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.

Interesting Facts on Blaauwberg Accommodation

While busy on our latest project to link vacant accommodation direct to consultants and secretaries controlling the bulk of business accommodation bookings, we came across some interesting facts when  updating our database.

We were surprised with the number of rooms on offer in this area - EXCLUDING holiday and self-catering rentals. Here are the stats:

Guest houses + Bed & Breakfasts

Milnerton = 39

Bloubergstrand + Table View = 59

Melkbosstrand = 12

These 110 establishments offer about 700 room nights - reaching 55% average occupancy on an annual basis (total not verified yet). This means that there are at least 300 EMPTY ROOMS every day (excluding peak times) totalling a massive 110 000 room nights per year.

Accommodation Africa attended the E-Tourism Summit in October last year. Bookings.com currently the largest e-travel agent in the world, pointed out that 80% of the content and rates of guest houses and bed & breakfasts are out-dated or incorrect!!

Another alarming fact is that 50% of the establishments we called either did not answer the call or the person who answered could not assist us at all.

There are easy solutions to these and other challenges to improve service levels that will help to grow our market share.

Hotels in the Area

The following hotels operate in this area:

• Protea Hotel Island Club - 23 rooms
• Hotel Formula 1
• Lagoon Beach Hotel - 200 en-suite suites
• Protea Colosseum Century City - 68 luxury suites
• Stay Easy Century City (Southern Sun) - 205 rooms and free parking
• Crystal Towers Century City - 180 rooms
• Protea Dolphin Beach
• The Lodge Atlantic Beach - 20 rooms

These hotels contribute more than 1000 room nights to the area, while the new Radisson Hotel is being built on Blouberg beach front, adding even more rooms.
Although the building project has been temporarily put on hold, it should still be completed in this year.

With this huge over-supply of rooms and in difficult economic times it is important to re-visit marketing strategies and make sure to spend money and time wisely.

Be sure not to miss out on the opportunity offered by Accommodation Africa Online to tap into and share in a more stable corporate market.

Get the edge over your competitors and attend one of our presentations next week

- at 10:30 between Tuesday and Thursday (22-24 February)

Safari in Cape Town? Yes you can!

Cape Town has so much to offer that often we think that we don't think of it as a place to expect amazing game drives and wildlife experiences, however, there are some amazing safari experiences right on the Mother City's doorstep! You don’t have to take a plane to a forsaken corner of the country to see the Big 5 in their natural habitat – within 2 hours driving distance from Cape Town you can visit the Inverdoorn Game Reserve or Aquila Private Game Reserve, and see Africa’s wildlife in all its natural splendour!

Inverdoorn Game Reserve is a 10 000 hectare park situated in the Ceres region, approximately 2 hours’ drive from Cape Town through scenic mountains and breathtaking scenery. Here you can truly relax – the reserve’s facilities offer numerous activities but by far the most amazing experience is a game drive. See thousands of large and small game in their natural surroundings and enjoy the sunset from a look-out point while sipping a sundowner. Accommodation and fine French and Southern African cuisine are also available or you can simply visit for the day.

A mere 90 minutes out of Cape Town on the N1 highway, will bring you to the Aquila Private Game Reserve near Touwsriver. This prestigious 4-star reserve, situated on 4 500 hectares, is home to a tremendous variety of wildlife, including lions, buffalo and crocodiles, rhino and giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and a variety of species of buck, ostriches, Mountain Leopard and the endangered Black Eagle. Safaris through the spectacular landscape can be undertaken in open 4×4 vehicles, on quad bikes or on horseback, and numerous other activities, such as rock art tours, archery and abseiling are available to pass the blissful hours in this unique setting. Luxury accommodation, the Boma Restaurant and Cigar Bar and conference facilities are available to make your stay at Aquila complete.