February 2010 - Newsletter
With
March almost upon us & hot summer days about to fade into milder autumn
temperatures, your GHASA team has been working hard with preferred suppliers to
improve deals & find new buying opportunities for our members. Check out our Supplier Information section.
We’ve also been working on Search Engine
Optimisation and need your help to optimise our website & your
page rankings. Please go to http://blog.ghasa.co.za, click on the BLOG and then “Link
to Us” and follow the instructions. We
promise it’s quick & easy, so please do it ASAP.
Last
but not least, if you’re able to make it, we’d love to see you at HOSTEX CAPE
from 8 – 10 March. Look out for us at <b>Stand
E48</b>. You can even pre-register
(it’s FREE) at www.hostexcape.co.za
& you won’t have to pay the R40 entrance fee!
Warm wishes
The GHASA Team
TOURISM STATS & FACTS
Do you know about SAMPRA?
Norma Le Roux of SAMPRA (South
African Music Performance Rights Association) has asked us to advise members of
this licence as they will be contacting businesses in this regard:
“It is legally required that ANY BUSINESS that makes
use of ANY SORT of music – has the legally required license. This enables the
Guesthouse to play RADIO/ CD/ CASSETTE/ COMPUTER/ etc. in public areas such as
Dining room/ Lounge/ Bar….”
For more information please
visit their website www.sampra.org.za or
contact Norma at 011 7895784.
Tourism Update (19 Feb; 18 Feb)
- UK, Dutch markets show good
growth for November
Both the UK and Dutch arrivals have shown
significant increases for November last year indicated by the figures released
recently by Statistics South Africa.
Total overseas arrivals for the month held fast with a 1,2% increase from 203
702 in November 2008 to 206 085 in November 2009.
The French market did, however, take a 32% dive for the month, the biggest
decrease for one of South
Africa's top markets.
Asian markets seem to be making good recovery with China coming to the fore with a
21,6% increase for the month.
- Airlines must come to the party
Hoteliers are finding it difficult to predict hotel
occupancies over the FIFA World Cup, saying a lot will depend on last-minute
bookings and pricing, especially
of the airlines.
At least one of South Africa's biggest hotel groups
is in discussion with local carriers about the high fares being charged, which
is feared may discourage fans from attending.
"We just hope the airlines will come to the
party," says Greenways Susanne Faussner-Ringer. She says hoteliers
are cautiously optimistic because they are hoping for a last-minute run on rooms.
Meanwhile, Willie Williams says the Sheraton
Pretoria is not contracted to MATCH but is receiving daily inquiries for World
Cup accommodation. "But we find that people are experiencing a snowball
effect in that they need game and airline tickets first before they are able to
book rooms." He says bookings for peak match days are looking excellent
but there is still availability for the periods in between.
TNW – 8 Feb. (by Melody Brandon)
Price Gouging
Accommodation
establishments guilty of price gouging during the 2010 World Cup should also be
probed, demand outraged agents in the wake of this week’s announcement by the
Competition Commission that it would be looking into domestic airlines’ alleged
collusion.
“Why are only airlines targeted? I received a quote from a five-star hotel in Cape Town. Their rates
prior to the World Cup are R2 150 per single room per night, sharing. From June
9 the rate increases to R6 200 per night per single room. Do they not also fall
under this category?” said Vanessa Janse van Rensburg, senior consultant All
Travel Services, Johannesburg.
Tanya Kitching, director of Island Safaris agreed: “It is not only airfares
that should be investigated. I had clients booked into the Formula 1 at OR
Tambo for the night of June 9. The budget hotel called me three weeks ago to
tell me the price had increased by R1 000 per room per night and would I still
like to keep my booking. What do you suppose my answer was? Certainly nothing I
would like to put on paper!”
The Competition Commission
has told TNW that it can only investigate non-priority sectors like tourism if
an official complaint is made. Meanwhile, TNW is compiling a list of the ‘Good
Guys’, accommodation establishments that have made a decision to keep their
prices at reasonable levels over the World Cup.
But what is reasonable? Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA)
ceo, Michael Tatalias, said reasonable would probably be the high-season rate
plus 50%. “Suppliers should not overestimate the appetite for consumers to pay
over the odds to be at the event, but these fans do accept that prices will be
higher than usual.”
Iol – Tuesday Jan 26
12%
fewer international arrivals in Cape Town
Fewer tourists visited Cape Town this year, but the World
Tourism Organisation (WTO) lists Africa as the only continent to buck negative
trends in 2009 with a robust five percent growth.
The global economic crisis saw international arrivals to the
city drop by up to 12% last year, while domestic arrivals fell up to eight
percent as South Africa
braced its first post-apartheid recession.
"The world recession really hit us very late," said
Calvyn Gilfellan, chief executive of the regional tourism body Cape Town Routes
Unlimited.
Foreign spending in the region topped R20 billion for the first
time last year, even though a stronger rand has made South Africa more expensive for
foreigners.
Domestic tourists brought in a further R4.5 billion.
With summer winding down, foreign arrivals are down 6% and
locals 3% during the peak season that runs December 12 to January 13.
Part of the visitor drop could be because holidaymakers plan to
visit later during 2010, said Kamilla Swart of the Centre for Tourism Research
in Africa, said.
SUPPLIER INFORMATION
RED ESPRESSO®
Introducing
red espresso®: an exciting, uniquely South African, healthy drink to serve in
your guesthouse
Made from the finest Rooibos tea and produced to a
patented espresso grind for use in espresso and coffee appliances, red
espresso® delivers a strong, rich-tasting and delicious shot of Rooibos tea
that is naturally caffeine-free, loaded with antioxidants and makes a range of
healthy, hot and cold Rooibos drinks that combine the style of coffee with the
health benefits of Rooibos tea! It's
easy to delight your visitors with red espresso® in your guest house! Serve a jug of fresh red® at the breakfast
and lunch table; a sophisticated red cappuccino® during the afternoon or a
calming, caffeine-free red latte® after dinner. Drop a pack in their room – or
retail it as the ultimate take-home gift for their family and friends.
Special
offer for GHASA members:
Buy a case of 12 x
250g red espresso® packs and pay only for 11!
R30 per pack excl
delivery.
For more information, see www.redespresso.com
or contact Leonie van der Merwe,
027 482 2832, Fax: +27 27 482 2832, E-Mail: biedouwval@telkomsa.net or info@redespresso.com
.
AFRICLINER
The AFRICLINER is a handmade outdoor lounger that reclines fully by simply
lying back in it and back upright again by simply sitting up as if you were
sitting up in bed.
The AFRICLINER works by simple bodyweight distribution. No levers or intricate mechanisms are
used. All materials used are
waterproof and U.V. resistant using entirely water based products and teflon
treatment. A full two year
guarantee covers any possible unseen flaw in the wood.
For further information go to www.africliner.com
Africliner
is offering a 10% discount to all GHASA members.
INTERMARKET GUEST AMENITIES IS GOING EVEN
MORE GREEN
INTERMARKET is proud to
announce the launch of their new EARTH range.
This range represents the ultimate in environmentally
friendly guest amenities.
The liquids are fragranced with natural essential oils,
and are completely bio-degradable. We have recognised, and therefore minimised,
the commonly used paraben preservatives, SLS,
and SLES, which are the ‘nasties’ that are often found in shampoos and similar
products. These are responsible for the foaming but research is telling us that
they could be carcinogenic ……..
Bottles and caps are inert.
A more environmentally friendly alternative to 50ml
bottles (which normally get thrown away) is refillable 250ml bottles – all the
liquid products are available in either 5 or 25 litres.
Extras are packed in attractive semi opaque packets
with a minimalist look.
The range includes wrapped bio-degradable palm oil soap
in a choice of sizes.
The whole look is one of simplicity and concern for the
user and the environment.
And - it’s very affordable!
For more details please contact the Intermarket Team.
Tel: 021 761 4246
Fax: 021 761 4249 e-m: info@intermarket.co.za.
Or please check out on our website:
www.intermarket.co.za
RESTONIC
2010 is upon us and by now the rooms should be filling
up and attention should be turning to your bed and mattress requirements! Very
often a guest at your establishment will judge his or her stay on the quality
of sleep they had at your property. We
at RESTONIC understand this and have a full range of beds, designed
specifically for your needs.
Many have been approved by the ‘Chiropractors
Association of SA”. We select only the
finest quality materials to construct a product strong and sturdy enough to
meet the needs of the hospitality trade. The durability we build into all
RESTONIC mattresses and beds is your assurance of lasting quality.
5% discount on all mattresses or beds for all
GHASA members
Contact: Ian van
Oudtshoorn at 021 9518948 or 082 8945738 or email at sales@falsebaydist.co.za
LINEN DRAWER
Linen
Drawer is a producer of top quality pure cotton percale
bedding. We also supply a comprehensive range of pure cotton toweling, duvets,
cotton throws, gowns and related products to the hospitality industry.
SPECIAL
OFFER: For the months of February &
March 2010 we are offering 5%
discount on our standard trade price to any GHASA member that
makes mention of this special offer at the time of placing their order.
Our trade prices are very competitive – see
our website www.linendrawer.co.za for details or call us on 021 8720108. We will have our
agent in your area contact you to discuss your requirements.
BOTTOM LINE & DIY MARKETING
Our mission is to improve
the Bottom Line of Self Catering & Smaller Type Accommodation
Establishments (STAES) by increasing turnover and reducing margins through our
customized consulting services.
Contact: Adine Perel at 021 5561009 or 082
4687111. Email adine@bottomlinehospitality.co.za.
Website: www.bedbutler.co.za
GET SMARTER
The University of Cape Town would like to inform the
Hospitality Industry of the (Law@Work) Practical Labour Law Course.
Go to www.getsmarter.co.za for
- Learn the practical
application of South African Labour Law
- Receive tools
& document templates to make use of in the
workplace
- Increase your knowledge with
the latest Labour Legislation
Go to www.getsmarter.co.za
for more information or contact Deborah – Deborah@getsmarter.co.za.
If 3 or more properties sign up, a discount of 10%
applies.
BUDGET
RENT A CAR
Budget Rent a Car will be upping their fleet line for
the 2010 World Cup and will NOT be
raising their prices. Please contact Mogamat
Isaacs on 021-418 5232, 079 5177 087 or email him at mogamati@budget.co.za .
NEW
MEMBERS
Welcome to the following new GHASA members. We look
forward to a long and happy relationship with you all!
Beaches & Bays Guest Accommodation; 2 Watsonia
Heights; Christiana Lodge; Oceana Palms; Birch Bush; The Mountain House; Bijou
LeMarsch 113; Art Gallery Guest House – Thandekayo; Royal Palm Guest House;
Waterberg Guest Home; Monte Vidéo Guest House; 40 Winks Sea Point Lodge; L’Anda
Guest House; Haswell Guest House; Cape Cottage; The Villa; Isiphiwo Guest Lodge;
Venue, Spa; Sea Point Self Catering Studio; 20 Milkwood, Zimbali;