Turkish Air’s introduction of four direct flights between Cape Town and Istanbul as of end October 2012, a Cape Town Mayoral Delegation of representatives from the City of Cape Town, Wesgro and Cape Town Tourism is currently in Turkey to promote bilateral trade and tourism. The focus of the trip is to showcase Cape Town’s natural and urban offerings, investment opportunities, as well as the city’s creativity and our appeal as World Design Capital 2014.
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Wine Tourism taking flight in Cape Town
The advent of Vindaba, taking place from 25-27 September 2012 at the CTICC, is a heartening window into the potential we have to work co-operatively and yet with great focus in the tourism industry. Last year, Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said that wine tourism contributed R5-billion to the economy and noted that it was one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global tourism market.
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Happy birthday Madiba from Cape Town Tourism CEO Mariëtte Du Toit-Helmbold
Today is a special day indeed. Nelson Mandela turns 94 years old. On behalf of the Cape Town Tourism staff and partners, I would like to say: Happy Birthday, Madiba. You are an inspiration to us all. Thank you for helping to free our country, and for showing us the true meaning of humility and forgiveness. We wish you a long and healthy life.
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Sustainable energy for World Tourism Day
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has unveiled “Tourism & Sustainable Energy: Powering Sustainable Development” as the theme for this year’s World Tourism Day, which takes place on September 27 annually.
UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, opened his World Tourism Day announcement message by saying, “Tourism is leading the way in some of the world’s most innovative, sustainable energy initiatives. Energy-efficient upgrades to aircraft, the shift to renewable fuel for aviation and cruise liners, energy technology solutions in hotels, as well as countless other initiatives are placing tourism at the forefront of the clean energy transformation… these initiatives are crucial for sustainable development.”
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Wine tourism produces good fruits for Cape Town
As the world becomes smaller and more networked, niche tourism is gaining momentum as an important approach to identifying target markets and converting would be visitors. Tourism minister, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, has previously said that wine tourism contributes R5 billion to the local wine industry’s annual R22 billion turnover; making it an important contributor to sustained job creation and economic growth. The wine industry provides employment for 275 000 South Africans.
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Positive travel outlook from Germany and the Netherlands
Cape Town Tourism recently launched a series of workshops to give the local tourism industry access to market insights from different source countries. This week saw the hosting of a marketing insight session on the German and Dutch markets – key priorities for inbound travel to Cape Town. Cape Town Tourism’s representative in The Netherlands, Anneli Bronkhorst of WW Tourism, and Barbara Zieme of Akomasa in Germany shared the latest trends, challenges and opportunities represented by their markets to Cape Town’s tourism industry.
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As Kirstenbosch takes gold again – Do your bit to spread the good news
It was announced this morning that the South African National Biodiversity Institute’s (SANBI’s) 2012 Kirstenbosch showcase at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, in London, has been awarded a gold medal for the 32nd time. Themed “Gateways – a botanical journey” the exhibit takes the visitor on a journey through changing botanical and cultural landscapes that display South Africa’s unique flora against the backdrop of picturesque locations.
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From the CEO: May update
After hitting the ground running with a trip to Indaba 2012, I am pausing to write to you all and let you know that I am back from my maternity leave. I would like to thank my executive team and, in particular, Enver Duminy, for steering the ship so well in my absence; I have been allowed to enjoy time with my new daughter and return energised in the way that a change of pace will inspire.
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From the CEO: Cape Town Tourism looking back and moving forward
It has been six months since Cape Town Tourism’s AGM in October 2011, where we launched our new marketing campaign.
The marketing campaign was launched to address the issue of declining demand for Cape Town as a destination. In terms of the global picture, our international source markets of the UK, USA, Germany and The Netherlands were in the aftermath of a recession and all indications were that arrivals from these markets would not increase unless we embarked on a targeted campaign to increase demand.
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Talking Tourism - Cape Town’s summer tourism season bounces back
With watchful optimism I can report that not only are the latest statistics suggesting that our tourism industry has experienced a positive boost these past months, when compared over the same period last year, but it is noticeable on the streets and in the shopping malls – Cape Town is filled with overseas voices and awed expressions. It makes me proud to be Capetonian.
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