Five Tips For A Green Festive Season (Well maybe 6)

So the silly season is looming and the need to consume and buy "things" gets unavoidable – so why not break the mold and try have a "Green" Christmas" – it's cost effective, good for the planet, great lessons to teach your children and simply a good thing to do. So here are our top 5 tips for Greening your festive season...

1. Ditch the fake tree. They are generally imported, which means a BIG Carbon Footprint and really not all that attractive. Instead opt for an indigenous tree which you and your family can plant in your garden or a park somewhere after the Christmas season. A good option for a South African indigenous tree is most Yellowwood Trees (Podocarpus spp) - Yellowoods look superficially like a traditional Christmas tree with their needle like leaves and grow into beautiful trees. There are Yellowwood varieties that will suit the climate most places in South Africa. Just ask your local nursery! 
2. Invest in LED / Low wattage Christmas Lights. We all love the Christmas lights, a tree without lights just doesn't cut it. LED lights for your Christmas tree are generally a lot lower wattage than traditional lights, as a result cost you less to run, they are safer, will last you many many years and a lot more reliable than the traditional versions. To top it off, they are relatively inexpensive too.
3. Give Green Gifts, how about potted herbs or a tree as a gift for someone special this year? Check out this YouTube Clip for ideas on how to make it special and personal or have look here for some great, unique eco-friendly gadgets.
4. Every year, I wrap my gifts in newspaper, at first glance people squirm but upon explaining that the gift wrap makes no difference (after all is is about the giving isn't it?) and that recycling old newspaper is a gift to the earth and a good thing to do, most people embrace the idea. If they don't, well then, they don't deserve a gift from you anyway. Saving on expensive gift wrap will allow you some extra free cash and save a lot of unnecessary waste.
5. Give a gift that lasts, consider giving a membership to a Non Profit organization (many of them have gift cards which include a years membership, free magazines and other goodies) or a voucher to Green someone's home, something that would save them hundreds of rands (if not thousands) in the coming year! 
6. OK, we said 5 top tips, but this extra one is important, the festive season is about giving, so before you waste your money on overpriced Christmas décor or extravagant outings, why not cut back on those and give to the SPCA or a children's shelter, there are animals and people out there that have nothing, where Christmas is just another day to get through. Make it special for them and your rewards will come.

Courtesy of www.etc-africa.com - click here for more information

Tourist Safety This Holiday Season

With the silly season practically upon us, here are some useful tips for tourists and tourism service providers to pass onto their clients in order to ensure a safe and memorable holiday in Zululand.

Safety for tourists
You have worked so hard and it is time you took a break and relax. You have saved enough and you think it is time for a holiday break. Unfortunately, tourists are targets for criminals. This is a tendency that is developing worldwide.

Take the following few basic precautions and ensure that your visit is as pleasant and as safe as possible-

At the Airport

• Stay especially alert and watch your bags and laptop at all times. Do not let anyone but uniformed airline personnel handle or watch your bags.
• Watch out for staged mishaps, like someone bumping into you or spilling a drink, as it is often a ploy to divert your attention and steal your bag or passport.
• Carry your purse close to your body, or your wallet in an inside front pocket.
• Better yet, wear a money pouch under your clothes.
• Keep a separate record of the content of checked luggage. And keep anything of value in a bag that stays with you at all times.
• Avoid displaying expensive cameras, jewellery and luggage that might draw attention. Your aim should be to blend in with the crowd. 

At the hotel  or other accommodation

• Do not leave your luggage unattended unless it is locked way in your room.
• Store valuables in the safe deposit box.
• Keep your room locked at all times.
• Hand the key in at the desk when you leave the hotel.
• If someone knocks, check who it is before opening the door.
• Make sure that luggage is only given to the hotel=s bell staff and a receipt is issued for stored luggage.

In the street

• Plan your route beforehand.
• Don't stop people to ask for directions or check your map on the street. 
• Try not to look like a tourist by making obvious that it is your first time in the area. 
• It is better to explore in groups and stick to well-lit busy streets. 
• If you find yourself alone, try to make reference to yourself as part of the group.
• Avoid drawing attention to you by wearing lots of jewellery and showy displays of cameras and other valuables. 
• It is definitely not advisable to carry large sums of money around. Carry just as much money as you require for the day. 
• Keep your handbag and cellular phone with you and do not leave them unattended.
• Always keep an eye on what's going on around you.
• Never allow young children to wander off from parents.
• If you think someone is following you, take out your cell phone and pretend to make a call. Say the word police with enough volume for the person following you to hear. 
• Don't confront them. You may, alternatively, just get yourself to the nearest public place as quickly as possible. 
• Avoid going out unnecessarily after hours. 
• If you want to call a taxi, your hotel or the nearest tourism info office can recommend a reliable service. 
• A policeman or a traffic officer will be glad to direct you if you get lost. 

On the Road

• Practice the same prevention skills you do in parking lots or garages at home.
• Become familiar with your route before you start the trip. Get a map of the route and study it.
• Make sure your rental car is in a good working order. Learn how all the windows, door locks and other equipment work before you leave the lot. Keep your maps and rental agreement concealed, not lying on the seat or the dashboard where they can be seen by others.
• Keep car doors locked while you are driving.
• Store luggage in the car's boot (trunk) where it is out of sight.
• If your car is bumped by another car, think before you get out. If you are in doubt or feel uncomfortable, signal to the other driver to follow you to a nearby police station or a busy, well-lighted area where it is safe to get out.

In the car

• Plan your route in advance
• Keep the doors locked at all times and wind the windows up.
• Do not leave your cellular phone or other devices where it is visible from outside the car.
• Lock your valuables inside the boot (trunk) before your departure.
• Do not ask strangers to take you a group picture no matter how friendly they seem.
• At night, park in well-lit areas.
• Do not hitchhike.
• If in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a police station for advice.

How to avoid mugging

• Mugging is unfortunately one of the common crimes that unaware people fall victims to in the streets and shopping malls everyday. The following are just some of the simple measures that you can take to so that you don't get robbed.
• Look around you and be aware of your surroundings. Remember, an area is not safe just because you are familiar with it.
• Walk actively and confidently. You must always try to make eye contact with the people around you.
• Carry your bag around your neck and diagonally across your body. Do not carry it hanging over one shoulder. You may as well clutch your bag and hold it to the front.
• Put your wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket not a back pocket.
• Walk in well-lit busy streets and walk in a group if possible. 
• If you know or suspect that a pedestrian is following you, go to the nearest well-lit or busy area and call the police.
• If you are followed by a vehicle, never try to outrun it. Turn and walk in the opposite direction. React by yelling or shouting if possible.
• Carry money or phone cards for emergency phone calls.
• Hide your cell phone and do not walk around talking on a cell phone as it will distract you.
• Avoid going out unnecessarily after hours.
• Avoid taking short-cuts through deserted areas such as parks, empty areas and passages.

Courtesy of the SAPS - click here for more information 

Minimum Standards For Responsible Tourism Launched

Responsible tourism means protecting environmental integrity, upholding social justice and spreading maximum local economic benefit. Up until now the eco-labels had differing priorities on these three pillars. South Africa has recently launched its National Minimum Standards for Responsible Tourism. It helps create a cohesive understanding of sustainability in the industry.

If a South African hotel, B&B or adventure business claims to be a sustainable or responsible tourism operation, can you believe them?

To one business, being responsible might mean recycling and installing aerated showerheads. Another may prioritise paying staff members a fair wage and offering training and upliftment. A third could interpret responsible tourism as using more waterwise indigenous plants for landscaping and supporting local businesses.

So what eco-labels or responsible tourism accreditations can you believe? Surely they should all subscribe to the triple bottom line of environmental, social and economic responsibility?
Between 2002 and 2009, several prominent new responsible tourism ‘labels’ or accreditation bodies emerged in South Africa, and Government saw there was a growing need to set minimum standards.

In September 2011, after 18 months of consultation with the stakeholders in the tourism industry, the South African Government launched its National Minimum Standard on Responsible Tourism.

Now, whether you stay at a destination certified by Fair Trade in Tourism, Heritage, GreenLine, Green Leaf or Savannah Green Leaf, you’ll know that your money is helping to uplift and involve communities, helping to minimise environmental impact and is stimulating the local economy.

Although the standard is voluntary, they will make it easier to detect examples of false marketing or ‘greenwashing’. Tourism businesses can be asked whether and how they adhere to the ‘General Claims’.

The NMSRT, formalised through the South African Bureau of Standards, aligns this country’s responsible tourism offerings with international standards, specifically the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria, first published in 2009. Broadly speaking, here are some of the guidelines: 


• Avoid waste and overconsumption
•  Use local resources in a sustainable way

•  Maintain and encourage natural, social, economic and cultural diversity

•  Be sensitive to the host culture

•  Involve the local community in planning and decision-making

•  Assess the environmental, social and economic impacts before embarking on tourism developments

•   Ensure that communities are involved in, and benefit from, tourism.

We would love to have your comments or hear your ideas about what you currently do or what you feel needs to be done to encourage a more Responsible Tourism Industry in Zululand? 

For more information click here

(Courtesy of www.southafrica.net) 

COP 17 - What does it mean for KwaZulu-Natal, Business and Tourism

COP17, or the Climate Change Conference 2011, runs from 28 November until 9 December 2011, at the ICC in Durban. Itʼs an important global issue, as well as a huge event for South Africa, and especially for Durban, but how many of us actually know what it is, or what itʼs about?

This yearʼs event is the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – what a mouthful! Itʼs also the 7th session of the COP which serves as a Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (or CMP7). The Kyoto Protocol is actually the only legally binding agreement thatʼs come out of the COP after all these years, and it expires in 2012, which is why COP17 is so important – some hard decisions have to be made.

What COP17 means for the world

The COP meets every year to discuss the problem of climate change, the efforts being made to combat the issue, and the progress, if any. There are 194 parties, or members, who have committed themselves to sharing information on greenhouse gas emissions, national policies, and best practice, as well as launching and negotiating strategies for addressing emissions, and providing support to developing countries.

The essential problem of climate change is this – the burning of fossil fuels and human activities such as deforestation are causing extreme weather, changing rain patterns, the melting of the glaciers, rising sea levels, and ultimately, very bad things for the Earth and its ability to sustain life.

The other problem is that most developed nationsʼ economies have already been built on burning fossil fuels, whereas developing countries are still reliant on burning fossil fuels to further their own growth in the future. The reality is that if every country doesnʼt reduce its carbon footprint, weʼre all going to suffer the consequences, but no-one wants to commit to a legal binding agreement to cap their emissions because it gives other economies a trade advantage.

What COP17 means for South Africa

The COP and CMP President rotates every year between the five UN regions. This year, the host and Presidency will transfer from Mexico (who hosted the 2010 conference) to South Africa. Each year, a minister from the host country is elected as President, and our very own Ms. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, has been elected.

COP17 is an opportunity for South Africa to lead the way for developing nations like China, Brazil and India. Climate change is a huge threat to South Africaʼs sustainable development, given our reliance on our agricultural sector. With our economy so heavily reliant on coal, we would need to invest in renewable energy resources in order to reduce our carbon footprint, and so South Africa has a chance to pioneer the way forward for developing countries who are naturally reliant on fossil fuels.

With more than 20 000 delegates expected from 194 countries, representing the worldʼs governments, international organisations, and academia, the world is definitely watching. South Africa needs to take this opportunity to show the world what we are doing to combat climate change, marketing our initiatives, building networks and partnerships for future sustainable growth.

What COP17 means for KwaZulu-Natal

With over 20 000 visitors, who are likely to be more environmentally aware than the average tourist, this is the perfect opportunity for the province and local establishments (hotels and restaurants) to market and showcase their responsible tourism efforts.

eThekwini Municipality recently launched their Responsible Accommodation Campaign and COP17 Greening Programme, encouraging establishments to adopt environmentally sustainable practices and minimise the environmental impact of hosting this event in terms of resources like energy and water consumption, and the production of waste.

With this much international exposure, if KwaZulu-Natal’s hospitality industry is able to impress the COP delegates (and the world) with their ʻgreenʼ efforts, it could have a huge impact on our province as a tourism destination.

For more information about COP17, visit the website (http://www.cop17- cmp7durban.com/).

(Courtesy of the International Hotel School - www.hotelschool.co.za) 

uThungulu Tourism Update - Working For You

It's been a busy few months in the uThungulu Tourism Department, with the recent launch of the new District Tourism Association, unveiling of the Mobile Information Office as well ongoing growth and development with the Zulu Coast Film Office and Zululand Heritage Route (Route66).

Although many of these projects are focused on tourism development and product development, the cornerstone of the uThungulu Tourism Master Plan, a lot of work is also in the pipeline that focuses on marketing the district, with particular emphasis on giving tourists the services and information they require.

To this end, uThungulu District Municipality is currently working on some exciting marketing projects, these include

• A new tourism website for the district, this website will become a portal for all information and resources a tourist could possibly want when visiting the region and includes profiling of all product owners in the region
• A new Children's Tourist Map has also just been unveiled, this map is focused on identifying activities and destinations that are fun for the whole family, which is certainly an important consideration with school holidays and the festive season on our doorstep. Copies of these brochures can be sourced from the uThungulu District Municipality Tourism Department.
• Finally, the Adventure Tourism Brochure is in its final stages of preparation. uThungulu is a major destination for adventure tourism, from Rock Climbing at Ongoye Forest to Kite Surfing in Richards Bay. Sporting related tourism has a huge following and value in the area. If you have any products or activities that you would like included in this brochure, please contact Anushka Makka on anushka@uthungulu.co.za

There is a lot happening and even more in the pipeline for 2012, so watch this space and join us in making the region the tourism hotspot it deserves to be!

New CEO for South African Tourism

Thulani Nzima - new CEO of South African Tourism

South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, has announced the appointment of Thulani Nzima as the new South African Tourism CEO.



Van Schalkwyk expressed his delight with the appointment of the new CEO.

‘I am very pleased with Thulani Nzima’s appointment. He not only has a wealth of knowledge and experience of the tourism industry, but his management skills will certainly steer SAT to greater heights,’ he said.

Van Schalkwyk added that the many challenges faced by the tourism industry globally meant that capable, strategic leaders were needed. Leaders who would not only create opportunities for tourism growth, but would take advantage of new opportunities that lay ahead.

‘I am confident Nzima will lead with integrity and courage,’ he said. Nzima's considerable experience in the business world and the tourism sphere, has equipped him with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, a strong vision and vast industry knowledge.

He has held the position of director: sales and marketing at Avis Rent a Car since 2007, where he has been in charge of sales and marketing strategy and all revenue generating business streams. 
 Before joining Avis, he was CEO of South African Travel Centre, a travel agency group. Prior to that he held various management positions at South African Airways (SAA) between 1991 and 2005. His last position at SAA was senior executive manager: South Africa, where he was responsible for sales in the South African market.

Nzima’s term of office at SAT will be 3 years. Van Schalkwyk expressed his gratitude to Tim Scholtz, SAT’s Chief Operating Officer, who acted as CEO pending the appointment of the new incumbent.

Source: SouthAfrica.net Tourism News

KwaBulawayo Tourism Centre Set to Fly

Situated less than a 20 minute drive from Empangeni and overlooking the beautiful uMhlathuze Valley is the The site of King Shaka’s KwaBulawayo Royal Town. This site is recognized by all as being of prime importance in the Zulu Culture and History. It was here that the formation of the Zulu Nation was consolidated. KwaBulawayo was the engine of the Zulu nation’s growth. 

It is fitting that this site is now also being developed as a flagship, world class, community based tourism facility. uThungulu District Municipality in conjunction with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and uMlalazi Local Municipality have been working hand in hand with the Bhekeshowe Community Trust to develop tourism around the site. 

A new tourism concept plan and sustainability plan has been developed  by ETC-Africa which will see the center focused on offering a world class cultural experience,  according to Duncan Pritchard of ETC-Africa; "Our intention is to create a place where tourists, businessmen and anyone visiting the region can come and have an exceptional, authentic cultural experience, traditional meal and leave feeling like it was the most unique and fun thing they have ever done." The business concept for the KwaBulawayo Tourism Centre is modeled very closely on similar products in the middle east and Australia. 

The KwaBulawayo Tourism Centre is also ideally located close to the N2, allowing it to service the passing tour group markets, accessible on  an excellent tar road and in very close proximity to other attractions along the Zululand Heritage Route (Route 66) such as Queen Nandi's Grave, Cowards Bush, Manadwe Cross and Ongoye Forest.

The project is expected to begin full scale development, training and capacity building early in 2012 and aims to be operational by the middle of 2012.  

The Zululand Tourism Experience - A New Umbrella Body For Tourism in uThungulu

After two years of planning and stakeholder engagement, the much anticipated "Zululand Tourism Experience", a new district level tourism association, was launched at the recent uThungulu District Tourism Forum in October.

The Zululand Tourism Experience was initiated as a concept by uThungulu District Municipality following their investigation into  the best tourism institutional framework options for the district. According to Kobus Du Toit, the new chairman and stalwart supporter of tourism in the region; "This Association will act as an umbrella body for promoting, marketing and developing tourism in the region, it gives us all an opportunity to work together for a common cause and finally make tourism happen in the region, this is what everyone has been waiting for!"

The association will be established as a non profit company with a board of directors, including representation from all the current existing associations, routes and tourism organisations in the uThungulu district as well as some specialized portfolios such as marketing, skills development and business, represented by the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The underlying principle of the association is to increase tourism growth in the area through harnessing economies of scale, rather than having 5 or 6 various small associations with small budgets, have a central association where funding can be pooled to make a bigger impact and get the marketing reach that was previously unattainable.

Members will enjoy a host of benefits including international level marketing, exposure in printed materials, websites and a variety of domestic trade shows.

For more information on the Zululand Tourism Experience or to join as a member, please contact Kobus  on landlover@telkomsa.net

Ongoye Forest Special - Stay three nights for the price of two

Ongoye Forest Lodge is a nature lovers haven, from rare and endangered birds to breathtaking mountain bike trails to exquisite scenery ...all within a half hour from Richards Bay or Empangeni.

If you are a Rock Climber, Hiker, Birdwatcher, Mountain Biker or just enjoy the great outdoors and you have not yet been to Ongoye, then you are missing something special!

Book any 2 nights between now and the end of February 2012 and receive a third night absolutely FREE! Accommodation starts at R150 per person per night and includes exclusive use of the entire facility.

For reservations or more information, please click here

COP 17 "A Golden Opportunity"

The Cop 17 climate change conference in Durban at the end of the year would be a “golden opportunity” for KwaZulu-Natal to attract investment, a tourism launch heard in Joburg on Monday. “We are going to seize the moment,” Mike Mabuyakhulu, the province's MEC for Economic Development and Tourism vowed. Speaking at the launch of a new tourism route linking KZN, Mozambique and Swaziland, he said more than 800 Chief Executives from major investment companies would be in Durban during the climate talks and “we are going to maximise this golden opportunity”.

The province was involved in preparations for the event and Mabuyakhulu predicted there would be many delegates keen to invest in green economy projects. The tripartite tourism initiative between the three regions, unveiled to the media on the eve of World Tourism Day, aims to promote the area as a single tourism and investment destination, with a vision to enable visitors to experience all three regions in a single day. Focusing on culture and nature, the three regions, supported by their governments and tourism authorities, want to grow tourism figures, including boosting international arrivals as well as increasing the number of tourism attractions that visitors can go to, thereby creating jobs. And most important of all, said Mabuyakhulu, they want to attract private sector investment into the three areas. “We are going to adopt an aggressive stance to promote the route,” he said, adding that it would be marketed at all the international tourism shows. There was already a “high level” of interest from potential investors, Mabuyakhulu said. The aim was for the route to become one of the best-known in the world, he said.

While Cape Town has the famous Garden Route, the three regions will now have their own tourism trail to be known as East 3 Route. It will be launched from October 24-27 when drivers in more than 50 4x4s will travel from KZN to Mozambique and Swaziland, with officials from the three regions hosting investors, celebrities and possibly a president or two at workshops and gala dinners, where the investment opportunities will be showcased. Macford Nsibande, the Swaziland Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, said: “We are trying our best to become a pilgrimage of culture in Africa.”

To find out more about COP 17 click here

Source: IOL online (Barbara Cole) 

Important notice from DEDT

Notice from the Department of Economic Development and Tourism

Please note that South African Revenue Services (SARS) will no longer accept payments in respect of Liquor Licenses as from 1 October 2011. From 1 October 2011, all payments for liquor licenses can be made at any ABSA BANK using the details below.

• Only cash deposits or electronic transfers will be accepted (No Cheques).
• No bulk payments will be allowed
• All references to contain a prefix (01 for new applications, 02 for existing licenses and 03 for renewals)
• In the case of new applications, your trading name will be your reference e.g 01Thandabantu tavern
• For existing liquor licenses your reference number will be your license number, e.g, 02KZN/00000
• For renewals, your reference number will also be your license number but the prefix changes, e.g. 03KZN/00000
• Applicant to submit proof of payment with the first two pages of the application in respect of lodgment of any liquor license application
• License holder to submit proof of payment in respect of activation of any liquor license together copy of Form 4, Form 11 or Form 15.
• All license holders are reminded to renew their liquor licenses before 31 December 2011 to avoid penalties. All those who fail to renew before 31 December 2011 will be liable for penalties (50% in January 2012 or 100% in February).
• Liquor licenses not renewed by 28 February 2012 will lapse, warranting the license holder to lodge a new application.

Please note the following:

• Receiving a FORM 22 does not validate your license if it has already lapsed
• The onus is on the license holder to ensure that no double payments are made as no refunds will be entertained.
• All licenses that were issued in terms of s19 (FORM 4) as from 1 July 2011 are not subject to renewal at the end of 2011.

The proof of payment and supporting documents in respect of renewal fees, new applications and activation of licenses must be forwarded to Mrs. Swazi Mbambo, Fax No.: 086 644 4307 For further details please contact Khombi Mthanti on 033 264 2795 or Nkululeko Thwala on 033 264 2681.

Bank Absa Bank Account Name Liquor Licenses
Account number 407 832 8103
Clearing code 63-49-26

Tourism on the move!

Thousands of tourists, traveling on cruise liners, visit the Port of Richards Bay each year. As the region does not have a formal passenger terminal, ensuring that tourists' first impressions of Zululand are those that will leave behind fond memories and exciting experiences has always been a challenge due to passengers generally disembarking in the harbour with no access to tourism information or what is available in the area......until now.

The tourism section of uThungulu District Municipality has come up with an innovative solution to the problem, a state of the art mobile tourism office.

The mobile tourism office boasts state of the art displays, flat screen television and walking through becomes an experience in its own right. According to Anita Tait, Tourism Manager at uThungulu District Municipality, "the mobile information office will not only allow us to better service cruise liners coming to our shores, these tourists want to spend time in our area, they want to experience the Zulu culture, our forests and wildlife but unless we can give them the information they need, they will probably go elsewhere. The mobile office also allows us to take tourism wherever it is needed, be it a festival out in the bush or tourism display at one of the many shows we attend each year, the mobile office allows us to take tourism to the tourists, no matter where they are.  "

The mobile office includes over fifteen square meters of tourism displays and information all "wrapped" in beautiful images of our region. Another innovative first for Zululand !

Zululand Spring Festival

Zululand’s premier combined entertainment and exhibition showcase, THE ZULULAND SPRING FESTIVAL, will take place in Richards Bay, on Friday 30 September - 14h00 to 22h00. Saturday 01 October 2011 - 09h00 to 22h00. Sunday 02 October 2011 - 09h00 to 14h00.

The second largest combined entertainment and exhibition event in KZN, the Zululand Spring Festival provides an ideal platform for local and national trade, plus the opportunity for the public to enjoy the latest in South Africa’s, top entertainment. Entertainment includes both local and national artists and performers, making up a spectacular fusion of entertainment, that suits all age groups and cultures. The Zululand Spring Festival in Richards Bay once again attracted major crowds with 25 000 visitors and nearly 250 stands being sold at Spring Festival 2010.

The success of Spring Festival is evident by the R10 million turnover that emanates from the event into our community over this three-day period. Massive pre-publicity sets the pace for Zululand Spring Festival and the quality of the entertainment programme is of high standard and calibre, with many of South Africa’s top performers joining the ranks in the entertainment programme. Exhibitors from all over South Africa will once again display their products or services, which range from decor, sports and leisure, arts and crafts, fashion and accessories, motor industry, outdoor and garden, technology, tourism, education and industrial exhibits, as well as an array of flea market stalls, with an ambit of unusual products to choose from.

If you want to take full advantage of making new contacts and improving your sales or image, or being involved in a sponsorship exchange agreement, then Zululand Spring Festival is the place to be - a marketing opportunity not to be missed!

Click here for more information

New categories for entrants in 2012 AA Quality Assured Awards

South Africa’s only consumer-based accommodation awards programme has undergone extensive changes to keep up with modern trends in the hospitality industry. Hence, particulars of the 2012 AA Quality Assured Accommodation Awards programme have been announced.
 

Vanessa Sand, managing director of AA Travel Guides, convenors of the awards, says the programme is keeping up with trends in the accommodation sector so that achievers gain the maximum benefit from their participation.

“All AA Quality Assured Accommodation members – of which there are currently just under 2 500 in southern Africa – have automatically been entered into the awards,” says Sand. Guests can enter feedback into the review section of each establishment’s listing on www.aatravel.co.za, via traditional AA guest review forms, electronically via an APad, which has been customised into a digital guest book, or via eGuestSurv Reviews. “We now have the technology in place for feedback received to go live within a week of it being received, making the system so much more user-friendly to both the consumer and the establishment,” says Sand.

According to Sand, AA Travel Guides – having managed these awards for the past 18 years – has done extensive industry research and consultation in recent months, and has revised the award categories that establishments can enter 

“It was necessary to structure our award categories in line with current accommodation industry trends,” she says. “We are confident that establishments will find the exact relevant category for them to enter and that consumers understand these category definitions to be in line with their expectations.”

Feedback received from consumers relates to aspects such as service levels, the quality of food, ambience and value for money. AA Travel Guides will accept feedback until 30 April 2012, where after all reviews will be processed.

Provincial finalists and winners will be announced in July 2012. These winners will then compete against one another to become national winners, to be announced at the 2012 Getaway Show.
Finalists and winners will have the opportunity to profile themselves in the annual awards publication ‘South Africa’s Best’, 100 000 copies of which will be distributed via Getaway magazine, tourist offices and Caxton publications.

“With our new focus on AA Quality Assured properties only – truly our gateway product – we believe the awards programme will grow even further,” says Sand. “The AA brand is associated with trust, integrity and quality and we are now creating a platform that members can use to market themselves even more widely and effectively,” says Sand.

For more information on the AA Quality Assured program click here

Don't Miss The 2011 RBM Annual Birdwatch

Getting up close and personal with an Eagle Owl

The 2011, Richards Bay Minerals annual "Birdwatch" is a highlight on the Zululand eco-tourism calender with birders flocking from across the country to enjoy some of Richards Bay's best birding.

The event kicks off with an evening talk on Friday the 4th November by Shanan and Ben Hoffman of the African Birds of Prey Sanctuary. The talk will introduce the public to the fascinating world of raptors and include an "up close and personal" opportunity to experience these majestic birds.

Saturday the 5th Novmber's program starts off with guided birding walks at Lake Nhlabane in the RBM lease area. Lake Nhlabane and the surrounding forests is a legendary birding site along the Zululand Birding Route as it provides the southern most location to see species such as Livingstone's Turaco, Woodward's Batis, Southern-banded Snake Eagle and a host of water birds from Pygmy Geese to African Finfoot.

The weekend is specifically designed to get the public involved and out there birding, it does not matter if you are a seasoned "twitcher" or casual beginner - the RBM Birdwatch event is an ideal family weekend out!

To register visit our facebook event by clicking here or email us

34 000 Trees Planted at Zululand's Annual Reed Dance

Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini has joined the Department of Environmental Affairs to launch a Greening Project that will see 34000 trees being planted in Nongoma, as part of the annual Reed Dance, one of the highlights on the Zululand Heritage Route, Route 66.

About 34 000 trees were planted by Zulu-maidens during the Reed Dance. The initiative comes ahead of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - popularly known as COP 17 - taking place in Durban in November. Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini with the Champions of the Environment Foundation plan to raise awareness about climate change through the project. 

Each of the 30,000 maidens who attended planted a sapling – led by Zulu King Goodwill Zwelethini and SA President Jacob Zuma. The trees were all grown by ‘tree-preneurs’ – individuals who support their livelihoods by growing trees and exchanging these trees for food, clothes, bicycles, education support, building materials, JoJo tanks and other goods they need.

More on Cop 17, click here  For more on the Zululand Heritage Route, Route 66, Click here

Tourism and the Consumer Protection Act

(Courtesy Dave Jack of BnBSure)
There’s been huge reaction to the introduction of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) in the tourism industry and we have seen this particularly in the B&B and guesthouse sector. Is the news as bad as we’ve been led to believe? Certainly many experts on the CPA have been giving lectures and going into individual clauses which have terrified their listeners.

Perhaps I’m very guilty of over-simplifying the Act, but I think there are a couple of basic things we need to remember. Firstly, the act was introduced to protect the consumer from unethical practice. Secondly every one of us almost every day is a consumer and thirdly - and probably most central to the entire Act - is to ask oneself “How would I want to be treated?” Taking this simple question into all aspects of the running of one’s business should give the B&B or guesthouse owner a fair degree of comfort. The question needs to be looked at from every angle though: reservations, brochures - and especially websites: “How would I want to be treated?” For instance - how would you feel if you’d been told that an establishment had wonderful sea views, when in fact all you can see is a tiny bit of the ocean when you walk to the bottom of the garden? How would you feel if you were told that the establishment had ‘secure’ off street parking? As an example: the use of the word ‘secure’ could be extremely dangerous. If a guest drives through your gate and somebody either slips in on foot or ‘tailgates’ and holds him or her up - is the property secure? If the guest felt that by saying your parking was ‘secure,’ you’d engaged in false advertising - and if he or she had been severely traumatised and in view of this false advertising, he or she would want compensation. Would he or she succeed in a case against the establishment?

We don’t know at this stage as this kind of event has not been tested in court - but we do know that it can be costly to defend such an action. Even if you win. So: does insurance help? It is seldom, if ever, that one will get insurance to protect against false advertising. But what is available to BnB SURE policy holders is an optional section to cover Tax and Legal Costs arising from the enforcement of the CPA should this sort of thing arise or should one get a visit from SARS. It’s crucial that establishment owners check all their advertising and look for - and take steps to mitigate - dangers in the operating of their establishments (particularly, where establishments are multi-listed on several tourism websites you need to ensure that all are correct).

Just remember the golden question: “How would I want to be treated?”
You can download BnB SURE’s A Guide to the Consumer Protection Act and Consumer Rights here

Zulu Coast Film Office - How Can Your Business Benefit?

The Zulu Coast Film Office, a joint initiative between uThungulu District Municipality, Enterprise Ilembe and Umhlosinga development Agency, seeks to promote and market the Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal region as a prime location for Stills and Film Production companies.   It acts as film industry facilitator with regards to locations, permits and services with the objective to create opportunities for development and growth within the regional film industry.
The filming industry requires a wide variety of services when filming in the region, this ranges from accommodation to transport to carpenters for set building to make up artists to extras. To ensure that film industry demands are met when filming in any of the regions, a comprehensive database of available service providers is required for the following services:

• Acting (Cast & Extras & Stunts)
• Marine services (boat & yacht charters)
• Catering,
• Crane hire,
• Production Facilities,
• Pyrotechnics,
• Animal handlers,
• Cameras & Lighting,
• Choreographers,
• Accommodation Establishments,
• Vehicle Rentals,
• Communications/IT,
• Aviation Charters,
• Photography (Agents,Equipment)
• Props & Costumes,
• Make up Artists & Hair Stylists,
• Travel Agencies,
• Taxi Services,
• Security Services,
• Courier Services,
• Electrical Services
• Carpentry.
  

To register, please visit www.film-zulu-coast.com and click on service providers. All service providers will be charged a R240 per year listing fee, this will give service providers exposure on the Zulu Coast Film Office Website, E-Brochure and Production Manuals.

Arbor Week - Making Our Country Beautiful !

In South Africa, Arbor Day was first celebrated in 1983. The event captured the imagination of people who recognized the need for raising awareness of the value of trees in our society. As sources of building material, food, medicine, and simple scenic beauty, trees play a vital role in the health and well-being of our communities. Collective enthusiasm for the importance of this issue in South Africa inspired the national government, in 1999, to extend the celebration of Arbor Day to National Arbor Week. From 1 to 7 September every year, schools, businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate in community "greening" events to improve the health and beauty of the local environment and propose a green future for South Africa.

So why not do your bit to make our area more beautiful and leave a lasting legacy by simply planting a tree! The 2011 Tree Of The Year is the Jacket Plum or Pappea capensis - This is a relatively common tree of the warm bushveld areas of Zululand, besides being a hardy and excellent tree for attracting birds and other animals to your garden (due to it's profusion of tasty fruit) the Jacket Plum has a whole host of traditional uses including the leaves, bark and the oil extracted from the seed are used medicinally against baldness, ringworm, nosebleeds, chest complaints, eye infections, and venereal disease. The bark is also traditionally used as a protective charm and research has reported that the leaves are very effective in killing snails.

Innvoative Butterfly Tourism Concept Coming To Eshowe

Butterfly Tourism you ask? The concept of walk in butterfly houses is extremely popular across the world and have proven to be highly successful community based tourism projects. Like bird watchers, there is an increasing group of nature lovers who specialize in Butterfly viewing.

The Eshowe area offers a unique chance to see many rare and unusual butterfly species, typical of the Afromontain forests. This makes Eshowe an ideal location for a Butterfly House which is currently being constructed adjacent to the Fort Nongquayi Museum.

The Butterfly Routes is the first community-based butterfly house network of its kind in South Africa featuring a variety of butterfly species according to the vegetation of the area. This is a project developed by African Conservation Trust, with funding received from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF). Situated in northern KwaZulu-Natal and extending from Eshowe to Tembe, this community-based ecotourism venture offers the display of live indigenous butterflies in a butterfly dome and butterfly guided tours in the nearby community land forest.

For more information click here 

Dolosfestival 2011

The Dolosfestival 2011 is set to be bigger and better than the last three years and boasts a line-up of South Africa’s finest talents while at the same time providing activities which cater for all tastes. 

The Dolosfestival is planned for the whole family ages from 5 – 85. The artists and theater are the best in our country. This year there are three stages were you can be entertained. There will be music, sport, fashion show, dances and more for the whole weekend from 10 am to 11 pm.

Artist performing will be:
Thursday – Joseph Clark with his Queen show

Friday morning – Nadine Blom

Friday evening – Steve Hofmeyr, Armand Hofmeyr, Heinz Winckler, Dans Dans Lisa

Saturday morning – Lizz Meiring with the ladies tee (10H00 – 11H00)

Saturday morning – Wine tasting with Thys die Bosveldklong (11H00 – 12H00)

Saturday afternoon – Hoe ‘n man se kop werk met Altus Theart (theater) Richards Bay High School (13:30 – 15:00)

Saturday evening/day – Bok van Blerk, Theuns Jordaan, Gerhard Steyn, Jay, Lianie May, ekhouvanjouok, Quinton Prinsloo, Peter West, Henri Alant, Zondre, Jaco, Wikus Botma,

Sunday morning– Gospel festival sponsored by ATKV from 10 – 12. The South en East stages will have artist performing from 12 am to 4 pm in the afternoon.

 

Come let’s make some noise in Richards Bay!!

For more information visit www.dolosfees.com