The Premier Classe departs from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit every Thursday evening, returning from Hoedspruit to Johannesburg every Sunday. The overnight trip between Johannesburg and Hoedspruit takes approximately 16 hours, departing from both venues in the afternoon thus arriving at the respective destinations the following morning very refreshed indeed.

The Premier Classe is a very luxurious train equipped with features such air-conditioning, technological sophistication in its dining lounge cars, conference coach and a smoking lounge that is equipped with a plasma screen and DVD player, spacious compartments  and well appointed bathrooms to name but a few new features.

The CEO of Limpopo Tourism and Parks, Mr. Robert Tooley will lead the Limpopo delegation that will experience this train. Tooley said, “The reintroduction of this train is indeed something very exciting and we feel it will enhance the tourism and thus add to the visits by various corporate organizations to the two provinces “.  He further said , “It is thus our firm belief that the train will increase a number of tourists in our province, particularly if PRASA can see the need for the introduction of such a train on the existing route  to various towns of Limpopo. We believe these things are possible as this will only happen once in a week”.

Source: TravelWires (http://www.travelwires.com/wp/2010/07/limpopo-and-mpumalanga-tourism-welcomes-premier-classe’s-new-route/)

They included one who was robbed of his camera in the street but still rated this country at 9 out of 10.

Before the start of the World Cup negative publicity in the UK and northern European press, mainly about crime, made many visitors apprehensive. But by the time they left 50 percent of those questioned said they felt “much more positively about South Africa”, according to the results of the poll.

A total of 50 travellers took part in the poll. According to their passports they were from 13 countries – the US, UK, Dubai, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Mexico, China, Montenegro, the Cayman Islands. Singapore, Switzerland and Germany. But the majority of those leaving, according to Alan Winde, Minister of Tourism for the Western Cape, were from the UK and US – “probably because their teams were now out of the World Cup”.

Admitting that the responses came from a small sample of the thousands of visitors who came to this country for the event, he said several organisations were conducting polls in which more people would be questioned but their results would be announced and analysed only after it was over, giving a reliable indication of the effect of hosting it on our economy.

Winde said the average age of those questioned was 40 and they were “predominantly male.” Most of them- 60 percent – had stayed in hotels and 32 percent in guest houses.

Most of them – 70 percent – considered restaurant prices to be moderate and 66 percent of them gave this rating to accommodation charges.

The average spend on accommodation was R1 199 a night and most had spent about R900 a day in addition to this.. Most had spent 7.64 days in the Western Cape out of 10.38 nights in South Africa and an average had watched almost three games in a stadium and one in a fan park.

The Winelands was the most popular region to visit in the Western Cape, with 72 percent saying they had gone there and a number had travelled up the West Coast. “The rating shows that just about everyone who came to the Western Cape found it an outstanding experience,” said Winde.

Taxis were the most popular mode of transport in this country, with 56 percent using them and 32 percent using hired cars.
The top 3 most positive experiences apart from soccer were going up Table Mountain, visiting Cape Point and meeting the people of South Africa.

“The perception of the destination was much more positive (on leaving) than on arrival”, Winde said, “with 50 percent saying they felt much more positively about South Africa since coming here. There were no respondents who said they felt more negatively.

“These figures suggest that hosting the World Cup has had a positive influence on the reputation of South Africa as a tourist destination. We may see a boost to the economy around the tourist industry for years to come.”

Source: Business Report (http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=566&fArticleId=5539126)

It’s a scene reminiscent of the last few days in Cape Town as thousands of Dutch fans took over the city.

The Western Cape and in particular Cape Town and its surrounds have been inextricably linked with Holland since 1652 when traveller Jan Van Riebeeck landed there and founded the Dutch East India Company.

Many streets in the City like Buitengracht and De Waal and towns such as Stellenbosch were named after Dutch settlers who followed him.

And this week the Cape experienced its second Dutch invasion as fans of Die Oranje took the opportunity to revisit the history of the Cape

Members of the Royal Netherlands Football Association Supporter’s Club, dressed in their traditional orange colours, visited a number of Dutch settlements in the city and their world famous travelling campsite “De Oranjecamping” has even settled in the Boland town of Paarl, about one hour from Cape Town.

Jorg Groll, a member of the Dutch supporters club said, “we travel into the city everyday and have visited historical Dutch settlements like the Castle of Good Hope that was built by Dutch in the 17th century. We have also been to the Waterfront.”

Stephanie Breede, from Cape Town but who has a Dutch grandmother, says, “I’m here to catch up with my Dutch roots. This is so nice. It’s like a little Amsterdam. I like the Dutch music and the food is amazing. I’ve also had some lekker (nice) Dutch beer.”

The city of Cape Town also did its bit to make the travelling Dutch fans feel at home.

Organisers at the FIFA Fan Fest had traditional Dutch music and a Dutch master of ceremony to cater for the large “orange army” at the Fan Fest.

“This was done to cater for the large number of International visitors to the city. We wanted to make them feel welcome and give them something they could relate to. Many of the countries who’ve played in Cape Town has had some link with the City in the past and today it was the turn of the Dutch who have such an interesting history with the city,” said Cape Town 2010 spokesperson, Pieter Cronje.

Hawkers along Cape Town’s Fan Walk also did a roaring trade this weekend.

One trader, Steven Arendse said, “this is my most profitable day of the World Cup. I wish the Dutch would play here more often. I’ve sold about 50 orange vuvuzelas, 50 Dutch scarves and 30 orange wigs. Unlike the French and Italian fans I can understand them because Dutch and Afrikaans (one of South Africa’s 11 official languages) is very similar and that makes my sales pitch easier.”

Source: FIFA (http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1258128/)

Four matches are due to be played in the new stadium at Nelspruit in the first weeks of the tournament – Chile versus Honduras on June 16, Italy versus New Zealand on June 20, Australia versus Serbia on June 23 and Korea versus the Ivory Coast on June 25.

In between these events, thousands of the visitors are expected to visit Mpumalanga’s world-famous tourist attractions ranging from the Sudwala Caves, believed to be the oldest in the world at 3.5 billion years, with cave paintings and other signs of early human habitation, to the Barberton Mountains with unusual rock formations also believed to be the oldest in the world.

Ndabeni said R45 million had been spent on a sky bridge similar to that in the Grand Canyon in the US, between 400 and 500 metres long, connecting the God’s Window rock formation with the Blyde River Canyon – also believed to be the oldest canyon in the world – a restaurant in the canyon that could cater for 300 people at a time and on restoring the old mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest.

Other attractions included the Kruger National Park and 19 other nature reserves where elephants and rhinos could be seen.

“We are very strong on wildlife and on African culture. There are Shangaan and Matsamo cultural villages where the traditional life and artefacts can be seen.”

The attractions of Nelspruit itself include an elephant sanctuary. Adventure tourism in the Hazyview area, where many of the World Cup visitors have chosen to stay, includes river rafting on the Crocodile and Sabie Rivers, mountain biking and rock climbing.

Ndabeni said that although there were 5-star hotels in the area there were also four-star. Some of the game lodges were 3-star and there was a wide range of bed and breakfast establishments including some with 5-star and 4-star grading.

Nelspruit had already benefited from the World Cup, with about a thousand temporary jobs created by the construction of the new stadium.

Many more permanent jobs were expected to be created through the hoped-for increase in tourism to the area following worldwide publicity.

Source: Business Report (http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=566&fArticleId=5478724)

Quoting research by the province’s destination marketing organisation, Cape Town Routes Unlimited, a report on Wednesday said hotels received the most bookings.

By the end of March, 46 percent of Cape Town hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfast establishments and self-catering accommodation had been booked for June when the world soccer tournament takes place.

This is compared to 38 percent for the same period last year and 57 percent in 2008.

Outside Cape Town, the Cape Winelands, followed by the Garden Route and the Klein Karoo, were the most popular destinations.

Source: IOL (http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=2871&art_id=nw20100519082925983C278736)

The unique experience of being lowered into a heated pool inhabited by five 4-metre crocodiles is intended to educate visitors about the crocodiles, all captive-bred animals that are used to human activity.

The ranch believes it can aid conservation by offering the attraction. It says that of the 22 species alive today, 17 of them are near extinction.

Source: The Times (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article7103184.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=797093)

South Africa prides itself in its ability to offer a diversity of eclectic experiences that will have visitors curious to explore more. Cape Town is consistently voted as one of the greatest cities in the world, cosmopolitan Johannesburg is known for its high energy and city vibe to grounded Pretoria which holds most of the embassies. Coastal areas such as Durban and Port Elizabeth are incredibly laid back with warm, friendly people with whom to pass the time of day.

Johannesburg is a fast paced hive of activity – offering visitors many pavement café experiences with a fusion of food to appeal to every taste. For a village feel visit 4th Avenue Parkhurst in the heart of Johannesburg, where the street comes alive with buzzing restaurants and bars as the sun goes down. For a more African experience try Vilakazi Street in Soweto which offers the best of township style.

Florida Road in Durban is also a place to be seen with a great array of restaurants and clubs in a far more laid back environment than Johannesburg.  Long Street on Cape Town is a great alternative to the more well know V&A Waterfront with its original hot spots.

If you have the time, we urge you to explore some of the destination’s smaller towns offering some genuine South African experiences that reflect our vibrant history. For example, try Swellendam in the Western Cape for great architecture, Clarens ‘the Jewel of the Free State’ is a haven for those with an interest in art. Check out Groot Marico in the North West for its famous ‘mampoer’ (a peach brandy) and Barberton in Mpumalanga for its colouful houses and characters.

Arts and crafts are abundant in South Africa demonstrating our depth of creativity through fine basket ware, beadwork, wire goods and wood carvings.  Look out for Zulu beadwork, traditional Xhosa outfits, Venda pottery, Sotho blankets and Ndebele Fabrics – all inspired by strong African traditions. These are available at markets such as Greenmarket Square in Cape Town, Africa Art in Knysna (Western Cape), St Georges Park in Port Elizabeth to the Rosebank African Market in Johannesburg. When travelling through most larger and smaller towns in South Africa you’ll find all most of these arts and crafts available on pavements and road sides.

Of course one cannot leave South Africa without a visit to one of our many safari parks. The famous Kruger National Park will be familiar amongst many visitors as the ‘Jewel of South African National Parks’ home to the Big Five with an array  birdlife, amphibians, butterflies and insects. Smaller parks worth visiting, depending on where visitors are based, include the Garden Route National Park, Mapungubwe in Limpopo for its spectacularly setting to iSimangaliso Wetland Park for pure paradise in St Lucia.

For those with an interest in theatre, the choice is abundant growing out of African traditions with European and American compliments. For an evening at the theatre, best to visit The Market Theatre in Johannesburg to the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town and The Playhouse in Durban.

South Africa is a melting pot of art, culture, diversity and history. This is complimented with our spectacular mountain ranges, our long coastlines and majestic wildlife making it the perfect place for those who have great love for the outdoors. Our city nightlife is consistently vibrant, our small towns eclectic, our people warm and hospitable. The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa will be the greatest show on earth, both on and off the pitch.

Source: Travel Wires (http://www.travelwires.com/wp/2010/04/sa-tourism-urges-soccer-fans-to-discover-authentic-south-africa/)

Marius Nel, director of the company, said they were working hard to get the airport ready for the tournament.

“We have applied to both the national and provincial governments for assistance in capacity expansions, but to no avail. Government departments refused to invest in us because we are a privately owned airport,” Nel said.

“We believe this will cause bottlenecks at our airport, which we will try to manage to the best of our ability,” he said.

Nel said this was not good for Mpumalanga as a host city.

“We have informed the airlines that will be landing at the airport that we will only operate as a drop-and-go facility,” he said.

He said the airport could handle about six to eight aircraft in good weather and four in poor weather conditions.

Nel said the airport would put up tents to extend terminals to accommodate the large number of passengers expected.

“We have hired 35 more people to enable us to work 24 hours a day during the tournament,” Nel said.

The upgrading and hiring of new staff will cost about R3million.

But Shirley Mahanyele, acting chief executive of Polokwane International Airport, said the facility would be ready for the World Cup passenger volumes by the end of April.

The airport is owned by the Limpopo government.

“We have upgraded our hangar into a domestic terminal, which is about 45percent complete,” she said.

“We have upgraded our apron and its marking for the planes ,” Mahanyele said.

She said the airport had procured two fire trucks for any emergencies during the tournament. She refused to say how much was spent on the upgrades.

Mahanyele said the airport, which had also converted its old terminal into a car rental building, was expected to handle about 300 World Cup fans an hour.

Mike Christoph , the operational manager at Lanseria Airport in Johannesburg, which caters for charter and business trips, said: “Our slots are 30percent booked and a fuel line is under construction .”

He said the parking area had been increased by 650 to about 3000 parking bays.

“We plan to handle 700 passengers an hour for 16 hours a day for the duration of the tournament,” he said.

Source: Sowetan (http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=1128019)

He made the announcement at the V&A Waterfront, where the 6th annual Cape Town Tourism Destination Conference is underway.

Winde said they are just about ready to start welcoming World Cup visitors to the Western Cape.

The MEC said he was encouraged by a recent pledge by several tourism associations in the province. They have agreed to keep hotel, backpacker and restaurant prices reasonable.

For those who do not play the game, Winde has a surprise in store.

The MEC said if they receive reports of excessive pricing, they will investigate and might be forced to name and shame the culprits.

Source: Eye Witness News (http://www.eyewitnessnews.co.za/articleprog.aspx?id=35918)

Representatives of Cape Town Tourism, the City of Cape Town, the Western Cape Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Cape Town Routes Unlimited, FEDHASA, SATSA, Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa, Backpackers South Africa, and The Portfolio Collection will gather at Cape Town Tourism’s City Centre Visitor Information Centre for the signatory ceremony.

The event includes addresses by Cape Town Tourism CEO, Mariette du Toit-Helmbold, and Minister Alan Winde from the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Cape Town Tourism’s Du Toit-Helmbold said that the tourism body has been consistently firm in its stance on pricing and has embarked on an industry awareness campaign around responsible pricing and practice in the run up to the World Cup. “We have taken heed of the lessons that other destinations have learnt during global events in the past, and we have communicated these messages to our membership and the tourism sector as a whole,” Du Toit-Helmbold stated.

Cape Town is an immensely popular tourism destination; voted by the UK Telegraph as their readers’ favorite holiday destination in 2009. “We are intent on using the great marketing opportunity that the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ affords us to showcase the destination as a place to which you want to return. High prices and a lack of good service will not reflect well on us, and we are focusing all our energy on ensuring that not only our infrastructure but also our mindset is on target and ready to welcome the world. The Code is an industry tool to visibly and effectively manage perceptions towards a realistic and positive pricing picture of the Cape Town tourism industry,” commented Du Toit-Helmbold.

Cape Town Routes Unlimited CEO Calvyn Gilfellan said: “Viewing the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ as a cash cow will harm South Africa’s burgeoning tourism industry. Up to 290,000 extra visitors are expected to come over the five years after the tournament because of South Africa’s heightened visibility. The Code is Cape Town and the Western Cape’s united voice against price gouging.“

The Code of Responsible Pricing for Cape Town has been created around four core principles:

“Fair Value” means that the tourism sector will create fair and reasonable rates for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ that are linked to current seasonal rates.

“Responsible Tourism” underlies Cape Town’s commitment to be a destination that values and promotes social responsibility and environmental protection.

“Sustainable Tourism,” whereby businesses will be expected to be mindful of the interests of maintaining a legacy for Cape Town beyond the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

“Consumer Protection” against hidden costs and fees that surprise and annoy consumers.

“The Code of Responsible Pricing for Cape Town is a very important charter,” said du Toit-Helmbold, “As the leadership of the tourism industry, we are collectively committed to the code and the future preservation of a successful Cape Town brand. We are eager to ensure that Cape Town’s good reputation is not spoiled by greedy individuals out to capitalize on the short-term opportunities the FIFA World Cup™ offers. A few weeks of distorted pricing may well be at the expense of a responsible sector that has worked non-stop at putting this destination on the global map.”

Cape Town Tourism has committed to spreading awareness of The Code through their international PR network and through their relationship with members and stakeholders in the tourism trade.

Said du Toit-Helmbold: “For the most part, accommodation establishments in Cape Town are posting rates for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ that are equivalent to their peak season rates. A good indication of the public’s favorable response to this is that many of them are already fully booked. Average costs for a night in a centrally-located bed and breakfast are forecast at no more than R500-R800 (£40-£64.10), whilst an award-winning, four-star city hotel is charging on average R1900–R2400 (£152.24–£192.30) per night for a room. Renowned five-star waterside hotels are asking in the region of R5000 per person per night, sharing (£400).”

Source: http://www.forimmediaterelease.net/pm/3302.html