SA-Fm Interviews Andre Van Kets on the 2010 E-Tourism Africa Summit

FIFA ran a story last week on its website about a group of Chilean football fans that will be touring in overland trucks during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

We were a bit peeved that we did not even get a mention, but nevermind that. We are proud that our overland tour division put the entire package and itinerary together for this group of South American football fans.

Compiling an overland tour to fit in a team’s fixtures all over the country AND including a dozen or so of South Africa’s top tourist highlights is no mean feat. Good work Tania and your team!

Bueno Chile!
Bueno Football!
Bueno Overland Style!

Cape Town has been completely abuzz during the first week of the World Cup. The guys from OverlandingAfrica.com have really immersed themselves in all of the street level excitement and activities.

Check out some of photos, videos, comments and general banter from the streets of Cape Town on the OverlandingAfrica.com Facebook Fan page.

Bafana Bafana young fan

(Thanks  to Tania and your team for sharing these greats pics and videos.)

Find out more about OverlandingAfrica.com.

Drive South Africa is currently recruiting for 2 positions in their vehicle rental department:

• 4×4 Consultant
• Vehicle Rental Consultant

I really enjoyed the email below, which Tania sent through to everyone in our office earlier this week. Apart from being the GM for Overlanding Africa.com, Tania also drives the recylcing / eco-friendly / health-and-safety initiatives in our office environment.

It’s a interesting incite to daily life here at Discover Africa Group. Enjoy…

Subject: Our Eco Friendly Office

Morning all,

So, summer is coming and as most of you know, that means this office gets hot! A couple of things to take note of this summer please….

1.    We have windows! It is not necessary to run the air conditioner when it is fairly cool and/or breezy outside. I have asked Aisha to open the windows first thing in the morning (7am). YOU are responsible for closing the windows next to you and if you are the last person to leave at night, please quickly check that all windows are closed. If you find any open you can ‘fine’ the person who should have closed it if you like ? I find chocolate works for me….  ;)

2.    Use the fans that are scattered around the office – but TURN THEM OFF when you leave please.

3.    Partly closing the blinds during the day will help keep the office cooler – and no, it does not make your screen hard to see.

4.    Closing the bathroom door after you stops the heat generated from the kitchen downstairs blowing in to our office. Their extractor fans pump hot air into that area behind our wall and you may remember last year it was like standing in front of a hair dryer while you were washing your hands. ?

5.    To prevent last year’s ‘performance’ regarding the air conditioner I will be getting a instruction manual from the manufacturer and setting the air con up so that it works automatically. In theory it will then come on and switch off at a specific time each day and run at a specified temperature. So no fights! ?

If you have any other ideas about office recycling, ‘lowering our footprint’ or being eco friendly please email me directl

Thanks!

Tania Wheeler
General Manager
OverlandingAfrica.com

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What initiatives do you take in your office to remain “eco friendly”?

I was very privileged to attend 2 very inspiring events in Cape Town in the past week.

1. Silicon Cape

The Silicon Cape initiative, hosted at the Rotunda in Camps Bay, Cape Town saw more than 500 of Cape Town’s top tech-savvy minds gather for the launch of an initiative that aims to create a hub of technology, innovation and investment in Cape Town – similar to San Francisco’ Silicon Valley.

Speakers included entrepreneurs and Silicon Cape founders Justin Stanford and Vinny Lingham amongst other entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. Dr. Mamphela Ramphela and Western Cape premier Helen Zille also addressed the audience.

Silicon Cape vision: The Silicon Cape vision is of an ecosystem in the Western Cape of South Africa, that serves to attract and bring together local and foreign investors, the brightest technical talent, and the most promising entrepreneurs, to foster the creation and growth of world-class IP start-up companies in an environment that competes with other similar hubs around the world against the backdrop of one of the most beautiful settings and pleasant places to live, work and play on the globe.

Read more at the official Silicon Cape website.

2. Cape Town Tourism

The other event I attended was the Cape Town Tourism AGM held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The event was hosted by popular radio DJ Nigel Pearce. The formalities were handled swiftly.

Cape Town Tourism’s CEO Mariette du Toit-Helbold unveiled the tourism body’s strategy for the coming year and the greater vision for 2020.

Head of Tourism Barcelona, Pere Duran, was the keynote speaker. He shared many interesting facts, statistics and insight into the effect of a major event like the Olympic Games or Soccer World Cup can have on a city.

Cape Town Tourism’s 2020 vision: To double the economic impact of tourism on the city by 2020.

Visit Cape Town Tourism website for stories and photos of the event.

Cape Town Tourism + Cape Town Technology = Our Passion

As an online travel company based in Cape Town, we find ourselves at the intersection of these 2 inspiring initiatives/organisations.

We are extremely passionate about tourism and technology. We believe that Cape Town is very fortunate to have such passionate people spearheading these key aspects of our city and our countries’ economy.

The big question is: Can these 2 industries (independently or together!) fill the very big shoes of South Africa’s current “bread-winners”. It is vital that government, business and the average man on the street support both industries. Because – once all the gold, diamonds, coal and platinum run out – what is going to bring in the Dollars and Euros?

Did anyone else attend either or both events?

We would love to hear your views or comments…