The bad news is that, despite massive opposition, government is determined the Gauteng tolling will go ahead. The good news is that
plans for more tolls have apparently been shelved. So it does pay to protest after all; what irks, however, is that the government cannot seem to see - or refuses to see - that tolling is double taxation (we already pay towards new roads with every litre of fuel we buy), and tolling in Gauteng will hit every person in this country. Why? Because every company that operates in or through Gauteng and/or has client companies in that province, will face increased costs. And, they will probably pass them on to us.
Meanwhile, the association representing the trawler industry is testy with agriculture and fisheries minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson, who wants to
move the fisheries branch of her department from Cape Town to Pretoria. Doesn't it make sense to have a department and its officials close to the very people - trawler companies, fishermen and so on - with whom they need to be working?
From the blue sea to the blue sky... Despite some unkind soul nicknaming the company Velcro Sky, if everything works out as chief executive Dhevan Pillay says,
Velvet Sky will fly again.
Finally, for all of you in the tourism industry,
nominations for the HICA Business Awards are open, so get your entries in now.
Rod Baker, general manager: content
Submit your company news to
tourismnews@bizcommunity.com. Exclusive contributions may be sent to
contributors-tourism@bizcommunity.com.
Nominations for the HICA Business Awards, which recognise organisations and individuals who make an extraordinary contribution towards the sustainable growth of the hotel and wider travel and tourism industry in sub-Saharan Africa have now opened. The awards will be presented as part of the HICA conference programme, which takes place 9-11 May 2012, at the Southern Sun Elangeni hotel, Durban. 
Few industries cover such a wide range of fields or offer as many career opportunities as tourism. Whether you want to plan country-wide projects or focus on small decor touches, there is probably a niche for you in the tourism and hospitality world. Here are just some of the sectors in which you can get involved. 
Confrontation is looming between Cosatu and the police over threats that workers will blockade Gauteng's toll gates. 
Antarctica's reputation as one of the most pristine environments on earth is being threatened by foreign plants and animals that are unwittingly being brought to the icy continent in the luggage of tourists and scientists. 
Plans for new toll roads around Cape Town, in KwaZulu-Natal, and Gauteng are set to be shelved, City Press reported yesterday, Sunday 11 March. 
There are no definite plans to ban alcohol adverts but all options to curb alcohol abuse are being considered, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Elizabeth Thabethe said on Thursday. 
The private operator of Gauteng's controversial tolls is going to "milk" the public, the Congress of SA Trade Unions said in a memorandum prepared for handing over during its anti-toll protest on Wednesday. 
Velvet Sky has reached settlement regarding the BP court application and will be back in the air shortly. Chief executive, Dhevan Pillay, said that South Africa's first 100% BEEE airline had reached financial agreements with service providers, and the agreements had been ratified by the court. As a result, the airline will be able to resume operations. 
1time Airline's long-awaited maiden flight from Lanseria International Airport took off on Monday this week and is viewed as a move which could provide a welcome alternative to domestic passengers. 
