Trees for Tourism Initiative

A new initiative, Trees for Tourism (TfT) has been introduced for tourists, tourism operators and other companies and institutions affiliated with the tourism industry in South Africa, to counter-balance their tourism-related footprint.

TfT facilitates the ‘purchase’ by tourists and tourism-related companies of indigenous trees, to be planted in appropriate areas to recreate forest eco-systems. By increasing the surface area of existing indigenous forests, the initiative aims to help restore the Cape’s biodiversity while countering the effects of climate change.

TfT has selected Platbos Conservation Trust as the operator for the selection and preparation of appropriate re-forestation sites, planting of trees and decade-long maintenance of the sites to protect the juvenile forests from fire and re-encroachment by alien invasive vegetation.

For more information visit http://www.treesfortourism.co.za/

Sports and Events Tourism Exchange at the CTICC

Springbok Atlas Charter Transport is one of the exhibitors at, as well as a sponsor of, the Sports and Events Tourism Exchange currently being held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). The 3 day event, which opened on Wednesday, 27 July 2011, is the first of its kind to be held in South Africa.

This “confex” is focusing on the world class standard of facilities and services that South Africa has to offer as a host, for all top level international events and the exchange between sports tourism and the events industry. It also provides a prestigious platform for the marketing of the many products and services related to this niche market, both on a local and international front.

 
South African Tourism has identified the Sports and Events Tourism Exchange as its annual sports and events tourism platform. They have endorsed the event and will be actively involved in marketing the project internationally.

Pictured here from left to right: Craig Drysdale, CEO, Springbok Atlas Charter Transport; Zingisa Mapasa, National Sales Manager, Springbok Atlas Charter Transport and Gary Lotter, CEO, Springbok Atlas Tour Operations

Source: www.sportsandevents.co.za

Springbok Atlas Charter Transport –new training initiative!

After months of preparation and hard work, each of our South African branches (Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban) is thrilled to have a driver assessor to assist operation managers with new driver assessments and continuous driver training.

“This not only strengthens our current in-house driver training, but will set us apart from our competitors in the long run and prepare our drivers mentally and physically for the impending AARTO (Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences) demerit system coming into effect soon.” Says Craig Drysdale, CEO, Springbok Atlas Charter Transport. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Emmanuel Ngesi – our National Driver Trainer - for initiating and embarking on this journey with the selected drivers in each branch and making us proud - well done Emmanuel!  This is truly a skills upliftment project we can all be proud of.”

Springbok Atlas attends Namibian Tourism Board Roadshow

The Namibian Tourism Board Roadshow was held on 18 July 2011 at Southern Sun Grayston in Johannesburg and 19 July 2011 at Southern Sun Cape Sun in Cape Town.

Springbok Atlas Namibia was represented by Birgit Rabe. "I think it was a great opportunity to re-introduce Springbok Atlas Namibia to the South African Market and to make everyone aware of all our services offered. Cape Town was better attended than Johannesburg but in total there were 172 attendees."

Birgit went on to say, "It was very well organized by the Namibian Tourism Board and it was obvious that a huge amount of work and effort was put in to the show."

Cape Town is a top bicycle-friendly city

Cape Town is one of the 15 most bike-friendly destinations in the world, according to a CNN feature on cities around the world "where drivers use all five fingers when they wave at you". African cities "aren't the first that spring to mind for bike friendliness, but Cape Town is doing its best to change that," CNN noted in an article earlier this month featuring South Africa's "Mother City", among the likes of Amsterdam and Barcelona in Europe, Chicago and San Francisco in North America, and Beijing and Bogotá. "The South African hub is committed to creating cycling lanes, dedicated bike parking and public commuter showers," CNN said.  

Cape Town Partnership MD Bulelwa Makalima-Ngewana said that being compared to "benchmark pedestrian and bike-friendly cities such as Berlin, Paris, Chicago and Barcelona is very encouraging." 

Lead SA, an initiative that encourages South Africans to celebrate the country's achievements while taking responsibility for its problems, said the CNN mention was recognition of Cape Town's commitment to making cycling lanes efficient and safe in order "to assist in alleviating congestion and pollution by cars. Less cars and more convenient, eco-friendly access to the city is key to making Cape Town a more liveable city," Lead SA said in a statement last week. "What Capetonians should also know is that the new MyCiti buses operating in various areas from Tableview and within Cape Town allow cyclists to take their bikes on board with them and also to leave them at secure lock-up points close to the stations." According to Lead SA, Cape Town's new cycling lanes mirror the MyCiti bus routes, by running to the right of the existing bus lanes along the northern route, which includes Blaauwberg, Table View and Milnerton. The cycling lanes are three metres wide and evenly paved for a smooth ride. The paved lane stretches for 16 kilometres. 

Source:

http://www.sagoodnews.co.za/tourism/cape_town_is_a_top_bicycle-friendly_city.html

Trip Advisor's Top 20 things to do in Cape Town

Click on each attraction below to find out more:

1. Table Mountain Walks

2. Table Mountain

3. Langa Township

4. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens

5. Boulders Beach

6. City Sightseeing Cape Town

7. Lion's Head

8. Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve

9. Abseil Africa, Table Mountain National Park

10. Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain National Park

11. Signal Hill

12. Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

13. Robben Island

14. Cheetah Outreach

15. Bloubergstrand Beach

16. Two Oceans Aquarium

17. Extreme Scene Day Trips

18. Groot Constantia

19. Long Street

20. Castle of Good Hope
 

SATSA announces Craig Drysdale as President

SATSA (Southern Africa Tourism Services Association) has announced the resignation of their President, Heather Gutierrez.  As a result of Heather's decision, the SATSA ExCo has accepted her resignation, and put the matter of her replacement to a vote within the ExCo. We are pleased to advise that SATSA has announced the election of Craig Drysdale [CEO of the Coach Charter Division of Springbok Atlas] to President. He will lead SATSA through to the SATSA AGM to be held before Indaba in May 2012 in Durban.  Francois Neethling [of Discover SA Group (PTY) Ltd] will be the Vice President.

Craig Drysdale joined Springbok Atlas in 1996 as operations manager and later was appointed branch manager of Kwa-Zulu Natal in 2000. In 2006 was promoted to national general manager – Coach Charter Division. Craig has just been promoted to CEO of Springbok Atlas Coach Charter Division in March 2011.

Summary of Craig’s involvement in SATSA:

2009 - Co-opted onto the SATSA board and looked after the Transport portfolio

2010 - Elected to the board and elected as the Vice President, looking after the Transport portfolio as well as Corporate Governance.

Congratulations Craig – we are very proud of you!

Source: Newsletter by Michael Tatalias, CEO – SATSA

Retirement Announcement

Nelson Medupe, pictured here on the left, has retired after 24 years as a coach driver for Springbok Atlas. The staff of the Johannesburg branch, where Nelson was based, held a farewell party for him last week.

Thank you for your years of loyal service to Springbok Atlas and we wish you well in your retirement!