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Articles by Janine Espin
Pal Solutions transforming mining globally with human capital management solutions Original
Advertise your job vacancies The mining industry, a crucial sector for growth throughout Africa, has one of the most complex workforces in the world. From managing intricate shifts to optimising operations and ensuring compliance, the industry must navigate a multifaceted landscape.
Stakeholder engagement mitigates renewable energy project delays
printer friendly version Stakeholder engagement mitigates renewable energy project delays July 2022 Electrical Power & Protection By Janine Espin, managing director of Economic Development Solutions. Community and stakeholder engagement is a critical factor that can make or break renewable energy projects, yet it is almost always overlooked or under-prioritised in project planning and execution.
Namibia Tourism calls for Europe roadshow participation
The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) is to host the Namibia Europe Road Show 2022 in principal tourism markets from September 12-15. NTB said it would be held in key tourism markets in Europe – Germany, the Netherlands and the UK – to market the country’s tourism offering. The organisation has called on NTB-registered Namibian operators based in Namibia or airlines servicing Namibia to apply for participation.
Stellenbosch aims to be ‘business destination of choice’
The winelands town of Stellenbosch in the Western Cape is positioning itself as the business tourism destination of choice by harnessing new environments, spaces and experiences in a concerted effort to grow demand while adapting to new business models and opening up opportunities for communities to directly benefit from the potential of business travel.
Four Points by Sheraton brand debuts in Rwanda
Four Points by Sheraton – part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of hotel brands – has announced the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Kigali, marking the brand’s debut in Rwanda. “We are very proud to work with Marriott International to bring the Four Points by Sheraton brand into Rwanda and we are confident this hotel will set a new benchmark for hospitality within the country,” said Hatari Said Sekoko, CEO of New Century Development.
Auret takes the helm at Tourism Grading Council SA
South African Tourism has appointed Bronwen Auret as the new Chief Quality Assurance Officer, heading up the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa, effective July 1. Auret is a seasoned business leader who has held executive and senior management positions in tourism, cinema and advertising. Previously, she was South African Tourism’s General Manager responsible for Brand & Marketing, a position she has held since February 2018.
Seychelles banks on sports tourism as it diversifies offering
A number of sites have been identified in Seychelles to build facilities for sports tourism activities as part of the government's plan to diversify the tourism industry, according to Devika Vidot, Minister for Investment, Entrepreneurship and Industry. Vidot explains that while tourism activities were Seychelles' biggest source of income, there was a need to increase the amount that tourists spend during their stay.
What’s your new product news?
What are your new products, services or developments that will add to the Southern and East Africa region’s diverse offering? Tourism Update will highlight these in an upcoming feature titled ‘New Products’ – and we’d like to hear from you! Click HERE to participate in the short survey.
German trade on fam trip to promote Frankfurt/Kruger route
The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA), welcomed 45 tour operators and agents from Germany on Sunday (July 3). The group are on a four-day familiarisation trip to Mpumalanga as part of promoting the new Eurowings Discover direct flight from Frankfurt, which is scheduled to start in November.
Gordhan acknowledges need for improvement at Port of Cape Town
Government has acknowledged the need for improving efficiencies at, and investment in, the Port of Cape Town. City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, James Vos, said his correspondence with Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan – concerning a lack of investment in the harbour and a request for a meeting to discuss proposals that would improve the situation – had been acknowledged.
Hotel group celebrates five-year milestone
ANEW Hotels & Resorts is celebrating the brand’s fifth birthday. The family-run business was established in 1952 and the ANEW brand was launched in 2017 and has become a market force in South Africa’s hospitality industry. From owning and managing only three properties three years ago, the group has grown to operate 15 hotels by May 2022. ANEW Resort Vulintaba Newcastle is the newest property managed by the group.
First Group adds E Cape, W Cape resorts
South African leisure and hotel management company First Group has recently added two resorts in the Western and Eastern Cape to its management stable. Shaun Lamont, MD of First Group, says the acquisition of Brookes Hill Suites in Gqeberha, and Hermanus Beach Club in Hermanus – famous for its whale watching – will broaden the group’s offering. Hermanus Beach Club, built on the rocky coastline of Hermanus in the Overberg district, is 100km from Cape Town.
Relaxation of COVID regs expected to boost tourism
Tourism Update asked readers last week if they thought the recent removal of remaining COVID-19 restrictions both within South Africa and for international visitors to the country would bring a significant boost to tourism recovery. From 150 respondents, 40% said ‘yes, extensively’, and 33% responded ‘yes, but not by much’. Only 13% thought ‘maybe’ and 15% answered ‘no, not significantly’.
Fastjet’s Vic Falls-Maun flights take off
Fastjet Zimbabwe inaugurated its new service from Victoria Falls to Maun when the first flight took place on Thursday, June 30. The service will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The new route, which provides more packaging opportunities for tour operators, links two more of the region’s premier wildlife destinations and two global icons – Victoria Falls and the gateway to the Okavango.
KZN floods: Millions of rands of damage
Damage caused during the April floods in KwaZulu Natal is estimated to be more than R131m (€7.7m), according to Minister of Tourism, Lindiwe Sisulu, replying to a parliamentary question from IFP MP, Petros Sithole. “KwaZulu Natal has indicated that cases for immediate attention amount to about R89.6m (€5.2m), while the balance can be undertaken over the medium term,” she said.
Mauritius drops on-arrival tests
Mauritius has announced a further easing of COVID-19 restrictions for arrivals. From today (July 1), on-arrival testing for fully vaccinated visitors is no longer required, but the rules for unvaccinated arrivals remains the same. The mask requirement is also now only applicable in public areas such as hospitals, ports, the airport, and public transport. Mauritius reopened its borders on October 1, 2021, and over 500 000 tourists have subsequently flocked to the island.
SATOVITO appeals for help to address tourism barriers
The South African Township and Village Tourism Association (SATOVITO) has developed a programme, along with various industry stakeholders, to reduce the red tape that obstructs ease of business in the tourism sector. Members of the trade are encouraged to send through thoughts, suggestions and solutions to current challenges to the sector.
MasterCard to help boost tourism in Kenya
MasterCard, a global technology corporation, has launched a partnership with the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) to help the country’s tourism sector recover to pre-pandemic levels. The three-year partnership is the first of its kind in Africa for MasterCard. The Memorandum of Understanding’s goal is to increase tourism in Kenya by leveraging MasterCard’s numerous channels, such as its Priceless.com platform.
Golden Keys awarded to Oyster Box Concierge
Kishan Gokul, Head Concierge at The Oyster Box in Durban, has earned his coveted Clef d’Or from Les Clefs d’Or, the prestigious association of hotel concierges. Gokul, who started his career at The Oyster Box as a casual switchboard operator seven years ago, has been a concierge for six of these. Five years is the minimum period to have worked as a concierge to be considered for entry into this elite association.
UK remains strong source market - latest stats
Arrivals, departures and transiting travellers – including both South African residents and foreign travellers – increased dramatically in April compared with the same period last year, according to the latest data released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). The United Kingdom emerged once again as a major source market for South Africa. Overseas tourists to South Africa were mainly from Europe, with 80 965 (67.7%) of arrivals coming from this region.
Tourism recovery continues in Western Cape
The Western Cape’s May 2022 tourism statistics – released by tourism, trade and investment promotion agency, Wesgro – indicate that the province’s tourism sector is continuing on its growth trajectory towards recovery. “This is good news for our tourism and hospitality sector, which employs tens of thousands of residents across the Western Cape,” said Mireille Wenger, Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, in response to the results.
Innovative youth entrepreneurs show off their tech
The Tourism Technology Grassroots Innovation and Incubator Programme (TTGIIP) – launched on June 23 – showcased some of the youth visionaries exhibiting their tourism technology innovations. Tourism Update spoke to some of the innovators who have already received some of the funding, to get a sense of the future of South African tourism through technology.
CDC raises Bots COVID risk
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its travel advisories for countries around the world. Only two countries were new to the ‘Level 3: COVID-19 High’ category, both in Africa: Botswana and Cape Verde. There are now more than 100 destinations listed in Level 3, including South Africa, the UK, and Canada.
Football star becomes Zanzibar Tourism Ambassador
Zanzibar’s tourism drive has been given a major boost, with the Indian Ocean archipelago seizing the opportunity of high-profile visitors, including renowned sports personalities, to market its tourist attractions, according to Tanzania Daily News. Government leaders are capitalising on big-name arrivals to lift the hospitality industry, one of the main drivers of Zanzibar's economy.
TAAG connects Angola with Spain
TAAG launched its new route to Europe with its inaugural flight to Madrid-Barajas International Airport on Monday, June 27. TAAG codeshares with Iberia on the route, giving passengers arriving in Madrid access to Iberia’s network across Europe and the Americas. Likewise, travellers travelling from Europe may now seamlessly access TAAG’s African and South American network.
Where are your 2023 rates?
I didn’t know what title to use for this column. I was going to go with ‘Travel Recovery: What product owners can do to increase occupancy’ which sounds rather boring. There are various points I need to touch on, all of which will affect the number of bums in beds as we try and recover from the pandemic. We’re all talking about tourism recovery in the wake of the pandemic. Arrivals are increasing, but occupancy levels are not yet back to where they were in 2019.
WATCH: How to build back traveller trust for your hotel
As the hospitality industry rebuilds post-pandemic it is critical for hotels to re-establish trust to ensure repeat bookings and happy guests. This can be achieved by aligning the guest profiles in your CRM with effective online reputation management to create more satisfying guest journeys pre-, during and post-stay. Watch the webinar where , Vice President of Marketing at Cendyn, and , Head of Sales (Europe), at GuestRevu discuss this and more. Click here to watch the full webinar.
Durban July expected to draw 35 000 visitors
Around 35 000 punters and fashionistas are expected to head to the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse for the Durban July this weekend (July 2), with a projected spend of R145 million (€8,5m). The event is further expected to contribute R362 million (€21,3m) to the GDP. “An estimated 740 people within the tourism and hospitality as well as related value chains industry will get employment because of this event,” said eThekwini Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda.
Zazu makes a friend in the Kruger
Tourvest Destination Management recently posted a photo to its Instagram account showcasing a bird – who may look familiar to those who have seen the The Lion King – alongside his avian companion. The bird, called Zazu, is a royal adviser in the Pride Lands of the 1994 Disney animated film. “This is one of our favourite snaps from a guest on a recent Kruger tour: a stunning shot of a Yellow-Billed Hornbill and a Lilac-Breasted Roller,” the caption of the image explains.
Wonderboom Airport to host AERO 2022
The City of Tshwane will host the AERO 2022 General Aviation Exhibition over three days from July 7-9 at Wonderboom National Airport. The exhibition is Africa’s largest general aviation trade show and covers the full spectrum of services and products for the aviation industry. The City of Tshwane aims to become the de-facto aerospace hub in Africa.
SAA rolls out capacity on trunk routes, MRU
SAA is assigning most of its spare capacity to services on South Africa’s trunk domestic routes and Mauritius, but at the same time says around 10 more destinations will be brought back onstream before the end of the year. Domestic airlines have been increasing capacity on priority routes in the wake of Comair’s demise.
UK announces amnesty on airline slots
The UK Department for Transport has announced a special dispensation for airlines using UK airports. To help airlines prevent last-minute flight cancellations during the summer peak, the government is allowing a one-off amnesty on airport landing and take-off slots rules, enabling airlines to plan ahead and deliver a realistic summer schedule that minimises disruption at the airports.
Gauteng Air Access Network takes off as OR Tambo attracts new airlines
Increasingly, both international and regional airlines are using OR Tambo International Airport as their preferred gateway into South Africa and the rest of Africa. This bodes well for the visitor economy in Gauteng, the centralisation of services, and in active route development to increase tourism, trade and investment flows into the province’s ailing economy.
Schiphol caps will hit Dutch economy
Both KLM and Iata have expressed dismay at the decision by the government of the Netherlands to cut the number of annual flights at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to 440 000 – a 20% cut from the airport’s potential cap. KLM argues that the decision will have dramatic consequences for the airline and for the accessibility of the Netherlands, according to Flight Global. “KLM is investing millions in a more sustainable fleet, thereby fulfilling its agreements with the government.
European airports - the pressure’s on
As post-COVID peak summer travel builds across European airports, staff shortages among ground handlers and airlines are taking a toll on the industry and its customers – the passengers. Now, the onset of industrial action in the aviation sector will likely kick the industry into further chaos.
Travel confidence on the rise
More than two years on from the onset of the global pandemic, widespread concerns about COVID-19 appear to be declining, as international travel resumes amid fewer travel restrictions and rising vaccination rates. According to a live poll conducted by data and analytics company GlobalData, 57% of respondents are ‘not concerned’ or are ‘not very concerned’ about the spread of COVID-19, suggesting that tourists are more prepared to live with COVID-19 than ever before.
New ZTA Board Member and Restaurant manager for The Plettenberg
APO Group has announced that its Account Manager, Beatrice Tonhodzayi, has been appointed to the Board of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA). Tonhodzayi was appointed to the ZTA board by Zimbabwe’s Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu, due to her vast experience and knowledge of the African media landscape.
Re-building traveller trust - last call to register
There is still time to register for tomorrow’s webinar. As the hospitality industry rebuilds post-pandemic it is critical for hotels to re-establish trust to ensure repeat bookings and happy guests. This can be achieved by aligning the guest profiles in your CRM with effective online reputation management to create more satisfying guest journeys pre-, during and post-stay.
Inaugural TBCSA conference focused on growth for SA and SADC
The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) will hold a Tourism Leadership Conference during Tourism Month, gathering industry players and policymakers under one roof, to reflect, discuss, and forge a way forward for the industry. Under the theme, Tourism: The Engine of Growth for South Africa, the inaugural TBCSA conference will take place from September 14 to 16, at Sun City Resort, in the North West province.
Over 3 000 meetings held at Experience Africa
Africa took London by storm last week with the hosting of Experience Africa, at which 112 exhibitors across Africa had an opportunity to connect with buyers from the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Ireland, Israel and beyond. Some 3 000 meetings were held over the three-day event hosted by the African Travel & Tourism Association (ATTA®) connecting 130 buyers and media with tourism products from Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa and more.
Travellers can book an Uber airport trip a month in advance
With the ongoing chaos at airports around the world causing lengthy delays and cancellations, with some airlines advising travellers arrive hours before their flight departs, Uber has expanded its in-app option to book airport-bound trips up to 30 days in advance. Uber Reserve, used to schedule a ride to the airport a month in advance, was launched late last year.
Qatar and Airlink link up
Qatar Airways and Airlink have signed a comprehensive new codeshare agreement to offer travellers greater connectivity between 45 destinations in 13 countries across southern Africa and the rest of the world. Now, connecting flights can be purchased on both airlines using a single reservation with seamless ticketing, check-in, boarding and baggage-check for the entire journey. The new codeshare flights are available for sale and will commence travel on July 6, 2022, subject to government approval.
Industry divided on re-hiring workforce
When we last checked in with readers, it was to gauge what percentage of the local travel trade were beginning to rehire staff following the scrapping of South Africa’s remaining COVID-related restrictions. Responses from 101 votes were divided, with 49% responding ‘yes’ and another 49% saying ‘no’. The rest of the voters remain undecided for the time being.
Rare falcon spotted in Mozambique
A team of conservationists have discovered what they believe could be the world's largest population of Taita falcons, the rarest of the species. The Taita falcon is listed as 'vulnerable' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, who publish a special list of threatened species called the IUCN Red List. According to the African Raptor Centre, the Taita falcon derives its name from the place where the species was first collected, Taita in Kenya.
Qantas opens new SA/Perth route
Qantas will start flights between Perth and Johannesburg on November 1, operating three flights a week. This is one of two international routes just announced by Qantas, the other being Jakarta. Both routes are supported by the Western Australian (WA) Government’s Reconnect WA package. Qantas will work with Tourism Western Australia to boost inbound tourism from both South Africa and Indonesia into Perth and regional WA, and with the co-operation of Perth Airport.
Renowned Rosebank hotel to rebrand to Park Hyatt
Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced this week that a Hyatt affiliate had entered into a management agreement with an affiliate of the Millat Group, for the Winston Hotel in Rosebank, Johannesburg, to join the Hyatt portfolio as an affiliated hotel. The hotel will be available on Hyatt’s booking channels in the upcoming weeks.
Iconic Hamiltons completes extensive redesign
Hamiltons Tented Camp, set deep in the heart of the Mluwati Concession of the Kruger National Park, has completed an extensive refurbishment. The iconic luxury camp, named after the legendary Colonel Stevenson-Hamilton (first warden of the Kruger National Park), is also known for its unique riverside position.
Uganda Airlines looks to introduce flights to China
Uganda Airlines is eyeing multiple international routes and plans to launch flights to more destinations this year, a senior airline official told Tourism Update. This includes flights to China. The airline was recently granted rights to operate one flight a week to Guangzhou from Entebbe. Uganda Airlines Corporate Affairs and Public Relations Manager, , said plans were at an advanced stage, and that the schedule would be communicated at a later stage.
African Sun puts its money on Zimbabwe
African Sun will commit a significant amount of capital this financial year to spruce up its hotels as it repositions for the anticipated tourism rebound. The group says it will focus on enhancing the guest experience, complete refurbishment projects and consolidate its market share. “Our focus in recent years has been to improve the quality of our existing hotels for an enhanced guest experience.
Over 600 youth land jobs in tourism and hospitality
More than 600 young people from the mining communities in the North West, Northern Cape and Limpopo provinces are well on their way to securing the skills they need to get jobs in South Africa’s tourism and hospitality sector, which continues to show steady signs of recovery after the pandemic. They are the latest participants in a tourism training programme run by Anglo American’s enterprise development arm, Zimele, and development specialists Summit.
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