Tag Archive for: Traveling to Cape Town

Andrew Stegmann
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Inaugural United Airlines Direct Flight From New Jersey Lands in Cape Town

The inaugural United Airlines direct flight from New Jersey’s Newark Airport to Cape Town International Airport landed at 6pm on Monday amid much pomp and ceremony.
The ultra-long-haul flight sees the airline returning to Africa – United last flew to Africa via its Houston to Lagos route, which was discontinued a few years back – with plans to operate three weekly seasonal, non-stop flights between Newark and Cape Town until March 25 next year.

Finance and Economic Opportunities MEC David Maynier said: “The United States is a key tourism and business market for the province, and we look forward to welcoming United’s customers to Cape Town and the Western Cape.

This new service will open up the US and North American markets to opportunities in the Western Cape, and significantly contribute towards growing our tourism sector and stimulating economic growth in the Western Cape.

United’s regional managing director of sales, Bob Schumacher, said: “Our new service […] will provide our business and leisure customers with a seamless and more convenient way to travel between South Africa and North America, and more immediate access to everything the Americas has to offer.”

Wesgro chief executive Tim Harris said: “The new route will enable new and expanded economic opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic.”

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft features 48 seats in United Polaris business class, 88 seats in Economy Plus and 116 seats in United Economy.

Meanwhile, Cape Town Air Access received the Overall Winner Award for the second consecutive year at the annual Routes Africa 2019 Awards in Mombasa, Kenya last week.

Cape Town won three awards at the ceremony, including Best Airport in Africa in the 4-20 million passenger category; Destination Marketing award for Cape Town Air Access; as well as the Overall Routes Africa award.

Cape Town Air Access is a partnership between the City, the Western Cape Government, Airports Company SA, Cape Town Tourism, Wesgro and South African Tourism, which aims to land more direct routes into Cape Town International Airport.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], BlogDeBanderas [2].

Andrew Stegmann

10 Cape Town Beaches Awarded Blue Flag Status

Ten beaches in Cape Town have been awarded Blue Flag status.

The Blue Flag beaches are:

  • Bikini Beach
  • Gordons Bay
  • Camps Bay
  • 4th Beach, Clifton
  • Fish Hoek; Llandudno
  • Melkbosstrand
  • Mnandi
  • Muizenberg
  • Silwerstroomstrand
  • Strandfontein

Seaforth has been givened pilot status, which refers to a trial period, whereafter it could be awarded Blue Flag status.

Blue Flag is an international accreditation awarded to beaches that display excellence through meeting 33 criteria covering four categories: environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management, and safety and services.

“The City is honoured to once again be part of the Blue Flag programme, with 10 of our beaches making the cut,” said the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Zahid Badroodien. “The Blue Flag beaches are geographically well positioned around the metropolitan area, from Silwerstroomstrand in the north, beaches on the Atlantic Seaboard, to the secluded little Bikini Beach next to the Gordons Bay ‘harbour in the south. “These beaches are visited by thousands of residents and tourists every year and the City is making sure that they are of a high standard.”

Since the second week of September, lifeguards have been stationed at various bathing areas around the city. More than 330 lifeguards will be on duty to ensure public safety, the City said. During the 2018/19 summer season, the Recreation and Parks Department noted a near 50% reduction in the number of fatal drownings compared to the previous season.

“The reduction was as a result of increased education and awareness around the type of behaviours that put bathers at risk, but also the heroics and vigilance of our lifeguards. “It is a massive undertaking to keep an eye on the thousands of people who descend on our beaches over the peak summer season, particularly on the priority days like Boxing and New Year’s Day.

“Our staff work tirelessly to ensure a quality experience for all visitors to our facilities, but ultimately it’s a two-way street and we need the public to support us by listening to lifeguards and other City staff, and to swim only in designated areas. “Other concerns that our lifeguards have to contend with include drinking and swimming and unsupervised children,” said Badroodien.

For more information about visiting Cape Town, browse the Cape Town Tourism website by clicking here.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: John O’Nolan [1], [2].

Andrew Stegmann

Cape Town Mayor Encouraging Capetonians to Vote for the City in the 2019 World Travel Awards

Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato has encouraged Capetonians to vote for their city in the World Travel Awards.

Plato and Mayco Members for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, James Vos and Safety & Security, JP Smith took the cableway to the top of Table Mountain to highlight this campaign during Tourism Month.

Established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries across the world, the World Travel Awards are recognized as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.

Cape Town is currently the holder of the “World’s Leading Festival & Event Destination”.

At the recent Africa & Indian Ocean World Travel Awards in June this year Cape Town was again voted “Africa’s Leading Festival and Event Destination” for the second consecutive time.

Table Mountain won the title of “Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction and Cape Town International Airport won “Africa’s Leading Airport”. All three contenders are now in running for the world title at the 2019 World Travel Awards and I am calling on all Capetonians to help us bring home these prestigious awards.

Voting opened to the public on the 12th of September, and closes on the 20th of October 2019.

“We are excited to be in the running once again for this honor and encourage all Capetonians to vote. The nomination is further proof that Cape Town is a world-class destination and with the help of fellow Capetonians we are hopeful that we can retain this title,” said Plato.

“We are certain that awards such as these and our world class attractions will continue to boost tourism, which is a key sector for the City, having created more than 300 000 jobs in total. The tourism sector currently has the highest economic growth and employment potential,” added Plato.

Cape Town International Airport is also in the running to be named the world’s leading airport having taken the “Leading Airport in Africa” title.

Voting can be done on the World Travel Awards website by clicking here.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: John O’Nolan [1], [2].