Club Med Phuket takes on a new look

To transform its portfolio of resorts to 4 and 5 trident luxury, Club Med has revealed the new look and feel of its island resort located in South West Thailand on the small island of Phuket in Kata Bay. 27 Jan 2012 10:09

Cape Town boutique hotels get global recognition

Cape Town's boutique hotels came out on top in this year's TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards Best Hotels with one, Villa Zest Boutique Hotel in Green Point, being voted the Trendiest Hotel in the World. 26 Jan 2012 08:58

Food and beverage sales up

[Helmo Preuss] The total income generated by the food and beverages industry rose 4.2% year-on-year (y/y) in November 2011 to R3.75 billion, according to data published by Statistics SA (Stats SA) on Monday, 23 January. The increase in the first eleven months of 2011 was 4.8% y/y. 24 Jan 2012 15:14

Travel and tourism business performance improves in last quarter of 2011

The latest results of the TBCSA FNB Tourism Business Index (TBI) show a marked improvement in business performance for the last quarter of 2011. TBI registered a performance index of 87.3 in quarter four of 2011, against an expected industry index of 80.7 and an actual index of 70.0 for the previous quarter. This report also marks the first anniversary of the index. 24 Jan 2012 13:31

Whatever your preference, Red Carnation will see to it

[Brian Berkman: contributing editor, travel] Red Carnation Hotels take their Guest Preference Forms seriously. Would you like foam or feather pillows; neck and back support pillows; an ironing board; a bed board; extra hangers or an extra bed? Would you like a yoga map and an instructive DVD or a fax/copier/printer? Then there's the menu of extras available at the tick of a box and the swipe of a credit card - rose petals and chocolate dipped strawberries? Check... 23 Jan 2012 12:21

Delia Clarke joins Drakensberg Sun as executive chef

Award winning Delia Clarke has joined the Drakensberg Sun Lifestyle Resort as its executive chef. She has cooked for Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, George Bush Snr, Will Smith and various CEOs of blue chip companies, amongst others. 19 Jan 2012 13:07

The Sol sets...

Hotel and resort magnate Sol Kerzner has stepped down as CEO of Kerzner International. 17 Jan 2012 10:14

[2012 trends] Loyalty programme trends for 2012

[Greg Whitfield] When reviewing loyalty programmes, which are proliferating, the key question is, "Are they adding value to the customers' experiences?" Here is what I think will make loyalty programmes stand out from the pack in 2012. 16 Jan 2012 11:50

Exploring the Bo Kaap

[Brian Berkman: contributing editor, travel] With its steep cobbled-stone streets and Technicolor houses, the Bo Kaap, once known as the Malay Quarter, has a lot of stories to tell. There are the frescoes by Italian artist Chiappini, after whom one of the streets is named, that tells a story of an industrious, multicultural community busy with praying, learning, tailoring and keeping home. 16 Jan 2012 09:39

Govt to intensify fight against rhino killing

Government continues to explore ways to curb the increasing killing of rhinos in South Africa, including the possibility of dehorning the animals, Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa said on Sunday, 15 January 2012. 16 Jan 2012 08:18

Tourists flock to the Western Cape

According to a News24 report, more than four-million passengers arrived at the Cape Town International Airport in 2011, 4,16% more than the previous year when South Africa hosted the 2010 Football World. 13 Jan 2012 17:11

W Cape tourism shows growth

[Francis Hweshe] Despite the ongoing worldwide economic dip resulting in shrinking tourism figures, South Africa's Western Cape tourism industry showed significant growth in 2011. 13 Jan 2012 12:37

World class cocktail mixing starts now in South Africa

Cocktail and mixologist guru Spike Marchant hosted the launch event of the Reserve Brands World Class Program, a global search for the world's best barman, in Johannesburg earlier this week. The competition will see bartenders from 46 countries compete on the international stage for the global title of World Class Bartender of the Year, with associated rights and the opportunity to publish his or her own cocktail book. 13 Jan 2012 12:29

Wimpy makes 'braille burgers'

Fast food restaurant Wimpy has made special "braille" hamburgers, with sesame seeds on the buns spelling out messages in braille, according to a report on Thursday, 12 January. 12 Jan 2012 15:27