E-Tourism: The new face of marketing

I just attended an eye-opening two days E-Tourism Summit at the CTICC in Cape Town.

No doubt that the traditional ways of marketing accommodation are being marginalised by a new generation, consumer driven social media and the ability to trade online on their mobile phones.

It was interesting to hear from the worlds largest online travel agent about the inaccurate inventories and conflicting rates of the same properties on different platforms. This causes distrust and potential online bookers will leave your website in search of alternative option(s) where they will feel comfortable to trade online.

The exciting news was that smaller establishments can share in many of the benefits that are available to them, absolutely free of charge! Owners can decide; the expensive way of re-inventing the wheel or to join the new modern way of collaborating, building relationships, sharing and understanding how to grow your business, cost-effectively in an ever demanding industry.

We invite establishment owners to follow this blog or visit our website as we share more exciting information with you.

The 3rd E-Tourism Africa Summit

In two weeks' time (25-26 October 2010), the Cape Town International Convention Centre will be buzzing with thousands of delegates and speakers from around the world, converging on the Mother City for the 3rd Annual E-Tourism Africa Summit.

The expansion of faster broadband and more readily available access to the internet, the growth of e-commerce and the social media revolution give rise to the numerous tourism-related topics under discussion at this 2-day event. 

Anyone and everyone with a business in or relating to the tourism industry in Africa should take the opportunity to attend this event where you can learn about new products and services locally available to improve your business, discover new e-commerce and reservations solutions, learn how to market your business effectively online and how to use multimedia and social media to your advantage and create powerful networking opportunities.

For more information click here

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!

Weird and wonderful museums

Our beautiful South Africa is home to a myriad of museums. Although a young country by all accounts, our tumultuous history and the amazing setting in which it unfolded has inspired the establishment of a multitude of museums in every city and numerous towns.  As a result, we tend to associate museums with art and the preservation of bygone times, creatures and events, but South Africa is also home to a number of unusual museums that offer a unique experience to visitors.

1. The Warrior Toy Museum - Simon's Town, Cape Town

This museum houses a permanent collection of dinky toys, dolls, Meccano sets, model cars, boats, planes and other toys, including scores of toy soldiers depicting various battles from history. Toy collectors, children and the young at heart will enjoy the exhibits immensely. 

For more information, call 021 786 1395.

2. Bredasdorp Shipwreck Museum - Bredasdorp, Cape Overberg

The only shipwreck museum on the African continent came into being with the help of shipwreck expert and author, Coenraad Potgieter. Shipwrecks along the Strandveld coast had an immense influence on the history of the region with the southern point nicknamed "graveyard of ships". Many survivors from shipwrecks stayed on in this far-off and isolated area, bringing their experience and skills to the Overberg. The museum now has an amazing exhibition of items like furniture, figureheads, shipping equipment, household articles, lifebuoys, newspaper cuttings and scale models of shipwrecks.  

For more information, call 028 424 1240.

3. Elgin Apple Museum - Grabouw, Cape Overberg

This museum is housed is housed in what used to be an old shoemaker's cottage, a building that is over 100 years old. Established in 1972, the Elgin Apple Museum depicts the history of the apple and fruit industry in South Africa through photographic displays and exhibits. From the machines and tools used in the early days of the industry to the more advanced computerized methods of today, the museum chronicles the development and changes of this important industry over the years.

For more information, call 021 859-2042.

4. The Heart of Cape Town Museum - Observatory, Cape Town

Located in the Groote Schuur Hospital, in the very same theatre where the first human heart transplant was performed by Dr Christiaan (Chris) Barnard in 1967. The museum honours all those who played a major role in this surgical feat which marked the beginning of a new era in medicinal sciences. The museum is divided into eight parts, which includes a timeline, animal lab and a Christiaan Barnard room.

For more information, call 021 404 1967.

5. Beer Museum - Newlands, Cape Town

Over 18s are welcome to take a tour of the Beer Museum at Ohlsson's Cape Brewery. The informative tour through a fully functioning brewery is the perfect way to learn about the history and practice of the beer brewing process. Visitor's are also invited to taste the many different SAB brews at the on-site pub. 

For more information, call 021 658 7511.

Leading the way - Cape Town's green initiatives

Cape Town is leading the way towards encouraging sustainable development and renewable energy in South Africa. The Mother City's Green Goal 2010 programme surrounding the new stadium and other World Cup facilities, and other new initiatives implemented by the Cape Town Partnership, won Cape Town the 2009 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Award, beating 35 other entrants in the Best Destination category.

The aim is however to continue to build on the successes and recognition the city received during the World Cup and next on the agenda is Cape Town's Green Week (19-23 October 2010). During this week, ahead of the UN Climate Change Summit in December, at a series of events hosted by the Cape Town International Convention Centre, hundreds of international delegates and professionals (including business leaders, financiers and investors, green groups and property sector professionals) will converge on Cape Town to explore ways to take a "greener" approach to business and creating employment opportunities, while protecting the environment and building communities and cities that work. Partners in this event include the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative and the Green Building Council of South Africa, among others. The City of Cape Town will launch its Green Building Guidelines and Green City Programme during this week.

(Read more about Cape Town's Green Initiatives at www.capetownpartnership.co.za).

So what can you do while the movers and shakers discuss and make decisions? Join a green group (for example, www.freelifeonearth.org). Educate yourself. Every little thing that each of us can do to reduce our impact on the earth and the environment will ensure a better future. If a lot of individuals could bring the earth to the state it is in today, then individuals can fix the problem! Take a stand today.

Celebrate Spring!

What better way to celebrate spring than to put together a lunch, grab your loved ones and head out to a favourite picnic spot? 

Here are the Top 10 Picnic Spots in our country (proud Cape Townians, see how many are right here in our backyard!):

1. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens (pictured above)

2. Sandy Bay Beach

3. Melkbosstrand

4. Mbashe River

5. Union Buildings gardens

6. Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden

7. Modjadji Cycad Forest Reserve at Ga-Modjadji

8. Vredefort Dome

9. Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve

10. The Indian Ocean  ... one assumes they mean any beach on the East coast ;-)

(as listed by SA Tourism - www.southafrica.net)

September events - Cape Town

Here are a few not-to-be-missed events happening in and around Cape Town in September:


1.   Nando's Cape Town Comedy Festival
      Date - 30 August to 19 September 2010
      Venues - Baxter Theater and the V&A Waterfront
      Tickets available at Computicket

The largest comedy festival in South Africa (and one of the top 5 in the world), Nando's has been bringing together top international and local comedy acts for more than a decade. This year's festival will feature Trevor Noah, Jonathan Arons, Ian Bagg and Orny Adams, among others, to amuse audiences of all ages and tastes with a selection of the most popular acts being showcased on Sunday evenings for the duration of the festival.

2.    Cape Homemakers Expo
       Date - 2 to 5 September 2010
       Venue - CTICC
       More information available at www.homemakersonline.co.za

Every year the Homemakers Expo brings together a showcase a variety of home improvement and decor products and accessories.

3.   Kirstenbosch Biennale
      Date - 5 to 24 September 2010
      Location - Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
      Entry is free. Information available on tel: 021 799 8782
      or from kirstenboschinfo@sanbi.org.za

A must for any art lover ready to enjoy the wonderful weather and explosion of natural beauty that accompanies the advent of spring in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Botanical art, focussing on rare, endangered and narrow endemic species indigenous to Southern Africa, produced by the best local and international artists will be on show in this beautiful setting.

4.   Paarl Cultivaria Festival
      Date - 23 to 26 September 2010
      Location - Paarl
      More information available from the Cultivaria Festival Office 
      (tel: 021 872 9754) or www.cultivaria.com

This unique event offers a programme packed with various musical genres, theatre productions, dance shows, comedy, classical music and art, from the country's top performers, to delight and amaze visitors at various venues around the town. There are also open-plan entertainment areas, including the Bokomo Kitchen where visitors can hone their cooking skills with live demonstrations. Children are also catered for.