Rich throng to SA

Despite the global economic crisis, wealthy - but "time poor" - holidaymakers are not keeping their wallets closed this year.

International and local millionaires have inundated concierge companies with requests for expensive luxury villas, hired helicopters and top wines for the holiday season.

Some are prepared to spend R1.5-million on their holidays.

Carole Day, director of The Desk concierge, a company whose staff makes arrangements for the wealthy, said the number of international tourists coming to South Africa on holiday this season has increased compared to the same time last year.

She said her clients are coming from the UK, US, Ireland, Sweden, Germany, Holland, Iceland and the rest of Africa.

She also said that the number of black South Africans prepared to fork out for her company's services was definitely on the rise.

"We are still being asked for luxury villas, butlers, chefs, helicopters and planes. Nothing untoward or less extravagant than usual," said Day. "Cars haven't been a big thing this year in terms of supercars, but the luxury Mercedes and BMWs are in demand."

Day said tourists were going for luxury tours of the Cape Winelands as well as to golf courses, spas and restaurants.

"There are many clients that, after their holiday here, like us to find them properties to purchase and then become swallows or at least frequent visitors," she said.

Pedro Camacho, MD of Quintessentially SA, said though they had noticed a decline in members' spending due to the economic crisis, this was only evident in international travel.

Pedro said members opted for apartments in Cape Town for which they pay up to R12000 a night.

Camacho said they had received holiday requests from travellers hailing from the UK, US, Scandinavia and Dubai.

"Quintessentially has found that our services are predominantly used by millionaires, professionals and executives who may be cash rich but are time poor," he said.