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South Africa Named Top Dream Destination

Stephen Gorman — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:55:20 +0000

It seems that South Africa can do no wrong in terms of tourism at the moment. Not only are massive growths in visitor numbers been reported of late, but the Rainbow Nation has also beaten out six other top holiday destinations to be voted the number one dream destination by the world’s largest travel and lifestyle social network Where Are You Now (aka WAYN).

Pitted against Brazil, India, Dubai, Fiji, Turkey and Indonesia – South Africa managed to take pole position with 15,300 votes from WAYN members all over the world. The second place spot went to Brazil , while Dubai came in third. The co-founder and CRO of WAYN, Jerome Touze said, ‘All seven countries and cities nominated were extremely worthy contenders and dream destinations in their own right. The immense popularity of South Africa as a tourist destination has been reinforced by this competition, and interestingly the activity we are seeing correlates with the recent announcement by President Jaco Zuma that the amount of foreign visitors to South Africa has grown by 300% to 13.5 million visitors, 9.2 million of which were tourists. It is also fascinating to note the strong interest coming from Asia, and particular India, which is one of South Africa’s BRICS partners. Out of the 408,000 fans of South Africa on WAYN, there are now over 108,000 fans from India alone.’

There were almost 80,000 votes counted for all seven dream destinations. The nominations were chosen based on extensive market research in addition to data collected from tracking user activity and engagement on the WAYN network. A dedicated microsite was set up for the contest and members were invited to participate and were offered the chance to win an iPad.

When asked to comment on the success, South African Tourism’s Chief Executive Officer Thulani Nzima said, ‘We are privileged to live in an incredible country, a land of spectacular wildlife, awe-inspiring adventure and unique heritage and culture. It is home to warm, welcoming people, eager to share it with travellers from around the world. We are already touched by the hundreds of thousands of friends our destination has made on the WAYN.com platform and we are delighted with this accolade, which we hope will make more people’s dreams of visiting South Africa a reality.’

If you want to get yourself a taste of the world’s top dream holiday destination then you are already in the right place. Using our flight comparison tool you will be able to pick up some great deals on cheap flights to South Africa. While you are at it, why not check out what we can offer in terms of accommodation and car rental as well.

The Impact Of Internet On Tourism

Stephen Gorman — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:40:33 +0000

When looking for a holiday, these days all it takes is a few mouse clicks. With an estimated 200 million travellers turning to a variety of websites each month to compare prices and deals on flights, hotels and other travel products it has become clear that a great deal of South Africa’s recent tourism boost could be attributed to the growing reach of the internet.

Speaking in a recent interview a spokesman for South Africa Tourism said, ‘The biggest thing about online is that 90% of travel decisions today are being made online. So people are using everything from Tripadvisor to Facebook to inform their choices. And what’s exciting about that is the information is rich,’ said William Price. ‘So we’re not just seeing someone share and image, they’re talking ab

out what they’ve experienced, who they’ve experienced it with and what they look forward doing next in travel.’

As a result, many local tour operators are doing everything they can to take advantage of the surge in internet bookings. Shaheed Ebrahim’s Escape to the Cape tour company won an award for the entrepreneur of the year in 2012 largely on the back of his simple innovations which saw himput wifi in all of the vehicles in his fleet and offering passengers free calls to the United States. ‘It is critical for tourists coming to South Africa to know that if they are traveling on a vehicle or if they’re in a guest house or anywhere that there’s always wifi connectivity. We traveled abroad and we find out how easily wifi is available, in coffee shops, in restaurant, wherever it may be. So I think from selling SA as a destination, if we can project out there that we have very good wifi connectivity I think we definitely do wonders to the numbers of people coming to SA,’ said Ebrahim.

In a similar fashion, many of the wine farms along the country’s 18 different wine routes are now stepping things up in terms of internet presence and social media. Some of these farms and wineries are over 300 years old, yet they are stepping firmly into the 21^st century with the help of Faebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.

Travel bloggers are also having a huge impact on tourism with an increasing number of travellers turning to them for inspiration when choosing a holiday destination. The recent Love Cape Town campaign resulted in more than 13 million mentions within just 48 hours of the launch thanks to the blogging efforts of foreign visitors. Travel blogs are in the unique position of being able to provide both inspiration and first hand information. In a market where it is becoming increasingly apparent that it takes more than a standard advert campaign to convince tourists the travel blogger is a valuable asset.

Here at fly.co.za, we have always valued the internet and we have been offering excellent air travel and hotel deals for several years. It looks like we are on the right track!

The Changing Face of Global Travel

Stephen Gorman — Fri, 10 May 2013 06:37:51 +0000

South Africa’s place in the list of top tourist destinations is quickly being cemented as the tourist rate in the country goes from strength to strength. It was recently revealed that in 2012 the growth rate of tourism in South Africa was more than double the global average.

Europe continues to supply the majority of incoming visitors to South Africa with more than half of all overseas tourists coming from the continent. The United States comes in second followed by China. In fact the number of Chinese tourists has risen by 55.9% since 2011. With such significant growth in emerging markets there are plenty of signs to indicate a lasting change in travel trends. It seems that the ‘Brics’ (Brazil, Russia, India, China & South Africa) are reshaping global tourism.

Over the next two decades, it is estimated that tourism in these emerging markets will continue to grow at double the global average at an estimated 4% each year while those in advanced economy destinations begin to level off. It is expected that emerging markets will surpass the more established ones as soon as 2015, less than 2 years away. The key factor here is that emerging markets like South Africa can offer unique experiences at great value for money. The accelerated growth in tourism is largely being attributed to natural treasures like the Kruger National Park, KwaZulu-Natal and Table Mountain. The other Brics countries are finding similar attractions are boosting their own economies including the Great Wall of China, India’s Taj Mahal, Brazil’s Sugarloaf Mountain and The Amazon Rainforest. These emerging markets are fast becoming essential sources of tourism for one another as the overall travel patterns across the globe begin to change.

A recent Brics summit held in Durban shone a spotlight on the potential for South Africa’s economy thanks to the affiliation with this group of fellow emerging tourism markets. South Africa’s tourism minister, , is currently in the process of setting up collaboration with ministers from other Brics countries in order to further expand tourism wherever possible.

Hidden Tourist Attractions In Cape Town

Stephen Gorman — Wed, 08 May 2013 07:35:34 +0000

When locals and tourists alike think of Cape Town, it is a safe bet to say that the attractions which spring to mind will include Table Mountain and Robben Island. Since both are iconic sites that are recognized worldwide this is hardly surprising, but they are not all that the ‘Mother City’ has to offer! Let’s take a look at a few of Cape Town’s forgotten attractions.

Hiking The Peninsula

One of the unique features of the Western Cape is the scenic landscape with its distinctive fynbos flora. The peninsula features several different hiking trails for those looking for an outdoor activity. One of the most beautiful trails which is suitable for both beginners and experts alike is found in the Silvermine Nature Reserve.

Relaxing At The Long Street Baths

If relaxation is more your style than physical exertion, then the Long Street Baths are a must! Located in the trendy Long Street Strip area of central Cape Town, these authentic Turkish baths offer an indoor pool and a wide range of expert massages. The baths date back to 1908 and are an ideal way to top off a relaxing break.

Indulge Your Sweet Tooth

One of the hidden gems in the Simonstown area is The Sweetest Thing patisserie on St George’s Street. With a stunning array of tarts, cakes and quiches on offer there is sure to be something to meet your own taste. Locals say that these are the best snacks in all of Cape Town. However, Compass Bakery in Kommetijie may argue with that! This charming seaside town is home to a ‘secret’ factory bakery which supplies many of the larger stores in Cape Town. However, those visiting the bakery can purchase discounted cakes and savouries.

Take In Tygerberg Zoo

Cape Town’s Tygerberg Zoo is often missed by tourist because of its location around 40km outside of the city. However, the short drive is well worth the trip to see the huge collection of animals, bird and reptiles. Some of the animals on display include lions, tigers, cheetahs, chimps and zebra making it a perfect alternative to those who feel uneasy about getting up close and personal with animals in Kruger National Park.

Top Up Your Tan In Peace

One of Cape Town’s best kept secrets is Bakoven Beach – a tiny stretch f sand found in a secluded bay. With the Atlantic Ocean rolling into the bay and a backdrop consisting of the Twelve Apostle Mountains this picturesque spot is perfect for topping up your tan sheltered from the wind as well as the worst of the crowds. Not only does Bakoven Beach boast beautiful white sands, but there are also lots of rock pools to explore and reef which provides some choice surfing.

These are just a few off the hidden gems to be found in and around Cape Town. Why not step off the beaten track and explore a little further – who knows how many other lesser known tourist spots you can find!

Busiest Air Routes & Best Airports

Stephen Gorman — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:35:23 +0000

A recent study carried out by Amadeus Air Traffic Travel Intelligence has named the Cape Town to Johannesburg flight route as one of the ten busiest flight routes in the entire world based on the volume of passengers.

The Cape Town to Johannesburg route sees around 4.4 million passengers each year securing tenth place on the list. The route is the only African one to make the list and is one of only three non-Asian flight paths to be included. The others were fifth place Melbourne to Sydney and Rio de Janerio to Sao Paulo which took third place. The winning route is South Korea’s Jeju to Seoul route for the second year in a row.

The complete list of the world’s busiest air routes in 2012 is as follows :

Jeju Island to Seoul [10.2 million passengers]
Sapporo to Tokyo [8.2 million passengers]
Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo [7.7 million passengers]
Beijing to Shanghai [7.2 million passengers]
Melbourne to Sydney [6.9 million passengers]
Osaka to Tokyo [6.7 million pasengers]
Fukuoka to Tokyo [6.4 million passengers]
Hong Kong to Taipei [5.5 million passengers]
Okinawa to Tokyo [4.6 million passengers]
Cape Town to Johannesburg [4.4 million passengers]

The survey also highlighted a number of interesting facts in regard to air travel around the globe. For example, 22% of all global air travel takes place on just 300 routes, each carrying over one million passengers each year. A further 69% takes place on major routes which carry 100,000 passengers each year.

The survey also analysed global air traffic trends across the world, revealing that the airline industry has become more and more competitive in recent years with only 35% of routes being served by no more than 2 airlines.

In related news, the 2013 World Airport Awards were announced recently, detailing the top 100 airports in the world. The awards, which are based on feedback from over 12 million global travellers and are carried out by Skytrax. This year there were three South African airports placed in the top 30. Cape Town International Airport took 22^nd place, a 5 place jump from last year’s list and was also named the best airport in Africa. Meanwhile, King Shaka came in at number 26^th where it also scooped ‘best regional airport in Africa’ while OR Tambo took 28^th place. The coveted number one spot went to Singapore Changi Airport which also recieved recognition for the best airport leisure amenities.

If you are looking to see what make’s Cape Town’s airport the best in Africa or if you want to add yourself to the 4.4 million flying between Cape Town and Johannesburg, then here at Fly.co.za we have you covered. Check out our low cost air travel on the route using our online booking tool to get the best deals.

Asian Tourist Surge Is Great News For South Africa

Stephen Gorman — Wed, 01 May 2013 08:47:50 +0000

Tourism in South Africa continues to go from strength to strength helped along by a recent surge in the number of visitors arriving from Asia. In the past year, our nation has seen a 10 percent increase in foreign visitors bring the annual total to 9.19 million. This is largely thanks to continuing efforts to promote South Africa as an attractive holiday destination.

In a statement to reporters earlier this week, President Jacob Zuma said, ‘A few years ago we took the decision to begin actively marketing South Africa in emerging markets, which has yielded extremely positive results. This phenomenal tourism growth is evidence that we are successfully setting ourselves apart in a competitive marketplace.’

The current target for South African Tourism is to target a total income of 500 billion rand by the year 2020 and to create 225,000 new jobs in the industry which will go some way to reducing the 25% unemployment rate in the country. It is estimated that foreign visitors spent somewhere in the region of 76.5 billion rand while visiting South African last year, which is a 7.6 percent increase on the previous year.

The 10 percent increase in visitors is more than double the average global tourist growth figure which currently stands at around 4 percent. The increase in visitors can be broken down by region with growth from the overseas markets increasing by 15 percent. Europe still remains South Africa’s main source of tourism with the market providing a 9.5 percent market. Asia and South America are the markets which have shown a recent surge with China’s arrivals having tripled, Brazil’s more than doubling and India’s having doubled. The United Kingdom remains the biggest source of incoming visitors for South Africa with 438,023 Brits visiting in the past twelve months. The United States is close behind with 326,643 travellers followed by Germany with 266.333. However, tourist arrivals coming in from China have risen 56 percent to 132,334 over the last year thanks to the introduction of direct flights to Johannesburg from Beijing. Brazilian visitors have also increased with a 46 percent rise taking the annual figure too 78,376.

Fastjet To Expand Into South Africa

Stephen Gorman — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:30:36 +0000

It was announced last week that African airline Fastjet are set to expand their operations to include South Africa thanks to additional funds raised via a share placing with an investor. African investment firm Blockbuster plan to set up a joint venture in order to operate a route between Johannesburg and Cape Town. The deal will see Blockbuster owning 75% of the airline with Fastjet retaining the other 25%.

It is expected that the first flights on this new route could take off as early as May 31 and tickets are expected to go on sale in the coming weeks. In the long term, Fastjet intends to extend the service to offer twice daily flights every day of the week between Johannesburg and Cape Town. It is expected that if the route proves to be a success for the airline, they will look at adding other South African destinations to their service. The plan is for the flights to operate at peak business travel times in mornings and afternoons.

In a statement to the press, Fastjet chairman David Lenglas said, ‘Today is an incredibly exciting day for Fastjet, not just in South Africa, but across the entire continent. As populations grow and disposable income and consumer spending increases, there is greater demand for affordable air travel. We would like to be part of the solution.’ The arrangement has been agreed between Blockbuster and local operator Federal Airlines who have a long history in the South African Air Travel industry. This allows Fastjet to make use of the existing infrastructure in order to offer a low cost airline model to the general public.

There had been rumours that Fastjet were poised to takeover South Africa’s 1time Airline, but this venture has put those to rest. Fastjet’s chief operating officer Ed Winter said, ‘We believe that the operating agreements in place between Blockbuster and Federal Air represent a great opportunity for Fastjet, our local investors, our partners at Federal Air and most importantly, the South African public. We are now firmly focused on quickly getting up and running in order to create a fresh, unique and commercially sustainable offering which will stimulate the market. Fastjet sees a strategic gap in the South African marketplace for a pan-continental, low-cost airline operating the yield management model required to keep fares affordable for passengers, not just at launch, but also in the long term.’

Fastjet are aiming to provide additional capacity on the key South Africa air routes at affordable rates, something that has been missing since the demise of 1time.

Relax and Enjoy the Wines of South Africa

Stephen Gorman — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 09:14:02 +0000

South Africa is widely known for its amazing and awe-inspiring Safaris and beautiful warm sand beaches. South Africa has far more to offer visitors and locals by way of the amazing nightlife and more specifically the numerous wine routes. What many people are not aware of is that South Africa has a vast number of vineyards throughout the country. Tourists can enjoy not only the beauty and adventure that the South African provinces allow, but they can also visit any of the 18 different wine routes and 2 brandy routes the country offers.

Wine routes, in South Africa, are they even possible. Yes, they are extremely possible. In fact, the Western Cape is considered the wine capital of South Africa and is home to 99% of the countries wine routes. The history of wine routes and wine production in South Africa dates back to the very first vineyard that was planted by Jan van Riebeck, back in 1655. With his first batch of wine made in 1659, he began a rich tradition of flavorful wines created throughout the country.

The various wine routes in South Africa do not only allow wine lovers to enjoy a variety of different types of wines, but it also affords them the chance to enjoy a host of beautiful scenery and the rich history of each area. With so many wine routes to choose from, many wine buffs have a difficult time choosing the ideal one for their tastes. Some of the most popular routes that wine buffs and novices alone frequent include those located in Franschhoek and Paarl, Robertson and Durbanville, as well as the Stellenbosch areas.

For those wine buffs that want to get the most out of the wine tasting, and vineyard experience it is highly recommended that you hire a car. Although there are professional guided bus tours available, a self-driven option allows you to take your time exploring as many of the vineyards, as you like and without time restrictions set forth by tours. When at each of the vineyards you will be able not only be able to sample many of the fine wines available you will also be able to enjoy a wide variety of locally produced or grown items. Some of the things you can sample include fresh and dried fruit, baked goods, berries, herbs, local cuisine, and even organically grown local cheeses.

If you are a lover of wines and want to enjoy something different when you are in South Africa consider visiting any of the 18 wine routes that the country has to offer. You will be able to indulge in not only great wines, and beautiful scenery, but you will get a chance to take in local culture.

Spotlight On Mpumalanga

Stephen Gorman — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:09:17 +0000

South Africa is home to an extraordinary number of beautiful places to visit. Of all of the provinces in South Africa, one of the most beautiful is the Mpumalanga province. This area, which translates into “the place where the sun rises,” is home to a large number of spectacular scenic views and a vast array of wildlife. A visit to this province does not leave a visitor lacking in breathtaking scenery, the ability to enjoy adrenaline pumping adventures, or the ability to see a broad spectrum of wildlife in their natural habitat. Visitors to this province will also learn of its gold rush history of the 1870s and many interesting and fascinating tribal legends.

Scenically, the Mpumalanga province is filled with endless amounts of spectacular and breathtaking scenery. Visitors to this area can enjoy the beauty of the valleys, rivers, waterfalls, forests, the panoramic passes, and the exceptional beauty of the Mpumalanga Lowveld. In the Mpumalanga Lowveld alone visitors explore the Sudwala Caves, which is home to the oldest dolomite caves worldwide. This area is also home to the Lowveld National Botanical Garden that features two rivers that run through it, the Crocodile River and the Nels River. The Botanical Gardens are lush with evergreen forest belts, hundreds of different indigenous trees, a variety of shrubs as well as cycads.

Another key draw to this province is safaris. Mpumalanga is big game country and as such is home to a broad spectrum of birds and wildlife. For those interested in experiencing these animals in their natural habitat, a visit to world famous Kruger National Park is something to be placed on every travel itinerary. Kruger National Park allows visitors to go on self-driven or guided tours during which you will have the opportunity to see the Big Five (lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros), the Little Five (buffalo weaver, elephant shrew, leopard tortoise, ant lion and rhino beetle), and countless other animal and plant species.

Pilgrim’s Rest is another must see location in Mpumalanga province. This small village now serves as a living museum to what was once a thriving gold prospecting area. With the arrival of Alex ‘Wheelbarrow’ Patterson and then William Trafford, Pilgrim’s Rest, or Pilgrim’s Creek, and word getting out that there were gold deposits in the area, the world’s biggest gold rush ever started. As gold deposits dwindled and gold was discovered elsewhere, the small village was eventually declared a National Monument. Today people can enjoy a variety of small shops, and soak in the remnants of days gone by.

Mpumalanga is a South African province that not only allows visitors to learn about different aspects of South African history, but also allows them to see many of the spectacular natural wonders that come in the way of scenery, plants, wildlife, and birds. No trip to South Africa would be complete without time spent exploring this region.

Things To See In Port Elizabeth

Stephen Gorman — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 08:20:18 +0000

Located in the Eastern Cape of South Africa is Port Elizabeth. Established in 1820, Port Elizabeth, commonly referred to as the “Friendly City,” affords those that take the time to visit the region with a broad spectrum of things to do, and see. There are historic landmarks, gorgeous views, beaches, shopping, and countless other activities to enjoy. Like all places in South Africa, you will never be lacking for things to do. How you spend your time in Port Elizabeth is limited solely to what you and those with you want to enjoy.

Port Elizabeth is filled with a number of historical landmarks and museums. If you want to not only enjoy the beauty of the area, but also learn a bit about its history, take in some of these educational sites. One site to visit is the Bell Tower, which was built in 1923 in commemoration of the areas settlers. The views from the 52-meter high building are spectacular, and if you visit at the correct time, you can hear the bell tower when it is rang. Port Elizabeth City Hall, built in the mid-1800s, is another historic landmark to visit. St. Georges Park, is the site of the second oldest cricket club in the country, and is the oldest park in Port Elizabeth. It is a great destination to enjoy a peaceful picnic, swimming, and art galleries.

As with all locations in South Africa, Port Elizabeth is also home to great beaches and nature reserves. The beaches along the Eastern Cape are some of the best beaches in the world. There are pristine beaches that are not only quiet for a peaceful day of soaking up the sun, but also warm waters, gentle breezes, and calm seas. Whether you want to surf, swim, tan, or see dolphins and other sea life in their natural habitat, the beaches of Port Elizabeth have something for everyone. Just a few of the beaches to consider visiting include Jeffrey’s Bay, Sardinia Bay, Virgin Bay, or Maitland’s.

Nature Reserves that are available in Port Elizabeth include the Maitland Nature Reserve, and Settlers Park Nature Reserve. Maitland Nature Reserve has a variety of walking and other trails, where visitors can take in the gorgeous, views of the beautiful coastal forest, and the giant sand dunes. Visitors to Maitland’s will be able to see a countless species of wildlife and birdlife. Settlers Park is another great destination for enjoying spectacular views of not only the scenery, but also the birds and wildlife that call this area their home. Visitors to this area frequently go on hikes, picnic, and there are even those that visit the area to take their wedding or engagement photos.

When visiting South Africa, do not miss the opportunity to visit the beautiful, and historical area of Port Elizabeth.

Cheap Flights BLOG - Travel news, travel guides and reviews from Fly.co.za

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