Low Cost Airfares aim to attract World Cup visitors to Cape Town

Cape Town Tourism and Cape Town Routes Unlimited, have joined forces in a bid to win Cape Town more visits from 2010 World Cup fans who may be based in other centres . The website of Cape Town travel says “Cape Town is one of the places of a lifetime and that you haven’t seen South Africa if you haven’t been to Cape Town. “This is a city of experiences, a city designed to delight your senses, stimulate your mind and satisfy your thirst for fun and adventure”. There is still plenty of affordable accommodation available in Cape Town and Cape Town Tourism has partnered with low-cost internal airlines Kulula, Mango and 1Time to offer affordable flights to Cape Town. This campaign breaks new ground, in an arrangement with low-cost internal airlines Mango, Kulula and 1Time. Usually keen competitors, they have agreed to share in a series of ads to promote awareness of affordable Cape Town accommodation packages coupled with low airfares.


Visitors to South Africa who may not have been planning to include a Cape Town holiday should not miss this opportunity. Cape Town Tourism and their extensive list of accommodation establishment members, in partnership with these airlines, will offer incredible deals on Cape Town escapes during the World Cup period, and will launch the “Come to Cape Town Campaign” on 13 June , 2010 making it really affordable to fly and stay in Cape Town for a few days between matches. Cape Town travel is promoting one-way flights from R700 between Johannesburg and Cape Town and accommodation from less than R500 per person per night; the offer is valid from until July 31; subject to availability. Tourists may book online through Cape Town Tourism’s website: www.capetown.travel.

Attractive flight specials will be promoted through in-flight and Web based promotions by all three airlines. A series of print ads will also run in local newspapers over the next three weekends, and a local and international PR campaign will continue to drive the message that Cape Town cannot be missed.

The dynamic Chief Executive of Cape Town Tourism, Mariette Du Toit-Helmbold points out that it would be a great pity to miss out on Cape Town when visiting South Africa. “With countless accolades to back this statement up, I can only say that Cape Town is one of the places of a lifetime. You’ve come so far; don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to soak up the electric atmosphere while exploring one of the most beautiful cities in the world!”

“Cape Town is going to be all about the atmosphere. We have great entertainment lined up, our restaurants and bars are primed, and the activity hubs in the inner city, V&A Waterfront, FIFA Fan Fest and Green Point areas are going to generate an incredible soccer experience – all within easy walking distance of each other. The packages we have put together mean that it is actually really affordable to hop on a plane and stay with us for a few days between games.” “It’s a bit of a secret, but Cape Town is as good in winter as it is in summer – it’s just different – more about a brisk walk on the beach than lying under the umbrella,” commented Mariette.

Most accommodation establishments in the non-hotel sector have realised that they need to be really competitive during the “Secret Season”, which is our winter, because of the lower than expected number of visitors for the 2010 World cup. Make good use of the choice available in the Internet to shop around for affordable Cape Town accommodation.

Cape Point Nature Reserves new Funicular unveiled in time for the 2010 World Cup

We have previously reported that the Flying Dutchman funicular at spectacular Cape Point had been decommissioned to be replaced with a new upgraded facility. It seems that those involved must have done everything possible to ensure that the new funicular would be available to visitors to South Africa for the World Cup, and have succeeded. The Cape Point Partnership, which is a partnership between the Thebe Tourism Group and Tolcon Group unveiled the new and improved Flying Dutchman funicular to the Tourism authorities, the trade and media at Cape Point on 8 June 2010.

The funicular, which transports visitors up the steep slope to popular lookout points just below the lighthouse, has been upgraded at a cost of R6-million, complete with a new body, safer braking technology and large picture windows that afford a 360 degree view throughout the spectacular trip. The funicular comfortably carries 30 passengers every three minutes in each direction. The new system has been designed to minimise the funicular’s carbon footprint, and the new Flying Dutchman will be more environmentally friendly than before thanks to low solar powered batteries charged by photovoltaic panels while in transit. The new funicular is one of many improvements to this area of the Table Mountain National Park, in addition to a bigger parking area and upgrades of the information area, curio shops and restaurant. While the funicular will continue to transport visitors from the car park up a steep slope to just below the lighthouse, the more energetic can still enjoy the walk up the steps, and make friends along the way.

Speaking at the launch, SA National Parks Head of Communications Wanda Mkutshulwa praised the work that the Cape Point Partnership has done in maintaining and marketing the facilities within the park.

“We appreciate the good work that is done here, especially the reputation-building, so thank you very much,” she said. “Cape Point is one of our ‘big five’ parks, which receive optimum visitor numbers. It is these ‘big five’ amid our portfolio of 19 parks that effectively fund the sustainability of South Africa’s biodiversity.”

Head of the Department for Economic Development and Tourism in the Western Cape, Mr Solly Fourie, emphasised the role of corporate partnerships in contributing to the economic value of tourism in the province, and in growing the popularity of Cape Town as an international destination of choice.

Visitors to South Africa will find even more to enjoy on their Cape Town holiday; Noordhoek where one can find affordable family beach cottages is just a short drive from all of these attractions, and your ideal base to explore the many attractions of the Southern Cape Town peninsula.

South American football fans are headed for World Cup 2010.

It is well known that the people of South America are crazy about football and have delivered many world-class players. One of the reasons that has recently been given by South Africa Tourism organizations for the disappointingly low number of visitors that have booked to travel to South Africa for the World Cup 2010, apart from the economic recession, is the high cost of airfare. Now football fans from Brazil who have been wishing to travel to South Africa will be pleased of an announcement of affordable airfares coupled with affordable South Africa accommodation.

The reputable international travel portal Global Pillow in association with Football Nights Association (FNA) have confirmed that they have secured a Worldwide Charters Boeing 747-300 aircraft, to charter Brazilian football fans to and from South Africa for the final stage of the 2010 World Cup football tournament departing from around 21st June. Prices will be well below the standard airfare, and FNA has eased any last minute travel arrangements by putting this together with an accommodation Service If accommodation is booked through FNA you can most probably expect a discount on your flight.

This is what is being offered to Brazilian football fans on their website:
Flights depart from either Sao Paulo or Rio De Janeiro to South Africa
Excludes all airport taxes and VAT
Includes one internal flight in South Africa
All Flights return to Rio De Janeiro and not to Sao Paulo.
Dates are set and cannot be changed.
No refunds for cancellations.
Trips depart from 21,22,23 June and return on 12,13,14 July respectively.
Accommodation is not included but FNA can arrange transfers and accommodation for you.
FNA is now considering arranging similar packages for Argentinean soccer fans.

South Africans will also enjoy cheap Flights to South America
South Africans can pick up cheap flights to Rio De Janeiro during this time because the aircraft has to return and cannot be allowed to go back empty. South Africans can expect to pay as little as R3,499.00 from Johannesburg and R3,749 from Durban to Rio De Janeiro.; excluding airport tax return Dates for these flight packages are set and cannot be changed, and no refunds will be available for cancellations. Departures from around 21 June and return on about 12 July.

I am sure that all in the business of tourism in South Africa will welcome this initiative which we hope will increase the numbers of visitors seeking accommodation for the 2010 World Cup.

Confirmation of dramatic reduction in Accommodation prices for 2010 FIFA World Cup

Commenting in a press release on the prices of hotel and other accommodation in Cape Town and other South African cities for the 2010 World Cup, Michael Doubinski, General Manager, of prestigious international booking portal HotelsCombined.com has stated that :

“for the first time, the highly anticipated 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament is failing to boost inbound tourism and failing to meet its 16% quota of South Africa’s US$11B revenue target.” “We’ve never expected the hotel industry to drop prices during a peak sporting event. It’s most unusual that prices have dropped this significantly."

We are sure that visitors to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup will welcome the news of reduced accommodation prices , because with only a week to go before the start of the tournament, we are still receiving enquiries for affordable self catering accommodation which is within easy access of the city and the stadium. We have previously written on the independent survey conducted by a reputable audit firm commissioned by the Department of tourism which showed that the non-hotel accommodation sector of Cape Town was responsible in its pricing from the outset and did not seek to exploit this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you are still looking for accommodation in South Africa during the period of the tournament you should take the opportunity to make good use of the Internet where you will undoubtedly find bargain rates at this time.
Mr. Doubinski may be correct about the slashing of prices; but his statement that the World Cup tournament is failing to boost inbound tourism is sure to be strongly rejected by the Department of Tourism and by the many other bodies involved in the industry. Whilst the recession, air fares and other factors may have contributed to the number of visitors being significantly less than anticipated there will be an undoubted increase in tourism during what is the low season in South Africa, and the economic benefits to our country in these recessionary times will be significant.

We believe that the benefits to inbound tourism in Cape Town will be experienced over the next few years because of the positive perception that will be created to more than 1 billion people watching the matches on their TV screens.
Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (Fedhasa) and the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (Satsa) have issued a joint statement, explaining the circumstances surrounding the release of so much accommodation contracted by MATCH for the FIFA 2010 World cup. Match was officially mandated by soccer's governing body FIFA to provide accommodation during the tournament and initially contracted accommodation for 450 000 visitors. The release claimed that original impression that there were not enough accommodation rooms available stemmed from the fact that South Africa did not have a national accommodation database and that projections of visitors have declined from 450,000 to around 300,00. They stated “the impression that there were insufficient rooms to meet the needs of the event was not created by MATCH nor FIFA but by all stakeholders in the industry as well as by the media”. The press release went on to blame the global recession and high airfares for the lower than expected turnout of Soccer World Cup tourists. Their press release states that "Had it not been for the global recession we have faced during the critical reservation periods of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, South Africa would have secured a significantly higher level of visitors, which in turn would have necessitated the full use of all room inventory."

I am sure that those of us who did not choose to do so , but chose to rely upon our own Internet marketing efforts will feel vindicated.
New surveys have shown that visitors prefer to stay in close proximity to the stadium during the World Cup tournament and their bookings in suburbs further out tend to be disappointing. For this reason if you have still not booked accommodation you should look for bargains such as that offered by Horizon Holiday Cottages into beautiful coastal Valley suburb of Noordhoek where 50% discount is being offered on the published rates for stays of four or more days during the World Cup. Whilst this rural country village suburb may be a little further out, guests who stay there will have the pleasure of driving in just 40 minutes to the stadium over Chapman’s Peak drive, said by many to be the most spectacular and beautiful coastal scenic drive in the world.
Enquire now on the website : http://www.horizoncottages.co.za/

See Cape Town's False Bay beaches by train

Very few visitors enjoying a holiday in Cape Town know about an economical and unique way to experience a tour of the southern peninsula of Cape Town and the coastal suburbs of False Bay. The suburban rail service that serves the suburbs along the line from Cape Town to Simonstown is not just for commuters. It is an inexpensive and relaxing way to travel and see so many of the attractions from a perspective that you might not otherwise enjoy. Although it is an interesting trip for adults, your kids will really love you if you take them on a train journey from Muizenberg to Simonstown.

At the start of your journey you will board the train at the historic Colonial red brick and stone faced station building with a teak clock tower, built around 1913. It houses a couple of antique shops and a popular restaurant overlooking the sea. The train journey offers a unique viewing opportunity, as you travel along the spectacular False Bay Coast where the train travels right along the shore, passing beautiful beaches, tidal pools and at times skirting the sea with just a line of rocks between the rail and the sea. Open the carriage window so that you can inhale the fresh sea air, as you marvel at the spectacular view that you will have across the whole of False Bay. Look out for Cecil John Rhodes Western Cape beach cottage as the train passes. At St James you will see the colourful bathing boxes on the beach and watch the bathers at play in the tidal pool. As the train proceeds you will undoubtedly see surfers riding the waves as they speed towards the rocks, and Kayakers paddling across the bay. Further down the line is Kalk bay; still a working fishing harbour, but a popular destination with both locals and tourists because of the main road being lined with galleries, restaurants, antique shops and other delights for browsers and collectors. There is an ice cream shop in the main Road that is so popular that even Jamie Oliver has eaten there. You are bound to delight in the colourful fishing boats bobbing at their moorings in the harbour, and perhaps succumb to the temptation to alight for a shopping and photographing opportunity.

As the train rounds the corner towards Fish Hoek, it runs right along the sea and affords a marvellous opportunity to watch the whales basking and at play. You may be lucky enough to spot one just a few metres from the the train line. Clovelly station comes up just before Fish Hoek – look out for the unusual sign- it is the only station in the world with a sign prohibiting fishing from the platform. The train will continue along Fish Hoek beach where you might spot fishermen pulling their catches in. Continue the journey, hugging the shore of Simon’s bay, with plenty more opportunities for whale watching as the bay abounds with these magnificent creatures between June and October each year. Simonstown is the home of the South African Navy and it is not unusual to see one or more of the warships or submarines manoeuvring in the bay, which will undoubtedly delight the children. At your journey's end in Simonstown you will find another historic station building. There is much to keep you in this Naval town, and you might want to spend the day here before making the return journey. A walk to the centre of the town will take you through the interesting historic mile with its eclectic selection of historic buildings. Perhaps you might want to take a cab to visit the famous African penguin colony at Boulders Beach which was recently rated by a UK magazine as the best family beach in the world.
Whilst you can purchase your train tickets at Muizenberg station, Metrorail Southern Line Tourism Route also offers a hop-on hop-off ticket from Cape Town to Observatory, Newlands, Muizenberg, Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek Stations for just R30 per one day ticket OR R50 for a 2-day ticket. You might want to take advantage of this great opportunity to stop at one of these charming beach towns and spend the night in one of the many affordable family accommodation establishments before continuing your journey. If you purchase the hop-on-hop off ticket you will also be provided with a map showing all the attractions of each of the suburbs within a 2 km walking distance . You can find the details at this URL
http://www.capemetrorail.co.za/Marketing/Product_Definition/Tourism/hopon_map.jpg

A further innovative partnership project between Cape Town Tourism, Metrorail Western Cape and The Green Cab, known as the Rail and Ride initiative, was launched at Noordhoek Farm village on 27 May 2010. It will offer tourists a scenic travel opportunity by rail and eco-friendly cab from Cape Town to Simonstown, commencing in the first week of June 2010, in time for the World Cup. The route will include a Southern Line train ride from Cape Town to Fish Hoek, followed by a “Green Cab” taxi ride along the scenic coastline to Cape Point, with a return to Simonstown. The tour can be pre-booked and visitors travelling on the Southern Line Tourism Route will travel in a designated carriage accompanied by informed tourist guides and dedicated security guards. Green Cabs are available at Simonstown station to take you on a guided tour through Simonstown by way of the famous African penguin colony at Boulders beach to the spectacular Cape point nature reserve. The cost of ZAR 600 (US$80) includes transport, tour guide, security as well as entrance to Boulders Beach Penguin Colony and Cape Point Nature reserve, making it excellent value for money. The Rail and Ride service will be offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, departing from Platform Five at Cape Town Station.

For more information about the tours contact Metrorail : : railtourism@metrorail.co.za or the Green Cab +27 (0)86 184 3473 or call Cape Town Tourism on +27 (0)21 487 6800.

For affordable self catering family accommodation convenient to all of these wonderful attractions, take advantage now of the low “Secret Season” winter rates at Horizon Holiday Cottages in Noordhoek.

Accommodation rates in Cape Town lower for the World Cup 2010

A recent survey conducted by by CapeInfo and affirmed by the Western Cape’s destination marketing organisation Cape Town Routes Unlimited amongst the local accommodation industry, has found that almost 50% of Cape Town’s accommodation establishments have been booked out for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Due to the expected numbers being much less than anticipated, many hotels and other establishments had changed their pricing approach from seeking above peak season rates to normal peak season rates or lower.
The survey found that 46% of Cape Town’s hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs and self-catering accommodations were fully booked for the month of June, compared with 38% for the same period last year and 57% in 2008. Hotels received the most bookings, followed by guesthouses and self-catering accommodation. Naturally the suburbs closer to the stadium, in the city surrounds, and along the Atlantic Seaboard have proved to be the most popular. It has been fund that there has generally been an increase in occupation compared to a normal winter season. One thing is very clear from the survey , and that is the bonanza that the accommodation industry had expected will not materialize. Good news for visitors for the World Cup 2010 is that you can now obtain affordable accommodation in Cape Town.

Lower Accommodation Prices
According to CapeInfo’s April 2010 survey, the hospitality industry has been compelled to adapt a more reasonable pricing approach. A total of 45% are now charging the same or less than current peak season rates, compared with 26% in January this year, with 12% charging their usual off-peak rates compared to January’s 6%.
Alan Winde, Western Cape Minister for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism: stated “Almost two thirds of expected World Cup visitors said that they would be heading to Cape Town. To them and others we want to say: we have a variety of affordable accommodation available for you – from five-star right through to backpackers – and a million ways to make the most of the game.
“With matches at the Cape Town Stadium almost sold out, visitors can catch the Cape carnival atmosphere for free at the FIFA Fan Fest™ with Table Mountain as their backdrop, or they can match-crawl the rest of the city’s public viewing areas for a jol with the locals. Between the games, we have a colourful mix of tourist attractions and activities available for international visitors as well as our domestic travellers to make part of their World Cup memories.”

Look to the Southern Peninsula
An informal survey was recently conducted amongst the members of the Noordhoek Tourism Association and it was found that very few bookings had been received for accommodation in this beautiful coastal valley lying at the foot of the Table Mountain range and facing a wonderful beach with 7 km of pristine white sand. Noordhoek is known as Cape Town's best kept “ secret destination”. It is a country village where most properties are zoned agricultural and where conservation is a concern of all residents. The large properties, where many keep horses, make this unique in the Cape Town area. Visitors looking for affordable accommodation in a restful village suburb will find plenty of choice at prices much lower than they can expect to pay closer to the city. Those who will be attending matches in the stadium can enjoy a spectacular drive to the city on Chapman’s Peak drive- said to be one of the most beautiful coastal, scenic drives in the world. Noordhoek lies right at the start of Chapman’s Peak drive ; just a 30 minute drive from the stadium.

Horizon Holiday Cottages in Noordhoek, which offers self catering family cottages in studio Cabanas, has decided to slash their prices by 50% for visitors who stay for 4 days or more during the World Cup in order to encourage people to get to know Noordhoek and the attractions of the Southern Peninsula. Contact them for reservations or further information.

Park and Ride facilities for FIFA World Cup 2010

The city of Cape Town has announced final details of Park-and-ride facilities which have been upgraded to encourage soccer fans and daily commuters to use the extended public transport services available during the 2010 soccer World Cup. Cape Metrorail provides passenger rail services to Cape Town’s population of 3.5 million through 119 rail stations. The following stations with park-and-ride facilities will feature event information, branding and additional security until the last train has left:

Fish Hoek – beach parking area
Ottery – parking at Youth Care Centre, opposite church
Retreat – parking at station
Claremont – on Palmyra Road, east of the station
Goodwood – parking at Grand West Casino and Entertainment World
Century City Cape Town – parking at Ratanga Junction with a shuttle service to the station
Oosterzee – parking at Settlers High School
Brackenfell – parking at station
Kuils River – parking at station
Strand – parking at municipal building opposite the station

Parking in regular parking areas around rail stations will generally be free of charge. Temporary parking areas, however, will mostly be situated on private land, where a nominal charge may be levied. Eersterivier, Heideveld, Khayelitsha, Kraaifontein, Langa, Lansdowne, Monte Vista, Muizenberg, Nyanga, Philippi and Plumstead will also be branded and have additional security. Holders of a match ticket are ensured free rail transport into the city centre before kick-off and on the return trip after the match. This is only applicable to match ticket holders on the day of the match. On match days bus park-and-ride facilities are available at:
Kronendal Primary School sports field, off Andrews Road in Hout Bay
Camps Bay High School sports field in Maiden’s Cove, off Victoria Road
University of Cape Town’s Upper Campus in Rondebosch

These facilities will operate from four hours before kick-off until four hours after the final whistle. Parking at the University of Cape Town will be free, while a nominal charge will apply at the other venues. There will be no general spectator parking available at the Cape Town Stadium or its immediate surrounds, and parking in the city centre is also severely limited. All spectators are thus encouraged to use the identified park-and-ride facilities outside the city centre. The best way to avoid congestion and frustration is to use the public transport systems.

Enjoy the matches even without a ticket: If you haven’t bought a match ticket, you can still be part of the World Cup action by going to the official FIFA Fan Fest at the Grand Parade in the centre of the City , opposite the City Hall and the historic Castle, or at the various venues within the V & A Waterfront.
Recent surveys have shown that , with actual numbers significantly down on forecast , there is still plenty of affordable Cape Town accommodation available- so enquire now.