INDABA DAILY NEWS 2011 | 1

Ready to play globally and win locally “INDABA has grown from strength to strength over the last decade, attracting growth of more than 220 percent in exhibitor numbers since 2000”

- South African Tourism CEO Thandiwe January-McLean.

It’s undoubtedly Africa’s top travel show and INDABA 2011 is again living up to its billing as the premier business and networking event on the Southern African tourism calendar.

With Durban hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and car rental companies doing a roaring trade and the over 1 600 tourism products exhibiting at this year’s event outdoing themselves with their innovative, eye-catching displays, there’s no doubt that the biggest show in town has rolled into South Africa’s playground.

And as always the Durban weather has played its part, greeting the over 12 000 INDABA attendees expected - nearly 3 000 of them overseas hosted buyers, tour operators, media and guests - with its trademark sunny welcome.

“INDABA has grown from strength to strength over the last decade, attracting growth of more than 220 percent in exhibitor numbers since 2000. Every year we strive to keep it fresh and innovative and worth checking out this year at the SA Tourism stand is a unique multi-touch table surface allowing multiple users to view and engage with South African destination information, video content and social media platforms, a dedicated INDABA TV channel, as well as exciting new networking platforms to facilitate the thousands of business meetings that will take place over the next three days, generating millions of Rands in tourism revenue,” says South African Tourism CEO Thandiwe January-McLean.

Among the visitors are over 750 confirmed international buyers, bringing with them tens of millions of Rands of potential buying power for the local and regional tourism sector. Over 100 000 hours have gone into setting up the INDABA showcase, with an exhibition floor space larger than four soccer fields (27 000 square metres) with over 7 000 items of furniture, 6,5km of electrical cable and a further 4 100 square metres of octonorm walling dividing the spaces for the various exhibitors.

South Africa is coming off one of its best-ever tourism years recording over eight million foreign arrivals in 2010. This 15,1 percent growth marks the steepest year on year increase of the decade.

With the successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup under its belt and its status as a mega-event host and world-class tourism business destination now firmly entrenched, South Africa’s challenge now is to

maintain that positive growth in the tourism industry.

To this end, the South African Tourism theme for INDABA 2011 is “Playing Globally, Winning Locally” as the industry seeks to entrench the country’s core tourism markets, attract exciting emerging ones and shine the spotlight on domestic tourism and the 2020 targets set in the recently-released National Tourism Sector Strategy.

While the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Netherlands and France remain South Africa’s top five markets, the 2010 figures have shown tremendous growth in promising emerging markets, particularly Asia, the Americas and Africa.

With this in mind, SA Tourism will at INDABA unveil new elements of its “20 Experiences in 10 Days” global campaign, which will launch worldwide tonight and is expected to reach over one billion people in the next financial year.

Core and emerging markets are at the heart of the campaign, which in phase one featured the experiences of couples and friends from India, the United States, the United Kingdom and Nigeria, with phase two of the campaign from tonight featuring the South African experiences of couples from China, Brazil, Germany and Angola in authentic television commercials and online work which will reach over 600 million households.

Encouragingly, the recently released January 2011 arrivals figures showed 796 526 people visited the country in the first month of the year, up 9.3 percent on 2010 figures in difficult economic conditions.

With plenty to ponder with regards to the ambitious 2020 National Tourism Sector Strategy targets and plenty of networking to be done and business to conduct, this year’s INDABA is again set to be the undoubted highlight of the South African tourism calendar.

“INDABA is not only a four-day event. It is the culmination of months of work from the entire tourism industry. As South African Tourism, in partnership with our colleagues at the National Department of Tourism and our critical tourism industry partners and colleagues, we’ve done our utmost to ensure its success again this year. We wish the entire tourism industry and our many guests and visitors the very best in their deliberations this weekend and trust INDABA will achieve all their objectives,” said January-McLean.

2 | INDABA DAILY NEWS 2011

The Eastern Cape, South Africa’s adventure destination, offers a world of diversity:

An incredible 800kms of pristine coastline - spectacular Wild Coast

The world’s only Big 7 game parks

World Heritage Sites and Biodiversity Hotspots

Adrenalin rush, hard core adventure - highest bungee jump in the world

Authentic cultural experiences - home of the AmaXhosa

A rich and fascinating history - birthplace of Nelson Mandela

The Adventure Province has something for everyone.

Are you up for it?

Exhibition times: 09:00 – 18:00

Today’s programme – Saturday 7 May 2011

17:00 – 18:00 Opening ceremony ICC Auditorium

18:30 – 23:00 INDABA beach party New Beach

All day Win with the Northern DEC2A01 Cape and stand a chance of winning a Kimberley diamond

INDABA 2011 sees the launch of a new environmental project focusing on the tourism industry.

The Trees for Tourism Trust will help conserve an area of platbos forest in the Overberg region of the Western Cape – protecting a valuable part of the Cape heritage and stabilising important forested areas.

Deforestation is happening all over the continent with only one tree being replanted for every 28 trees removed across Africa. By helping to maintain and support this threatened indigenous forest, a pristine eco-system will be protected, the fire risk will be

lowered and trees will continue to work efficiently to store carbon.

Trees can be purchased through the trust on an adhoc or subscription basis. The benefits to the industry are two-fold – conserving an area of pristine beauty while at the same lessening operational carbon footprint.

The project plans to plant over 200 000 trees. The trust is seeking partners to create a network that will link up with multiple portals to green the tourism industry.

For more information visit stand ICC E014.

Trees for tourism

The islands of Africa are at INDABA South Africa remains a very important market for the Seychelles, says Alain St Ange, CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board and leader of the 17-man Seychelles delegation at INDABA.

“We are the islands of Africa and we are but four and a half hours away from Johannesburg,” he says, adding that the Seycelles are the only islands that offer the diversity of hilly granitic islands and flat coral islands.

St Ange says the Tourism Board’s promotions launched at last year’s INDABA to combine an African safari with a Seychelles beach holiday worked well for the Seychelles with many bookings coming from the Americas via South Africa and East Africa, and from Asia and Europe via East Africa and the Southern Africa countries.

“This has confirmed to us that Africa will be stronger if Africa decides to work with Africa in its continued development and promotions,” he says.

Marked increases in visitor arrival numbers are being recorded in the Seychelles from South Africa and the Southern Africa countries as a block.

Air Seychelles at present has two weekly flights linking the Seychelles and Johannesburg and are planning the introduction of a third frequency.

For more information visit stand SADCA002.

INDABA Daily NewsThe INDABA Daily News, official newspaper of INDABA, is published by Junxion Communications.

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What people are saying… Antoinette Slabbert Good luck. I’m off to Cape Town for a Road Pavers’ Forum!

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Angela Taylor I Love INDABA

INDABA DAILY NEWS 2011 | 3

E X P E R I E N C E

W E L C O M E T O

www.tourismcapetown.co.za

Cape Winelands Cape Town Cape Karoo Cape OverbergCape Garden Route &Klein Karoo

Cape West Coast

Find out what’s new, hot and happening in Cape Town & Western Cape.

Visit us at stand DEC1G14

A high-school passion for hiking, camping and animal conservation culminated in the North West’s Kagiso Legobe and his Kay 2ze Gee Tours being the winner of the 2011 Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year Award (ETEYA).

Legobe’s distinctive adventure and exploration tour company – which started out in 2008 targeting schools, churches, social clubs and corporates in his area – was awardED at Durban’s Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre last night.

The 33-year-old’s passion for adventure started in high school when he joined the Animal Conservation Club undertaking hiking, camping and visits to South Africa’s game parks, sparking his initial interest in nature conservation and tourism.

After seeing the gap in North West for adventure-focused tour operators, he started his own adventure and exploration company. It also offers learnerships to tourism graduates and gives motivational talks to schoolchildren, encouraging them to enter the tourism industry.

Legobe, whose company lists its number one priority as ‘keeping our customers delighted and satisfied’, is the 10th ETEYA winner after a rigorous year-long judging process. The award includes aspects such as leadership, strategic planning, marketing, customer service, social responsibility, financial performance, facilities and appearance.

His prize includes R100 000 cash and an intensive 12-month mentorship programme facilitated by the Tourism Enterprise Partnership.

ETEYA started in 2001 and is an initiative of South African Tourism, in partnership with the nine provincial tourism authorities, the Tourism Enterprise Partnership and South African Breweries. It develops and sustains small, micro and medium enterprises in the tourism sector and enhances job creation.

A recent research project undertaken by South African Tourism showed that a 70 percent increase in job creation opportunities was recorded by ETEYA finalists between 2001 and 2010.

National Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said the value of small businesses to the tourism sector and broader South African economy is invaluable.

“Small businesses, such as those involved in the ETEYA programme, are the key to our sustainability as a tourism sector. It is certainly encouraging to witness the effects of our efforts to create sustainable businesses that are actively contributing to the growth of not only the tourism sector, but the national economy as a whole,” said Van Schalkwyk.

“Legobe’s passion and commitment to developing young South Africans and encouraging them to join the tourism industry is particularly encouraging, given our country’s great emphasis on job creation and sustainability in the tourism sector,” said South African Tourism’s CEO Thandiwe January-McLean.

Tourism Enterprise Partnership CEO Dr Salifou Siddo said the mentorship will benefit Legobe and businesses similar to his, to prosper into fully-functional enterprises.

“We are committed to ensuring that our valued small, micro and medium enterprise entrepreneurs are effectively supported in their long-term commitments to servicing the South African tourism industry. ETEYA is a fine example of the successes and job creation opportunities that arise from successful public-private partnership aimed at benefiting the industry,” said Siddo.

“South African Breweries commends ETEYA for the life-changing opportunities it has provided entrepreneurs in the local tourism industry over the years,’ said South African Breweries Director of Corporate Affairs and Transformation Vincent Maphai.

“These efforts are in line with our support of a culture of entrepreneurship to help create and grow sustainable businesses among the youth in South Africa. We have always been firmly committed to assisting with the job creation mandates of our country and we are pleased at the progress being made,” he said.

The first ETEYA 2011 runner up is Bassie Ngozwana of Bassie Travel Centre, the second runner up is Lorraine Chitate of Zanami Lodge and the third runner up is Michael Gumede of eBandla Hotel and Conference Centre.

To enter for the 2012 ETEYA awards please log onto www.southafrica.net for more information.

“I will use the money to empower my employees to do their work better by buying new office equipment. My company will have the opportunity to network, meet other companies and get our name out there – find new business opportunities and meet new business associates.”

Kagiso Legobe ETEYA winner 2011

The lane of champions at last night’s ETEYA awards.

Kagiso is the 2011 Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year

4 | INDABA DAILY NEWS 2011

INDABA DAILY NEWS 2011 | 5

Cape Town is considering upgrading facilities at its harbour to better accommodate cruise liners in the near future.

“In terms of marketing, the city is perfectly positioned to serve as a sea and safari destination. Cape Town is widely considered as a gateway to Africa, so it would make sense that cruises originate from here and go up either the West or East Coast of the continent.

“This illustrates the tourism industry’s capacity for expansion, which leads to economic growth and creates much-needed jobs. Cruise tourism should definitely be pursued as it will open up a whole new market for Cape Town and the Western Cape,” comments Calvyn Gilfellan, CEO of Cape Town Routes Unlimited (CTRU), the official destination marketing organisation for Cape Town and the Western Cape.

According to Theuns Vivian, Destination Development Manager for the City of Cape Town, the city has the potential for cruise tourism. “Not only does the Western Cape offer the iconic port of Cape Town, it also provides access to the Cape West Coast and Cape Garden Route via the ports of Saldanha and Mossel

Bay respectively. The prospects for cruise tourism on the whole look good,” adds Vivian.

Cruise tourism is big business. According to a joint study by GP Wild Limited and Business Research and Economic Advisors (BREA) cruise passengers in 2008 spent an estimated €2.7 billion (more than R26 billion) across Europe on accommodation, jewellery, clothing and other items during their port visits.

Cruise tourism in the southern Indian Ocean will come under the spotlight next week at the first ever Seatrade Africa Cruise Forum (10-12 May) at the Fairmont Zimbali Resort. David Frandsen, Executive Manager: International Marketing and the Cape Town Convention Bureau will represent CTRU at this groundbreaking event.

“This is an exciting opportunity to interact directly with major global cruise operators in terms of their expectations around the establishment of Cape Town and the southern Indian Ocean as the world’s newest cruise destination,” says Frandsen.

For more information, visit stand DEC1G14.

Geez! We made it! How was that for a tournament, hey? Even the people who didn’t come to South Africa knew what a Vuvuzela was by the time we were finished with them (thank you the 2010 FIFA World Cup).

And they loved us.

Thing is, of course, they knew a lot more about everything about South Africa by the time the final whistle blew (for those of us who heard it over the noise of those selfsame Vuvuzelas). They knew where we were, they knew who we were and they knew what we were (passionate if nothing else).

... and now’s the time to make that knowledge pay.

So: it’s good to see you here at INDABA 2011. Because putting into practice the benefits of all that goodwill is what this gathering’s all about.

’Course, for me, ‘Playing globally, winning locally’ means getting into the whole social media thing: and while I will admit that I still don’t really get Twitter (hey, Table Mountain wasn’t built in a day), I do blog, I do Facebook and I do YouTube.

And if you own a tourism product, you do, too, don’t you?

Because that’s the thing about social media: it’s local and global at the same time. And, with 500 million users on Facebook alone, you can’t afford to ignore it.

I recently ‘liked’ the Facebook page ‘I ♥ Cape Town.’ And while I wonder at the wisdom of the pun (‘heart’ sounds like ‘haat,’ which is Afrikaans for ‘hate’), I was number 195 852 on the list. That’s 195 852 people who heart Cape Town enough to willingly allow the city to share its information with them. And that’s powerful muti in any language.

So if you ask me what I’m expecting out of this INDABA, it’s that it should become the INDABA at which we finally begin to embrace the rest of the world through social media − begin talking to the millions and millions globally who can’t be here with us locally this weekend in Durban.

LOL!

Cruise tourism – a new frontier for Cape Town & Western Cape

Comment

Playing globally, winning locally

by Martin HatchuelCruise tourism will open up a whole new market for Cape Town and the Western Cape

INDABA DAILY NEWS 2011 | 7

“We have elevated the concept of customer service, to the ideal of seeking complete customer satisfaction,” claims Avis chief executive, Wayne Duvenage. “This takes it beyond the impartial and mechanical to a more personal and concerned relationship so that we are all inspired to keep improving our extensively measured Customer

Satisfaction Index (CSI) and thereby making our customer’s travel experience a pleasurable and not a stressful one.”

That this is not mere talk is amply proved by Avis’ unique initiative instituted in 2003: the Avis Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI), a very

rigorous and extensive approach to measuring customer satisfaction of its service at a number of interfaces throughout the business. Avis invests almost R3 million annually in this exhaustive self assessment.

Today, over 3,500 interviews and 52,000 questions are asked every month, examining interactions at every facet of the company. Reports and indices enable Avis to analyse and benchmark interventions, incentives and focused training which ultimately lead to improved service levels.

The results speak loudly. Following the first three years of measurement from 2003, the CSI ratings experienced a constant upward trend once corrective interventions began in 2006, and by 2010, the index reached its highest scores and sustainably so, with the best 12-month rolling averages to date, with scores of 90 points out of 100, countrywide.

“Happy customers pass on the good news,” Duvenage points out, “and there is no better advertising than word-of-mouth. It carries a force and a credibility that far outweigh any other form of advertising. Proof that

it is working strongly in our favour is demonstrated by our constantly expanding customer database and the ongoing highest share of market enjoyed by a car rental brand and company in SA”

“I’m not saying our business is completely problem free” says Duvenage, “that would be arrogant and highly unlikely – no business is that perfect. What we do know though, is that the programme is working. Within the travel industry, Avis has a

reputation as ‘THE customer service company’. Avis employees are kept informed and involved through regular and structured two-way communications at every level of the organisation. Then we add in the Avis Brand Ambassador programme which inspires individuals to assimilate the uncompromising customer-centric values of the organisation, and all these efforts combine to drive our service levels ever higher.

“Caution must be taken to ensure that ‘Customer Service’ is not just a cliché bandied about. As the only car rental operator in SA to conduct an extensive monthly CSI measurement programme, Avis has once again pioneered a process in South Africa’s car rental industry which will drive it forward, ” concludes Duvenage. “The Avis CSI is now so entrenched into our business, it acts as a driving force that ensures that we keep trying harder and keep doing it better.”

Within the travel industry, Avis has a reputation as ‘THE customer service company’. With new interventions constantly being rolled out in the company...

“Customer satisfaction” at Avis is not just something we talk about, it is a highly prized attribute of the company culture.

“Service excellence” and “Avis” are synonymous

B-BBEE Level 2 Contributor

Visit www.avis.co.za, call 0861 021 111 or contact your nearest travel agent.

Winner of Climate Change Leadership Award 2011

Theta has changed.

“There’s always something to get excited about in Joburg, recently voted the world’s third best city,” says Lindiwe Kwele. CEO of Johannesburg Tourism Company (JTC). “The phenomenal range of development projects, initiatives and public realm management – not to forget the continuous tourism product development – is awe inspiring and serves to change the geo-political face of our city in a positive way.”

With excellent infrastructure, unique transport features like the high-speed Gautrain and the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit system, increased hotel inventory, spectacular stadiums and magnificent architecture, it’s no wonder that Johannesburg was voted the world’s third best city in the annual Wallpaper magazine’s Wallpaper Design Awards in early 2011. (Wallpaper is

a prestigious UK-based publication covering design, fashion, architecture, travel and lifestyle.)

“We’re so looking forward to the way the fully-fledged Gautrain, Africa’s first high-speed railway link complemented by the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit system, is going to change the way residents and visitors experience the city,” says Kwele.

“I predict that the impact of this is going to be profound, adding a whole new dimension to life in Jozi. Locals are going to enjoy exploring and being tourists in their own backyard as never before, while it is also going to enhance the Joburg experience for visitors and set us apart as Africa’s most fabulous destination.”

For more information visit stand DEC1B25.

Normally, when one thinks Avis, one thinks red. Not always.

At INDABA Avis is adding a strong green dimension with its strikingly green stand, where one green element overlaps another, proclaiming - Avis cares about the environment.

Avis was the first carbon-neutral accredited company in South Africa.

“Our green philosophy has taken deep roots in the company,” says Chief Executive, Wayne Duvenage.

“From the introduction of hybrid cars to water re-cycling and conservation, from energy savings to waste re-cycling, we are serious about our responsibility to the environment and we are conveying this through our Avis INDABA stand as well, hopefully influencing others to follow our footsteps.”

Almost the entire stand is constructed from recycled materials used in previous INDABAs, which were also constituted of environmentally-friendly components. The superwood is derived from natural forests that are sustainably managed, where suppliers operate strictly in line with international requirements and are

appropriately accredited.

“Where possible we use ozone-friendly paint that contains no CFCs, is lead-free and has low odour,” says Duvenage.

“The reused steel for the stand structure takes 75 percent less energy to produce than the original product and items such as nails, screws, nuts and bolts are also from reused steel and other recycled metals.”

Canvas frames are made from a sustainable timber source, are 100 percent bio-degradable and require no coating. Banners are produced from fabric with HP environmentally-friendly latex print, which is also used for the wallpaper, that is itself PVC-free. Floors are constructed from sustainable and environmentally-friendly bamboo.

“Our stand is a reflection of our pride in the fact that the greenest car on the block is still the red one!” Duvenage says.

For more information visit stands SADCC018, ICCH020, ODCD006.

The changing face of Joburg – the world’s third best city

And you thought that Avis is only red?

The Avis team helping to make the environment more carbon neutral.

INDABA DAILY NEWS 2011 | 9

Tourvest Destination Management (TDM), a division within Tourvest Holdings (Pty) Limited, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Great Safaris LLC, a Californian, USA-based tour operator. The partnership will embrace brand extension for both Tourvest Destination Management and Great Safaris in South Africa and the USA respectively.

Great Safaris CEO Dave Herbert is a renowned African tourism specialist. He says: “For over 40 years I have lived, breathed and loved Africa.” His experience ranges from working as a safari guide in South Africa

in the 1960s, to developing lodges in the Okavango Delta and Mozambique.

In the days long before responsible tourism became the buzzword of choice, Herbert was involved in implementing job training initiatives for communities surrounding his lodges. Many of these were previously hunting camps, which he converted into wildlife viewing and photographic lodges, ensuring the sustainability of the natural environment and indigenous cultures for the decades that followed.

Herbert also has years of experience as an inbound tour operator, from which he will draw inspiration for this new venture. “I predict far better days for tourism in South Africa over the next five years than has been the case for the past 40,” he says. “I see a huge opportunity for SA to become the next big long-haul luxury destination for the USA.”

Great Safaris has already opened dedicated offices within TDM with a dedicated hands-on team working their operations, while the USA office will be spearheaded by travel industry gurus Dave Herbert and Anne Bellamy.

Martin Wiest, CEO of Tourvest Destination Management, says: “We look forward to providing an already established infrastructure for Great Safaris. We have proven technology in place and long-standing supplier relationships in Southern Africa who are able to supply excellent service, rates and personalisation based on volume for this exciting joint venture.”

For more information visit stand ICCD018.

Tourvest Destination Management forms strategic partnership with Great Safaris

Tourvest Destination Management CEO Martin Wiest says they are providing an already established infrastructure for Great Safaris.

JSE-listed Cullinan Holdings Limited, the travel group that boasts some of South Africa’s best-known travel brands, has increased its operating profit by 13,8 percent to R16.18 million for the six months ending on 31 March 2011.

This represents a headline earning increase of 8,1 percent to R12.44 million and R20.5 million in cash generated by operating activities over the past six months. Basic and diluted earnings per share have improved from 1.6 cents per share to 1.73 cents.

Announcing the results on the eve of INDABA, Cullinan Holdings Limited Executive Chairman Michael Tollman said the group has also improved its cash reserves from R77.96 million at 31 March 2010 to R118 million, putting it in a strong position for further business acquisition.

“Tourism, particularly inbound tourism, has been a challenging environment over the past six months. We have had to contend with a number of factors, such as the ongoing global economic situation, the enduringly strong Rand and the traditional dip in post-World Cup tourism, all of which have had negative impacts on various parts of our group, particularly our inbound tourism and marine divisions.

“Nevertheless, we addressed these challenges through greater operational efficiencies and better product offerings, and in doing so, posted positive results. We have also advanced the group’s financial standing to the point where we can consider expansion opportunities. This is a good indicator of the improving health of our business,” said Tollman.

Cullinan Holdings comprises Thompsons Holidays – outbound tourism travel products and holidays, Thompsons Africa – inbound tourism, Thompsons Travel – corporate and retail travel agencies, Pentravel – retail travel agencies, Hylton Ross Tours – charter coaches and vehicles, day tours and excursions, Thompsons Gateway – Singapore sales office, Planet Africa – joint venture to market Southern Africa to Japan and Korea, Manex – yacht-building industry supplier and distributor of diving products, Central Boating – importer and distributor of leisure marine equipment and Cullinan Business Development – corporate social responsibility.

“We are in a good strategic position, not only to grow our current operations, but also to look to acquire further business assets and cement our position as a leading Southern African travel group,” he said.

For more information visit stand ICCF009.

Cullinan Holdings ups operating profit by nearly 14 percent

10 | INDABA DAILY NEWS 2011

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TOURISM We are at stand

DEC1C09

The first ever Cape Town bicycle map has been released. The map details safer urban cycling routes, bicycle parking, painted and segregated bicycle lanes and other urban cycling information.

This first edition covers the central city, the West Coast to Milnerton route, the southern suburbs and south peninsula. The soon-to-be-released winelands map will include the Durbanville area as well as the winelands.

The print map is complemented by the blog, ‘rideyourcity.wordpress.com’, which gives updated route information, as well as details of bicycle-friendly venues, bicycle parking, new policy issues and infrastructure.

Gail Jennings, publisher of the bicycle map series, says: “I have wanted to create a bicycle map for Cape Town ever since I first picked up a cycle map of New York during a visit there. It is my hope that the map will see an increase in the numbers of urban cyclists, as a lot of people don’t even know where to start.”

Individual copies of the A1 full-colour maps cost R40 each, and orders of 10 copies or more cost R30 each. Maps may be ordered off the website. Maps are also available, free of charge, from the Cape Town bicycle map advertisers, most of which are located in Cape Town. Details may be found at www.capetownbicyclemap.co.za.

SA Tourism Update Online

Cape Town bicycle map now available

5 - 6 May 2011Fairmont Zimbali Resort | KwaZulu-Natal | South Africa

www.hica.co.za

The 2011 HICA Tourism Business Leadership Awards Winner -Clifford Ross

From being the general manager of the first City Lodge in Bryanston in 1987, Clifford Ross was appointed as chief executive

officer of City Lodge Hotels in 2002. Under his watch the group has grown from 35 hotels and 3 700 rooms to its current 52

hotels and 6 400 rooms. With a clear vision and calm management approach he has been credited with creating a sustainable

business group structure that provides decent work for its people as well as broad based empowerment – long before this

became fashionable. These efforts have seen the company regularly rank among the top empowerment companies and best

employers in the industry. Clifford, we salute you.

Clifford Ross CEO – City Lodge Hotels

IN PARTNERSHIP WITHBROUGHT TO YOU BY

Go To Victoria Falls is pleased to announce the launch of their exciting new interactive website. The destination marketing association, managed by Lesley Simpson Communications, made the decision to revamp their website, following the resurgence of tourism back into the area.

The launch of the website coincides with the renewal of interest in Zimbabwe as a tourist destination and the economic changes that the country has recently experienced. Economic stability through the

Dollarisation of the currency has been to the benefit of Victoria Falls. Hotels in particular have managed to curb inflationary pricing and the cost of food and beverages has in a many cases come down. Running costs are now manageable and the area is seeing an influx of expats returning to the destination and seeking out new opportunities.

Ross Kennedy Chief Executive – Africa Albida says: “All major tourism and vertical suppliers are indicating significant growth in occupancies. According to the

latest figures released, Victoria Falls has seen a 9.58% increase in the first quarter over the same period in 2010. This is in keeping with the growth of 40% for 2010”. This growth is indicative of the increase of tourists coming from the EU and the United Kingdom, which are traditional markets for Victoria Falls.

For more information visit www.Gotovictoriafalls.com and stand SADCC018.

Go To Victoria Falls launches new interactive website

INDABA DAILY NEWS 2011 | 11

"we are the same"

CITY OF TSHWANE"we are the same"

CITY OF TSHWANE

Achievers recognized for excellence at Tshwane Tourism Awards

Every year the City of Tshwane honours businesses, companies and individuals that provide quality services to tourists to ensure that they feel welcome in the city. These winners were honoured at the 2010 Tshwane Tourism Awards ceremony that took place in May last year.

Kea-Nthabi's African Design was the overall winner in the Arts and Crafts category. Kea-Nthabi's African Design offers artistic, quality traditional and modern African designs

often decorated with colourful beadwork.

Moonson Manufacturing and Projects was the winner in the Modern Arts and Crafts category. They produce handmade leather products and accessories using local materials, and give attention to the finest detail. The winner of the Traditional category was Voice of Tshwane for their traditional artefacts inspired by nature, such as wood carvings, paintings and beadwork.

In the Conference category, the award went to the CSIR International Convention Centre for their outstanding work. In the Accommodation category (Guest Houses) the award went to the Opikopi Guest House, closely followed by the Noxolo B&B Guesthouse, the Cricklewood Manor, and others. These world-class facilities offer five-star accommodation and service. All Seasons Bed and Breakfast scooped the Bed and Breakfast award. They go out of their way to meet their guests' requirements, and they offer extra services such as lunch, dinner, late night check-ins and Wi-Fi. Their aim is to improve on everything they do.

The prize for the Hotel and Self-catering Apartments category went to the Alpine Attitude Boutique Hotel and Conference Venue. They have been shortlisted for the Welcome Awards in three subcategories, namely Restaurant Fine Dining, Self-Catering Accommodation and MESE Conference Venue. The winners will be announced on 8 May at the Tourism Indaba. This boutique hotel boasts seven rooms, five luxury apartments and two conference rooms. Their designs are Africa-inspired and their services reflect the friendliness and passion of South Africa.

Kwalata won the award as the best lodge in the city. They offer game drives, cultural tours and community programmes, and bring Africa to life for the visitor.

Royal Elephant scooped the award in the Food and Beverage category. Their motto is "Ensure a secret journey by offering that special touch", and they live up to this promise. They have a staff choir, five-star prices and perimeter security 24 hours a day.

Ulysses Tours and Safaris offer day and overnight tours, a chauffeur service, general transport and an airport shuttle service, and they received the 2010 Tour Operator Award, while the Tourist Guide Award went to Marienne Elke Louw. In the Recognition Awards category, the award for Outstanding Contribution to Tshwane Tourism went to the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa. Among many indigenous animals, the zoo houses the big five and is therefore a unique tourist attraction in the city. They also won the Serviced Attractions award.

The award for Outstanding Contribution to Retail Tourism went to the Menlyn Park Shopping Centre.

The City of Tshwane has invited the 2010/11 tourism award winners, some associations in the city and some tourist destinations such as the National Zoological Gardens, Freedom Park, Voortrekker Monument and Ditsong Museums of South Africa to be the City of Tshwane's promotional partners at this year's Durban Indaba.

www.tshwane.gov.za

Luxury accommodation, warm hospitality, superb cuisine

& host of sporting activities.

www.cathedralpeak.co.za

+27 (0) 36 488 1888

The Moja Heritage Collection is well known in the industry as a quick reference guide for planning interesting day trips and things to do.

Owners James Delaney and Ian Solomon have now ramped up their electronic product – there’s a digital eGuide for 2011 http://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/moja-media/mhc2011/2011030101/, and the new website at www.mojaheritage.co.za, is easy to use and searchable by type of attraction and/or area. And, of course, they’re on Facebook, too − search ‘Moja Heritage Collection.’

“Our heritage is what the South African tourism industry brings tourists here to see,” says Delaney, “and we at Moja see our role as making people here and overseas aware of what incredible attractions South Africa has to offer.”

The Heritage Collection presents a fabulous mix of well-known sites like Constitution Hill, Rovos Rail, Cradle of Humankind and the Two Oceans Aquarium, overlooked gems Solms Museum van de Caab, the

Lowveld Botanical Garden and Sophiatown, and new properties such as Casa Labia.

Whether you’re after world heritage sites, art, culture, museums, rest and relaxation or entertainment, food and shopping, you’ll find it all – and more in this leading guide to natural, historical and cultural visitor attractions.

The printed Heritage Collection is now in its seventh year, and proudly shows off the things which make South Africa exciting, beautiful and challenging. Through these properties you’ll meet heroes of the past, including Albert Luthuli, Trevor Huddleston, Oliver Tambo and Samora Machel. You’ll learn about Vilakazi Street in Soweto – the only street in the world to have had two Nobel Prize winners – former President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu - as its residents. You’ll discover awe-inspiring biodiversity and ancient sites leading back to the origins of humankind.

For more information visit stand ICCK009.

Don’t get lost while in Durbs during INDABA – let CityInfo TV show the way.

“Research has shown that close to 70 percent of visitors to a destination tune into and benefit from information programmes like CityInfo TV, ” says Linda Sparks, the originator of CityInfo TV.

“We are pleased with the response we have had from both the attractions looking to capture this niche market of visitors to Durban, as well as from the hotels and guest houses who are screening the show. We are endorsed by Tourism KZN and are also members of the federated Hospitality Association of South Africa.”

Since its launch in 2009, CityInfo TV has been providing visitors to Durban with a taste of some of KwaZulu-Natal’s best-known offerings the comfort of their hotel rooms. The 20-minute show is screened 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as a continuous loop on a dedicated television channel.

Hotels and guest houses are given the show to screen free of charge and CityInfo TV assists with technical

installations where necessary.

Solomon Padayachee, Executive Manager of The Riverside Hotel said, “We have received a lot of positive feedback about CityInfo TV from our guests – it is a treat for them to stretch out on the bed whilst discovering some of the province’s exciting places to visit in an entertaining and informative show.”

Carefully selected advertisers are incorporated into the programme and get to showcase their products and services as an editorial insert for a very affordable fee.

Lara McLeod, Marketing Manager for Moses Mabhida Stadium said, “CityInfo TV has a powerful product capable of capturing the attention of tourists in their hotel rooms, looking for things to do in our city. We are very pleased with our venue being presented in hotel rooms across Durban as a short informative documentary that is engaging to the viewer.”

For more information call 083 5621022.

Moja’s Heritage Collection now available on line

Find your way

around Durbs –

thanks to CityInfo TV “Don’t go astray – go the CityInfo TV way” – Linda

Sparks

12 | INDABA DAILY NEWS 2011

The 2011 Imvelo Responsible Tourism Awards programme is now open for entries.

Imvelo, now in its tenth year, awards businesses that implement sustained responsible tourism programmes.

The awards are organised by the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (FEDHASA) in conjunction with the National Department of Tourism, Absa, the Department of Water Affairs, the Industrial Development Corporation, Eskom and Don’t Waste Services.

Imvelo is open to any type of tourism or hospitality business in Africa.

FEDHASA CEO Brett Dungan says Imvelo has become the benchmark for responsible tourism practice in South Africa and has made a huge impact in the industry. A record number of 219 category entries were received last year.

Imvelo means ‘nature’ in South Africa’s Nguni languages.

According to Dungan the awards are in line with the responsible tourism guidelines for the South African hospitality industry and the UN World Tourism Organisation’s code of ethics. They are supported by the Heritage Environmental Rating Programme.

He says Imvelo has created significant awareness of environmental management issues in the tourism

industry. “Over the past ten years Imvelo has found and recognised world-class examples of responsible tourism practice.”

Awards will be made in the following categories - Best social involvement programme, Best practice – economic impact, Best overall environmental management system, Best single resource management programme – for water, energy and waste, Most empowered tourism business and Investor in people. An overall winner will be named.

A Chairman’s award could be made at the discretion of the FEDHASA chairman to any Imvelo entrant or any other organisation in the tourism industry that made a significant contribution to responsible tourism over the past year.

Entrants may enter in more than one category but entries must stipulate the category/categories that apply.

Entries should reach the organisers by 31 August 2011. They will be judged by a panel of specialists in responsible tourism practice and finalists will be visited personally to verify and evaluate their entries.

Winners will receive their awards at an awards ceremony to be held in Johannesburg on World Responsible Tourism Day, 9 November.

For more information contact Lynda Bacon on telephone 0861 333 628, visit www.imveloawards.co.za or stand ICCE019.

Newmark Hotels has opened its new R52-million five-star Queen Victoria Hotel in the Portswood precinct of the V&A Waterfront, making it the only hotel group to own and operate three hotels in this top tourist location.

The 35-room luxury establishment is the latest addition to the Cape Town hotel industry, which has been marked by an overcapacity of rooms following a 15 percent increase in inventory over the past 18 months, especially in the five-star category. The opening came in the same week as the closure of long-established properties, the Alphen Hotel in Constantia, Le Vendôme Hotel in Sea Point and the Green Dolphin Restaurant in the Waterfront.

Undaunted by these developments, Newmark MD Neil Markovitz says while the project was started four years ago before the recession, he would still go ahead with it, if he had to make the decision to do so today. He is banking on the family-owned group’s long-standing and hands-on hospitality experience, a great Waterfront location, loyal existing corporate customers, and offering outstanding service and value to make this new hotel a success.

“We have been in the Waterfront since its inception so we have a very good idea of visitors’ expectations. We succeed because we react fast to changing market

forces,” he says.

“We are very proud of this project. It cements our offering in the Waterfront. With our three properties in close proximity – the V&A Hotel, Dockhouse and the Queen Victoria Hotel – we now offer a Waterfront resort, which is something truly unique. There will be a lot of cross-selling between the properties, for example guests staying here will be able to dine at the V&A Hotel and use the pool and wellness spa at Dockhouse.”

With lead-in opening rates of about R1 875, Markovitz says Newmark’s philosophy is one of “pricing to sell”. “We’re always in tune with what the market wants to pay, but we rather add value, such as free laundry/transfers/phone calls, than drop our rates.”

Target markets for the new property will be international leisure travellers in core markets in Europe and the USA, as well as corporate guests in South Africa.

Markovitz says Newmark Hotels intends to expand its footprint and is looking at projects in Johannesburg and Durban and a number of opportunities in Africa.

SA Tourism Update Online

For more information visit stand T010ICC.

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Sun International Zambia – The Falls Resort was the 2010 overall winner of the Imvelo Responsible Tourism Awards.

The Queen Victoria Hotel is a luxury urban retreat and the latest addition to Newmark’s growing collection of smart city hotels. The master bedroom of the sumptuously appointed presidential suite offers the ultimate in luxury.

INDABA DAILY NEWS 2011 | 13

The Tourism Safety Initiative (TSI), a crime prevention and victim support programme launched by the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association at INDABA last year, has made significant progress in the past year.

National project leader Annelie Barkema says the initiative by the private sector in tourism has grown considerably and now includes as partners Business Against Crime South Africa, the Southern African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, the Tourism Business Council of South Africa and the National Department of Tourism.

One of the TSI’s most successful operations was acting against criminals who followed tourists from airports and robbed them. By working together with the South African Police Service, these criminals were caught, tried and sentenced, reducing the incidence of this type of crime by as much as 95 percent.

Support was rendered to tourists who were stranded at the OR Tambo International Airport due to the cancellation of flights after the ash fallout following the volcanic eruption in Iceland in April 2010. The TSI also assists tourists by putting them in touch with their

embassies when needed.

Barkema says by working together, industry partners can share information that can lead to arrests, prosecution and conviction, create better knowledge of how and where crime affects tourism, facilitate faster police reaction, ensure that victims of crime are properly supported and reduce incidents of crime.

Tourism businesses that join the TSI will benefit in various ways. The TSI identifies and reduces safety and security risks in tourism, ensures that the safety of guests and staff is paramount, improves the response of the criminal justice system, determines the nature and impact of crime to identify trends and hotspots, and shares best-practice interventions to minimise risk at tourism establishments.

Barkema says much of the success of the TSI was achieved as a result of members of the industry reporting incidents – however petty. Incidents of tourism related crime should first be reported to the SA Police on 10111 and thereafter to the TSI on its confidential number 0861 TSI 911.

For more information visit stand AO46 ICC.

The Karoo National Park has welcomed the arrival of lions in the park for the first time after an absence of 170 years.

Two adult male lions, two adult lionesses and four sub-adults were released from the boma in the Karoo National Park, becoming the first wild, free-ranging lions in the Great Karoo. According to records, the last wild lion was shot at the nearby settlement of Leeu-Gamka in 1842.

The eight lions have been resident in the park boma since last year to allow them to adjust to their new environment. The lions were brought in from the Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape, where the establishment of a lion population has been successful.

The lions have adapted well to their new environment and also now capture their own prey. They have explored and moved over considerable distances in the 90 000-hectare national park. According to the most recent update on the lions, the two male lions are in the vicinity of the Nuweveld 4x4 Trail and the

Mountainview area, while the lionesses and cubs are near the top of the Klipspringer Pass road. Regular updates by staff and visitors appear on website forums. Go to www.sanparks.org/forums/ then choose the Frontier Parks to find the Karoo Lions topic.

South African National Parks decided to introduce lions to the Karoo National Park in its efforts to restore the natural predator-prey balance in the ecosystem and to ensure that natural inhabitants of the area are conserved.

“Apart from their biodiversity value, the introduction of lions will have great tourism value for the Karoo National Park and for the Great Karoo Region,” says Regional General Manager Lucius Moolman.

Moolman says visitors will now be able to experience the unique atmosphere of the Karoo with the thrill of spotting lions in the wild and that their introduction will turn the area from a stop-over destination to a two -or three-night destination.

For more information visit stand DEC1HO4.

The lions have explored and moved over considerable distances in the 90 000-hectare national park.

Tourism Safety Initiative celebrates first anniversary at INDABA

Karoo National Park welcomes lions back after 170 years

Whistletree Lodge - Pretoria - Stand ICC S004Wel l pos i t ioned for guests embark ing or d isembark ing from luxury tra ins .

Whistletree Lodge, Pretoria / Tshwane Tel +27 (0) 12 333 9915 • e -mai l : wtree@icon.co.za • www.whistletree.co.za

14 | INDABA DAILY NEWS 2011

INDABA DAILY NEWS 2011 | 15

Greater Letaba

• TheRainQueenModjadjioftheBolobeduPeople.

• TheSunlandbaobabwhichisestimatedtobeabout6000yearsold-andwithabarbuiltinsidethebarkhollowsnaturallywithage.

• TheModjadjicycadforestboaststhelargestconcentrationofasinglecycadspeciesintheworld,andishometotheworld’slargestandoldestcycads.

ba-PhaLaborwa

• TheworldrenownedKrugerNationalPark-homeoftheBigFive.

• Themarulafruitcomesfromtheelephanttree.Itformsthebaseofdrinkslikebeerandliqueurprocessedbyfermentation.Nutsfromthefruitareusedasasnackandisabaseproductofcookingoilandavarietyofskinproducts.ItishereinPhalaborwatownwherethewellrenownedMarulafestivalisheldinFebruaryeveryyearandpeopleconvergetotastethefruitofAfrica.

• Phalaborwahasbeenawardedasthenationalcleanesttownfortwoyearsinarow.

• ThroughtheGiriyondobordervisitorscaneasilyaccesstheshoresoftheneighboringMozambique.

MaruLenG

• ThisareaisknownasthewildlifehavenwithaconcentrationoftheBigFiveandmanyotherwildlifespecies.

• TheDrakensbergescarpmentformsthehillsofthesurroundingBlydeRiverarea.

• ItisherewhereyouwillfindJessica,theworldfamoushippowhohashumanparentsandafetishforcoffee.

• MarulengisalsothegatewaytoMpumalanga.

Greater tzaneen

• TzaneenisknownasthetropicalparadiseofMopaniandisthebiggesttowninthedistrict,approximately90kmfromLimpopo’scapitalcityofPolokwane.

• ItishometoMakgoebaskloofandtheGeorge’sValleyrouteswhichboaststeaestates,waterfalls,theEbenezerDam,bluegumandpinetreeplantations,restaurantsandtheonlycheesefactoryinthearea.

• Theareaalsooffersadventuretourismpackagesincludinghorse-riding,quadbiking,riverraftingandcanopytours.

• Tzaneenisthebiggestproducerofbanana’s,pawpaw,citrus,mangoandmacadamianuts.

• WorldrenownedgranniessoccerchampionsknownasVhakegulaVhakhegulahailfromhere.

Greater Giyani

• ThemopaniwormwhichisknownforitshighnutritionqualitiesfindsitshomeinGiyani.Itiscookedinvariouswaysandisanessentialelementofthelocalcuisine.AmopaniprocessingindustryinDzumerivillageisabouttobefinalisedandwillprocessavarietyofmopaniwormproducts.

• TheGiyaniGolfClubisscenicandprovidesforauniquegolfingexperiencewithzebraandgirafferoamingfreeonthegolfcourse.

• InGiyanionecantastedifferentcuisinesfromtheTsongaculture.YoucanseeXibhelanadesignedtraditionalTsongaclothesanddances,anddancetoXincaicaiandXighubumusic.

FormoreinformationvisitusontheMopanistand@DECHALL2-F16•www.mopani.gov.za

Mopani DistrictLimpopoProvince

Come experience tourism in the food basket of Southern Africa

A wealth of experiences awaits you

A taste of royalty - Executive Mayor Joshua Matlou tasting the marula drink at the stall of Muti wa Va-Tsonga during the annual AGRI-Letaba Expo.

Yesterday the first ever Responsible Tourism in Cities Conference on the African continent took place. Initiated by the City of Cape Town, partners included Cape Town Tourism, SATSA, FEDHASA Cape, SAACI and South African Tourism.

While responsible tourism is central to South Africa’s tourism policy and a key trend in tourism globally, little focus has been placed on the needs and challenges faced by cities to become sustainable destinations and to implement responsible tourism.

Cities are key destinations and tourism draw cards for nations. Cities are also home to more than half of

South Africa’s population, and so are crucial sites for sustainable development, not to mention job creation and economic growth.

The full-day conference included themes such as The roles of city governments in responsible tourism, Cities, responsible tourism and the marketplace, The business case for responsible tourism and Effective destination-wide collaboration on responsible tourism. Participants included the City of Ethekwini (Durban), Tshwane (Pretoria), Jozi (Johannesburg) and several other local government bodies and industry leaders.

The afternoon session focused on more practical, operational matters pertaining to the tourism private sector, including SMMEs, larger established businesses and corporate multi-nationals, when adopting, implementing, managing and marketing responsible tourism, supported by case studies presented by experienced industry members.

The conference was further enhanced with the presentations being broadcast in real time via the web allowing for simultaneous virtual participation by delegates around the world. Questions were submitted

and parallel discussion took place via Twitter in real time.

Ron Mader, founder of Planteta.com, a global leader in driving the message of responsible tourism on the internet and online community, presented a discussion called “We suck @ collaboration” ... whereby headdressed the failures of industry and local authorities attempting to implement responsible tourism. A global audience participated for the first time, in real time via social media, incorporating tweets, Facebook and flicker. Countries participating included the UK, USA, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Germany and even as far as Peru.

For updates and further information visit the responsible tourism pavilion near the Hilton Gate entrance.

Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk will be opening the pavilion this morning.

For more information visit www.responsiblecapetown.co.za.

As of this year, we have decided to produce a digital version of the INDABA Daily News (IDN) which will be available to all delegates and visitors.

“One of the crucial decisions in going this route is that it provides our readers with greater flexibility,” says editor Martin van Niekerk. “Readers will now not only be able to access the hard copy at the show, but also archived material later via computer, smartphone or tablet device. So if you have an iPad, you’ll enjoy reading our electronic edition.

“Our partnership with Digital Publications in producing a digital edition will ensure that the IDN remains relevant and accessible long after the show has finished. Over the years we’ve received countless requests for back issues, which we have not always been able to accommodate, but that all changes now.”

Digital Publications will also shortly be launching their App product which will enable publications like the IDN to be accessible as a stand-alone app, available for download, via any number of app stores.

“There has been a tremendous response by organisations in the tourism industry for our products,” says Digital Publications MD Charles Burman. “Since launching our products at INDABA 2010 we’ve seen an increase of over 1 400 percent in companies wanting to produce digital editions of brochures, newspapers, magazines and other printed material.”

Benefits of digital products include reduced printing costs, increased distribution, reduced environmental impact, greater access by potential customers to marketing material, detailed analytics on who’s reading the brochure and from which countries and cities, and increased distribution channels, such as Facebook and Twitter, to name just two.

The newspaper will be accessible each day via electronic mail, social media (Facebook and Twitter) as well as the web, initially on www.greenindaba.co.za.For more information on Digital Publications visit their website www.digitalpublications.co.za or stand ICCK010.

Responsible tourism applies to cities too

INDABA Daily News goes digital

Pierre Voges of the Nelson Mandela Bay Development Agency addressed conference delegates.

Responsible tourism in cities under discussion.

16 | INDABA DAILY NEWS 2011

Two days that will change the way you do business...A conference on environmental responsibility • Sandton Sun Conference Centre, Johannesburg • 9-10 November 2011

To register or for more information, visit www.emitconference.com or visit the Heritage stand in the ICC Concourse (Entrance 3)

Africa Albida Tourism has doubled its funding to the Victoria Falls Anti Poaching Unit.

Chief Executive of Africa Albida Tourism, Ross Kennedy says the organisation is now supporting six scouts to the value of R126 000 per year in acknowledgement of the significant impact the unit has had on the area.

“The unit’s work is outstanding and everyone living in the area would suffer should the unit stop operations. It is a worthwhile cause that we must continue to support and we encourage others to do the same,’ said Kennedy.

The unit has been in operation since 1999 in partnership with hospitality establishments, relevant authorities and the community of Victoria Falls. Recently the Victoria Falls Wildlife Protection Trust was formed to oversee the running and operations of the unit.

The unit has proved its worth and presence by saving over 120 mammals from painful and slow deaths caused through injuries from wire snares, apprehending hundreds of poachers and recovering over 20 000 snares from the bush surrounding Victoria Falls.

Between January and March alone the unit has located 51 snares, apprehended 51 wood poachers, 18 curio vendors – three in the national park in possession of sable and buffalo horns. It has also apprehended 14 illegal miners, two illegal entries into the Zambezi

National Park and one drug dealer. Furthermore, the unit has darted a warthog male with a wire snare around its snout and one elephant bull with a three- strand wire snare on the rear right leg. Both animals are once again mobile and healthy.

In total, 17 scouts work with the unit, protecting wildlife under dangerous circumstances, patrolling the national park 24/7.

Spokesperson and founder of the unit, Charles Brightman, says these efforts are an illustration of what can be achieved by everyone working together for the benefit of not just the unit, but also Zimbabwe’s wildlife being preserved for future generations and foreign visitors.

Africa Albida Tourism has been managing the unit along with their several award-winning tourist establishments and attractions in the area. Its flagship establishment, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, is Zimbabwe’s best safari lodge for the 15th year running and is the most coveted among non-tented safari lodges in the country. The Hide Safari Lodge at Hwange National Park is certified as being the top tented safari camp in Zimbabwe for the 12th consecutive year. These two prime tourist attractions benefit from the efforts of anti-poaching units in their areas.

For more information visit stand ODWA.

Africa Albida Tourism doubles funding for Vic Falls

The Victoria Falls Safari Lodge benefits greatly from the anti-poaching unit.

INDABA DAILY NEWS 2011 | 17

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Version 6 of the popular AA Travel Guides website www.aatraavel.co.za has just gone live featuring a hugely improved search and structure.

“All our data has been carefully upgraded in terms of where each establishment is located,” says Vanessa Sand, CEO of AA Travel Guides. “The task was huge but extremely worthwhile as it makes the site so much more user friendly and helpful to anyone looking to visit a location. After all, the very first thing anyone looks for is an establishment in or near the location they want to visit. Only after that do the price and the experience they are looking for become significant.”

www.aatravel.co.za is one of the oldest travel websites in South Africa, having gone live in 1996. It is one of the top ten travel websites in the country.

Content on the site includes write-ups of the main

tourism venues in southern Africa, details of AA Quality Assured establishments which have been inspected by an experienced AA Assessor during the past year, Google maps showing the location of establishments plus the option to get directions, special promotional offers from establishments and where an establishment has the facility, online real-time booking.

“Enquiries via this site go directly to the establishment and no commission is payable,” says Sand, “hence the travelling public can be sure of being offered the best possible rate by the establishment.

“Establishments can update their own data but an experienced support department has been checking and upgrading content over the past six months while this redevelopment was under development.”

For more information visit stand ICCM011.

Large tourism businesses pledged to assist the Tourism Enterprise Partnership to create jobs in the industry.

Signed at a Tourism Enterprise Partnership breakfast at INDABA yesterday, the pledge commits to help improve the performance of small tourism businesses, resulting in job creation in both urban and rural areas. It will also assist to increase the participation of black enterprises in the tourism industry and to enhance entrepreneurial skills. Furthermore, it will facilitate direct market access for small tourism products and stimulate innovative and demand-driven small business product development for long-term viability.

Major players who have signed the pledge include Cullinan Holdings, Southern Sun, Thebe, Tourvest, Gooderson Leisure and Imperial Holdings.

“Tourism is a key pillar for economic growth with a target of 225 000 jobs by the year 2020,” says Tourism

Enterprise Partnership Chief Executive Dr Salifou Siddo.

“Strong public-private partnerships are required and our enterprise development portfolio offers a credible solution that allows corporate companies to invest funds with us. Through the portfolio we will open the way for private sector and corporate South Africa to be more meaningfully involved in the transformation of the tourism industry. We have made the process as easy and as transparent as possible for anybody wishing to improve their enterprise development profile.”

The breakfast also showcased how the partnership facilitated the creation of over 64 000 jobs the past ten years.

For more information visit stand DEC1D11.

Signature Life group celebrates three major developments at INDABA. The group has been nominated for the 2011 World Travel Awards, their Institute of Hospitality is ready for its huge student intake and they have signed up two new properties: Stonecradle Hotel in Johannesburg and Zebula Golf Estate and Spa in the Waterberg mountains.

Signature Life Hotels has been nominated for the second consecutive year in the prestigious global World travel Awards 2011 – Africa & Indian ocean Islands in the fiercely competitive section Africa’s leading Innovative Hospitality Group.

MD Alan Vels says, “We are delighted with this 2011 nomination. Winning in our category last year gave us tremendous confidence and motivation to live up to the excellence of the award, and through 2010 to 2011 we have diversified and increased our eclectic portfolio from 12 to 28 properties, launched the Signature Life Institute of Hospitality, Signature Safaris and Signature Real Estate.”

Signature Life Institute of Hospitality launched this year offers students a three-year course in either Culinary or Hotel Management and guarantees them employment on completion. Principal Chris Johnson says “The training uniquely takes place on site in one of our properties and students are then assured of a job when the course ends. We now have our first

intake of students. Another project is The Women’s Caucus initiative from the Office of the Speaker of the Provincial Legislature in KZN in terms of which we have been appointed to provide learners with a variety of projects for the betterment of women in the province − our skills programme being one of them.”

The skills programme entails recruiting unemployed youths of 18 to 35 years old from Mmzumbe, Kwadukuza, Kwambonambi, Nongoma and Emanyiseni and enrolling them for six-month training courses at either the Ballito or East Rand campus. The students receive a combination of academic and practical tuition over the 26-week period and receive employment on completion of the course.

Signature Life Hotels recently launched a community initiative called Project Enza which involves taking learner’s from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and placing them in one of their hotels for a ‘learner’ experience two days a week. Such training has already commenced at Hotel 64 on Gordon in Durban.

The third achievement being celebrated at INDABA is the acquisition of the fantastic Stonecradle Hotel in Muldersdrift in Gauteng, which is soon to be renamed Riverstone Lodge, and the four-star graded golf estate, nature reserve and spa, Zebula.

New version of AA Travel Guides website now live

Let’s create jobs – big business’ pledge

Signature Life Hotels scores hat trick Celebrating the signing up of Zebula with Signature Life are from left Glyn

Taylor, Martin Herr, Alan Vels and Gavin Simpson.

Theta has changed.

New look, fresh ideas...

...same standard of service excellence,across a wider spectrum of industries.

sport, recreationand fitness

tourism andtravel servicesgaming and lotterieshospitalityarts and culture

THETA has undergone a name change and is now known as CATHSSETA, which is an acronym for Culture Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority.

CATHSSETA contributes to the development of skills for employed individuals who are seeking to improve in their specific fields, as well as those wanting to be employed. We function in a spectrum of industries through our six specialised chambers:

•Arts and Culture •Hospitality •Gaming and Lotteries •Conservation and Tourist Guiding •Sport, Recreation and Fitness •Tourism and Travel Services.

You can find us at Block E, Sandhurst Office Park, Cnr Katherine Street and Rivonia Road, Sandton, Gauteng. Telephone: (011) 217-0600. E-mail: info@cathsseta.org.za Website: www.cathsseta.org.za

conservation andtourists guiding

INDABA DAILY NEWS 2011 | 19

S(c)ene@INDABA 2011

Think Africa - the Thinkq2Travel team enjoyed their IndAbA build-up. Front - Steffie Gerber and niils Els. back - duane Steyn and nesi Magg.

Leaving the ordinary behind - smooth IndAbA registration.

Coenie and dorette nel of diaz 15 - award-winning hospitality.

Green fingers - Jan Sekamela and Margaret Olejniczak of The Plant Inn.

Tee-off for IndAbA 2011 yesterday - from left, Ray booth, Steve Cullen and Richard Anderson.

Katie McCarthy and nokwanda Masuku from the Kingdom of Swaziland making final touches to their extraordinary exhibit.

brett dungan, CEO of FEdHASA says responsible tourism is the only way to go.

no boundaries for TEnTCO - Werner Page and Monique Addinall.