World Design Capital 2014

We have started rolling out our business travel database registrations in Cape Town and so we thought we'd focus on this fairest city in South Africa for the next few weeks. Currently in the media there's a big fuss about the Chelsea Flower Show and the accolades received by Cape Town's Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens for their exhibitions there, however, when we look at the city as a whole, there is much more to celebrate than just the cultivated landscape!

Every second year the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design awards the “World Design Capital” title to a city that has effectively used design to revive the city and improve its quality of life. The initiative aims to promote strengthening and empowering cities and their residents through the use of good design to the ends of social, cultural and economic improvement.

Seoul in South Korea held the title this year and Helsinki, Finland, has already been identified as the World Design Capital for 2012, however, the City of Cape Town and Cape Town Partnership is fervently putting together its bid to secure this accolade for 2014.

The theme of Cape Town’s bid is “Live Design. Transform Life,” and centres on the many initiatives and recent changes which have been made not only for the 2010 FIFA World Cup but to combat social divisions in the landscape and functioning of the city that still remained from the Apartheid era. Projects such as the Rapid Transport (IRT) systems, the public spaces programme and promotion of design and research at educational institutions will form a large part of the bid. Public architecture and memorials will also be taken into consideration.

Contributions from the public sector and Cape Town’s citizens are welcomed as the city’s bid is compiled for submission at the end of March 2011. Innovative ideas and projects that use design to solve urban challenges and transform our city economically, socially and culturally can be submitted for consideration as part of the bid submission.

What will it mean for us? After the successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 2010 becoming a World Design Capital will give Cape Town an ongoing opportunity for exposure as a centre for creativity and innovation and nurture pride in our city’s accomplishment. It will also help to strengthen economic development by attracting investment and further encourage the city’s global image as a premier travel destination. Most importantly – every initiative and project will improve quality of life for residents and visitors! Now isn't that worthy of support?

For more info – visit www.worlddesigncapital.com and support or contribute Cape Town’s bid at www.capetown2014.co.za.

Party to the Power of 5!

New Year's eve is the biggest night for celebrations around the world and while many are content to just be at home with loved ones or have more subtle ways to celebrate, BIG parties are hosted in every major city (and sometimes even insignificant towns) around our beautiful country.

If you have not yet found a place to party or are still deciding where to kick your shoes off on New Year's eve, you may want to consider the joining 5FM at their 5 New Year's Eve parties happening in Durban, Ballito, Cape Town, Plettenberg Bay and Johannesburg, featuring top local DJs and much more to ensure that you see in the new year in unforgettable style.

At the Wavehouse in Durban you will find the "Black Tie and Barefoot" beach party, while Ballito hosts 5FM's DJ Fresh, Euphonic, Erica Elle and Jack Parow at the biggest street party (attracting over 10 000 people annually).

At the Cape Town Waterfront you will find Just Jinjer, Zebra & Giraffe, aKing and others to entertain and delight you as you party the night away. The Vegas Superclub in Plettenberg Bay features 5FM's Gareth Cliff, KD and Nicole da Silva in its luxurious surrounds with 4 dance floors in South Africa's (in)famous party town.

Finally, in Johannesburg, at the Wild Waters Complex, 25 DJs, 5 dance floors, and top music will keep you on your feet until the early morning hours.

Don't let these unforgettable opportunities to see the sun rise on 2011 pass you by. Remember though to always be safe and alert and know your own limitations as you start the year off with a bang! 

For more information visit: 5FM (NYE)5

Looking back on 2010 - Was it worth it?

The year is coming to an end and as we look back on 2010, overshadowed by the spectacle, success and hype of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, in the midst of a global economic recession, we have to wonder if it was worth all the work and the disruption?

The results of a recent study by the Department of Tourism (presented by Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk earlier this month) have shown, in no uncertain terms, the positive impact that the World Cup has had for our country.

With over 300 000 tourists (more than half of which were first-time visitors) spending in the region of R3.6 billion, and more than 95% of them saying that they would visit the country again, the economic impact was certainly felt by anyone and everyone even remotely connected to the tourism industry. 

A little less tangible is the effect on public international opinion. Awareness of South Africa as a leisure destination has increased by almost 10% and most of the tourists rated South Africa as an excellent host (and in some instances even better than other World Cup host countries they had visited). Building national spirit and rallying the "rainbow nation" to a cause is certainly another benefit of the World Cup not to be overlooked, as well as the infrastructure development which exploded in the years and months building up to the World Cup.

In addition to these figures, the establishment of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy Trust (an initiative by FIFA, the South African Government and the South African Football Association), means an injection of 100 million US Dollar for the purposes of boosting education, health, humanitarian projects and football development in the country. This sorely needed injection of goodwill and capital has created opportunities and global awareness where before non-profit organizations were fighting a losing battle.

For the tourism industry, the positive feedback in the wake of the World Cup will no doubt bring much more rewards in the future, as the global economy begins to recover and families have disposable income available again to travel. At least now, South Africa is on the map in more ways than one!

Our favourite events calendars

How often don't you feel like doing something unusual over a weekend, but you don't know what's on or where to go? Online events calendars and sites are a great way to plan activities or events for the family, yourself and a loved one or even when you are going to be out of town for a while and don't want to just sit around in a guesthouse!

Here are a few of our favourites:

For those finding themselves in Cape Town -
www.48hours.co.za - also a print publication, this weekly entertainment guide for Cape Town and surrounds gives you a run-down of special events and activities as well as entertainment listed by categories. The benefits of such a locally focused site is that you can find activities and events which may be too obscure for country-wide guides.

Main attractions in the big cities -
www.whatson.co.za - What's On looks at events and entertainment in South Africa's big cities: Cape Town, Johannesburg (and Pretoria) and Durban. Categories include music, arts and culture, lifestyle, outdoor and leisure, and community, and based on an event you view, further events and activities are suggested in the sidebar - a very useful gadget to make sure you don't miss out on anything that may interest you. This site also offers a facility to bookmark an event in your Microsoft Outlook calendar.

Go big or go home -
www.eventsnow.co.za - This is a calendar and entertainment guide of note. You can search by location, date or category and if it's happening anywhere in South Africa, you are almost sure to find it here. With categories such as kids, courses and workshops, comedy, nature, food and wine, fashion, government and business events, nightlife and religious, along with all the ordinary categories, every possible interest or fancy is catered to! Not sure you can find your way to the event you've chosen? This site gives you GPS coordinates.

Why sit at home when there are such useful tools available to let you find good times and make memories?

The birth of a new star!

We are proud to announce the official launch of our brand new and improved website! The new site is more attractive and we have increased the functionality of listed accommodation properties as well as the Nightsbridge database. There is also an extensive section of information for tourists and travellers which we will continue to expand to help you choose your destination if you feel like roaming through this wonderful country of ours...

We would appreciate any feedback and suggestions, comments or constructive criticism. And to say thank you, for any ideas we use we will put a reward on the table! Comments can be posted here on our blog, on our Facebook page or alternatively, sent by e-mail to kirstein@bookaccommodationonline.com.

Thank you and enjoy!