1.jpg)
Feb 25, 2010
Feb 24, 2010
Meetings Africa Day One
Welcome to Meetings Africa 2010,
The event started with a cocktail party at the Radisson Hotel in Sandton. Hosted Buyers meet Exhibitors function. Highlight was a very funny comment from our Minister of Tourism, Mr Van Schalkwyk, who said " The reason I have survived 20 years in public office is that I have learnt that if there is a contest between listening to a politician speak and good wine, good wine wins every time, so I will keep this speech short". Who knew he had a sense of humour?
I attended a very interesting speech on day one on "The importance of Events Greening". A thought provoking session. Dr Elling Hamso, from the European ROI Institute posted a very valid quote from Kofi Annan, "Governments will only follow when businesses lead". This is very valid when it comes to greening issues. We were introduced to The Event Greening Forum which has been established to promote event greening in South Africa. Feel free to view their website http://eventgreening.co.za/ . Its about time!!!
Other than that it was business as usual or unusual!
The event started with a cocktail party at the Radisson Hotel in Sandton. Hosted Buyers meet Exhibitors function. Highlight was a very funny comment from our Minister of Tourism, Mr Van Schalkwyk, who said " The reason I have survived 20 years in public office is that I have learnt that if there is a contest between listening to a politician speak and good wine, good wine wins every time, so I will keep this speech short". Who knew he had a sense of humour?
I attended a very interesting speech on day one on "The importance of Events Greening". A thought provoking session. Dr Elling Hamso, from the European ROI Institute posted a very valid quote from Kofi Annan, "Governments will only follow when businesses lead". This is very valid when it comes to greening issues. We were introduced to The Event Greening Forum which has been established to promote event greening in South Africa. Feel free to view their website http://eventgreening.co.za/ . Its about time!!!
Other than that it was business as usual or unusual!
Feb 22, 2010
Soccer World Cup ticket prices to be slashed
Johannesburg - FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke has revealed ticket prices for South African residents will be slashed in order to ensure all matches at this year's World Cup finals are sold out.
Following disappointing sales to overseas supporters, category two and three tickets will be changed to category four seats which can be sold only to South African residents for around $20.
Quoted in The Telegraph, Valcke said: "We will increase the number of category four tickets because we cannot have a situation where the World Cup is in South Africa and people cannot see matches.
"This will bring less income to FIFA, but we have already brought in the income we need to match the organising committee budget, which is $423m."
Valcke believes airline and travel companies are partly to blame for the number of unsold tickets.
"I think that we are facing a peak time where companies feel that they can put the highest level of pricing," he said. "We want to make sure that fans can afford to travel to South Africa.
"It is clear that people have decided that because it is the World Cup they ask the highest amount possible to maximise income, but it doesn't work today.
"They forget that it is a long distance to travel to South Africa, you need to stay for more than a few days, so they have to make offers that the fans can afford."
Valcke also admitted mistakes had been made in granting agency Match exclusive rights to sell travel and ticket packages for both South Africa and Brazil 2014.
"We have good lessons to learn from 2010 and they will help us in 2014," he said.
"For the World Cup 2010 we will have to sell the tickets to fans direct. We will think about setting up FIFA ticketing centres around the world."
Following disappointing sales to overseas supporters, category two and three tickets will be changed to category four seats which can be sold only to South African residents for around $20.
Quoted in The Telegraph, Valcke said: "We will increase the number of category four tickets because we cannot have a situation where the World Cup is in South Africa and people cannot see matches.
"This will bring less income to FIFA, but we have already brought in the income we need to match the organising committee budget, which is $423m."
Valcke believes airline and travel companies are partly to blame for the number of unsold tickets.
"I think that we are facing a peak time where companies feel that they can put the highest level of pricing," he said. "We want to make sure that fans can afford to travel to South Africa.
"It is clear that people have decided that because it is the World Cup they ask the highest amount possible to maximise income, but it doesn't work today.
"They forget that it is a long distance to travel to South Africa, you need to stay for more than a few days, so they have to make offers that the fans can afford."
Valcke also admitted mistakes had been made in granting agency Match exclusive rights to sell travel and ticket packages for both South Africa and Brazil 2014.
"We have good lessons to learn from 2010 and they will help us in 2014," he said.
"For the World Cup 2010 we will have to sell the tickets to fans direct. We will think about setting up FIFA ticketing centres around the world."
Cape Town dazzles
On Saturday I had the pleasure of hosting 12 MICE buyers from Australia and we spent a wonderful day exploring Cape Town and Cape Point. It was almost as if the city was showing off! Perfect weather and visibility. We started our day by a cable car trip to the top of Table Mountain, then, off to Cape Point where we boarded the high speed jet boats for an exhilarating ride around Cape of Storms. We got back to land just in time for a picnic lunch, and some delicious local wine, under a Bedouin tent at Buffels Bay. Luckily we had our baboon monitors to look after us and save us from the local marauders. In the afternoon we headed for a photo moment at Cape of Good Hope and then penguin viewing at the renowned Boulders Beach before our journey back to The Taj in Cape Town. In the evening we enjoyed a feast style meal under the stars, on the beach, at the new Grand Beach Cafe near the V&A Waterfront. I hope that this "snapshot" of Cape Town will entice all my new friends back to our beautiful city.
Gautrain is getting there
We are certainly getting very excited about The Gautrain which is set to be operational in April 2010, at least between OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton, just in time for the Soccer World Cup.
The Gautrain Rapid Rail Link is a state-of-the-art rapid rail network planned in Gauteng. The rail connection comprises of two links, namely a link between Pretoria and Johannesburg and a link between OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton. Apart from the three anchor stations on these two links, seven other stations will be linked by approximately 80 kilometres of rail along the proposed route.
The three anchor stations will be located at:
* OR Tambo International Airport;
* Pretoria; and
* Johannesburg.
The seven other stations will be located at:
* Rosebank;
* Sandton;
* Marlboro;
* Midrand;
* Centurion;
* Hatfield; and
* Rhodesfield (Kempton Park
To Track the progress got to http://www.gautrain.co.za/index.php?pid=2221&ct=1&fid=6&click=9
Feb 19, 2010
Mint & Bombay Brasserie opens at The Taj in Cape Town
The Dragonfly team and 13 Russian MICE Agents were some of the first to experience the new Mint Restaurant at the Taj Cape Town.
What we said, "stunning menu and wines selection, stylish modern interior with the direct exit to the walking district. According to the unanimous group’s opinion – best dinner of the tour. Absolutely amazing experience. Service bit slow, but friendly. Definitely recommended to the distinguished gourmets."
Mint, the Taj Cape Town’s casual all-day dining restaurant, specialises in innovative international and local fare. Here diners can expect to find a menu that consistently tempts their senses, taste buds and appetites. This surprisingly intimate three-level restaurant has a spectacular open-plan show kitchen, allowing guests to glimpse cuisine being created. An impressive floor-to-ceiling wine wall and an informal wine tasting nook add to the ambiance. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, opening onto St Georges Mall, allow Mint guests to experience outdoor dining under the trees.Mint’s setting and tasteful décor create a relaxed atmosphere where every guest feels at home.
The Bombay Brasserie treats guests to the finest Indian specialty dining. Here mouth-watering meals are skilfully prepared using traditional ingredients, creating some of the finest Indian cuisine outside of India.
The Bombay Brasserie is a combination of contemporary design and the elegant opulence of the old Reserve Bank. Luxurious décor complements the existing heritage pieces, creating a rich atmosphere and a wonderful backdrop for the highly acclaimed menu. On the ground floor, the hallowed halls of the Reserve Bank have been restored to house the Bombay Brasserie, an Indian fine dining restaurant serving top Indian cuisine. The elegant décor and authentic Indian cuisine offer a more formal and exotic culinary experience. The Bombay Brasserie offers an a la carte menu and the show kitchen provides the opportunity for an interactive dining experience. Here dishes are a delicate melody of flavours, a taste of modern Indian fare.
The Bombay Brasserie treats guests to the finest Indian specialty dining. Here mouth-watering meals are skilfully prepared using traditional ingredients, creating some of the finest Indian cuisine outside of India.
The Bombay Brasserie is a combination of contemporary design and the elegant opulence of the old Reserve Bank. Luxurious décor complements the existing heritage pieces, creating a rich atmosphere and a wonderful backdrop for the highly acclaimed menu. On the ground floor, the hallowed halls of the Reserve Bank have been restored to house the Bombay Brasserie, an Indian fine dining restaurant serving top Indian cuisine. The elegant décor and authentic Indian cuisine offer a more formal and exotic culinary experience. The Bombay Brasserie offers an a la carte menu and the show kitchen provides the opportunity for an interactive dining experience. Here dishes are a delicate melody of flavours, a taste of modern Indian fare.
Feb 18, 2010
Incentive Travel in South Africa; the conscious way
The last few weeks Soekershof; Private Mazes & Botanical Gardens in South Africa has made long term agreements with the first upmarket tour operators regarding Incentive Tours.
The Incentive consists of visit plus a Soekershof Signature gift. Choice between a set of 10 plant hangers; laminated wooden seedbox (2 models) with embedded cotyledon; Earth Works Jewellery (earthy necklace and earthly earrings in earthy box) and a one wire lizard.
The Earth Works Jewellery is new and about to go into production. Only earth of Soekershof (different textures and earth colours) is used and the past year Soekershof and their local partners developed a process in sustainable binding the particles. It's weather and shock proof.
Soekershof (also known as The Green Cathedral of South Africa) is a 10 hectare large estate in Klaas Voogds West between Robertson and Ashton/Montagu along Route62. Locally Soekershof is known for its Klaas Voogds Maze with visualised local folklore as orientating beacons. Internationally Soekershof is highly acclaimed for its huge outdoor collection of succulent plants (>2500 different and registered species/subspecies/cultivars/etc.) and is recommended as one of the four 'must visit' gardens in South Africa. BBC's TV garden program presentor and known Irish landscaper Diarmuid Gavin reckons Soekershof as his favourite garden in South Africa (UK Sunday Times). His latest submission to the Chelsea Flower show was clearly inspired by Soekershof. Recently Soekershof was exposed in Garden & Home (Dutch edition), ZAM-Africa Magazine, Sculpture Net (USA), Reckless Gardener and Gardening on the Edge (UK), Saturday Star (SA) and INDWE (inflight magazine South African Airlines). In the near future publications will follow in amongst others GardenZine, Arise Magazine, Country Life Magazine and The Independent (UK).
These incentive packages are designated for the concious traveller who want to discover a different (more real) South Africa than as the known mainstream destinations.
If you want to find out more about this unusual property please contact the Dragonfly Team.
If you want to find out more about this unusual property please contact the Dragonfly Team.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
