Welcome to the eighth issue of The Peninsula. Do share it with friends to help us grow the readership. The Peninsula is published by CapeInfo, focusing on the area south of Table Mountain, with input from Cape Town Tourism.
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TOURISM ROCKS!
While the embattled provincial tourism agency, Cape Town Routes Unlimited, struggles on, the membership-based Cape Town Tourism is rocking! It's AGM, held last week, attracted an attendance of 680 people. "I've never heard of this kind of attendance for an AGM," said guest speaker, Yvonne Johnston, CEO of the SA International Marketing Council.
It wasn't any burning issue that compelled members to attend, it was just their passion to get tourism in the city moving. And CTT has been highly visible and successful.
The AGM attracted a record number of nominations for the new executive committee – 24 largely new faces representing a wide spectrum of tourism interests. It was refreshing.
The only exco member with a business based in the south peninsula is Susanne Faussner-Ringer, who owns Greenways Hotel in Claremont. We thought it appropriate to introduce her and Greenways to you.
Her father, who had married a Namibian but lived in Germany, fell in love with Namibia and bought property there, but then decided Cape Town was a better bet. He bought "a big white elephant on six acres" – the historic Greenways in Claremont. It started its new life in 1980 as an old age home for British tourists but then tourism picked up and it was converted to a guest house in 1994. It was then that Susanne started managing it, visiting Cape Town from Germany every six weeks. Remote management did not work so she moved here permanently in 2002. The establishment was closed and completely refurbished as a four star hotel which opened in October 2002 and was awarded it’s 5th Hotel Star in March 2004.
"It's a remarkable property," Susanne says. "It is the only big property in the area (and only 12 minutes from the city centre) that has not been sub-divided. The original 1920's building, in the style of Sir Herbert Baker, has been retained and preserved. The garden, with 15,000 new plants, was replanted along organic principles to provide fresh produce for the hotel and Ashton's restaurant. "I go out at 7am to pick up snails; we use no pesticides. Long before the power cuts or environmental issues became the fashion they are now, Greenways was piloting waste and energy saving methods."
Ashton's Restaurant has made a name for fine dining and an award-winning wine list. It was one of the first eateries in Cape Town to throw its weight behind the Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative.
Earlier this year, Susanne was elected to the board of Fedhasa Cape and now CTT. She does want to make a difference to her new home and takes social responsibility very seriously. So what's most important to her?
"The industry must speak with one voice. We are in a unique position to influence job creation and skills development." And the challenges facing tourism in South Africa?
"There are two. Transport is expensive and unreliable; that must be improved. Perceptions of crime must be addressed – when 60% of foreigners cite crime as a reason for not visiting, you have already lost more than half of your market."
And the biggest opportunity? "Europeans are becoming very aware of their carbon footprint, and long-haul flights are not for the environmentally-conscious. We need to become world leaders in giving travellers options for obtaining carbon credits. They feel good and our environment would benefit as a result. "
The new executive committee comprises Ian Bartes (Cape Town International Airport), Derek Bock (Eurocape), Pierre du Plessis (Friend of CTT), Susanne Faussner-Ringer (Greenways Hotel), Larry Gould (Golf Tourism Expert), Yasmin Johnson (Tourist Guide), Bulelwa Makalima-Ngewana (Cape Town Partnership), Linda Otto (De Keurboom Guest House), Claus Tworeck (City Sightseeing Bus Group) and Miles Willis (Sure Tours).
World Tourism Day Celebrations - Cape Town Tourism Style!
27 selected women celebrated World Tourism Day, on the 27th of September 2007.
These are the women 'behind the scene' in tourism businesses, who passionately, often without being noticed, work at making the visitors' stay in Cape Town an extraordinary one.
On World Tourism Day this year, these women experienced what it is like to be a valued guest. They were pampered, given VIP treatment and enjoyed the fruits of their "behind the scene" labour, which contributes to making this city one of the most sought after destinations in the world.
Their itinerary included some of the tourism icons in Cape Town, from a spectacular sparkling wine breakfast on top of Table Mountain, to a boat ride to Duiker Island (off Hout Bay), a visit to the World of Birds (the largest bird park in Africa) and the best for last - scrumptious High Tea at the Pink Lady - The Mount Nelson Hotel.
The lucky winners are as diverse in their occupations and are:
Barbara Elshove-Schmidt (Cape Point Route), Belinda Swart (Smart Stay), Candice Klue (Jewel Africa), Claire Mallaby (InterlinkSchool of Languages), Dale Isaacs (Fairest Cape Meanders), Dalene Olivier (Ou Skip Caravan Park), Devona Bagley (Waterfront Boat Company), Eunice Bangise (Dunkley House GH), Jaqueline Simons (Table Mountain National Park), Jean Bulmer (5Star Car Rentals), Jean Kannemeyer (Sonwabile Tours), Jill Hayes (T0bag Designs), Jo-lene Sathorar (Siyabanye), Kathy le Grange (Table Mountain National Park), Ligia de Coito (Wine Desk), Nafiesa Sadan (Table Mountain National Park), Patricia Metsing (Table Mountain National Park), Sally Grierson (Cape Point Route), Sandra Hollerman (Table Mountain National Park), Sharon Minnie (Hippo Homestead), Shirley Bolton (Ambassador Group), Tania de Maine (David's Guest House), Ursula Stevens (Wanderlust Tours).
Some of the motivations given, moved the panel of adjudicators close to tears. Herewith an extract from one: "This woman, by force of her Spirit, shows the most astonishing commitment to her job. The selfless manner in which she applies herself to her tasks, never wasting time, committed to quality service, showing the utmost courtesy to our guests is highly commendable. She is outstanding and our guesthouse owes her a debt of gratitude." - Eunice Bangise being nominated
And some more: "Sibanye, based in Khayelitsha, is a coalition of CBO's (community based organizations). The craft shop, coffee bar and training centre space is a shining beacon of hope in the community and Jo-lene is the woman who holds it all together." - Jo-lene Sathorar the nominee.
RIDE WITH A GUIDE
Paul Van Schaik has come up with a new and very exciting idea which involves him riding along on a bicycle with the tourists on their own bicycle as they enjoy a professionally guided tour of Hout Bay and surrounds. Being a tour guide makes these tours very informative and is very popular. Bookings can be done at the following telephone number: 021 790 1194
CHAPMANS PEAK LOOKOUT POINT
Though Chapmans Peak drive is still closed, visitors are allowed to drive as far as the Lookout Point on top of Chapmans Peak. Apart from the stunning scenery, one may be in the fortunate position of spotting whales.
SPECIAL VISITORS
Celebrate our Coast’s special visitors. The Southern Right Whales are here and are enthralling visitors along our False Bay Coast – From Strandfontein down to Simon’s Town. Enthusiastic “Southerners” are reporting their sightings daily to the Whale of a Heritage Route’s hotline and the daily log gives a very good idea of the movement of these fascinating mammals. Watching their sometimes acrobatic displays can be a joyous and uplifting experience! Tel Cape Town Tourism 021 787 9140 for the latest sightings and book for a boat-based whale watching experience!
Don't forget that you can share your views with Helen Zille, visit:
I love Cape Info. its one of the best reasons I know to retain an interest in the Cape. I use it all the time and will definitely make copious notes next time I travel to Cape Town.
The Peninsula is published by CapeInfo, focusing on the area south of Table Mountain, with input from Cape Town Tourism. 
