Gauteng Tourism Authority

Why SA urgently needs a real-time knowledge driven tourism economy

2008-12-02T09:21:00.000+02:00

Why SA urgently needs a real-time knowledge driven tourism economy

by KHUMBU SITHOLE

THE global financial crisis has the tourism industry extremely concerned. And it should be, given the huge importance of tourism to SA’s economy. There is no doubt that some damage cannot be avoided; it’s simply a question of severity. In the absence of hard facts, the extent of the damage will remain a function of speculation, which is certain to cause panic. Demand-side factors such as escalating costs of travel and food prices, difficulty to access credit, currency performance and so forth are better understood than how each supplier is affected in particular. This data would be vital in devising timeous appropriate responsive strategies and plans supported by empirical evidence.

This situation therefore presents an opportunity to re-examine how, as tourism practitioners, we conduct our business in such a way that we gravitate towards more aggressive knowledge generation to benefit the tourism economy.

One of the hallmarks of a knowledge-driven economy is ensuring adherence to minimum methodological requirements to ensure we are all measuring the same things, the same way in the interest of comparability.

Credit crunch crisis aside, tourism is progressively becoming more competitive as more countries embrace the industry as an instrument of economic development. Many of these nations have far more advanced national statistical systems from which tourism management benefits than SA. This calls for all local industry players dedicated to the sustainable global competitiveness of this industry to come together and find solutions in the spirit of partnership. For instance, we do not always have to conduct costly and time-consuming primary research when we can draw intelligence that tourism traders keep for their own purposes. It is an open secret that some players will not share their information.

Organisations such as the Gauteng Tourism Authority, for instance, have tried to track occupancy rates as these are crucial performance indicators. The resistance has been baffling. Admittedly, there are ethical issues that we need to get past in order to be comfortable that the information provided will be used for what it is intended for and not unethically abused by competitors.

The truth is, knowing how your specific business is performing in the midst of a crisis such as the present one may not afford a full view of potential trouble ahead. Product owners are not researchers -- and should not pretend to be. It is therefore prudent to allow tourism authorities to add value to their businesses, regardless of their size, by providing them with real-time industry intelligence. But this can only be a give-and-take arrangement.

Tourism authorities also need to move with speed and purpose in making greater investments in their internal intellectual capacity to inculcate the culture of a knowledge- driven economy. There is a need to reduce reliance on external consultants as they do not necessarily help with capacity, particularly if work is commissioned to them with little or no understanding of what to expect. While it may take time to get to where we want to be, we need to start somewhere, and quickly. We need to start by harnessing readily available administrative data that can be turned into business intelligence, before we undertake primary surveys which are costly and time-consuming.

This data is available. What is missing is the right attitude towards building bottom-up intelligence resources, benchmarked against global best practices.

Khumbu Sithole is senior manager, knowledge management, at Gauteng Tourism Authority

Tour Operators Workshop

2008-11-25T13:08:00.001+02:00

Speech by Senior Manager: Destination Marketing – Gauteng Tourism Authority
Tour Operators Workshop: 24-25 November 2008
Sandton Convention Centre

Honourable Guests
Colleagues & Friends
Ladies & Gentlemen

I am delighted to have this opportunity to meet not only our Gauteng Tour Operators but also our international visitors, and officially welcome you to Gauteng. Some of you are old friends of ours and I’m also glad to welcome new Tour Operators who have come to participate in this workshop. To our overseas guests, your visit is indeed the beginning of a new phase of development and growth not only for Tour Operating industry, but also for tourism intensification in Gauteng.

Ladies and Gentlemen, tourism is a highly competitive industry, and for us to maintain and exceed our tourist arrival growth rate, it is vital that we continue to enhance international awareness of South Africa as a world-class tourist destination. This workshop therefore, is a further step towards ensuring that the benefits of 2010 FIFA World Cup are felt by all sectors of the business community from multinational companies to family businesses.

This platform again, is an excellent example of how government and business are working with tourism industry and broader stakeholders, in ensuring that planning is aligned and targeted towards a common goal - not only an African World Cup that we all can be proud of, but also to benefit more of our SMME’s.
As you are all aware, Tour Operators have a vital role to play in the success of 2010 FIFA World Cup since you function as intermediaries in the tourism distribution system, linking producers and consumers. Your expertise therefore in packaging tourism products would grow global awareness of South African tourism attractions.

I am also particularly excited about the tourism marketing opportunities that FIFA’s Tour Operator programme provides. Even though this programme is largely focused on the allocation of tickets globally, the very fact that it will incorporate hundred’s of tour operators; provides South Africa with a truly amassing tourism marketing opportunity.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank the organisers, MATCH, for this initiative in ensuring that Tour Operating programme does indeed provide such tourism marketing opportunities.
I thank you for this occasion and wish you every success in implementing 2010 FIFA Tour Operator programme.

GAUTENG - HOST OF 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP TM OPENING AND FINAL MATCHES

2008-11-06T10:29:00.001+02:00

GAUTENG - HOST OF 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP TM OPENING AND FINAL MATCHES

Before FIFA was able to award South Africa the right to stage the 2010 FIFA World CupTM, the Government had to provide a number of guarantees including new legislation – assurances required of any country that wants to put in a bid to host the event. These guarantees, like, safety and security, transport, healthcare services, telecommunication, etc. are not intended to benefit FIFA alone, but rather also helps to improve infrastructure and accelerate development as well as enabling the global football community to be assured of a successful tournament.

Hosting the 2010 FIFA World CupTM is an opportunity of a lifetime for South Africa and African continent as a whole. This is the first African World Cup and South Africa will build alliances with African communities to advance solidarity, market the continent, develop the capacity of Africa to influence global news and information flows, and to tell our own stories of Africa. South Africa will make the most of this unique opportunity to express and further build unity and pride amongst themselves by inspiring youth, marketing the country to the world, create a communication climate and to use this change to speed up development and expand opportunities.

Gauteng is South Africa’s financial and commercial heartland. The city has many names, like ‘Egoli’, meaning “place of gold”. Indeed, gold and, of course, glamour are close companions in this place, which has grown from primitive mine camp to metropolis in little over a century. The city pulsates with entrepreneurial energy while, at the same time, retaining the spirit of a frontier.

Lately, Gauteng is undergoing considerable change, and interestingly, the province’s tourist profile shows that 60 per cent of foreign tourists visit Johannesburg and Pretoria, in particular, to shop; many of them are from the rest of the continent. One of the major infrastructural developments currently underway and to be ready for 2010 FIFA World Cup TM is the construction of the much awaited Gautrain.

This multi-billion rand fast rail system, not unlike the Docklands Light Rail in London, will form a circuitous link between O R Tambo Airport, Johannesburg and Pretoria. It is heralded as an economic booster and a source of job creation, the latter being one of the fundamental pillars of the government’s economic policy, and people are rubbing their hands with glee at the huge economic spin-offs, which will hopefully trickle down to benefit those who need it most.

Excellent all-round weather with world class stadiums, Gauteng’s two big cities, Johannesburg and Pretoria is not only the host of both the opening and closing matches of 2010 FIFA World Cup TM, but also the practice venues.

“Gauteng again the hub of 2009 Confederation Cup – to host 11 matches, is ahead of schedule using this platform as a dress rehearsal for the bigger 2010 FIFA World Cup TM opening and final showpiece. Renovations to the two stadiums, Loftus in Pretoria and Soccer City in Johannesburg, and the practicing stadiums would all be completed well at the forefront, said Barbara Creecy, MEC Sports, to the 2010 local Organising Committee (LOC).”

Also in its advanced stages in Gauteng, is the ‘Rea Vaya‘ (we are going) project in Johannesburg, with 325km of special public transport lanes and intersections, and 40 transport interchange nodes where commuters can switch from one form of transport to another. In addition, the Pretoria Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) System – development of 472 km of bus ways and 113km of mixed traffic lanes, with better access roads into the city, to airports, to the stadiums and the cherry on top, a new municipal bus fleet to service, are all underway. Alex van Niekerk, Sanral Traffic Manager stated,

“The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) plans to install 76 electronic tollbooths along the Gauteng highway system, to generate cash to offset maintenance beyond 2010 FIFA World Cup TM.”

To activate this, the tollgates will use e-tags and video surveillance equipment coupled to processors running nameplate recognition software which would be placed on most highways and off-ramps. Gauteng motorists would be billed 50c per kilometer travelled and bills would be payable monthly.

Gauteng is also on top of its health and medical services – in that Gauteng takes a cue in the national Minister of Health commitment to FIFA that the infrastructure of the South African National Health System, specifically a comprehensive medical service (including 24-hour emergency medical treatment) and disaster management would be put at the disposal of all host cities, including Gauteng. In addition, free primary healthcare (PHC) will be provided for all spectators at official venues, including a script or referral to a health facility if necessary. However, costs of any investigations, procedures or admissions will be paid by affected patients.

Consequently, the Department of Health is involved in the planning of new stadiums and the refurbishments of existing ones to ensure they meet the health & medical services requirements. All stadiums have also been fully equipped with medical centres, medical PHC posts as well as roving health personnel within stadiums and stadium precincts. In addition to surveillance measures for local disease outbreaks, there is also an international surveillance system given the numerous origins of the many thousands of visitors that South Africa would be expecting.

Most cities are not safe to explore on foot and Gauteng is no exception. South Africa is working closely with international agencies in gathering intelligence. Plans are finalised to focus on border security at all ports of entry, land, sea and air borders, specifically those leading from airports into the host cities; state-of-the-art information and communication military technology will be used including a fleet of nearly 40 helicopters and a dedicated force of 41 000 officers would be deployed per match. Again a 24-hour multilingual hotline will be placed in all host stadiums to assist visitors requiring police service. South Africa in general will have dedicated 2010 Police Stations within close proximity to each of the stadiums, as well as dedicated crime-investigation teams and special courts to investigate and deal with all event-related crimes 24/7.

In addition to these preparations, four mobile command centres is under construction. These centres will feature high-tech monitoring equipment, which will be able to receive live footage from airplanes and other cameras. It should be noted that these investments would continue to assist police in their crime-fighting initiatives long after the final whistle of 2010 FIFA World Cup TM.

Gauteng as well boasts a variety of accommodation establishments, including hotels, guest-houses, bed and breakfast establishments, game lodges, national parks and self-catering units. In response to statement made by FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, regarding accommodation, Thembi Kunene, Chief Executive Officer at the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa stated:

“In fact, we have almost 100 000 graded hotel and non-hotel rooms and we grade in the region of 150 establishments a month. South Africa attracts between 500 000 and
600 000 visitors a month in the normal course of business, and there is ample accommodation for these people. There is no question at all that the industry will not be able to accommodate 2010 arrival easily and comfortably.”

Tourism is indeed everyone’s industry and Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA) is an expert Gauteng Provincial Government’ tourism agency. As a destination marketing organisation, GTA has dual mandate of marketing and managing Gauteng’s six destinations, Tshwane, Johannesburg, Sedibeng, Ekurhuleni, West Rand and Metsweding; each offering different range of experiences, to be globally competitive in both business and leisure destination. Check us at www.visitgauteng.net

2008-10-28T07:25:00.001+02:00

From the desk of Gauteng Tourism Authority Destination Marketing: On SOCCEREX …

As the global sports sector continues to grow, the old certainties are disappearing. The industry is facing complex and fast-moving changes driven by globalization, new lifestyles choices and technological advancement. But unlike industries experiencing similar forces, sports organisations have moved forward in cooperation as well as the competition.

The imminent hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa has opened many doors for the country, one of them being Soccerex – the biggest global football focused exhibition in the world. Now in its 12th year, Soccerex is the only convention renowned for its unique platform giving exhibitors and delegates the opportunity to learn, network with suppliers, manufacturers and key buyers in international football under one roof. It attracts football legends, top football clubs and football playing nations.

The world’s largest soccer exhibition, Soccerex, will be staged in Gauteng, South Africa, for the next 3 years, after being held in Dubai for the past 5 years, and in London. Winning the right to host the event is a major coup for South Africa, as it will bring together global cross section of Rights Holders and suppliers, soccer associations, football clubs, businesses and the media, from all over the world, providing an unparalleled opportunity also for all industry decision makers, from 23-26 November 2008 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Gauteng Province, which will also host 2010 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, final and many matches in-between. Soccerex will also boost the country’s build-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup as it coincides with the preliminary draw taking place in Durban.

The magnitude of this year’s 4-day Soccerex conference will attract over 5000 delegates and 300 exhibition stands from both local and some 95 countries have been sold out. This year’s event is sure to be the biggest and best yet in Gauteng.

Gauteng is South Africa’s powerhouse. Below the surface, there’s a king’s ransom of mineral wealth and above the wheels of commerce and industry, grind away at driving the economy. It is also home to the stock exchange,

the largest on the African continent, and the country’s administrative seat of power. When Gauteng locals aren’t working hard, they are playing hard. From the rhythm of the township shebeens to the electronic beat of sophisticated suburban night clubs; street chic to designer labels; haute cuisine to potjekos and morogo; game viewing or gaming at the blackjack tables, or if your taste in sports runs to hanging off cliffs, or the gentler art of bird watching – the cosmopolitan melting pot of Gauteng offers it all. And of course, if you do tire of it all, there’s always retail therapy.

One of the major infrastructural developments currently underway is the construction of the much awaited Gautrain. This multi-million rand fast rail system, not unlike the Docklands Light Rail in London, will form a circuitous link between the O R International Airport, Johannesburg, and Pretoria surroundings.

Provincial Economic Boost
Football is a multibillion Rand industry. Research supports that, of all the sports products in the world purchased, 75% of them are for football. This is massive business and the benefits to the Gauteng economy will be huge. It is projected that Soccerex will inject more than R700 million into Gauteng’s economy as well as give the province billions of Rands worth of media coverage.

As Small, Medium & Micro enterprises (SMMEs) play a major role in the development of Gauteng’s economy, the subsidized exhibition space and networking platform for such businesses has been doubled from last year’s Soccerex.

Whilst the economic impact assessment to quantify the return on investment for Gauteng province, besides offering numerous opportunities for local companies to partner with international counterparts, it is estimated that hosting of Soccerex over 3-years would indirectly inject more than R5 billion ($586 million) into Gauteng’s economy and would contribute massively to job creations.

Social Responsibility
Adding to Soccerex’s focus on social responsibility and community upliftment, partners of the exhibition have announced the establishment of a multi purpose sports facility in Soweto, which is scheduled for completion.

Conclusion
Football is bigger than any of us and the fans are waiting to stand on the terraces in the communities with their Vuvuzelas, drums, etc. as they have done so more for more than century, long after the politicians, owners, chairmen and players have moved on. For more than a decade, football has brought together people from all aspects of the game.

Soccerex has come a long way since its humble beginnings in London n 1996. Soccerex is a unique platform for the business and commercial side of football to work together; has always been a great success and will continue as both Soccerex and the game evolve. This year also marks the first of three years of Soccerex at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, Gauteng province.

With the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the main focus shifts to Africa and the development of football on the continent.

KAYA FM CEO WELCOME PARTY SPEECH

2008-10-24T08:09:00.000+02:00

BY PULE MALEFANE – ACTING C EO: GAUTENG TOURISM AUTHORITY

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen;

Good afternoon and thank you all for coming to GTA and Kaya FM’s collaboration of welcoming their newly appointed CEO, Mr Greg Maloka.

I am honoured to see many of you from different sectors of Gauteng here this afternoon. I know the reason why, at Kaya FM functions, one not only get the feel and experience of “Good Music, Good Friends”, but also “good food, good drinks”. We count your presence not only as a tribute to Greg’s position, but also an opportunity to bring together partners who have a stake in working together for one common goal.

GTA being the strategic leader and custodian of tourism products, promoting Gauteng as a vibrant business tourism destination and experiences to both international and domestic visitors, key to our strategy is the transformation of Gauteng into a globally competitive city region focusing on marketing, destination management, industry development and sector co-ordination. Our plan draws on statutory framework for cooperative governance, and aims to secure institutional efficiency in the management of tourism in the Province.

Over the past years, we have focused tremendous energy, into restoring and growing our relationship with Kaya FM – an African-focused adult contemporary and jazz radio station, with a mix of music and talk shows, broadcasting throughout Gauteng. Our joint overarching aim should therefore be kept in mind as we formulate activities and further develop our institutional relationship, all in the name of promoting Gauteng as a dynamic destination. There are still many decisions that remain as we determine how to move forward, and I believe that there are areas also that can yield considerable growth opportunities.

I am very pleased to be able to leverage on Greg’s expertise, and his considerable talent towards turning these opportunities into tangible results in achieving both our visions.

Where there is common ground, let us find ways of combining our skills and resources to achieve our mutual development objectives. Where there are overlaps, let us communicate frankly and timeously, to ensure we do not replicate efforts or obstruct each other in any way.

Welcome on board Greg, Ladies and Gentlemen thank you once again for joining us, and make sure you enjoy yourselves. Ends.

Pula!

EXPERIENCE GAUTENG

2008-10-23T09:20:00.001+02:00

Welcome to Gauteng, “Place of Gold” – the economic powerhouse of the Southern African region and home to Africa’s greatest cities.

Gauteng connects the province to the country, the country to the continent and the continent to the world.

Geographically, Gauteng might be the smallest of the nine provinces, but is the economic heart of South Africa. A vibrant mix of energy and diversity, Gauteng is renowned for being South Africa and, indeed, Africa’s economic, financial, business and entertainment epi-centre.

Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA)
GTA is an expert tourism agency of the Gauteng Provincial Government’s Department of Economic Development. It serves as a marketing conduit between tourists on the demand side of the spectrum as well as trade on the supply side.

As a DMO, GTA has a dual mandate of marketing and managing destination Gauteng and its six regions - Tshwane, Johannesburg, Sedibeng, Metsweding, West Rand and Ekurhuleni regions; each offering different range of experiences, to be globally competitive in both business and leisure destination; whether it’s adventure & sporting events, shopping, dining & entertainment, history & heritage, arts & culture, nature & wildlife, spas & retreats, gaming & gambling, etc.

GTA aligns its international marketing to the strategies of our National Tourism Organisation (NTO) SA Tourism by targeting specific overseas and African markets for the purposes of business and leisure tourism and other niche markets such as health/medical as well as sports tourism.

Business Tourism
Tourism has emerged as the dominant tool for economic growth and good niches in business tourism exist for developing and transition economies.

Business tourism is a lucrative, fast-growing segment of the world’s largest industry sector and is also an important contributor to South African economy.

Business tourism is one of GTA’s focal points. It has its own special demands to which only who can guarantee to meet and exceeds expectation with a committed professionalism, will excel.

South Africa is known for its beautiful cities and diverse destinations.

Why should you choose Gauteng as your Meetings venue?
Simple! Gauteng has it all:
Gauteng’s status as business hub is undoubtedly, one of the major reasons for its popularity amongst delegates and is perfectly poised to cater to this market.

Gauteng has over 400 meeting venues offering a fantastic choice to any meeting organiser that will suit different requirements.

Gauteng is home to two of South Africa’s four biggest convention venues, as well as major exhibitions facilities which have secured its ranking as the country’s exhibitions capital.

The meetings industry in the province has a vast array of professional services and resources such as
- translation services
- audiovisual equipment
- easily accessible & high standards.

Accommodation
Gauteng hosts some of the world’s top brands and boutique hotels. For business tourists that wish to retreat to the hushed halls and gentle atmosphere of the less opulent, but equally comfortable, there are options of graded guesthouses, bed & breakfast, (B&B’s), Backpackers, Caravan Parks, Camping, Lodges, Resorts, etc.

Gauteng dominates the economy of the sub-region, offering access to the
- biggest trade
- information technology
- world-class telecommunications
- road & rail network
- sophisticated infrastructure
- excellent public transport facilities
- world-class banking & financial
Institutions
- unrivalled hospitality, etc

Responsible Tourism
GTA recognises that poverty eradication, transforming the tourism industry, and making the tourism economy benefit all South Africans are essential to building a competitive tourism destination. Mechanisms have been put in place to ensure that historically disadvantaged groups benefit and are economically empowered through tourism. Therefore nurturing of Small, Medium, Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) remains a key priority as their growth impacts positively on the provincial economic growth.

Leisure Tourism
The leisure tourism sector is very fragmented, covering a wide and diverse range of products and services. When Gauteng locals are not working hard, they are playing hard. The cosmopolitan melting pot of Gauteng’s offering includes:
- Entertainment, Shopping & Dining
- Casinos
- Theatres
- Jazz clubs
- Bars & Restaurants
- Gay & Lesbian sites
- History & Heritage
- Cradle of Humankind
- Over 60 Museums
- Origins Centre
- Tswaing Crater
- Arts & Culture
- Galleries
- Cultural precincts
- Craft Markets
- Outdoor & Nature-based Activities
- Wildlife & nature reserves
- Rich archaeological Heritage
- Safaris & Boat riding
- Horse-riding
- Hiking & Water-sports
- Bird watching
- Sporting
Excellent, all-round weather with world-class stadiums makes Gauteng a leisure sporting destination. The province has played host to SA Renault Formula 1, Rugby World Cup final, all African Games, Cricket World Cup, Soccerex, etc. Gauteng is not only the host of both the opening & closing matches of the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup, but also he practice venue. Gauteng will again be hosting the Confederation Cup Draw 2008.

GTA has a vast bouquet of products and services, which includes:

- Pre/Post tours & incentive packages
- Destination display & promotion
- Media Educational & site inspection
- Opening ceremony sponsorship &
Registration assistance
- Hospitality/Information Desk during
Events
- Visa, Protocol & National Security
- Advisory services (venues, PCO, DMC,
IT, Marketing insights & Research

So take time to peel away perceptions of business outfits and briefcases and discover there is more depth to Gauteng than meets the eye. GTA will provide you with great “insider” information and assist in planning your event.

Facts about Gauteng
Size : 17 000sq km
Population : 8 000 000
Languages : English, Africans, Zulu, SeSotho
Weather : Summer: 5/27◦c Winter: 0/18◦c
Currency : Rand
TAX/VAT: 14% (Refund for foreign tourist at Airports)
Disability : Physically challenged are catered for

Suggested Gauteng Tour Itinerary

Option 1
Pick up at the hotel. Start at MAROPENG CENTRE, the Tumulus, containing display of unique history of humankind.
Make your way to the limekilns, then underground into the depths of the STERKFONTEIN CAVES.
Be transported to the WELWITSCHIA COUNTRY MARKET.
Lunch at the WELWITSCHIA COUNTRY MARKET.
PLUMARI GAME LODGE – enjoy a genuine game drive and real bush experience.
Check in at the PLUMARI GAME LODGE.
Dinner & other entertainment at a massive dome-thatched lapa.

Option 2
Depart hotel & breakfast at Harvard Café (Rand Park Airport).
Board HENLEY AIR HELICOPTER CHARTER at Rand Airport – fly over Ekurhuleni towns en route to Blesbokspruit Wetlands Reserve in Grootvaly, Springs & Marievale Bird sanctuary.
Visit KE-DITSELANA MULTI-CULTURAL VILLAGE & enjoy lunch there.
Experience the KE-DITSELANA MULTI-CULTURAL VILLAGE tour - a cultural village housing 9 of SA’s cultural groups.
Airlifted back to Rand Airport in Germiston.
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS MUSEUM.
Depart by bus to EAST RAND TRADERS SQUARE.
Return to Hotel.
Dinner at own arrangement.

Option 3
Depart hotel for a Hot Air Balloon Safari including CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST in Magaliesburg Area.
Experience SOWETO tour – Mandela Museum, Hector Pieterson Museum, Regina Mundi Church.
Lunch at popular Soweto Restaurants: Nambitha, Wandies, Sakhumzi Restaurant.
Visit the APARTHEID MUSEUM.
Return to Hotel.
Dinner & entertainment at BACK O’ THE MOON, GOLF REEF CITY.

Option 4
Depart hotel for the Vaal.
Visit SHARPVILLE MEMORIAL commemorating those who died in the liberation struggle at Sharpville in 1960.
Visit the VAAL TEKNORAMA MUSEUM.
Lunch at the Riviera Hotel.
Beauty & Spa treatment at RIVIERA HOTEL.
River boat cruise with the STONEHAVEN ON THE VAAL.
Return to hotel in Sandton.
Dinner & entertainment at SUITE 16 RESTAURANT.

Option 5
Visit THE CITY OF TSHWANE (Pretoria) – Voortrekker Monument, Marabastad, Kruger House & Union Buildings.
CULLINAN DIAMOND MINE – Underground tour of the Diamond Mine.
Lunch at Cullinan.
Enjoy an afternoon game drive of the KWALATA GAME RANCH a Big Five Ranch.
Return to Hotel.
Dinner at Mandela Square entertainment at BLUES ROOM, Sandton.

Economic heart of South Africa

2008-10-22T13:56:00.002+02:00

Tourism is a lucrative, fast-growing segment of the world’s largest industry sector and is also an important contributor to South African economy.

Geographically, Gauteng might be the smallest of the nine provinces, but it is the economic heart of South Africa. It boasts more than 400 highly professional and technologically advanced meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sectors that collectively, host an average of 13, 000 events annually. The abundance of sophisticated, stylish, state-of-the-art venues, and superior accommodation offers a blend of the lively city buzz and venues that gives you a complete piece of mind in the picturesque fringes of the city.

Over 40 international airlines link the province to major centres worldwide, serviced by a number of airports. Added to this Gauteng has an excellent road and rail network, modern public transport facilities, world-class banking & financial institutions, and unrivalled hospitality and warmth of our people.

The Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA) is a specialist tourism agency of the Gauteng Provincial Government, with a dual mandate of marketing and managing destination Gauteng’s six regions, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng, Metsweding, West Rand, and Johannesburg, each offering a different range of experiences that make them globally competitive as both business and leisure destination.
Business tourism is one of GTA’s focal points. It has its own special demands to which only who can guarantee to meet and exceeds expectations with the committed professionalism, will excel.
Truly, Gauteng is undoubtedly the shopping hub of South Africa with superb shopping malls and districts offering excellent value for money. From the rhythm of the township shebeens to the electronic beat of sophisticated suburban night clubs, street chic to designer label, haute cuisine to potjiekos and morogo, game viewing or gaming at the blackjack tables, if your taste in sport runs to hanging off cliffs or the gentler art of bird watching, the cosmopolitan melting pot of Gauteng offers it all.

Climate Change - South Africa

2008-10-21T14:51:00.001+02:00

What causes climate change?
The global climate system is driven by energy from the sun. Several gases in the atmosphere act to trap the energy from the sun, thus warming the earth. These gases are called greenhouse gases and the process is the greenhouse effect. Without this there would be no life on earth. Human activities over the last 200 years, particularly the burning of fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas) and the clearing of forests, have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This is likely to lead to more solar radiation being trapped, which in turn will lead to the earth's surface warming up - called the enhanced greenhouse effect.

How does a changing climate influence South Africa?
Higher temperatures will influence the rainfall, but it is still uncertain how the annual rainfall will change. It could increase in some parts of the country, and decrease in other parts.
Water resources: South Africa's industrial, domestic and agricultural users are highly dependent on a reliable supply of water. A reduction in rainfall amount or variability, or an increase in evaporation (due to higher temperatures) would further strain the already limited amount of water resources. An increase in rainfall, or a reduction in plant water use (due to a higher atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide) would ease the problem slightly.

Human and animal health: There are several important insect-carried diseases of humans and livestock which are sensitive to the climate. A small increase in temperature would allow, for instance, malaria to spread into areas which are currently malaria-free, and would increase its severity in areas where it already occurs.

Maize and wheat: It is currently estimated that a 10% increase in rainfall coupled with an increase in carbon dioxide would lead to a 10-20% increase in wheat and maize production, while a 10% decrease in rainfall would be approximately balanced by the rising carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere. Slightly warmer temperatures may lead to a small reduction in wheat yields, but would have little effect on maize. These predictions are not very certain.

Grazing livestock: Most of South Africa, especially the drier part, is used for grazing by cattle, sheep and wildlife. Higher carbon dioxide will lead to less protein in the grass, which will reduce any benefit resulting from increased plant growth. Less rainfall would lead to proportionately less animal production.

Forestry: The forestry industry could probably tolerate a small increase in temperature, but a decrease in rainfall would reduce the area which can support plantations, and the growth rate of the trees. A positive point is that rising carbon dioxide could help reduce water use by plantations.

The coastal zone: If the warming of ocean water were to continue unabated, the polar icecaps will melt and the seal level will rise. This is anticipated in the next century. The consequences in South Africa of a small sea level rise are not very extensive because the coastline is relatively steep.

Fisheries: Changes in the oceans have important implications for South Africa. In the recent past, variation in ocean currents has caused major changes in several fish resources important to the country. Future variations, which may be linked to climate change, could have a similar effect.

Biodiversity: Plants, in particular, have trouble keeping up with rapid climate change. Small, isolated populations could go extinct as a result. South Africa has about 10% of all the plant species in the world, of which about half occur nowhere else on earth. Warming, and a change in the seasonal rainfall of the Cape floral kingdom, are issues of concern to conservationists.
What can we do to slow the process down?

The enhanced greenhouse effect can be slowed down by following two guidelines: (1) Increase sinks and (2) decrease sources of greenhouse gases. A sink is a process which removes greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. For example: growing a tree where one did not previously exist provides a sink for carbon dioxide, because the tree “extracts" carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. A source is a place or activity from which greenhouse gases are emitted. This can be a process such as coal burning or a location such as cultivated fields.

21 Things to do in Gauteng

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Author Samuel Johnson once said “If you’re tired of London, you’re tired of life.” He’d obviously never sampled the delights of Gauteng, or he would have revised his statement.

The province is the South Africa’s powerhouse. Below the surface there’s a king’s ransom of mineral wealth and above the wheels of commerce and industry grind away at driving the economy. It is also home to the stock exchange, the largest on the continent, and the country’s administrative seat of power.

And when the locals aren’t working hard, they are playing hard. From the rhythm of the township shebeens to the electronic beat of sophisticated suburban night clubs; street chic to designer label; haute cuisine to potjiekos and morogo; game viewing or gaming at the blackjack tables or if your taste in sport runs to hanging off cliffs or the gentler art of bird watching – the cosmopolitan melting pot of Gauteng offers it all. And, of course if you do tire of it all that there’s always retail therapy...
Interestingly, the province’s tourist profile shows that 60 per cent of foreign tourists visit Johannesburg, in particular, to shop; many of them are from the rest of the continent. As the financial capital of the country Gauteng also attracts business travellers, while struggle routes are also a significant draw card.

One of the major infrastructural developments currently underway is the construction of the much awaited Gautrain. This multi-million rand fast rail system, not unlike the Docklands Light Rail in London, will form a circuitous link between OR Tambo Airport, Johannesburg and surrounds and Tshwane. It’s heralded as an economic booster and a source of job creation, the latter being one of the fundamental pillars of the government’s economic policy.

The cherry on the top, of course, not only for Gauteng but the entire country, is next year’s World Cup football. 2010 is the catch phrase on everyone’s lips – stadia are going up, and people are rubbing their hands with glee at the huge economic spin-offs, which will hopefully trickle down to benefit those who need it most.

21 Things to do in Gauteng is an activities-based guide, to all you can see and do, on your visit here. It is divided into 21 sections, each covering one facet of the smorgasbord of goodies Gauteng has to offer you. The Gauteng Tourism Authority and publishers, The World’s Favourite Publications, hope that your journey through the rich tapestry of this small but vital corner of the Rainbow Nation is thoroughly enjoyable.

As the strategic leader in tourism, Gauteng Tourism Authority uses publications such as 21 Things to do in Gauteng, to engage the public and stakeholders on activities to be experienced and enjoyed in the Gauteng province.

Gauteng Tourism Authority Website Sitemap

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