Glen Craig Country House

SA Tourism UK Launches 'My Mission South Africa'

2011-07-11T09:33:00.000+02:00

SA Tourism UK has launched 'My Mission South Africa', a new nationwide campaign that will track four UK personalities on holiday in SA.

The campaign, which includes advertising, a new interactive website, celebrity My Mission itineraries, digital amplification and a PR and consumer-facing competition, will showcase the country’s wildlife and affordable luxury offering while highlighting holidays for more adventurous travellers.

The four British personalities are Monty Don, Gloria Hunniford, Jamie Theakston and Chris Packham who will be travelling in September and focusing on their personal areas of interest, including horticulture, adventure, wildlife and luxury travel.

Each of the celebrity missions will be filmed and their experiences tweeted throughout their visits. The content will be available to follow on the dedicated www.southafrica.net/mymission website, Facebook page www.facebook.com/mysouthafrica and specifically created mobile apps for both iphone and android mobiles.

Prospective travellers will also be able to create their own missions online. My Mission builder is a custom video and PDF brochure application that allows prospective visitors to quickly build and populate their ultimate holiday itinerary from a list of predefined activities. They can store these online, send to fellow travellers and share with friends via Twitter and Facebook.

Now is your opportunity to promote your business by offering to host, wine-and-dine and show the group just what we have to offer the tourist.

Tennis Ball Truffles And Wimbledon

2011-06-23T01:02:00.001+02:00

Wimbledon fever has begun and London hotels are getting involved whether it's afternoon tea, 3D TV or good old strawberries and cream.

Those who weren't lucky enough to score tickets for the court should visit the Park Plaza Victoria London for the next best thing. The hotel's bar will be screening the Wimbledon singles finals on its 47 inch 3D television and 100 pairs of glasses will be available on the 2nd and 3rd July. The hotel is located near Victoria Station, a short walk from leading tourist attractions like Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.

The 5 star Royal Horseguards Hotel is always among the first to come up with themed afternoon teas and true to form, has created a special Wimbledon high tea. It features all the usual scones and sarnies as well as a bucket of homemade tennis ball truffles and Wimbledon logo cupcakes (pictured above). The tea starts from £38 per person.

Source: ehotelier.com

Top Destinations For Under 30’s

2011-06-22T09:17:00.001+02:00

Relaxation is sublime, but sometimes you need something a little more lively, so if you’re looking for a holiday destination where the sun never sets and the party never ends, here are our top five suggestions…

1. Ibiza

An obvious choice, but for good reason. The large Spanish island is probably most famous for its parties as well as its famous clubs, most notable being Café del Mar. If you’re looking for a riot and a glimpse of some of the worlds best DJ’s and bands, then this is the place to be during summer. The government is currently trying to change the vibe of the island, to attract different and quieter kinds of crowds, but there’s little chance that the party scene of this legendary destination will turn down the volume any time soon.

2. Cyprus

A hugely desirable island destination in the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus is home to the Ibiza-like resort, Ayia Napa, which is known as the party capital. Not only does it boast some of the finest high end restaurants, clubs and shopping spots in the area, but it’s also home to a sea monster legend. Either the locals drink way too much Ouzo or there really is a monster – so either way it’s worth a visit.

3. Cape Town

The weather, scenery and laid back vibe make this South African city the perfect holiday destination for the young at heart. With loads of pristine beaches, cool surfing spots, forests, mountains and outdoor life, there’s always something to keep you occupied. When the sun goes down and cocktails have been drunk, the world famous Long Street is waiting to dazzle you with its bustling bars, restaurants and clubs.

4. Rio de Janeiro

Think world class festivals, samba in the streets, club hopping till the sun comes up and incredible possibilities in a city that will breathe life into you. Not only that, but the beaches and mountains are breathtaking too. The Brazilian carnivals alone are well worth a trip for their elegance and extravagance. The well known Rio carnival is the largest in the world with up to two million people joining in the street parties every day during the event.

5. Acapulco

One of Mexico’s oldest and most famous beach resorts, Acapulco is well known for being a popular vacation spot for stars and billionaires. You’ll find spectacular high rise hotels, irresistible beaches and an explosive nightlife culture dominated by dance clubs, cocktail bars, beach drinking spots and live entertainment. Also worth seeing are the famous cliff divers, who can be seen jumping from horrifying heights into a flaming ocean lit with gasoline.

Source: Travelwires

FEDHASA Cape Confident About Hospitality Sector

2011-06-20T01:05:00.000+02:00

Fedhasa Cape Chairman Dirk Elzinga claims that more than 70% of hotels in Cape Town are doing well despite an overcapacity of rooms and a recession-linked decline in tourism numbers.

He told the organsiation’s AGM in Cape Town on June 14 that he remained confident tourism would bounce back following excellent exposure during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, when 878 000 room nights were filled and 95% of guests promised to return. “Yes, two hotels recently closed their doors but we also have colleagues who are running at high occupancies. This is a positive indication for the future.” His comments contrast those made recently by Protea Hospitality Group CEO, Arthur Gillis, who said many hotels had over-extended themselves ahead of the World Cup and were now struggling to survive in the current slump.

Elzinga said Cape Town’s image was suffering because it was perceived to be too expensive, yet people often only looked at extreme examples. In reality, there was a wide range of 230 accommodation options in Cape Town. “There are several excellent guest houses, for example, where you can stay this weekend for less than R300 per room per night and for R475 per night you can even stay in a four-star hotel! It is absolute nonsense that that is too expensive!”

Source: SA Tourism Update

Art Galleries To Work Closer With CWC DMO

2011-06-17T08:57:00.000+02:00

Good News is the Overstrand art galleries will in future work more closely with the CWC DMO. At a recent meeting between interested and relevant parties various ways to promote the 'Art Route' were discussed and we can look forward to marketing events such as 'Art Jams' and 'Clash of the Artists'.

An Art Jam is a group of ten or more people, getting together to experience and explore the fun of painting and the long forgotten joy that comes with that experience.
Art Jamming is mixing unlimited paint with unlimited imagination and letting someone else clean up the mess! Playing, painting, sponging, spraying and creating your very own unique piece of artwork in full colour in a stress free party atmosphere. Putting on an apron to face a blank canvas and unleashing your own individual creativity.
One of the best places for an Art Jam is a pub or restaurant where all the participants have access to a bar and can paint away with a glass of wine in one hand and a paintbrush in the other should they so choose.
Wow, what a fantastic opportunity for the art galleries and restaurants to work together and market themselves in the Overstrand.

Thandiwe January-McLean Resigns

2011-06-17T08:55:00.000+02:00

Thandiwe January-McLean, the CEO of SA Tourism has resigned to pursue personal interests.

January-McLean has been with SA Tourism for a year and a half in total. Discussing the resignation, SA Tourism Chief Marketing Officer, Roshene Singh, says: "She led the organisation through its most challenging and exciting times. The year 2010 was a momentous year for all in tourism and under her leadership and drive, working closely with stakeholders across various sectors, South Africa attracted an all-time high of over eight million foreign tourist arrivals.

"Together with her team, the CEO always demonstrated professionalism and openness in engaging stakeholders to continue the positive momentum and brand positioning that was leveraged off the success of the Soccer World Cup tournament," says Singh. "She leaves a legacy of having moved the organisation forward to explore new markets and she firmly placed Africa and the domestic tourism agenda at the forefront of South African Tourism’s marketing efforts, while entrenching its core markets."

January-McLean will leave South African Tourism at the end of August, at which time Tim Scholtz will be acting CEO until the board has completed its recruitment process.

Gansbaai Cooks The Record Books

2011-06-17T08:53:00.000+02:00

Despite a blustery, cold and rainy day hundreds of locals braved the weather and descended upon Gansbaai Akademie High School to witness the largest single pot of Abalone (Perlemoen) ever cooked.

Besides having the oportunity to taste the potjiekos there were a number of other food and craft stalls to keep one indoors. Competitions were arranged to entertain us. Find the best hat, Mr and Miss Gansbaai and many others.

Chef Ian's team set out to beat the previous record of 45,8 Kilo's and had an optimistic target of 90 Kilo's in their sights. All the preparation work and cooking was overseen by an independant judge and Toni the representative from Guiness Book Of World Records.

Well, not only did they beat the record at the final weigh-in, the Potjie came in at a whopping 103 Kilo's with more than 50 Kilo's of Abalone cooked to perfection.

Congratulations to Chef Ian and his team as well as Gansbaai Tourism. Well done.

Leopard Caught In Hermanus

2011-06-17T08:48:00.000+02:00

For the first time, a leopard has been captured in the Hemel en Aarde Valley, Hermanus, and tagged and released for conservation research.

The capture, on Saturday, was instigated by the Landmark Foundation, an NGO dealing with conservation in Southern Africa – in a bid to provide detailed information of leopard movements and behaviour. Its director, Bool Smuts, said a farmer helped set and monitor a hi-tech trap as he believed the animal was responsible for livestock losses.

Smuts said this was the only known leopard in the area and was a breakthrough in facilitating the conservation of this species: “The foundation, farmer and CapeNature decided to capture it, place a GPS collar on it and track its subsequent movements. We were called when the (male) leopard was discovered in the trap and a veterinarian from Hermanus darted it before a GPS device was fitted.”

Smuts said apart from “superficial facial abrasions and contusions” the animal was in great condition and released back into the wild. He said the GPS data had already been obtained from the collar and shows the leopard moving in its natural range in the mountains.

The project has led to a leopard rescue, rehabilitation, release and research programme and has saved at least 40 from certain death. In the same period 38 leopards have died as a result of gin-traps, poisons and hunting.

Source: The Mecury

Convert Telephone Enquiries Into Bookings

2011-06-17T08:46:00.000+02:00

Handling bookings enquiry calls is the most important aspect of room reservations management. The way the room reservations manager or the booking agent handles these calls could be the difference between getting the booking or loosing it.

Yet, in many hotels through my personal experience, I have seen reservations staff suggesting customers to book the hotel through travel agencies, Tour operators or OTAs instead! Seriously, what kind of industry does that?

In case the customer would not be happy with the price the travel agent or the tour operator offers, the travel agent will go ahead and suggests another hotel. There you go! You just lost a customer that wanted to book you hotel in the fist place.

Accordingly, redirecting customers to book through OTAs could result in ''loosing'' the customer. OTAs do list your hotel along with your competitors often in the same page, allowing patrons to choose from a variety of hotels in the same category and geographical area.

Because they have been working in the hotel for long time, the room division workers know a lot about the property, the quality of service it offers, and primarily the amenities it has. On this notion, I personally believe that the hotel staff is the most qualified to sell the hotel to customers.

To help you convert your booking enquiries into concrete bookings, I have put together the following tips:

Converting telephone enquiries calls into bookings check-list:

• Always keep rates ready on your desk.

• Be professional: Be warm and enthusiastic when you answer the phone, speak slowly and

clearly so that callers could understand you easily .

• Negotiate: A few dollars discount won't hurt. Remember! The travel agent will charge the guest higher prices than you would.

• Showcase the hotel's amenities and services: If the hotel has 5 pools for instance don't forget to mention it. Talk about the service quality the hotel provides.

• Before calling you, customers have probably checked online reviews about the hotel in Tripadvisor, HolidayChek or similar websites. If the hotel has favourable online reviews ask callers to check out what previous guests think about the property.

• Follow up: Keeping record of caller's phone numbers is very important for closing the sale.

Source: ehotelier.com

New, Bigger Council To Serve All

2011-06-14T14:01:00.000+02:00

In her acceptance speech at the inaugural meeting of the Overstrand Council, re-elected Executive Mayor, Cllr Nicolette Botha-Guthrie highlighted her priorities for her administration;

Ensuring housing for our poorer communities and public servants.

Achieving sustainable and environmentally-friendly local economic development thus creating much-needed jobs.

Protecting our environment and the conservation of our architectural heritage.

Maintaining law and order and establishing a Municipal Court.

Maintaining disaster management services and supporting victims of fires and floods.

Public participation through the well-functioning ward committee system.

Deepening democracy through a comprehensive network of communication channels.

Cllr Botha-Guthrie closed her speech with these words, "My promise to you all is that I will serve you with love, dedication and understanding, to ensure clean administration and to manage a corruption free municipality."

2011-06-09T09:40:00.000+02:00

Fathers Day Buffet

Sunday 19^th June 2011

From 12:00pm @

R 125.00 p/p

Menu

Starters:

Creamy garlic Mussels

Hearty Oxtail broth

Main Course:

Lamb Crown Roast

Apple Glazed Pork Roast

Seasonal Veg, Roast Potatoes

& Savoury rice

Potato & Mustard salad

Fresh split garden salad

Dessert:

Lemon Meringue

Butterscotch Pudding

Glen Craig Country House

Tel: 028 273 8190

Email: admin@glencraig.co.za