Win with SWISS!

To celebrate the launch of the new business class service between Johannesburg and Zurich, Swiss International Air Lines are giving away two return Business Class tickets!

To enter, click on this link: http://www.swiss.com/web/EN/various/competition/Pages/business_class_competition_form.aspx?WT.ac=Presenter-Contest_PR_ZA_EN02

Arik Air completes 100% conformity with IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA)

NIGERIAN carrier, Arik Air, has successfully completed 100% conformity with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA). The international evaluation system is a requirement and precursor to full IATA membership.

Membership of IATA accords an airline a range of operational benefits such as enhanced opportunities for code-share.

Starwood Hotels launch new resort website

White Plains, NY USA: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.  and its award-winning Starwood Preferred Guest(R) (SPG) program today announced the launch of spg.com/resorts, a new website to help travelers plan and purchase the perfect resort escape.

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Starwood's research shows that leisure guests buy vacations based on the specific experiences they want to have while traveling. That's why the new spg.com/resorts centres on what visitors will see and experience while staying at any of Starwood's over 200 resorts around the world. The site draws on images, including live webcams and actual resort footage, rather than words to show each breath taking resort. In addition, the "Discover Your Perfect Resort" search process, the new resort compare feature, and social media plug-ins all provide travellers with the most relevant content they need to pair the perfect Starwood resort with their vacation vision. 

"One of our members' favourite SPG benefits is being able to stay in our inspiring collection of unmatched luxury resorts around the world. We developed spg.com/resorts to make it easy for them to explore each of these incredible resorts." said Chris Holdren, Senior Vice President of Starwood Preferred Guest. "The highly visual website highlights the experiential aspect of travel through stunning photography along with new resort search and social functionality." 

The launch of the site also coincides with the unveiling of the inaugural user-generated "SPG Member Favourites" list. For the first time, SPG invited thousands of its most well traveled members to identify their favourite resorts across the following nine categories: Best Beach Resort, Most Romantic Retreat, Best Exotic Escape, Best Family Experience, Best Golf Getaway, Best Island Paradise, Best Spa Indulgence, Best Winter Adventure and Best Small Wonder. For a complete list of all SPG Member Favourites visit spg.com/memberfavourites. Additionally, SPG polled top travel professionals to identify the best Starwood resorts by region, including Best in U.S., Best in Asia and Best in Europe. For a complete list of travel professional recommendations visit spg.com/travelprofessionalfavorites.

To celebrate the launch of the site, the Starwood Preferred Guest program invites travelers to bid adieu to one of the coldest winters with the "SPG Pack Your Bags Giveaway." From March 15 through April 14, 2011, a new Member Favorites category will be swapped out every Tuesday and Friday for guests to choose where they would like to win the trip of a lifetime. Ten lucky winners will receive a five-night stay, plus airfare, to the resort of their choice. Members may enter once a day. To view official rules and enter, visit spg.com/packyourbags. 

www.spg.com

New 'Cape Country Meander' guides visitors through diverse Cape region of South Africa

Much as travellers have come to enjoy the sights, sounds and experiences of the Garden Route and Route 62, explorers of the Western Cape can now unlock the treasures of eight rural Cape towns and their surrounding regions with the newly launched Cape Country Meander route. 

The Cape Country Meander maps and brochures are now available at tourism bureaus and select guest houses, hotels and eateries in Cape Town and the region, to assist travellers in maximising their experience of this part of the Overberg. A comprehensive website, with event calendar, is also on hand at www.thecapecountrymeander.co.za

Located on the other side of Cape Town’s Sir Lowry’s Pass border, The Cape Country Meander comprises eight towns – Grabouw/ Elgin Valley, Botriver, Caledon, Riviersonderend, Tesselaarsdal, Greyton, Genadendal and Villiersdorp. Six mountain ranges, three magnificent mountain passes and seven dams, including the Theewaterskloof Dam, provide the natural backdrop to this attractive route.

The route journeys through fine wines, cuisine and family adventures along the historic trails cut by our indigenous peoples. Explorers, adventure-seekers, traders, missionaries and farmers have all left their mark on the region, which is today a sought-after lifestyle option for those wanting to escape the city.

Says The Cape Country Meander’s, Lizette Kok; “This region has been a best-kept secret for too long. Many people have visited one of our eight towns but have not seen the diversity, beauty and rich history of the region in its entirety. The Cape Country Meander is a tool that can be used to discover all the gems within the area throughout the year.”

Easily accessed through the overarching themes of Food & Beverage, Adrenaline Adventure and History & Culture; The Cape Country Meander has much to offer independent travelers, action seekers, families and groups all within close proximity to Cape Town.

Tourism is an important contributor to employment in this region, which was previously dominated by seasonal agricultural work. The Cape Country Meander has been created by the Theewaterskloof Municipaility, in partnership with the regions’ tourism organisations and private sector contributors.

For more information about The Cape Country Meander, please visitwww.capecountrymeander.co.za

Iberia makes tests during flights to optimize routes and save fuel

• The company is taking part in the DORIS (Dynamic Optimization of the Route In Flight) program whose aim is to improve efficiency on air routes between Europe and America
• Iberia is also making "green approach" landings at the Madrid-Barajas airport at night and when weather and traffic conditions allow

Iberia has carried out its first tests during flights as part of the DORIS (Dynamic Optimization of the Route In Flight) program, whose aim is to optimize routes between Europe and North America, improving the efficiency of North Atlantic air space, thanks to improvements in communications and to flight plans that are modified after takeoff, and take into account the latest weather conditions. On the ground the best route is sought on the basis of winds, and if one is found that is more favourable than that in the original flight plan, the aircraft is advised so that the course may be altered in real time, as long as it is authorized to do so by air traffic control.

Initial analyses indicate that an average of 2 per cent of fuel per flight may be saved. For an Airbus A340 like those used by Iberia on transatlantic routes, this would amount to a savings of some 400 kg. of aviation fuel on a flight from Madrid to Guatemala City, for example.

Iberia takes part in the DORIS program along with Spain's AENA and Portugal's NAV air traffic control authorities, and such companies as SENASA, INECO and Air Europa. DORIS is an initiative of the AIRE (Atlantic Interoperability Initiative to Reduce Emissions) program, within the framework of the cooperation agreement between the US FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and the European Commission, aimed at reducing the environmental impact of commercial aviation.

Iberia participates in another AIRE program called RETACDA (Reduction of Emissions in Terminal Areas using Continuous Descent Approaches), that consists of using continuous or "green" landing approaches at low engine speeds. This practice cuts fuel consumption and can lower CO₂ emissions by as much as 25 per cent, while reducing noise to a minimum.

Iberia was the first airline in Spain to use such approaches and it took part in the initial phase of the project with more than 600 continuous descents at the Madrid-Barajas airport, all of them at night, and when permitted by weather and traffic density conditions.

South Africa's newest low cost airline takes too the skies

Velvet Sky, South Africa's newest low-cost airline is open for bookings. Visit http://www.velvetsky.co.za/ for great specials between Johannesburg ORTIA, Durban KSIA, and Cape Town International

First Car Rental signs exclusive partnership with new airline, Velvet Sky

First Car Rental is proud to announce the exclusive car rental partnership with the new, low cost airline, Velvet Sky, as of March 2011.

Velvet Sky will open their reservation system for bookings during the course of Friday 18 March and their first commercial flight will commence on Tuesday 22 March. 

Services will commence with one plane, flying the Durban/ Johannesburg route twice a day and Johannesburg/ Cape Town route once a day.  They intend to have three planes in the sky by June 2011, which will include a Durban / Cape Town route.

Says Melissa Storey, Executive Head: Strategy, Development & Marketing, “This is an exciting partnership for First Car Rental. We take our strategic alliances very seriously and adopt an approach that selects the best partners to grow with. We firmly believe in mutually beneficial relationships, focussing on each partner’s strengths, leveraging each opportunity that presents itself, and this will be the case with Velvet Sky who shares similar beliefs.”

First Car Rental’s business is well-segmented in terms of direct consumer, corporate, retail, replacement, tour operator, inbound and film but a market sector that they haven’t enjoyed, until now, is aviation.

Says Storey, “This segment will assist us in combating seasonality, enabling us to manage and balance our fleet with less risk of high volume last minute up-fleeting or de-fleeting to try and match demand. Car rental is a cyclical business, and the purchasing as well as the planning thereof, is crucial to make this contribution model work.”

Storey continues, “A low cost airline like Velvet Sky presents us with an opportunity to become the preferred car rental company of their daily direct consumer and corporate SME base, and inevitably, a stable, less seasonal domestic base. They present us with the ability to reach a captive, and more importantly, a targeted audience.”

Storey says that the stronger the exclusive relationship is, the more both customer bases are likely to utilise combined air and land services that these two companies, as partners, provide.

She says, “We, on the other hand, can provide Velvet Sky with an existing customer base, all our valued customers, the majority of them having to fly to a local destination before they collect a car from us.  We will do all in our power to expose the Velvet Sky product to them, and ensure that we enable loyal First customers to become loyal Velvet Sky customers.  We have agreed to make all our channels available to our new exclusive airline partner so that Velvet Sky has an automatic catapult into the market.”

She concludes, “We will create brand awareness for our new partner and support them with everything available to us, which includes actual flight bookings from our website and corporate booking tools. On a lighter note, First Car Rental and Velvet Sky share similarities in their logo palette, they are both predominately purple and this will make the creative process of dual branding campaigns easy on the eye and a pleasure to create - this is an advantage, but just the start of great things to come.”

Velvet Sky air ticket booking capability will be available on the First Car Rental website from Friday 18 March onwards, and will offer clients business and holiday packages in one seamless process in the very near future. 

Hop to a Southern Sun hotel this Easter

Everyone loves magic. If you don’t have a wand, and are in need of a little respite, perhaps hop to a Southern Sun hotel this Easter where your wish will come true. Easter is a time to celebrate life and infuse a sense of renewal. With Southern Sun’s broad range of hotels throughout South Africa, you don’t need to go far or wide for some time out this Easter.

The picturesque Riverside Lifestyle Resort adjacent the Vaal River offers a Family Fun Package (valid until 30 June 2011) - R1 540.00 per room, per night, including accommodation for two adults and two children (under 18) including a full English breakfast. Kids will delight in a fantastical Easter Egg Hunt and creative activities at the River Rascals Kids Den (kids between 4 – 14 years) during the Easter weekend.

In the hub of Johannesburg the Garden Court O R Tambo is offering a special Easter weekend rate of R799 bed and breakfast, while Intercontinental O R Tambo’s rate of

R1 750 bed and breakfast includes surprise Easter room drops. The bustling Sandton CBD has several options for those who revel in the city vibe: Garden Court Morningside’s irresistible rate of R686 bed and breakfast is valid from 18 – 22 March and 21 – 30 April; Southern Sun Grayston’s special rate of R1050 bed and breakfast, per room per night is on offer from 21 – 25 April; and Garden Court Sandton City’s Easter special of R918 bed and breakfast per room per night includes a R200 shopping voucher (per booking). Bookings to be made direct (+27112697000). Offer valid from 22 – 25 April – maximum two adults and two children per room. Kids under 18 enjoy breakfast free when sharing with the grownups.

If you envision celebrating Easter in a more majestic manner, consider the Drakensberg Sun Lifestyle Resort’s Easter parcel. Nestled in the magnificent Drakensberg Mountains, from R1 800 per room, per night two children sharing (under 18 years) – two adults are welcome to join at no extra charge - families can enjoy an adventurous Easter: kiddies gift packages on arrival, a special Teenies and Tweenies Easter programme, a family outride on horseback, and of course dinner and breakfast. Offer valid 1 – 20 April 2011 with a two night minimum stay.

Sabi River Sun Lifestyle Resort also offers a jovial Easter package: R2 300 per weekend from 1 - 3 April, and 8 - 10 April with a minimum two night stay. This includes breakfast and children under 12 sharing with their parents stay and have breakfast free. There’s also a Kid’s Gift Box (valued at R100) and a marvelous Easter Weekend children’s programme encompassing a fun-filled Easter Egg hunt.

The Montecasino precinct has something for everyone this Easter. Bring the whole family and enjoy a weekend of fun across the whole complex. Choose from the luxurious Palazzo Montecasino from R1 680 per night, Southern Sun Montecasino at R1330.00 per night or SunSquare Montecasino at R1 330 per night.  All includes breakfast and is valid from 22 April – 2 May with a minimum two night stay. These offers also include Bird Gardens and Tenpin Bowling tickets for the whole family, plus a wonderful Easter Weekend Activity programme across all 3 Hotels. 

At Garden Court Hatfield families can enjoy an Easter Bunny and an Easter Egg hunt for big and small, as well as a complimentary glass of house wine or fresh fruit juice at Easter dinner on 22 and 23 April.

And because we know our guests savour their time away, often wishing for just one more day, when you pay for three nights at selected Southern Sun hotels, the fourth night is on us. Book your extended Easter SunBreaks holiday in Cape Town or Durban over selected dates between 25 March and 2 May. Kids under 18 sharing with parents stay and eat breakfast for free.

If you seek a little magic, you don’t need to wait for Christmas. This Easter Southern Sun offers a special something for everyone. So hop to it. 

Cathay Pacific extends special fare to more cities in Japan

Cathay Pacific Airways has extended the special one-way economy class fare of HK$5,755 (approximately R5 300) to include all seven airports in six Japanese cities that Cathay Pacific and Dragonair operate - Narita and Haneda in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Fukuoka and Okinawa.

This special fare arrangement, introduced Saturday (12 March) afternoon, will be available for sale and travel until 20 March and is designed to help those without any confirmed bookings who want to fly back to Hong Kong as soon as possible. For bookings please contact local Cathay Pacific offices or refer to www.cathaypacific.com.

Cathay Pacific has also updated its special ticketing guidelines to waive rebooking and rerouting charges for all tickets issued worldwide on or before 11 March for travel on Cathay Pacific involving Narita and Haneda in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagoya, Sapporo and Okinawa between 11 March and 30 June 2011.

Rerouting is also available to 15 airports in 14 cities, including Hongqiao and Pudong in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Changsha and Wuhan in the Mainland; Bangkok, Phuket, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore in Southeast Asia; and Seoul, Busan, Taipei and Kaohsiung in Northeast Asia.

Requests for rerouting must be made on or before 31 March.  Revised travel date must be on or before 30 June 2011.

A Cathay Pacific spokesperson said: We understand that a small number of individual passengers have bought tickets at the full published fare from 12 March 2011, and we will refund to them the fare difference between the full published fare and this special repatriation fare. They should also contact our reservations staff in Hong Kong on +852 2747-1888.

Our priority is to help bring people back to Hong Kong. As soon as the airports in Tokyo resumed operation on Saturday, we have been doing everything possible to resume flights services and to introduce this special fare to help people return to Hong Kong as soon as possible.

We will closely monitor the situation and deploy our resources to meet the needs of passengers to and from Japan."

Iberia opens VIP lounge in Mexico D.F. Airport

On March 15^th Iberia will open its new VIP at Mexico City's international airport, where its best customers can wait for their flights in comfort.

Located in the boarding area of Terminal 1, the lounge can accommodate up to 85 passengers in a 515-sq.m space, equipped with all the comforts and services for rest, recreation, or work.

The design is in the style that distinguishes the three VIP lounges in Terminal 4 of Iberia's Madrid-Barajas hub, regarded as among the best in the world. It has a rest area and reading room, a television zone, a relaxation lounge, a working area with online computers and free Wi-Fi for all guests, a checkroom, and the latest newspapers and magazines.

Exquisite food service includes a variety of fresh fruit, and wide range of yoghurts, cereals, and both sweet and salty snacks. There is also a variety of breads and sandwiches, as well as individual salads. Hot and cold beverages include soft drinks, water, juices, coffee, tea, and infusions. Spanish and international beers and wines, spirits, liqueurs, and champagnes are also served. In the afternoons and evenings a hot dish is available on demand.

The lounge will be open from 09:00 until 21:00 h., to serve Iberia passengers on the two flights operated daily from Mexico City, departing at 12:20 h. and at 21:00 h.

Iberia has signed an agreement with the Melia hotel chain to attent to the customers in the lounge, following the current model in Iberia VIP lounges at Madrid airport.

Iberia and Spainish Airport Authority invest €100 Million into new cargo terminal at Madrid

Iberia's chairman Antonio Vázquez, and the head of Spain's national airport and traffic control authority Aena, Juan Ignacio Lema, today signed an agreement to build a new Iberia cargo terminal at the Madrid-Barajas airport. Publics Works and Development Minister José Blanco attended the signing.

Iberia will spend 60 million euros and Aena will spend 40 million euros to build the new facility, which will ensure capacity for the future growth of air cargo. It will make the Madrid-Barajas airport Europe's largest hub for air cargo to and from Latin America.

The 39,000-sq.m. terminal will stand on a 92,000 sq.m. site between runways 15 and 33 and near the apron of the T4 satellite building that is used for most Latin American flights. The new feasibility will substantially reduce aircraft loading and unloading times, while boosting the efficiency and quality of Iberia's air cargo handling services at the airport.

Strong Growth

In 2010 the Madrid-Barajas cargo terminal handled more that 373,000 tonnes of freight, a 23.3% increase from the previous year. Of this total, Iberia shipped more than 175,000 tonnes,  or 47%. The new terminal is expected to lead to strong growth in Iberia's cargo handling business in the 2015-2030 period, tripling the 175,000 tonnes to some 650,000 tonnes by 2030.

The commissioning of the new terminal in 2015 is expected to create 400 direct jobs and up to another 1,000 indirect ones in such services as customs, security services, ground transportation, etc. as well as in other services such as health, hospitality, and retail.

The project will be handled by Aena's Clasa unit, responsible for development and management of airport logistical operations to ensure the efficiency and quality of freight handling operations at all Spanish airports.

The New Cargo Complex at Madrid-Barajas

More than 200 logistics and transportation companies and related firms are located in the 60-hectare air cargo complex at the Madrid-Barajas airport, in the heart of the Madrid region's industrial district,

where they have access to advanced technologies and infrastructures for the movement and storage of freight.

Iconic Protea Hotel Marine reveals its new finery

The iconic Protea Hotel Marine on the Port Elizabeth beachfront has undergone a R30 million refurbishment that has completely transformed the majestic property to its former glory.

Hotel owner, The Hospitality Property Fund, financed the refurbishment across both public and private areas of the property. The hotel’s “tower block” was gutted internally. The existing 74 rooms underwent an extensive bedroom and bathroom facelift, while 15 rooms were added in the converted Skyroof. All wooden window frames were removed and replaced with aluminum. Bathrooms were also stripped, retiled and equipped with walk-in showers. The refurbishment created a new Presidential Suite, two disabled and six family rooms to cater to a broader market spectrum.

Protea Hotel Marine general manager Danie Smit said the room interiors were not ignored. “Every room was completely redone with new carpets, furnishings and fittings. The style is classic and the colours are calm neutrals enhanced by mahogany woodwork. Each room has a refreshment station with a bar fridge, electronic safe and LCD TV. There is wi-fi throughout the hotel.”

In the public areas a classic look was created by relocating the reception and tiling the area. All other public areas were recarpeted and the outside deck completely overhauled to provide comfortable yet elegant couches and chairs to accompany the dining tables. The balustrade was also replaced by frameless glass panels that now give an unrestricted view over the ocean from the deck. Smit said the exterior of the building was totally repainted.

Included in the refurbishment was a move to energy efficiency with heating pipes and new lighting.

Smit said: “The Protea Hotel Marine has always been a landmark in Port Elizabeth that has been restored to her former glory and the physical product now matches the outstanding service that is the signature of the hotel.”

“For Protea Hotels to maintain the high standards that GUESTS have become accustomed to, we believe there should be continual investment in the properties,” said Danny Bryer, Group Sales and Marketing Director for Protea Hospitality Group. “The new Protea Hotel Marine is a credit to its owners and to Protea Hotels.”

Protea Hotel Marine is only 7km from the Port Elizabeth airport and is within walking distance of pristine beaches, side walk cafes and the renowned Oceanarium.

1time Holdings concludes BEE deal

JSE listed aviation group finds aviation-focused partners

                                      

Wednesday, 9 March 2011: Main board–listed 1time Holdings Limited has concluded its anticipated deal with a BEE consortium for a purchase consideration of 70 million ordinary shares at a 10% discount to the 30 day volume average weighted price. The transaction is effective 2 March 2011.

1time Group CEO Glenn Orsmond says that the equity capital of R49 million will be used to expand the airline as well as its airline maintenance and charter businesses.

“Our vision has always been to create a diverse aviation group consisting of the best low cost airline in southern Africa and a world class maintenance facility. This transaction has significantly strengthened our BEE credentials and shareholding and we believe that the move will assist us in realising our vision,” he said.

The BEE consortium was funded by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and comprises Mtha Aviation (Pty) Ltd, Sunrise Investment Group (Pty) Ltd and Oakleaf Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd, whose sole purpose will be to acquire and hold an equity stake in 1time.

Orsmond continues, “We are pleased that Sipho Twala, a founding shareholder and chairman of 1time, is also part of the BEE consortium. The funding will give impetus to our growth plans for the airline by introducing new routes into Africa and the Lanseria operations, as we as facilitate the planned growth of the aircraft maintenance business:”

Busiwe Magongo, MD of Mtha Aviation, has been appointed as executive director on the board of 1time Holdings. Blacky Komani, Chairman of Mtha Aviation, will serve as non-executive director in addition to his role as Executive Director: American Express Foreign Exchange and other directorships. He has 20 years experience in travel and tourism.

Says Komani, “There are already a number of synergies and we intend to leverage maximum value from the anticipated growth in passenger numbers in Africa, utilising the BEE consortium’s expertise to maintain and enhance 1time’s competitive edge. We anticipate growth in our market share through an improved range of offerings and have expansion plans in place.”

Ethiopian Airlines to start New Flights to Hangzhou, its Fourth Destination in China

Ethiopian Airlines is pleased to unveil its plan to commence new flights to Hangzhou, one of the most renowned and prosperous cities in China effective May 1, 2011. Hangzhou, located in Zhejiang province, is famous for its picturesque scenery, rich history, and is without question one of the most beautiful cities in China.

Hangzhou is a great alternative to the busy Shanghai airport for those traveling to/from Shanghai as it is only 45 minutes away via Shanghai–Hangzhou high-speed train. Hangzhou is also ideally located for both business people and for traders. Yiwu, a famous commodities trading center, is also only 100km away from Hangzhou with convenient and frequent coach services. Ethiopian’s new flight service to Hangzhou provides travelers from all over Africa an easy and fast way to the strategic Chinese business hub of Shanghai and Yiwu.

With the opening of the 4th destination in China, Ethiopian Airlines will expand dependable passenger and cargo handling services to traders, business people and tourists between China and Africa via the strategic business hub at Addis Ababa.

In addition to the five weekly flights to Hangzhou, Ethiopian provides daily services to Beijing and Guangzhou, plus four weekly flights to Hong Kong. “This new operation to Hangzhou reinforces our commitment to the Chinese traveling public and the strong ties between China and Africa”, said Mr. Tewolde G. Mariam, CEO of Ethiopian.

Ethiopian Airlines is the first African airlines to connect the People’s Democratic Republic of China with Africa, starting with its first flight to Beijing on November 07, 1973. Since then Ethiopian has been facilitating trade, tourism, investment, and diplomatic relations between Africa and China. No airline provides more links between Africa and China than Ethiopian Airlines.

60 airline tickets to win to the destination of your choice!

Until Wednesday 9 March 2011, Air France Facebook page fans are invited to play a new game*, ‘Travel Challenge’, with an exceptional competition prize of 60 airline tickets to be won to the destination of their choice!

The principle is very simple: every day, on the ‘Travel Challenge’ page, fans discover the ‘photo of the day’ and link the photo to a city or the corresponding place from three possible choices. To increase their daily chances of winning, fans can invite their friends to join the
Air France Facebook page; if one of the winning entrants is a sponsored entrant, their sponsor will also be declared a winner. Prize winners shall be designated by an electronic prize draw carried out at 8pm (Paris time) each day and immediately informed that they have won by email via their Facebook account and their names will also be published on the Air France page.

The competition prize comprises 30 prizes of two round-trip tickets in Voyageur (economy) class valid on all Air France routes**.

Launched in July 2010, the Air France Facebook page currently has close to
170,000 fans who are mostly non-French. Thanks to this ‘Travel Challenge’ game posted since 23 February, Air France has more than doubled its number of fans in less than
a week!

In addition to competitions (last month, a 5-day trip to New York was won), Air France invites fans to discover airline news and behind-the-scenes footage from a novel angle. With some twenty videos and more than a thousand photos, the Air France Facebook page is the place to be for the airline’s most avid fans and aviation enthusiasts. With its video chats (new Premium Voyageur offer) or its fun posts (guess the name of a future destination served by the airline), Air France is directly interacting with its customers via several dozens of daily exchanges.   

Shave or spray at Garden Court Sandton City and support CANSA

At Garden Court by Southern Sun we work hard to create a great day. For those touched by cancer, however, experiencing a great day can be more challenging. We know this because our own people have been personally affected by the illness. This is why we have decided to host a Shavathon in support of the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA). From 3 – 5 March 2011, (8h00 to 16h00) at Garden Court Sandton City, you can shave or spray and show your support too.

“We’re a can-do­ organisation,” says Neil Bald, Operations Director for Garden Court. “Our involvement with the Shavathon reflects the Southern Sun group’s Siyakhanya Values – a philosophy incorporating the view that our caring and enthusiastic people differentiate us. Our people are the ones who constantly strive to deliver, exceeding our guest’s expectations – and as a minimum, meeting them. Our Siyakhanya Values (meaning We Shine) include Innovation, Integrity, People-Centred, Reliability, Respect and Teamwork. They form part of our daily lives and the way we live, and we evaluate everything we do to see if it is in line with these very critical and fundamental values.”

“Our employees’ voluntary participation in the Shavathon reflects how our people truly live the company’s philosophy every day,” says Bald.

“It also shows we are an organisation that cares,” says Anthony Batistich, General Manager, Garden Court Sandton City. “Not only about guests in our hotels but about the broader community. We are not solely bottom line driven, we are people driven.”

Through its Shavathon Garden Court by Southern Sun aims to generate awareness about cancer and raise funds to support CANSA. The Netcare Clinton Clinic in Alberton will supply pamphlets and information provided by its Oncology department while employees from several hotels including Garden Court Sandton, Garden Court Morningside, Garden Court

O R Tambo, Garden Court Brand Office and Southern Sun Katherine Street will assist with shaving and spraying, together with hairdressers from Salon Prive in Northriding Square, as well as Hychem & FMS (who have donated items needed), and family members and friends who are all actively supporting the initiative. Garden Court Sandton City will be selling scrumptious Boerewors Rolls (R17.00 each – R2.00 of which will be donated to CANSA). From 2pm on Saturday 5 March dj percussion band Ctr_alt_del will perform live.

“We want to create an increased understanding about the effects of cancer, and its prevention,” says Bald. “Of course, the Shavathon ultimately aims to raise funds to ensure the financial viability of CANSA’s unique, integrated support services to cancer survivors and those affected by the illness. We hope everyone will adopt our can-do approach to making a great day.”

Garden Court by Southern Sun has found a way to make a real contribution in the fight against cancer. You can too. Shave, spray or donate.

(visit http://southernsuncares.givengain.org) 

The Peninsula crowned Top SA Resort

The Peninsula All-Suite Hotel has been voted as the RCI Best Large Resort 2010 at the prestigious RCI Awards 2011.

This is the fourth year that the Peninsula All-Suite Hotel has received this acclaimed award, certifying itself once more as one of South Africa’s premier hotels.

“We take great pleasure in receiving the RCI Best Large Resort award once more. It affirms that our service standards are as high as ever and that we can look forward to yet another great year ahead”, says Peninsula All-Suite Hotel GM Chris Godenir.

 RCI represents an international timeshare exchange company and its annual “Oscars” awards celebrates  the companies’ valued club partners, developers, affiliated resorts, top timeshare sales professionals’ successes and acknowledges the important role they play in the Vacation Ownership Industry in Africa.

Situated along Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard, the Peninsula All Suite Hotel represents a landmark on the Platinum Mile of the Sea Point promenade. All 110 suites have full views of the Atlantic ocean and - from studios to luxury suites - all contain separate lounges, kitchens and balconies. Along with two restaurants, a Sauna and two swimming pools (one heated), the Hotel also provides wireless internet access, a Business Centre, complimentary Shuttle service within 8km radius and secure on-site parking.