NEWS FROM WITHIN THE INDUSTRY
"Professional Career Services celebrating 25 years of service"
PROFESSIONAL CAREER SERVICES (PCS) this year are celebrating 25 years of Service to various industries including the HOSPITALITY industry. PCS assist Client companies in gaining a competitive advantage and increased success by providing them with staff most suited to their needs, and also assist Applicants in defining their career goals and providing them with opportunities which allow them to achieve those goals. For more information or to view available positions and current available applicants, log on to their website www.pcs-sa.co.za or contact one of their specialist consultants, Angela Hiles, Joanne Farmer or Jean Rymer on 011 789 3337.d interviews with the 2007 winners, by visiting the following website:- www.responsibletourismawards.com
"Representing the outstanding Web Inn team in KZN"
Having worked with Alan & Vivienne, the owners of Web Inn, on various Website development projects during the last 2 years, Wendy now represents the Web Inn team covering the North Coast, Elephant Coast and Zululand regions of KwaZulu-Natal. When you deal with Web Inn you are dealing with a reliable business that has been around for a while. From very humble beginnings in Johannesburg in 1997, under the name of Netactiveza, they have grown tremendously, offering state of the art technology and world-class service, yet consistently retaining their personal touch and individual attention to detail. Specialising in Website Development, Hosting, Domain Registration and Website Marketing, Web Inn is proud to announce their new SEO and Website Development Training Courses. For further information on the services offered by Web Inn, kindly visit their website at www.web-inn.co.za or contact Wendy by email at wendy@web-inn.co.za for assistance.
"New development at Meander Manor"
Perfectly situated just off the N2 (only 30 minutes drive from central Durban), with stunning sea views over Shaka's Rock, the Royal Meander Manor Boutique Guest Lodge offers its guests beautifully appointed accommodation, relaxing Spa treatments and superb hospitality. Due to a high demand for weddings, large scale corporate functions and banqueting dinners at Meander Manor, they have recently increased the entertainment area adjoining the conference room to incorporate an area large enough to host functions to a maximum of 180 guests / delegates. With this development they have in addition increased their off-road secured parking area and re-landscaped the balance of the lodge grounds to include a break-away lapa. Joining the professional team at Meander Manor from next month is Nicholas Cronning, a part owner in Meander Manor, as the General Manager. In celebration of these new developments at Meander Manor, they are offering all "Izindaba" readers a 10% discount on reservations made prior to the 1st December 2008. For further information kindly contact Wendy by email at marketing@meandermanor.co.za for assistance.
"Employment opportunity - in Tuscany, Italy from April 2009, for an experienced management couple"
We received a request from one of our European clients to assist them with recruiting a management couple to manage their two Villas from April 2009 for a minimum period of 2 years. Our clients run Italian and Mediterranean cookery courses in both Villas attracting mostly American, Canadian, English guests, some Australians, South Africans and New Zealanders too. The Villas are sometimes also rented out privately for family reunions, weddings or groups of friends vacationing together, with 5 star standards of service required. We are looking for a reliable couple who have experience in running a high end tourist operation and most importantly understand the high level of service required. The skills required include management skills, good planning, administrative skills, a good knowledge of gardening, housekeeping and technical knowledge (swimming pools, heating systems etc). We are preferably looking for a management couple with EU passports, however all qualified applicants will be considered. CV's can be emailed to info@dutoittmcs.co.za or faxed to us on +27-35-7531346; alternatively contact Francois or Wendy on +27-35-7531366
"At the Indaba version 3.6 of myGUESTS International was released"
As an international business solutions provider SAP-RAPIDE exhibited its hospitality systems to the industry. At Indaba version 3.6 of myGUESTS International (management software for B&Bs, guests houses, lodges, self-catering etc.) was released. Now, now one can create quotes faster, print colour brochures, extract numerous bed nights analysis and more. The system's stability has improved and supports Microsoft Vista. Without a doubt myGUESTS will save an establishment countless hours of tedious work and frustration. Unfortunately due to space constraints it is not possible to mention every functionality of myGUESTS. What sets SAP-RAPIDE apart from other local software companies? According to clients and visitors comments (to mention some) client centricity, fair pricing, international quality and IT standards, superior technology but simple, innovative design, business process driven and secure investment. Visit the official website for myGUESTS at www.sap-rapide.com, for further information, support contact details and downloads too.
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTIES FOR SALE

For further information on these fantastic investment opportunities kindly visit our Exclusive Properties for Sale webpage
or contact us by e-mail at info@dutoittmcs.co.za for assistance.
TOURISM NEWS & UPDATES FROM AFRICA
"Botswana: Protecting Wildlife and Wilderness" - published by Commonwealth News and Information Service (London)
Multitudes of A guidelines manual and certificate system is in place to encourage tourism companies to comply with recognised environmental standards … The Tourism Board consequently implemented a national strategy in 2002 focusing on what needs to be done to make certain that Botswana's tourism continues to be environmentally driven. "We wanted an accepted and consistent understanding of what we mean by eco-tourism. Otherwise there is a danger that companies will all start calling themselves 'environmentally friendly' when in fact none of them are complying to the same standards," says Myra Sekgororoane, Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism Board ... If companies comply with these 'best practices' laid out in the manual they will be given a certificate - similar to the star rating used by hotels - so that tourists can recognise that they are subscribing to recognised standards. "What has been quite evident in the last couple of years is that the international community is more and more interested in looking at whether certain environmental standards are being met," explains Ms Sekgororoane …
To read this full story follow the link provided: - Reference: http://allafrica.com/stories/200806260564.html Published: 26 June 2008

"Kenya: Coast hotels re-open as tourism picks up" - news from The Daily Nation
Hotels which had been shut down following the post-poll violence have started to re-open as tourism begins to pick up, hoteliers said Sunday. The Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Coast branch chairman Mohamed Hersi said several hotels in the South Coast and North Coast, which may also have been closed for renovations, have re-opened after the low tourist season. Speaking to the Nation Sunday, Mr Hersi said that hotels in Malindi and Watamu resort towns are set to re-open within the month as tourists from Italy are expected in the country. Mr Hersi, who is also the Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort general manager said two charter firms, Eurofly and Lauda from Italy are expected to resume flights before month's end. He said that another charter firm, First Choice from the UK was expected to resume its flights this month to join Monarch airline which has been bringing tourists since April this year. He said the number of visitors this month would be low …
Read the full story -
Reference: http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=3&newsid=126799
Published: 7 July 2008

"Mozambique: New Hotel for Santa Carolina Island" - news from Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique (Maputo)
Mozambique Tourism Ministry is planning to grant, by the end of this year, certificates and patents or special brands to hotels and other tourist resorts, as recognition of their role in the promotion of social and environmental sustainable practices. Thus, the Tourism Ministry in partnership with the Hotel Association of Southern Mozambique and Centro Terra Viva is organizing as from last Monday a number of consultation seminars across the country to discuss the viability of this certification exercise in Mozambique. According to the tourism national deputy director, Hélder Chambal, cited in Thursday's issue of the daily "Noticias", this initiative seeks to promote best practices on social and sustainable tourism that would yield results with impact in the regions where these units have been established. In his understanding, this certification will allow tourist resorts or hotels to be recognized not only for the quality of services provided, but also for their role in social development, environment protection and preservation. Certification and patenting are not expected to be obligatory …
Read the full story -
Reference: http://allafrica.com/stories/200804171047.html
Published: 17th April 2008

"Namibia: Enviro Law to be Enforced Soon" - news from Brigette Weidlich, The Namibian (Windhoek)
THE Environmental Management Act, which was passed by Parliament at the end of last year, has still not been implemented because a string of regulations have been drawn up and must be finalised first. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism informed representatives of the tourism and environmental sectors about the 44-page draft regulations during a workshop on Tuesday. The new law gives the Ministry more clout to approve or reject new developments and investment projects in the mining, fishing, forestry, energy and manufacturing sectors. The defence sector is exempt from this process. According to Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the number of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) submitted for approval has increased considerably …
Read the full story -
Reference: http://allafrica.com/stories/200804020457.html
Published: 2nd April 2008

"South Africa: SA Tourism, CNN partner on UGC brand campaign" - news from Bizcommunity.com
CNN International and South African Tourism (SA Tourism) have partnered together on its first-ever user generated content-driven multimedia brand campaign, geared towards raising the profile of South Africa to CNN's elite audience of business and leisure travelers. The 'My South Africa' brand campaign encourages CNN viewers worldwide to harness their creativity and upload compelling photographs, moving images and stories that encapsulate their experiences of South Africa, via the 'My South Africa' website, for the chance to win a trip to South Africa … Comments Rani R Raad, SVP, ad sales, CNN International, "This campaign taps into the trend towards sharing experiences and sees the audience truly become part of the marketing mix, by creating the advertising themselves. It's a breakthrough campaign where South Africa Tourism can draw on CNN's expertise in creating completely flexible, bespoke brand concepts to reach the right audience for their business. We're thrilled to have South Africa Tourism on board for this campaign." …
Read the full story -
Reference: http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/12/26049.html
Published: 3 July 2008

"Tanzania: Dar poised for tourist boom" - news by KILASA MTAMBALIKE in Dodoma, Daily News
The Royal Jozini Big six Tanzania targets to record 1.2 million tourist arrivals and generate 1.5 billion US dollars by 2012, the National Assembly was told here today. Tourist arrivals were recorded at 724,000 last year, where 930 million US dollars (about 1.12trillion/-) was earned, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mrs Shamsa Mwangunga, said. Presenting her ministry's 2008/09 budget, the minister said the government and other relevant institutions have embarked on various promotional drives aimed at attracting more tourists. "These include extensive multi-media advertising campaigns on tourist attractions available in the country," she said. "In implementing economic diplomacy, the ministry spent 450,000 US dollars in financing embassies in 28 countries to advertise the country's tourist attractions," she said. Mrs Mwangunga also said 2.94bn/- has been donated by several stakeholders to advertise the country's tourist attractions abroad. "Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) intends to enter into agreements with various television channels including Africa Channel of California, Skynews of England, BBC World News, Euronews and CNN to advertise the country's tourist attractions," she said …
Read the full story -
Reference: http://dailynews.habarileo.co.tz/analysis/index.php?id=5812
Published: 11th July 2008

"Zambia: Zambia hosts tourism expo" - news by Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation
Zambia will this year host the regional Southern Africa tourism exposition to be held in the tourist capital - Livingstone. Tourism Minister, Michael Kaingu said the exhibition which will run from September 25 to 27 affords an opportunity for Zambia to show-case her enormous tourism potential. Mr. Kaingu, who announced this when he briefed the press, said Zambia's tourism sector has been growing by at least 5 percent yearly. He attributed the recorded growth to initiatives such as the Visit Zambia campaign which saw an increase in the inflow tourists into Zambia. Zambia Tourism Board Chairman, Errol Hickey appealed to investors to invest in aviation to help increase the inflow of tourists into the country …
Read the full story -
Reference: http://www.znbc.co.zm/media/news/viewnews.cgi?category=9&id=1214328820
Published: 24th June 2008
IMPORTANT TRADE SHOW DATES TO DIARIES
|
WTM
2008
10
- 13 November 2008
ExCel
London / UK |
ITLM
2008
8
- 11 December 2008
Palais
des Festivals de Cannes, France
|
|
ITB
2009
11
– 15 March 2009
Berlin
Exhibition Grounds, ICC Berlin |
INDABA
2009
9
– 12 May 2009
ICC
& DEC Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South
Africa |
A MESSAGE FROM FRANCOIS
In June the du Toit's once again took to the road to conduct a site visit, but this one was slightly different to most of the trips we have taken over the last two years. We were doubly excited as we were on a very familiar road, to a place we know very well, to conduct a site inspection of a camp we assisted with managing whilst living in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve in Botswana ~ Shalimpo … to what I feel must feature as our no. 1 destination as a family and definitely on my shortlist of favourite places in Southern Africa.
We were going home to the Northern Tuli Game Reserve - Botswana!
The Girls were so excited that they could hardly sit still for 10 minutes (during the 12 hour drive from Richards Bay) at a time before one came up with a question like "will we see elephant at the border?" or "will Elizabeth like my new shoes?" all whilst listening and singing along to the Tuli Choir CDs; Wendy and I could manage about 5 minutes without casting a smile at each other ... my smile I think got broader as we got closer to our destination and once the border, Pont Drift, was in sight it turned into a permanent feature for the next 5 day's!
Our reception at the border was warm and the friendliness of the Motswana was as usual ever present, with laughter and smiles from everyone present, new faces were introduced and old ones re-affirmed in friendship. In Botswana they say that the rain washes all your troubles away; I think places and people can do the same by re-installing the belief that the greater good of mankind still exists without barriers and boundaries through respect and friendship of people.
The Riverine Bush along the Limpopo and the sun baked earth smelt good and we were home; instantly and once again in awe of the beauty of the Northern Tuli Game Reserve; the feeling of freedom offered by the large blue sky and rock strewn hills, the sight of Impala and Warthog going about their business along the verges of the dusty gravel roads and the white bark of the Shepard's trees dappled on the hills and in the valleys.
Our visit was a great success; we are presently finalizing arrangements with the Shalimpo Trustees to manage and lease their camp, with the assistance of our local Motswana staff on site, for a ten year period. If you would like to become part of this amazing journey with us, please contact us as we are creating the Shalimpo Exclusive Members Club, which we will be launching on the open market during the next few weeks together with Shalimpo's new website.
The Elephant were not far from the border, and remained ever present during our time at Shalimpo … and encase you are wondering - Elizabeth loved Samantha's new shoes!
IZINDABA - PAST EDITIONS
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