Trip Advisor unveils the 2011 Travellers Choice Destinations Awards…

337 countries from around the world were nominated by millions of travelers who visit tripadvisor.com, and today the winner’s were announced.

Travelers’ Choice Destinations awards honor top travel spots worldwide based on millions of real and unbiased opinions from TripAdvisor travelers. Award winners were determined based on a combination of travelers’ favorite places and overall destination popularity.

“Millions of TripAdvisor travelers around the globe have helped identify the world’s top travel spots,” said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. “The Travelers’ Choice Destinations awards not only recognize some of the most beloved travel destinations worldwide, but serve as inspiration for millions of travelers looking to plan their next trip.”

2011 Travelers’ Choice World Destinations:

1. Cape Town, South Africa
2. Sydney, Australia
3. Machu Picchu, Peru
4. Paris, France
5. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
6. New York City, United States
7. Rome, Italy
8. London, United Kingdom
9. Barcelona, Spain
10. Hong Kong, China

V & A Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa

For more information on Cape Town Holidays please do not hesitate to contact us for your tailor made quote

Recent and exciting news… – will Table Mountain be one of the New 7 Natural Wonders of the World? Your vote can make it happen!!

The iconic Table Mountain in Cape Town has been shortlisted along with 27 other natural wonders around the world into the final round of the competition.Voting ends on 11th November 2011 (11.11.11) with the announcement of the winner.

This is a fantastic opportunity for South Africa and it’s tourism- and will help create thousands of new jobs for the increase of visitors to flat topped wonder. If you believe that Table Mountain should be named one of the new 7 Wonders – please vote using the link below:

http://www.new7wonders.com/community/en/new7wonders/new7wonders_of_nature/voting

On the 14th April, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden’s in South Africa revealed it’s exhibit for the 2011 Chelsea Flower Show in London.

The theme for London’s prestigious Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show feature’s two of South Africa’s World Heritage Sites – Cape Floral Kingdom in the Western Cape and arid desert of the Northern Capes Richterveld region, both acting as inspiration for the now-famous exhibit.

This year’s exhibit will showcase South Africa’s unique bio diversity in an event which is the biggest on the gardening calender (24 – 28 May 2011).

David Davidson has been appointed as this year’s designer. “Given South Africa’s diverse culture and history and her spectacular natural resources and wildlife, it is not surprising that it is home to eight World Heritage Sites. Of these the two sites chosen are the most divergent of the three natural sites, offering a fascinating mix of plantlife and a window on South Africa’s diversity,” said Davidson.

Many local initiatives will be supported by this years exhibit which is a important link in supporting economic and social areas.

For the past 35 year’s Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden’s has won a number of awards including 30 gold medals, two silver gilt medals, three silver medals and various other awards for contribution.Through the PGWC, a Khayelitsha-based ‘Township‘ project has produced eco-friendly bags that visitors to the stand will be able to collect.

If you would like tickets to visit the show please visit The Chelsea Flower Show website for more information.

More information on the Kirstenbosch exhibit visit ‘The South African‘ website.

Africa Collection has supported Responsible Tourism since we opened our doors 10 years ago. We recently were accepted by AITO – Association of Independent Tour Operators – who represent some of Britain’s best specialist tour operators. The companies who are approved are mainly owner-managed and specialise in a particular destination or type of holiday.

The aim of AITO members is to provide the highest level of customer satisfaction focusing on three main areas – Choice, Quality and Service. Companies who are accepted have all been vetted by AITO and are fully ATOL bonded for clients’ protection in compliance with UK and European regulations.

AITO is the first tourism industry association to incorporate into its business a commitment to Responsible Tourism. Sustainable Travel guidelines for its members are based on 5 key objectives:

1. To protect the environment
2. To respect local cultures
3. To benefit local communities
4. To conserve natural resources
5. To minimise pollution.

Africa Collection is dedicated to Responsible Tourism by adhering to the above guidelines as well as working with several suppliers who are committed to the same cause.

It doesn’t take much to make a difference and we are committed to making a huge difference! By making small changes in our everyday way of life we can reduce, re-use and recycle quite a lot!

At Africa Collection we:

• Recycle all paper, glass, cans and plastics as well as batteries and out of date brochures
• We recycle our ink cartridges, use low watt light bulbs and have reduced water cisterns
• Our milk is delivered in packets rather than bottles
• During the summer months several of the staff cycle to work!
• We support fair trade products
• We work with suppliers that are committed in making a difference both environmentally and culturally including Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Hog Hollow and The Madikwe Collection to name just a few.
• Lights, computers and printers are all turned off when not in use

In addition to the above we:

• Promote the positives of Africa, and encourage our clients to participate in responsible tourism
• We support several charities
• For all educational trips we contribute by “giving back” – whether it is handing out clothes and school supplies or donating money to the local township schools – every little bit is appreciated.
• We encourage cultural and community participation by visiting townships or cultural villages.
• Supply our clients and travellers with up to date information on local customs, languages and beliefs

If you are as keen as us and would like to support Responsible Tourism within Africa – let us guide you to a fantastic destination where you can experience unique cultures and contribute towards protecting and conserving our magnificent world.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information

Time has just flown by, to think 6 months ago we were out in sunny South Africa confirming Grootbos Private Nature Reserve as our wedding venue…. and now – in just under a month I will be getting married! So much has happened over the last 6 months – planning a wedding from abroad is a little harder than I first thought – but we are almost there now.

Flowers – booked! We have chosen South Africa’s national flower the Protea, with a selection of the rugged fynbos that is indigenous to the local area.
Our photographer – Wesley Vorster is a true talent, and we can’t wait to see what magic he creates.
Hair and Make Up – has been booked through Nikkila Mann who has worked internationally, excited to see how she is going to transform me!
Our music is being supplied by Hein Van Solms who is the evening DJ and then we have a local Marimba Band who will playing during and after the ceremony.

We are flying out with Emirates – even though the flight is not direct, we get 30kg’s of luggage and they are very accommodating with bringing my wedding dress on board. We land in Cape Town – pick up our Avis Car Hire and head into Cape Town for 2 nights at the Cape Royale. Some last minute shopping, a spray tan and make up trial, then pick up the suits and we head across to De Kelders. We are in De Kelders for 3 nights before checking into Grootbos the night before the wedding.

We wanted to do something a little different regarding our South African Hen and Stag Do – so a group of our friends and family are joining us in a Shark Cage Dive!! We have booked this through Shark Diving Unlimited – they have given us a discount as we are a large group, and that we are celebrating our wedding!

Our wine is being supplied by Buitenverwachting Wine Estate situated in Constantia – we are trying to impress our friends and family who are coming out from abroad! We have tried to keep our menu South Africa with all local produce – we have Tomato and Tarragon Soup, Sparkling Wine Sorbet, Roast Loin of Karoo Lamb, Potato and Sweet Garlic Puree with Vanilla Confit Tomato and Green Peppercorn Jus, Gorgonzola “Sandwich” and then an Italian Wedding Cake – Zucotto.

After the wedding we head back to Cape Town for a one night stay at the beautiful Twelve Apostles in Camps Bay. We check out early the following morning for our flight from Cape Town up to Kruger Airport. We will spend 3 nights in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve – two of which are at the gorgeous Chitwa Chitwa Private Game Lodge and the other night is being kept a secret – due to my fiancée planning it. Sabi Sands is a very exclusive reserve which is well populated with plains game and has the Big 5 – lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant. You are almost guaranteed to see all of the Big 5 during your stay! Very exciting!

We head back to Johannesburg for 2 nights with my new husbands family and then back to the UK. The next time you hear from me I will be Mrs Wheeler and hopefully have some photo’s to show you!!

For more information on your South African wedding please do not hesitate to contact us

South Africa is known as a land of contrasts. It is also known for Cape Town, Table Mountain, Safari, the Garden Route and the history. And don’t get us wrong, these are all amazing world class tourist attractions. But there is more to South Africa than the ‘highlights’ & this section of the website showcases the ‘other’ side of the tourism offering in South Africa.

You know about the safaris, the Big 5, Cape Town and the beaches, but South Africa has so many other experiences to offer. Africa Collection has been commissioned by the South Africa Tourist Board to promote some of the more unusual and unexpected holiday experiences on offer in South Africa.

During January, February and March, on this section of our website, we are showcasing fifteen of our most popular itineraries.

Your chance to win

By posting a comment about Africa Collection, your holiday booking or the Unexpected campaign on our Facebook Page before you leave for your holiday to South Africa (booked with Africa Collection) you stand a chance to win R 5 000 spending money.  We will enter your name into a draw, and on 11th June 2011 will draw one lucky winner. So (obviously) your holiday must commence on after 12th June 2011.

Post a video on You Tube or a review on tripadvisor on your return & you stand a chance to win one of two meals for two at a South African restaurant in London, to the maximum value of £ 100. This draw will take place on 25th November 2011.

Contact us for further details

The Times presents Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show will be returning to Earls Court once again in 2011 from 3-6 February…

Stand – AF22 (Africa Section)

Date – 03 – 06 February 2011

Where – Earls Court London

Please do not hesitate to contact us for your complimentary tickets for the show…we look forward to seeing you there

Fantastic news, Africa Collection has been announced the winners of the 2010 South African Tourism Ubuntu Awards at World Travel Market 2010.

South African Tourism launched the Ubuntu Awards in 2008, with the award recognizing innovation and vision in marketing South Africa as a leisure destination, with entrants competing for a £25,000 prize to use for their marketing spend to implement on their campaign and market South Africa as a tourist destination.

Picked from 70 strong entrants, Africa Collection were up against some tough competition, including Travel 2, Seasons, Gold Medal, Advantage Travel Centres and STA Travel, who were the other finalists who had to pitch their idea in a Dragons Den style panel, with judges including Duncan Bannatyne.

The judges were looking for new and creative marketing suggestions that stood out from the already testing ideas and techniques in the bid to market South Africa as the ultimate destination to visit as a leisure and business traveller.

James Westrip (Africa Collection),Thandiwe January McClean (Chief), Marthinus van Schalkwyk (South Africa Tourism), Chris Fortescue (Africa Collection) and Janu Manuza (South Africa Tourism)

After much deliberation Africa Collection shone through with their ‘Expect the Unexpected’ campaign which focused on their adventure program featuring adrenaline junkie sports, camping safaris and volontourism. Using a mixture of traditional and non traditional marketing strategies across the nine provinces in South Africa the campaign would send out suggested itineraries, ‘quirky’ teasers, drive traffic to a dedicated micro-site, special offers and a selection of incentives to their travel agent database which has over a 1000 agents.

Africa Collection was chosen as the winner thanks to the ingenuity and originality of its proposal, coupled with its thorough and well-articulated understanding of both the product and the marketplace.  The main thrust of Africa Collection’s strategy also displayed a clear synergy with South Africa Tourism’s own key messages and priorities, which ultimately elevated the company in its bid to clinch the prestigious prize.

“Adventure is one of our major messages for the coming year,” said Lebohang Mokhesi, UK Country for South African Tourism, “so the focus on Africa Collection’s exciting new adventure programme (featuring adrenaline sports, camping safaris and volontourism, among others) was a major plus-point in its proposal.  That, together with its highly original and well-researched ‘teaser’ campaign, were enough to convince us that this was indeed a company that could deliver a successful strategy to drive sales and attract market share from our key competitor destinations.”

For further information please do not hesitate to contact us