Samba! Frevo! Caipirinha! Churrasco!

The 4th Afro-Brazilian Festival at Market@theSheds on the 28th of September, gave guests the opportunity to eat, drink, and dance Brazilian. This unique collaboration with the Embassy of Brazil in South Africa turned the monthly market into a Brazilian-African fusion of art, culture dance and music.

Guests spent the day eating gourmet food, indulging in a variety of drinks, hanging out with friends and dancing the day away. Ballet, Mojito Swing, Jiu Jitsu and Frevo dancing formed part of the line-up of the day.

Included in the festivities of the day were Brazilian martial arts, soccer demonstrations and activities for the children, making it a family friendly occasion. The usual offering of local food was spiced up with Brazilian flavour and over 30 craft, fashion and design stalls formed part of the festival. A good day was had by all!

The Javett Art Centre at University of Pretoria was launched on Heritage Day, 24 September 2019 and, in collaboration with Market@theSheds, created a relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere for guests attending the event.

The Javett Art Centre boasts work from four ground-breaking exhibitions: a collection of 101 signature works of South African art selected from collections around the country; the Javett Family Collection of South African modern art, an exhibition of significant gold pieces from the Mapungubwe collection and a selection of quirky objects from the university museums.

The regular Market@theSheds experience of gourmet food stalls, craft and fashion stalls was accompanied by live performances by Thabiso Thabethe, Magatsela More, Simba Ci and Noxolo.

Over 1000 people visited the new Art Centre on 24 September. Entrance was free and Heritage Day was well celebrated!

The first ever Menlyn Tourism Expo, held over four days, was a huge success! The expo was organised by Menlyn Park Shopping Centre in partnership with the Tshwane Tourism Association and with the support of the City of Tshwane. On Thursday 26 September the City of Tshwane’s Mayor, Stevens Mokgalapa, officially opened the event.

Exhibitors from all over the city showcased what the city has to offer of and shoppers could learn more about the local attractions, museums, nature reserves, tours, hotels, spas restaurants and more . There were games, competitions, displays and fun activities to inform and entertain visitors.

The purpose of the expo was to promote the many diverse tourist attractions in the City of Tshwane and to encourage local residents to support local tourism.

Ritsako Game Lodge will be hosting their annual Wine Show again this year on Saturday, 19 October 2019.

Entrance is R200 per person and R100 for children under 12 gets and includes a complimentary wine tasting glass and a self-braai meal. A live band and DJ will entertain the crowds and there are ample activities at the Kids Zone   such as face painting, colouring-in competition and jumping castles.

The Game Lodge has packaged special discounted accommodation rates for the Wine Show as well as optional activities such as a Game Drive in Dinokeng, the only Big Five game reserve in Gauteng.

Secure your ticket today as they have only a limited space available. Contact events@ritsakogl.co.za to book your tickets.

Held at the Rietvlei Nature Reserve, the AAVEA Regional Seminar created an opportunity to raise awareness of ways in which the attractions in the City of Tshwane as well as other parts of the Province could work together to promote and grow tourism.

The Tshwane Tourism Association chairperson, Bronwen Cadle de Ponte, made a valid point when she said ‘’collaborative marketing makes things simple; as a city we need to speak and market with one voice’’.

Mpumi Mabuza from Ushaka Marine World presented case studies that can be used as a blueprint on how to start such initiatives and their benefits.

Sibusiso Dlamini, Functional Head – Resorts Operations, City of Tshwane and AAVEA board member mentioned the importance of marketing and customer service.  He added that the City’s attractions need to give attention to improving service delivery. Tourists need to feel welcome and perceive that they get and amazing experience and value for money.

On the issue of the safety of the tourist, he mentioned that the city needs more visible tourism monitors that will work hand in hand with the police and traffic officers to address this critical issue.

Gillian Saunders, advisor to the former Tourism Minister, Derick Hanekom asked the delegates to consider the important questions of where they are, where they want to be and how to get there. Delegates where challenged to work together and do collaborative marketing. Gillian highlighted the importance of domestic marketing.

The Tshwane Tourism Association (TTA) was tasked to lead marketing collaborations with the help of AAVEA, City of Tshwane, Joburg Zoo and Gauteng Tourism. TTA already has a functional Attractions Chapter and local attractions that had not yet joined TTA were urged to do so, either as full members in the case of Tshwane attractions or as affiliate members in the case of attractions outside Thwane.

Congratulations to the following TTA members who are winners in the Regional Gauteng Lilizela Tourism Awards.

Castello Di Monte were winners in the 5 Star Guest House Category.

Adventure Zone Cullinan were winners in the Action and Adventure category

Ulysses Tours and Safaris were winners in the Tour Operator category

Sun Arena were winners in the Events Venue category

5 on Jean Guest House were winners in the 4 Star Guest House Category

Sgegede Guest House – were winners in the 3 Star Bed and Breakfast category

In support of developing young potential, the CSIR International Convention Centre (CSIR ICC) has appointed 6 students for a six-month experiential learning programme geared to help them receive their respective national qualifications.

Capacity development has continuously been a priority for the CSIR ICC. To this end, the CSIR ICC has accommodated more than 20 in-service trainees over the years, some of whom are now permanently employed by the CSIR on a full-time or part-time basis.
The programme exposes the students to a real-life environment that links the value generated from day-to-day work to organisational impact. The learning experience challenges the students to move beyond their established classroom routines into a professional working zone.

The CSIR International Convention Centre urges other hospitality industry establishments to have such community involvement programmes to ensure that adequately skilled individuals are available for employment.

012 Central “What’s Happening” newsletter
October 2019, 012 Central

A foundation for South African tourism growth
4 October 2019, Tourism Update

Poor regional prioritisation of tourism affects growth
3 October 2019, Tourism Update

Realistic pricing important for tourism growth
2 October 2019, Tourism Update

Tourism spend up despite dip in arrivals
30 September 2019, Tourism Update

Tourism minister highlights key points to intensify the growth
29 September 2019, Tourism Update

SATSA urges suppliers not to panic following Thomas Cook closure
25 September 2019, Tourism Update

Flight Centre gets local
25 September 2019, eTNW

Thomas Cook partner pledges to fulfil bookings
24 September 2019, Tourism Update

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