Queen Elizabeth II: Numbers behind the reign

Image via nobility-association.com

May 31, 2012

It’s been 60 years since Queen Elizabeth II became monarch of the UK, and she’s marking her Diamond Jubilee year with a series of parties, pageants and even 1,000 boats sailing up the River Thames.

On this anniversary year of her coronation, check out the numbers behind the queen’s reign:

Time

60 years, four months — The length of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign as of June 6, 2012, making her the second-longest reigning monarch.

63 years, seven months, two days — The length of the reign of Queen Victoria, from 1837 to 1901.

Jewels

2,868 — The number of diamonds in the Imperial State Crown that the queen wears at the state opening of Parliament.

4.9 lbs — The weight of the St. Edward’s Crown worn by Elizabeth at her coronation in 1953. (Photos: Monarchs’ diamonds, rubies and sapphires)

Money

£32.1 million — Amount the British government provides Elizabeth and Prince Philip annually (about $50 million U.S.)

$500 million — The queen’s approximate net worth.

$4.2 billion — Net worth of British entrepreneur Richard Branson.

1 — Number of ATMs in Buckingham Palace.

Travel

261 — The number of official overseas visits Elizabeth has made as of January 1, 2012.

116 — The number of different countries she has visited during her 60 years as queen.

5 — The number of times the queen has made a state visit to the United States; the first was in 1957 and the most recent in 2010.

Prime ministers and presidents

12 — Number of prime ministers who have served during Elizabeth’s reign, from Winston Churchill to David Cameron.

2 — Number of prime ministers born during her reign (Tony Blair in 1953 and David Cameron in 1966).

12 — Number of U.S. presidents in office since Elizabeth ascended to the throne, from Harry Truman to Barack Obama.

1 — Number of U.S. presidents born during Elizabeth’s reign (Barack Obama in 1961).

1 — Number of sitting U.S. presidents with whom the queen did not meet (Lyndon B. Johnson)

Firsts and onlys

Queen Elizabeth II is the only British monarch to have celebrated a diamond wedding anniversary, having been married to Prince Philip since 1947.

She is the only person is the United Kingdom who can drive without a license or car registration.

She does not have a passport.

Source: CNN

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High fuel prices hit SAA balance sheet

31 Thu, May 2012

In presenting the airline’s turn-around strategy to parliament earlier this week, SAA ceo Siza Mzimela said that high fuel prices are one of the main reasons for the airline’s money troubles, much like it is for other international carriers.
Siza was also quoted by Times Live saying that other factors contributing to the airline’s financial burden were the rising costs in air traffic management, airport user fees and services such as catering.
Siza also noted that a hurdle for airlines in Africa was that most revenue was generated in weaker currencies but a significant portion of costs was billed in US dollars or euros. In discussing the airline’s turnaround strategy, Siza said this included adding routes to, among others, the destinations Burundi, Rwanda and China.
Regarding the requested capital investment requested from government, it is believed that the National Treasury and department of public enterprises are looking into the matter, but that no fixed amount has been decided yet.
The Editor
ETNW

 

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New wave of restaurants bringing upscale cuisine to airports

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May 30, 2012

Airport dining doesn’t have to be terminal. A new wave of airport restaurants is elevating airport cuisine above the level of greasy burgers and wilting sushi, as celebrity chefs and regional food heroes bring their magic to the one-time culinary wasteland of the airport.

Many of the chefs involved are Michelin-starred, and their offerings rate alongside the finest restaurants in their cities.

The better restaurants that are located in the public areas of their respective airports, such as Hong Kong’s Hung’s Delicacies and La Moraga in Malaga, Spain, have become magnets for non-traveling locals, achieving the hitherto unthinkable by turning the airport into a foodie destination.

Across the industry, there is a broader recognition that many among the captive audience of travelers are looking for something more substantial than simply filling a hole in their stomachs, and would place a premium on quality food in stylish surroundings.

Industry awards such as those made by Skytrax include categories recognizing the best airport restaurant offerings. This year the top five awards went to Hong Kong International, London Heathrow, Munich, Singapore Changi and Amsterdam Schiphol, in that order.

Here are few restaurants that are raising the bar in terms of airport dining.

One Flew South, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, USA

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport lays claim to the title of the world’s busiest airport. But in Terminal E, at One Flew South, you can find respite from the commotion. Executive chef Duane Nutter’s upscale, Southern-influenced cuisine includes crowd-pleasers such as his signature pork-belly sliders, pecan-dusted scallops and pulled duck sandwiches, while the bar runs a strong selection of classic and original cocktails.

Hung’s Delicacies, Hong Kong International Airport

Hung’s Delicacies began as humble side-street bistro in Hong Kong in 2003, but soon earned a sizzling reputation on the city’s food scene for its distinctive dishes, cooked in a secret marinade. Favorites include duck tongues in Chinese liquor, sliced goose in marinade and chicken leg tendons in sesame oil.

The original restaurant has won a Michelin star three years running, and its airport offshoot is even drawing local residents to the airport for a meal. “I treat every customer as a gourmet and listen to their opinions. That’s the reason why I can cook unique dishes,” chef Lai Wai-Hung says.

La Moraga, Malaga Airport, Spain

La Moraga, in Terminal three of Spain’s Malaga Airport, is a stylish gastrobar serving contemporary tapas, desserts and more substantial creations. Typical fare includes the oxtail burger, and cherry gazpacho.

The restaurant is the brainchild of Andalusian master chef Dani Garcia — a recipient of the National Gastronomy Prize from Spain’s top culinary authority — who has won Michelin stars for his restaurants Tragabuches, in Malaga, and Calima in Marbella.

Plane Food, London Heathrow Airport, UK

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, recipient of more than a dozen Michelin stars across his restaurant portfolio, has brought his winning formula to London Heathrow Airport. Plane Food, his stylish restaurant in Terminal five, offers fare such as crumbed fried pork, steamed sea bass, and a short rib burger. Heathrow’s restaurant offerings were voted the world’s second-best at this year’s Skytrax awards.

Bubbles Seafood and Wine Bar, Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Bubbles Seafood and Wine Bar is a place where passengers can enjoy ocean-fresh oysters, lobster and champagne amidst designer surroundings — next to an aquarium of tropical fish. What’s not to like? Schiphol was voted the world’s fifth best airport for restaurants at this year’s Skytrax awards.

Altitude, Geneva International Airport, Switzerland

Fine dining and fanastic views combine at Altitude, where travelers can enjoy the creations of Michelin-award winning chefs Gilles Dupont, Thomas Byrne and Fabien Legon, while taking in sweeping views over the Jura Mountains. Selections include Kamchatka crab ravioli, duck foie gras with quince and pepper chutney, beef tartare and, of course, Swiss cheeses.

 

ETN Global News

 

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UKBA warns of four-hour immigration queues for Olympics

28 Mon, May 2012

According to a top official from the UK Border Agency, four-hour immigration queues are possible during the Olympics. This news came this week from UK Border Force director, Brian Moore, who said that, despite the fact that his organisation was prepared for the imminent surge in passenger numbers, there were no guarantees that extensive delays would not occur. He said, when considering planned staffing levels, he did not anticipate waiting times in excess of three or four hours but said there would always be factors that were out of the agency’s control. During a briefing with the House of Commons, Moore said the public considered a ‘reasonable’ waiting time to be around 25 minutes but he repeatedly avoided providing his own personal definition of what he considered a reasonable wait time.
According to Airport News Moore told MPs, when pressed about the recent problems regarding wait times and immigration checks at Heathrow, that he was satisfied staffing levels would be able to cope but he stopped short of guaranteeing that delays would be eradicated. He also admitted that using resources flexibly was “sometimes not a strength of the Border Force” but said action was being taken to avoid a repeat of the recent delays. He also denied that extra staff being drafted in to man border posts over the summer were receiving less training than permanent workers. The five- or six-day procedure was the same as the period within a 15-week training course that related to the particular role they would be performing, he told MPs.
Meanwhile, officials from Heathrow, which expects to see some 80 percent of passengers arriving and departing during the Olympic period, said on Tuesday that the facility was ready for the imminent influx. Operators noted that £20 million has been spent in anticipation of the event. The busiest day is slated for August 13, when officials say more than 137,000 passengers and some 200,000 pieces of luggage are expected to move through Heathrow.
The Editor
ETNW

 

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Antiquities Authority starts pumping out drainage water from under the Sphinx

The Ministry of State for Antiquities started a project to reduce the water table accumulated under the Sphinx at Giza plateau

Nevine El-Aref  , El Ahram,

This week, Giza Inspectorate operated 18 water pump machines to pump out subterranean water that has accumulated under the Sphinx.

The machines are distributed over the Giza plateau according to a map showing the areas where the subterranean water has accumulated.

Mohamed Ibrahim Minister of State for Antiquities said that the machines will pump out 1100 cubic metres of water every hour, based on studies carried out previously by reputed Egyptian and American experts in subterranean water and ground mechanic and equilibrium factors.

He explains that the reasons behind the increase subterranean water-rates is because of the new drainage system installed in the neighbouring area of Nazlet Al-Seman.

Mohamed El-Sheikha, head of Projects Section at the Ministry of State for Antiquities (MSA) said that the project is carried out in collaboration with USAID (US Agency for International Development), which also supported similar projects at Karnak and Luxor temples in Luxor eight years ago.

Pumping work will start in the area of King Khafre’s Valley Temple and the area surrounding the southern hill.

El-Sheikha explains that according to ecological and geophysical studies, the Sphinx and its bedrock are safe.

He told Ahram Online that the level of water under the ground level is 4.6 metres, similar to the level in ancient time. Such a level, El-Sheikha pointed out, is natural since one of the Nile branches had once reached the plateau when a harbour was dug to shelter boats transporting required blocks from quarries in Aswan and Tura in Helwan for the construction of the pyramids.

 

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Group tour to Egypt escorted by Keith Grenville, 15 September – 01 October 2012

Biggest photo ever of Royal Family on the Thames

May 25, 2012 LONDON, UK -

Sea Containers, by Blackfriars Bridge, was covered with a giant picture measuring 100 by 70 meters and weighing in at nearly two tons. The image was erected by a team of 8 people over 45 hours, with the final part being rigged up at 10:00 am this morning. It is due to remain in place until the end of June.

The chosen picture is one of the most memorable photographs ever taken of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, and their children. It was snapped by an unknown photographer during the Silver Jubilee in 1977. Jonathan Ofer, Managing Director of The Deerbrook Group, which asset manages for the owner, Archlane Ltd., explained: “When this Silver Jubilee photo was taken 35 years ago, the South Bank was an unvisited stretch of the Thames – not the center of business, tourism, and culture that it is today. “It is the owner’s tribute for this very special occasion, when on Sunday, June 3, the Jubilee Flotilla passes by and the country celebrates 60 incredible years of everything that makes Britain great,” Mr. Ofer said.

The enormous canvas serves a dual function, as it is also intended to hide redevelopment work taking place inside Sea Containers, while the building is being transformed into a luxury Mondrian hotel – the first to open in Europe – and state-of-the-art office space. The work is being carried out by Design Research Studio under the direction of Tom Dixon. Tom Dixon said: “Behind this incredible wrap is a development project that will be complete by the end of 2013, when we reveal my first hotel, the Mondrian London, inspired by the maritime history of the building and the best of British and Americana design from the golden age of ocean travel. “In addition to over half of the 360 rooms having river views, the hotel is to feature a rooftop bar, restaurants on the river walk, and a unique subterranean spa. “The project will also provide 300,000 square feet of superb office space. This building sits on the apex of a bend in the Thames so the office space will have superb views spanning from the Houses of Parliament all the way to the Docklands. “This project will add to the vibrancy of the South Bank that makes this area a haven for visitors and business people.”

Source ETNW

 

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Jubilee tourists expected to provide boost for UK economy

 

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration

May 18, 2012The Diamond Jubilee is expected to inject £10 billion into the British economy, as hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to London’s hotels, restaurants, bars and shops.

Here’s a look at the impact of the bank holiday celebrations on our tourist trade and economy.

Hotels

Hotels in London and beyond have seen bookings soar for the weekend of June 2-5.

The Savoy hotel, located on the banks of the Thames, is expecting a very busy weekend during the Jubilee celebrations, particularly on Sunday when the Royal flotilla will sail down the river. Managing director Kiaran MacDonald said: “Our river view suites and rooms have been booked for a while as have the majority of the tables in our River Restaurant. It will be a historic occasion and from talking to guests, many of them have chosen The Savoy as it’s such an wonderfully British place to celebrate.” The hotel is offering a special Royal package during the weekend, including two nights’ accommodation and a four-course Diamond Jubilee dinner for two with sommelier-selected wines (from £1,230).

At the nearby Landmark Hotel, bookings are currently at 50 per cent for the Jubilee weekend, with a late surge expected over the next fortnight. Sally Beck, director of marketing at the Landmark, explained: “We’re expecting a spike in the coming weeks, with bookings rising to 70 or 75 per cent capacity. This is similar to what happened last year around the Royal wedding – there is often a last-minute rush for rooms.” The hotel is offering special Diamond Jubilee rates, as well as a guest package including champagne on arrival and a three-course meal with Kir Royale cocktail (from £342).

London’s iconic Goring Hotel, where the Middleton family stayed during last year’s Royal wedding, never discloses how busy it is during bank holiday weekends. However, guests at the luxurious city-centre hotel can enjoy a glittering cocktail designed in honour of the Queen. “The 1952″ is a gin martini served with a silver leaf in a crystal Swarovski glass, which can be taken home afterwards.

At the Covent Garden hotel, operations director Carrie Wicks said reservations were “already flooding in”. She added: “Brasserie Max is serving a special Diamond Jubilee tea menu and we expect the hotel to be busy as usual over the Bank holiday weekend. There will be a great buzz in the Seven Dials.”

But tourists hoping to indulge in some of the capital’s accommodation packages in early June should be aware of predicted price rises around the Jubilee weekend. According to a study by Santander bank, the cost of a four-night stay for a family of four during the Jubilee period is roughly 54 per cent more expensive than an identical stay in May.

The report also found that some hotels have increased their charges by up to 223 per cent. Visitors booking luxury accommodation face the most substantial rises – an average of 81 per cent more than an equivalent weekend in May.

Apartments

Some visitors opting for longer stays in Britain have chosen to book apartments or rented accommodation during the Jubilee period.

Guy van der Westhuizen, founder of Ivy Lettings said: “We have seen a considerable uptake in demand, mostly from overseas visitors. Many English owners of our London apartments have chosen to use them themselves – especially those with river views – others are keener to make a profit.”

Restaurants

London’s top restaurants and establisments serving traditional British cuisine are likely to be extremely busy during the Jubilee weekend, so visitors are advised to book early.

At the two Michelin-starred The Ledbury in Notting Hill, the restaurant is already fully booked for lunch and dinner throughout June.

Other high-priced restaurants, such as The Ivy in London’s West End, and Heston Blumenthal’s renowned The Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire, are expecting to be busier than usual during the celebrations.

Tourists flocking to London are also looking forward to sampling the many traditional afternoon tea menus on offer. Hotels including the Dorchester, the Park Lane Hotel and the Andaz Hotel in Liverpool Street are all offering themed Diamond Jubilee tea packages, offering treats such as Victoria sponge, coronation chicken sandwiches and gin and tonic jellies.

Henry Brosi, executive chef at The Dorchester, said: “We only have four tables left on Saturday, June 2. Tea is so popular at The Dorchester that we have already increased from two sittings to five, and we now offer ‘low tea’ at 2.15pm as well as ‘high tea’ at 5.15pm. For the Diamond Jubilee we will be serving diamond sugar and the front of the hotel will be decorated by the Florist at The Dorchester with the Queen’s favourite flowers in an array of red, white and blue.”

At Betty’s Tea Rooms in Yorkshire, one of the UK’s best-known venues for afternoon tea, there is still some availability over the Jubilee weekend. The tea salon has planned a special package during the festivities, with an indulgent selection of cakes, scones and sandwiches served in regal-inspired surroundings in York and Harrogate.

Shopping

Harrods department store and Hamleys toy shop are just two of the iconic London shops that will be top of tourists’ to-do lists during the bank holiday weekend.

Other classic British shops are already preparing for the influx of tens of thousands of visitors.

A spokesperson for Fortnum and Mason said the luxury store was expecting a lot of custom at the start of June. “We have made sure all our language speakers among the staff will be in over the weekend and have had many requests from international press teams, including Danish, Taiwanese, Polish and French media, who want to come and film and ask about the Royal Warrants,” she explained. “We have special menus and products in store, and the windows have been decorated with our Jubilee logo since the beginning of the year – they will remain until Christmas, which is very unusual.”

She added: “When the Queen was coronated huge velvet drapes were hung outside the store but this time we have gone for huge decorative beasts, such as a lion and a unicorn. On the first floor there is an exhibition showcasing the work of artists enrolled on the QEST scholarship programme, including beautiful jet jewellery, a full-size wicker bull and restored dollshouse, and the artists will be giving talks too. We decided two years ago that we were going to focus on the Jubilee over the Olympics.”

At Harvey Nichols, there are no specific plans to keep the shop open longer during the Jubilee weekend. A spokesman said: “However, we have installed commemorative Jubilee Windows in our Knightsbridge store, as well as introducing new, limited-edition packaging with British iconography to appeal to our international shopper.”

Attractions

Attractions in London and further afield will also prove a draw for first-time visitors to the UK.

Alton Towers resort in Staffordshire is expecting a similar level of visitors to a normal bank holiday weekend. “We don’t have anything planned specifically for the Jubilee. It will fall during the Whit half term so we will plan for it as we would a normal school holiday and bank holiday period,” said spokeswoman Liz West

At London Zoo, a “significant increase in visitors” is expected, again partly due to the Jubilee weekend falling on a school half-term holiday. Senior press officer at the zoo, Rebecca Smith, said: “We will have a Diamond Jubilee exhibition here at the Zoo throughout the weekend, highlighting the Queen and the Royal family’s historic relationship with the Zoological Society of London – featuring some wonderful photographs of the Queen as a young girl visiting the penguins and cheetahs at the Zoo.”

Taxis

London’s Hackney carriages are expected to be in demand this Diamond Jubilee weekend as visiting tourists flock to travel in one of the capital’s famous black cabs. Registered taxi firms Call-A-Cab and London Black Taxis said they were expecting demand during the Jubilee weekend to be much higher than normal.

“We’re hoping it will be a lot busier, given the number of people who will be in the city centre that weekend,” said a spokesman for London Black Taxis. “We can’t put on any more cabs or drivers, but people should be ready for it to be very busy.”

Source: telegraph.co.uk

www.egypttoday.co.za   Escorted group tour to Egypt 15 Sep – 01 October 2012

Cirque du Soleil performs in Jordan for first time

Image from visitjordan.com

May 10, 2012

The international entertainment group, Cirque du Soleil, will perform for the first time ever in Jordan with its vibrant signature production, Saltimbanco, from June 26-30, 2012 at Prince Hamza Arena in Amman.

Tickets will be available starting today at www.karasi.com where users can reserve their preferred seats and either pay online to get their e-tickets immediately via email, or request them to be delivered by hand and pay upon delivery. They can be also requested by phone at 06-5515383.

Saltimbanco is Cirque du Soleil’s longest-running touring show and has performed since 1992 to widespread acclaim to sellout audiences in Europe, North and South America, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand for more than 11.5 million enthusiastic fans.

Classic Cirque du Soleil at its best, Saltimbanco is a thrilling and kaleidoscopic celebration of awe-inspiring artistry and agility. With a cast of 50 high-caliber artists hailing from 20 different countries, Saltimbanco features breathtaking acrobatics and unbelievable athleticism during solo spotlights and epic ensembles, from the seemingly impossible balancing, jumping, and spinning during the Chinese poles or the Russian swing, to the gravity-defying bungees and trapeze,  the crowd-pleasing juggling and acrobatic bicycle, to the celebrated and very unique clowns. Technical expertise and extravagant design are woven together by uplifting spectacular costumes, amazing lighting, humor, and enchanting music and magic. Full of color, amusement, and amazement, Saltimbanco is a fun show for the whole family to enjoy.

Saltimbanco – from the Italian “saltare in banco,” which literally means “to jump on a bench” – explores the urban experience in all its myriad forms: the people who live there, their idiosyncrasies and likenesses, families and groups, the hustle and bustle of the street, and the towering heights of skyscrapers. A signature show, it is inspired by the urban fabric of the metropolis and its colorful inhabitants. Decidedly baroque in its visual vocabulary, the show’s eclectic cast of characters draws spectators into a fanciful, dreamlike world, an imaginary city where diversity is a cause for hope.

MEDIA PRAISE FOR SALTIMBANCO:

“Gracefully athletic theatre” – The London Times

“Human exuberance and physicality” – Variety Magazine (USA)

“Myth meets magic… An unearthly mixture of commedia dell’arte and rock-concert razzle” – The New York Times

ABOUT CIRQUE DU SOLEIL:

From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Québec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists from more than 50 different countries.

Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than 300 cities in over 40 countries on 6 continents. Cirque du Soleil International headquarters are in Montreal, Canada. For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit www.cirquedusoleil.qa .

SHOW INFORMATION:

ORGANIZER: Friends of Jordan Festivals

Friends of the Jordan Festivals is a non-profit organization founded in March 2010, by a group of men and women, leaders in the private sector, motivated by their love and loyalty to their country, and their passion of the culture and the arts. The NGO aims at promoting Jordan as a cultural destination being the only open air museum in the world, rich in history, rich in heritage, and rich in culture.

VENUE:  Prince Hamza Arena – Hussein Youth City

SHOW SCHEDULE (JUNE 26-30, 2012):

Tuesday, June 26 at 8:00 pm Wednesday, June 27 at 5:00 pm Thursday, June 28 at 5:00 pm Friday, June 29 at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm Saturday, June 30 at 8:00 pm

CATEGORIES AND TICKETS:

VIP – 150 JD (Special Hospitality) A – 80 JD B – 60 JD C – 40 JD D – 25JD

For show and ticket information, please visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/saltimbanco

 

Tours to Jordan – visit www.egypttoday.co.za

Concordia wreck to be towed away

09 Wed, May 2012

Costa Cruises has announced that work on the removal of Costa Concordia from Giglio Island will begin this month, subject to final approval from Italian authorities. The recovery exercise is expected to take 12 months. The tender for the removal of the ship has been awarded to American-owned specialist marine salvage and wreckage removal company, Titan Salvage. The project will be done in partnership with Italian firm, Micoperi, a marine contractor with a long history as a specialist in underwater construction and engineering.

The main objectives outlined in the tender specifications were; removal of the wreck in one piece; minimal risk; minimal environmental impact; protection of Giglio’s economy and tourism industry; and maximum safety of the work. Throughout the operations, environmental protection will have top priority. Once the main work is complete, the sea bottom will be cleaned and marine flora replanted. The plan also includes measures to safeguard the island of Giglio’s tourism and wider economy. The main operating base will be located on the mainland at nearby Civitavecchia, where equipment and materials will be stored, thereby avoiding any impact on Giglio’s port activities. The removal will be the final step of the salvage. Its fuel removal was completed successfully on March 24.

The Editor – ETNW

 

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Table Mountain confirmed as Natural Wonder

2 May 3rd, 2012

Table Mountain’s status as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature has become official after an international audit confirmed the result of a global voting process. The New7Wonders Foundation based in Switzerland has confirmed that Table Mountain’s “provisional” status after international voting closed on 11 November 2011 has been changed to “official”. The results followed three years of intense campaigning in a contest that drew more than 100 million votes from 220 countries worldwide.

Table Mountain is the 5th site to have its status confirmed, along with Halong Bay, Iguazu Falls, Jeju Island and Puerto Princesa Underground River. The Amazon and Komodo Island remain on the provisional list. Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille described the title as “a great accolade for a unique wonder of nature that belongs to all the people of Cape Town, South Africa, Africa and the world. The New Seven Wonders title has great long-term marketing value for Cape Town and South Africa. The wonder becomes part of school curricula, it becomes a “must see” and “bucket list” item for travellers and explorers.”

Sabine Lehmann, chairperson of the Table Mountain official supporters committee (OSC), said the official confirmation would provide a significant boost to the South African tourism industry. “Visitor numbers to Table Mountain reached record numbers after the mountain was named on the provisional list of seven sites on 11 November 2011, and we expect the official confirmation to further boost visitor interest locally and abroad. This is already the case for the Puerto Princesa Underground River, the New7Wonder site in the Philippines,” Lehmann said. The Philippines island that is home to the Puerto Princesa Underground River used to have three flights a week and now has 22 flights a week; the site used to attract an average of 150 visitors a day and now has 2 000 visitors a day. “The Island is building a new international airport to cope with the influx of visitors,” Lehmann said. Lehmann expressed her gratitude to all those who had supported the Vote for Table Mountain campaign including Nobel Peace Prize winners Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and former President FW de Klerk, the Springbok rugby team and countless everyday fans. “I am very grateful to the people of Cape Town, South Africa and the entire African content for making this wonderful news possible,” said Lehmann. Gary de Kock, regional general manager of SANParks, said: “We value that this award recognizes SANParks’ significant investment in the natural heritage of this beautiful mountain chain and that conservation adds value to the tourism economy.” Paddy Gordon, manager of the Table Mountain National Park, also welcomed the news:”It is an honour that Table Mountain is now linked to other new and exciting places and we hope that visitors from those places will now visit us in return, and bring new tourism markets with them.” Bernard Weber, Founder-President of New7Wonders, said it was of great significance that Table Mountain was chosen by voters globally to be the representative of Africa’s unique natural heritage. “Along with possessing a biodiversity that is exceptionally important, given its proximity to a major city, Table Mountain is notable for the historic role it played in helping Nelson Mandela cope with his long years of imprisonment,” said Weber. “Through the bars of his cell on Robben Island, the sight of the peak with its table cloth of cloud offered him hope of brighter days to come, and the statement issued by the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory on 8 November last year supporting the call to vote for Table Mountain was both an endorsement of the South African finalist and a tribute to its ability to inspire.” The Table Mountain OSCwillnow planthe official inauguration ceremony. An impressive commemorative plaque will be officially presented by the New7Wonders Foundation to Table Mountain in October.

News24.com

 

 

 

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to visit the one remaining of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World – the Great Pyramid.