readercomments

More to come....
02 Sep 2010
Addo drops fences and expands
This is great news and there is more to come... SAN Parks has already secured far more land than this and more sections will be intergrated in time. There is also an interest by most of the private game reserves in the area to join forces and form a far greater conservation area. In fact, if it all comes off in time, the area will be larger than the the greater KNP area..... Amazed? Well, it's true, if it can be achieved. Having only spent the last 2 years based down here I am learning more about the area all the time, but it is surely unique and I would encourage operators to check it out because you may well be surprised by what the region has to offer. Regards, Peter - Brothers Safaris & African Vet Safaris
Dr Peter Brothers


Arrival Stats
02 Sep 2010
Markets grow in May despite pre-World Cup predicted slump
These stats would be of more use if we knew by purpose of visit; VFR, medical, business, leisure etc
Mary Tebje


Cape Town is more than simply Table Mountain
02 Sep 2010
Cape Town looks to World Cup legacy to solve seasonality
No industry can work in near-perfect conditions for 12 months of the year; the market must respond by developing and promoting new products and services. These can be to existing or new markets. We know that Table Mountain and Robben Island are inaccessible in bad weather - so offer an alternative. If you can't find one, then you are in the wrong industry.
Mary Tebje


High speed train connections
02 Sep 2010
Possible high-speed rail link for Jo’burg-Durbs
I think that this is a great idea and a step forward in terms of public transport being more user friendly for tourists. As long as the service provided is on an international level and not similar to the current Metro Rail. I also agree with Colin - the government should rather stay away from tourism ventures and Transnet have a shocking 'track record'. Also pricing must allow for agents commissions to make it attractive.
Anonymous


Train our thoughts......
02 Sep 2010
Possible high-speed rail link for Jo’burg-Durbs
What an interesting idea ! High speed rail links (HSRL) between the three Golden cities. My initial take on this is yes, it would add capacity on a specific high volume product (HSRL) and by doing this, reduct the use of vehicles on the road. Would tourists find this attractive ? Yikes, no hang on, is this to be run by Transnet ? Their track record ( pun intended ! ) in running tourist focused product is a tad choo ( sjoe ) Blue and therfore not what we would want. HSRL's are an every day occurrence in our key inbound markets and if correctly run ( sans net ) would certainly assist us in offering an alternative, accepted mode of transport. Like the idea of inter country HSRL's. Ciao Colin J. FRYER. Centre Stage Travel.
Colin J Fryer


Quantum leap - KSIA
02 Sep 2010
Talking point: September 1, 2010
It would be possible to relate the same story to Cape Town airport ( but without the toll road......yet ). Fifteen years ago, we had a real sjoe nice little plakkie for an airport, reeking of colonial idiosyncrasies, spread over far & flat land and quite the place to watch 'em come & go. It was an airport very much in tune with the Cape Town feel, but out of sync with itself and its future. Change is a constant and some of this change just cannot be justified in todays terms. Look at the ten stadia we now have to play with, look at the many new hotels within the cities that are currently devoid of business, take a moment to glance at airport/airline developments in terms of the increases in volumes of passengers they expect to handle over the next ten to twenty years. Six to seven hundred pax on one inbound aircraft will be the norm by 2015 and if we as a country destination want to play with these world players, well, we had better have the infrastructure to cater for them. Airports are absolutely critical for the development of a destination, we may yearn for the plakkie of yore but need to focus on what is needed from an international perspective if we are going to attract more business. Ciao. Colin J. FRYER. Centre Stage Travel.
Colin J Fryer


Great news for Margate and the South Coast
02 Sep 2010
Regular flights return to Margate Airport
This is great news for Margate and the South Coast! Well done.
John Gore


Mixed feelings
02 Sep 2010
Talking point: September 1, 2010
There will always be mixed feelings regarding this issue in my opinion. One the one hand the business travellers and South Africans always complaining about no service and slipping standards (myself included) will see this as an efficient running fresh breath of air - for now - but on the other hand I hear what you are saying, and agree that at the old airport you knew you had arrived and felt a weight drift form your shoulders, this feeling is no longer there. I guess it depends on why you are flying in or out.....business or pleasure. But I must agree 200% at the shock of the blatant toll gate at the airport entrance/exit!!! I find this HIGHLY inappropriate and wonder where the alternative route is that legally is supposed to be available for ALL toll roads - or has this law been thrown out somewhere along the line?
Dr Peter Brothers


We're "Getting with the Programme"
02 Sep 2010
Talking point: September 1, 2010
Niki, Your article was so beautifully written, you clearly have a talent there, well done. I whole heartedly agree with "Ouch" though. How does that old cliche go "change is the only constant". Whilst some see Durban as being so laid back that even the bougainvillas lie helplessely against the fence, there are those of us who live here who would gladly embrace any opportunity to move it up a gear, get with the programme, experience some of 'Joburgs' vitality and energy, especially when it comes to business. I think our new airport has helped us achieve this. I am able to now drive to the airport, not even 10 minutes from my home town of Ballito, and meet up with departing business connections for a quick dinner, without having to risk life and limb driving into what is a dedicdely 'dodgy' part of Durban, where the old airport was located. And the best part is that the hotpot of aromas from curry's, spices, wet salty air and our Miami style beach front, is still there...the new airport didn't take any of that away. It simply gave our visitors a newer, cleaner, safer and more efficient gateway to experiencing it all. Viva King
Anonymous


How About Johannesurg and Gauteng, North West and Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal
02 Sep 2010
Travel giant set to sell SA
What ever happened to the idea of a 72 hour stop over in Johannesburg and to experience OUR culture, and beauty and history? After all we are integral part of the country where some of the most interesting history developed. What ever happened to going to Kruger National Park and to experience the incredible beauty of Mpumalanga? Pilanesburg? What ever happened to taking a trip to Durban via the uKhalhamba-Drakensberg Park? Lindsey Kann, tourist guide based in Johannesburg
Lindsey Kann