TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLY

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SOUTHERN AFRICA’S TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLYAugust 29 2018 I No. 2509

Page 10Page 9Page 2

FEATUREAFRICA CORPORATETrue TMCs a ‘drop in the ocean’

NEWSCITY LODGE

Group looks to African expansion

NEWSAMADEUS

Rebrands from GDS to Live Travel Space

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Pay back the money, SAX!Sarah robertSon and Savannah Freemantle

SOUTH African Express has announced that it will take to the skies

again on August 23, three months after the SA Civil Aviation Authority grounded the airline because of safety concerns.

However, agents report that the airline still hasn’t honoured its promise to refund passengers.

Shannon Riley, travel consultant at Sure Etnique Travel, says it has been communicating with its sales rep regarding the 30 or so outstanding refunds from its office and has been advised that the backlog amounts to over 15 000 unprocessed refunds. She adds that while SAX has processed refunds with clients, BSP refund applications remain untouched. “We look like the bad guys.”

Nicolene Van Blerk, BSP team leader for Club Travel says that Club head office is currently waiting for more than 100 refunds to be processed for passengers affected by the grounding.

“As there has been no communication regarding

the individual refunds, we have requested that SAX or SAA release a generic circular explaining the delay and the time frame that clients can expect going forward. No communication has been forthcoming,” says Nicolene.

Since early July, TNW has been asking SAX when agents can expect their refunds. No answers have been given.

Still space for SAX?While SA Express says it will resume operations on August 23, competitors have snapped up most of the carrier’s routes and the airline’s reputation has taken a knock.

Travel Counsellor Tanya Edwards told TNW that while she might sell SA Express again, it was shocking how many of its aircraft were declared unsafe. “How did it get that far?” she asks. When the airline was grounded the CAA also suspended the Certificates of Airworthiness of nine of the 21 aircraft it operated.

Within days of SAX’s grounding, CemAir had increased capacity between Johannesburg

To page 20

Come see MSC!

MSC Cruises celebrated its new, fancy home with a roof-wetting cocktail function at 150 Rivonia Road. The space allows for a more client-friendly experience, with agent training facilities and more. Excited to explore the office are, from left: Monica Horn (Harvey World); Avril-Leigh Shackleton (eTravel); Ross Volk (MSC); Deidre Genis (Cruiseabout HydePark); and Leatitia Zamponi (Cruiseabout Morningside). Photo: Natasha Schmidt

Orchestra heads to SA watersSue van WinSen

THE newer sister ship of the MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra, will be sailing out of South Africa from November 2019 through to April 2020.

Speaking at the launch of MSC Cruises’ new offices in Sandton, md, Ross Volk, said while the vessel had a similar layout to the MSC Musica, it had a completely different aesthetic with new restaurant options and

entertainment. In addition, more than 50% of the cabins have balconies, and there are more suites, with 28 in total.

“The decision to bring even newer vessels to South Africa illustrates MSC Cruises’ commitment to the SA market,” said Ross.

In other news, Ross announced that the highly anticipated Durban Cruise Terminal, which MSC Cruises will operate in a

joint venture with Africa Armada Consortium, would break ground this October, with operations set to begin in 2020.

Ross also said that the cruise company was investing in new boats to provide greater flexibility to land at Pomene Island in Mozambique more frequently, as inclement weather conditions had prevented guests from stopping over on a number of sailings this season.

2 n Wednesday August 29 2018 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

NEWS

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Rubes® By Leigh Rubin

Birds not of a feather

Amadeus adapts modelSarah robertSon

AMADEUS is rebranding from a Global Distribution System

to a Live Travel Space, saying that this terminology better encompasses the widening arena that it now operates in.

The company is also moving away from a geographical market segmentation to a customer-focused market segment that will focus on personalisation. The four customer segments that Amadeus will be personalising include retail travel agencies, online travel companies, business travel agencies and corporations.

Jannine Adams, senior manager marketing and communications from Amadeus, says that, as a Live Travel Space, Amadeus brings together all players with more content across more channels, accommodating different business models.

She says although corporations have been selected as a separate customer segment, it is not the company’s intention to cut out the TMC and deal with corporates directly but to meet the needs of the corporate traveller faster, as managed by the TMC.

“We are collaboratively working with TMCs, within our business travel agency segment, and with corporations to

deliver solutions tailored to their businesses so they can better serve their customers,” says Jannine.

While TraveluXion – an Amadeus product tailored directly for the corporation – was closed earlier this year, Cytric Travel and Expense, geared to assist large blue-chip companies, and Amadeus Corporate Traveller, which suits a wider range of business sizes, are currently available in

our market. Jannine says both offer corporates an online booking tool that is personalised to load preferred supplier classes and to guide corporates to book within policy guidelines.

Amadeus has also recently launched Amadeus Online Corporate Traveller, another direct corporate product, in the Middle East and North American market, but Jannine says there are no plans to launch this in South Africa as it is not

geared to this market.While the term ‘GDS’ has

not been done away with, Amadeus is retaining it to describe one of its three current offerings which also include NDC and API. Jannine explains that NDC and other technologies form part of the new space where Amadeus aims to deliver more personalised solutions to customers with a faster time to market.

She adds that Amadeus is currently working with driver customers in a test-and-learn approach for the NDC-X programme, but that it will be available to all customers later this year and to all travel sellers by 2019. Current selected driver travel sellers include Flight Centre, Travix, CWT and AmexGBT, although the programme is not in operation yet.

The API product offering allows travel sellers to display and personalise Amadeus content on their own web and mobile sites.

Morné du Preez, ceo of Tourvest, is positive about the move, commenting that Amadeus was becoming an innovator in technology and not dwelling on historic legacies.

“All the future hype is around NDCs, direct connect and larger aggregators. In order for Amadeus to continue to supply us with effective content, they have to follow a similar path,” said Morné.

“We are collaboratively working with TMCs, within our business

travel agency segment, and with corporations to deliver solutions

tailored to their businesses so they

can better serve their customers,”

Helen Johnston selects the top specials from Travelinfo

Aha Alpine Heath Resort. (Drakensberg) Winter offer from R2 666 per chalet per night (midweek). Minimum two-night stay applies. Valid until August 31. The Holiday Factory. Value-for-money Bali offer from R13 770pp

sharing. Includes return flights departing Johannesburg, approximate taxes, return transfers and seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast daily. Valid from September 1-October 31. Gallivanter Holidays. Five-night offer from R9 850pp sharing.

Includes return flights to Zanzibar from Johannesburg, approximate taxes, return transfers and five nights’ accommodation with breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Valid from September 9-18 and September 26-October 19. Mozambique Tourism. Fly-in package from R15 600pp

sharing. Offer includes return flights departing Johannesburg to Vilanculos, approximate taxes, return transfers, five nights’ accommodation with breakfast daily, complimentary one-hour massage each and more. Valid until December 31. Kulula holidays. KZN offer from R1 799pp

sharing. Offer includes return flights departing Lanseria, two days’ car hire and two nights’ accommodation at the Garden Court South Beach with breakfast daily. Book by August 31. Valid for travel until November 30.

Iata to concentrate comms through BSPlinkFROM next month, all future Iata general communications will only be distributed through BSPlink.

According to Iata, this decision was taken to streamline and effectively manage Iata

communications.The association said

that, to ensure receipt of important Iata information and updates, agents should regularly download all communications from BSPlink through the Customer Portal.

To the point

Passengers flying on kulula.com can now skip long boarding queues with the airline’s latest offering, Q-Jump. Kulula passengers can fast track the boarding process, for an additional fee, and be the first in line to board the aircraft at the Q-Jump queue. Q-Jump customers will also be the first to access the hand-luggage stowage on board and their checked bags will be the first to be off-loaded at the destination airport.

SAA0818_5505_TNW_Skytrax_15Aug_314x218_Amend1.indd 1 2018/08/03 3:15 PM

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4 n Wednesday August 29 2018 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

NEWS

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Flights start direct CPT to FRA on 18 Sep 2018

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Tourvest rolls out new techSarah robertSon

TOURVEST Travel Services has launched a number of new systems this

year and says this portfolio of technology is driving ITC and franchise growth for the group.

In June the group launched WWTB online, a booking engine that enables agents to book hotels, accommodation, transfers and excursions on one online platform through its internal tour operator division.

The company’s new travel.co.za site was also launched this year, offering leisure-focused ITCs and franchisees access to leisure products and packages. The site is fully integrated with Tourvest’s Trippi brochure product database, which enables preferred suppliers to drive their content to the Tourvest network of websites.

Trippi has direct connections into the major tour operator sites, allowing self-managed live product pricing. It has

a built-in user interface that allows consultants to search for their ideal packages, cruises, coach tours and experiences. Consultants can then email these to clients directly through the user interface, which displays their

company livery and branding complete with images, product descriptions, locations, YouTube video links and more.

TravelIT, which was launched by Tourvest a few years ago, is a corporate online travel management solution designed to meet the requirements of TMCs and their clients. Last month the

online app was also launched and is available in Google Play and the Apple App Store.

This system is also able to automatically drive corporate policies, as preferred supplier rates and classes are specifically loaded and bookings are driven toward these.

The system also offers an easy function for supervisors to approve travel bookings online.

Maria Watkins, gm Leisure Travel Group, WWTB and Product, says all these online products are available for consortium members to white label through their own individually branded websites.

Tourvest is now aggressively taking these technologies to market, hosting countrywide recruitment workshops for agents and ITCs. The first workshop is scheduled to take place at Tsogo Sun in Hyde Park on September 22 before moving to the coastal regions.

Air Mauritius launches flights to WuhanAIR Mauritius has launched a weekly flight to Wuhan, China, using an Airbus A340. Flight MK690 departs Mauritius on Saturdays at 09h20 and arrives in Wuhan at 00h10 the next day. Flight MK691 departs Wuhan on Sundays at 02h10 and arrives in Mauritius at 08h40.

Qatar expands service to MaldivesQATAR Airways is expanding its service to the Maldives for the winter 2018/19 season. From October 28, the airline will add a third daily flight between Doha and Malé, operated by an Airbus A350-900XWB aircraft.

Ethiopian Airlines ends Barcelona serviceETHIOPIAN Airlines no longer operates flights between Barcelona and Addis Ababa. The airline said the decision was made due to operational difficulties that prevented it fulfilling its service to customers. In other news, the airline has also rolled out stopover packages for passengers travelling through Addis Ababa, effective August 1. The packages include sightseeing in the capital, visits to the pre-Christian-era obelisks of Axum, as well as the lakeside resorts of Awasa and Arba Minch.

A snapshot of the week's airline news

“Through all the ups and downs in the industry, the travel trade has weathered the storms together with Singapore Airlines,” says Kian Hwa Chua, gm, Central and Southern Africa. Singapore Airlines recently treated its top agents to a special lunch at Morrells Boutique Estate in Fourways to thank the trade for their ongoing support. The airline has upped its Cape Town flights to daily, and is keen to grow the route, with travel agents’ endorsement. Pictured here are the award winners for Top Consortia. Second from left is Carol Petersen (Tourvest Travel Services); centre: Aadil Esack (XL Travel); and second from right: Kirsty Rebelo (Flight Centre), with Kian (far left) and Joey Seow (Singapore Airlines Regional vp, West Asia Africa) on the far right. Photo: Natasha Schmidt

Singapore sings trade’s praises

“All these online products are available

for consortium members to white

label through their own individually branded

websites.”

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6 n Wednesday August 29 2018 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

NEWS

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Nedbank enables mobile uploads for forex cardSarah robertSon

THE new digital features for the Nedbank Travel Card, which were

launched last month, have, according to the bank, made it the first multi-currency card in the market offering the

facility to reload the card from a cellphone.

The Travel Card allows customers to load up to eight different currencies on a single MasterCard debit card.

Brett Evans, senior product owner of Nedbank FX Online, explains that

the Nedbank Travel Card is now fully integrated with the bank’s Money App, allowing customers to instantly reload their wallets directly from their cellphone at any time.

While Nedbank does not presently offer travel agents commission for referring card

sales, Brett says the bank is in strategic partnership talks with a number of travel consortiums.

Multi-currency cards are by far the most cost-effective method for purchasing forex, says Brett.

“Credit card companies add

serious surcharges to forex switches, which could be as high as 9%. Comparably, the Nedbank Travel Card charges roughly a 2% commission plus a small forex margin. These fees also tend to be cheaper than foreign bank note charges.”

World Leisure Holidays and Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts hosted the trade at a Shangri-La sales mission on August 20-22 at The Potato Shed in Newtown, Johannesburg. Guests were treated to international cuisine from Shangri-La’s destinations while they learned more about the Shangri-La product. Pictured: Lebo Manala (left), travel consultant at Price Incentive; and Travel Counsellor Josey Gregory. Photo: Savannah Freemantle

More seats to MauritiusSavannah Freemantle

DURING the holiday peak season, Air Mauritius will increase capacity out of Johannesburg and Cape Town by putting the A330-900NEO on some of its flights and adding a flight out of Cape Town.

The airline will operate the aircraft on its Johannesburg route on Mondays and Tuesdays in December, adding

161 weekly seats to this route.

The aircraft will operate Air Mauritius’s Cape Town service on an additional Friday flight between November 2 and January 11. This will result in an additional 291 weekly seats on this route during the period.

The A330-900NEO has 28 lie-flat business-class seats and 263 seats in economy class.

Foodie fun

Home to many of the historic landmarks honouring South

Africa’s road to liberation, Gauteng houses some of the most inspiring attractions in the country. Many of them are offering special rates and activities to women in the province throughout the month of August in celebration of Women’s Month as well as marking the centenary of struggle icon, Albertina Sisulu.

Chief among them is the iconic Constitution Hill, home to the Old Fort Prison Complex where many of South Africa’s leading political activists, including Mahatma Gandhi and former President Nelson

Mandela were detained. The Women’s Jail, located within the Constitution Hill precinct, depicts the struggles that ordinary women experienced

before the dawn of democracy in 1994. It also houses a cell dedicated exclusively to one of the organisers of the August 9, 1956 Women’s March, Albertina Sisulu.

The Women’s Jail at Constitution Hill is offering special rates and activities

to women throughout the month of August, says Barba Gaoganediwe, Gauteng Tourism Authority’s head of promotions and marketing. The museum will host the annual Metro FM Women’s Experience on August 24 for the first time.

“We want young women to emulate the heroism of the likes of Mama Albertina Sisulu, and will consequently seek to attract women – particularly those under the age of 35 – to visit the Women’s Jail and other historic sites throughout the month,” he says.

Other attractions such as the Apartheid Museum and the CitySightseeing Bus are also offering special rates in an

effort to draw young women to these sites and educate them about the lives and times of their predecessors who fought during South

Africa’s liberation struggle, Barba says. More information about these specials can be found on the Gauteng Tourism Authority’s website.

Leading a tourism establishment while looking after a family or loved ones is no easy feat, but women-led tourism businesses in Gauteng are thriving, says Barba.

“The business events sector in particular continues to grow in leaps and bounds as more young women launch events organising businesses, conferencing establishments and corporate accommodation offerings,” he says. According to Barba, this has impacted the local tourism sector tremendously, aiding economic growth and job creation.

Just as Albertina was celebrated for joining her husband Walter Sisulu to fight for freedom in South Africa while looking after her family back in the

Transkei, so too are young women in tourism being applauded by the Gauteng Tourism Authority for dedicating themselves to their businesses and aiding the growth of tourism in the region.

“Women of Gauteng are known for being go-getters, game-changers and

independent women who will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. We applaud these women who maintain the spirit of Mama Albertina Sisulu by fighting the good fight to see their dreams become reality, all while supporting their families and loved ones.”

Women in tourism lauded for maintaining spirit of Albertina Sisulu

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Historic sites in Gauteng offer women-only specials

Social media:

ilovegauteng

@visitgauteng

Gauteng Tourism Authority

www.gauteng.net

In line with National Women’s Month and celebrations honouring the Albertina Sisulu centenary, historic sites in Gauteng are offering special rates and activities to women.

ADVERTORIAL

Women’s Jail, Isolation Cells

Albertina Sisulu briefing women before women’s day project Albertina and Walter Sisulu

“We want young women to emulate

the heroism of the likes of Mama Albertina Sisulu.”

8 n Wednesday August 29 2018 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

Local is lekker! Gauteng Tourism Authority, it starts here. The latest news in domestic tourism.

Sha’p-sha’p: (Sharp-sharp) (a) A South African term used to express

our good health and well being.

New Robben Island yacht trips

LUXURY yacht, The Only One, based in Cape Town has introduced Around

Robben Island charter trips. The three-hour excursion can accommodate up to 12 passengers, including tourist guides. Upon arrival, guests board the 20m luxury yacht, where they are welcomed with drinks and canapés.

Accompanying guests on the tour are Christo Brand, Nelson Mandela’s prison guard at Robben Island from 1978 to 1982 and his warden at Pollsmoor Prison for six years, and Sandi Sijkae, a former prisoner on Robben Island. Both will tell their stories of the time they spent on the island.

Christo and Sandi will also conduct a presentation and Q&A session on the yacht,

showing video footage while food and drinks are served.

Beverley Dean, a representative from The Only One, told TNW that the new offering was introduced because Robben Island no longer allowed the company

to operate private yacht tours to take guests to the island. “This is our alternative option for clients.”

There are no set departures for The Only One’s new Robben Island trip. Bookings are made on request.

Cape Town ups cycling offeringCAPE Town has added a dedicated 5,58km cycling route between Bloubergstrand and the West Coast village of Melkbos.

The lane passes some of Cape Town’s best surfing beaches, with views of Robben Island and Table Mountain.

It runs along the eastern edge of the M14, and is three metres wide, allowing for two-way cycling traffic, with a kerb creating a safe barrier

from other vehicles.Melkbos remains

largely undeveloped due to its proximity to the evacuation zone of SA’s only nuclear power station, which is adjacent to Koeberg. As a result, users can expect to have access to restaurants and amenities, without having to compromise on natural beauty.

The cycling project aims to eventually link more scenic venues within cycling range of SA cities.

Africa’s biggest kite festival returns in OctoberAFRICA’S biggest kite festival – the Cape Town International Kite Festival – will take place in the Zandvlei Nature Reserve in Muizenberg, on October 27 and 28.

The annual festival, which was launched in 1993 by Cape Mental Health to support South Africa’s oldest mental health charity, attracts over 20 000 visitors each year.

Kite-makers and kite-fliers travel to the Western Cape to take part in the event, through professional kiting displays – including giant

inflatables – stunt kites, and Rokakkau kite fighting.

The festival has offerings for the whole family, including the Edukite Schools’ Competition, Heritage Kite Competition, colouring-in competition for kids, play area, live entertainment, a food market, tea garden, picnic area and other arts and crafts. Non-competitive kite flyers can also bring their own kites, purchase kites at the venue, or take part in a free kite-making workshop to build their own kites.

Street food festival to hit Cape Town and JoburgTHE fifth annual South African Street Food Festival will take place this year from September 1-9 in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

The festival celebrates street food from all cultures that make up the melting pot that is SA. Street food from foreign cities will also be represented at the festival.

In addition to the myriad foods on offer, visitors can look forward to DJs playing music over the course of the event,

and ‘crate talks’ by local food entrepreneurs.

In Cape Town, these will include talks by Dial-A-Koeksister that delivers warm koeksisters door-to-door on Sunday mornings; Toast Ale which brews beer made from unsold bread loaves; Elisha Madzivadondo, co-founder of The Sunshine Co.; and Jeremey Barty, founder of Breadrev.

The Johannesburg leg of the event brings talks by Trevor Chomumwe, host of The Hello

Dinner Club; Kgosi Rampa and Sifiso Dlangamandla, the co-founders of Soweto’s LoCrate Market, and the Makhelwane Festival (where houses along Poka Street in Soweto are transformed into eateries and art galleries over three days); Boitumelo Ramashaba, founder of Thirst Trap Juices; Mokgadi Mabela of Native Nosi – a black female-owned bee farm; and Vusi Ndlovu, head chef at The Marabi Club.

The Only One luxury yacht now offers three-hour charter trips around Robben Island.

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QUICK READ FOR BUSIEST PEOPLE Wednesday August 29 2018 n 9

NEWS

Local is lekker! Gauteng Tourism Authority, it starts here. The latest news in domestic tourism.

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fastjet bases DestinationsFlight connections *Operated by Solenta Aviation Mozambique

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City Lodge looks to African expansion to drive revenue

CITY Lodge Hotel Group has noted a decline in occupancy over the last financial year, while hotels

outside South Africa have shown encouraging signs of improvement.

In the financial year ended June 30, 2018, the City Lodge Hotel Group reported a decrease in average occupancies to 59% from 63% in the previous financial year. Group revenue decreased by 1% to R1,5 billion.

The hotel group cited trading conditions in South Africa, where it has 54 hotels, as the main

reason for the decrease. Commenting on the outlook for the

2019 financial year, newly appointed ceo, Andrew Widegger, said in South Africa the new financial year had seen a continuation of the soft trend experienced in the 2018 financial year.

“It is unlikely that there will be a meaningful change in sentiment until after the country has held its general election, which is likely to take place in the second quarter of 2019. The outlook for our hotels located outside South Africa has shown encouraging signs of improvement and the group will benefit from the opening of the new hotels,” he said.

City Lodge Hotel Group expects to open new hotels in Dar es Salaam and Maputo by the end of October as part of its targeted African expansion strategy.

Absa Corporate and Investment Banking assembled thought leaders and experts at its first travel and tourism focused Insight Event, held at Absa Capital’s Equinox venue. The purpose of the event was to bring leaders to share their views on the state of the travel and tourism industries in South Africa, looking at trends and the future of the sector. Pictured here are, from left, BidTravel’s Marco Cristofoli and Lidia Folli, with Virgin Atlantic’s Eugene Cronje. Photo: Natasha Schmidt

Insight into travel

“The outlook for our hotels outside SA has shown signs

of improvement and the group will benefit from the opening

of the new hotels.”

To the point

Air Seychelles will increase frequencies on its Johannesburg-Seychelles service during the Christmas/New Year season and Easter holidays to accommodate the increased demand. The additional flights will operate from December 10 until January 12 and will be serviced by an A320 aircraft. An additional Friday flight will operate over Easter, starting March 22 and ending April 26.

10 n Wednesday August 29 2018 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

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Africa Corporate

Business travel in Africa is becoming easier, although some of the time-old obstacles continue to cause inconvenience. By Michelle Colman.

True corporate management still in its infancy

LOCAL TMCs booking travel into Africa and seeking cross-border

partners may encounter a frustrating lack of specialisation in corporate travel. Many travel agents across the continent continue to service a mix of business and leisure clientele, with inadequate knowledge of the elements deemed integral to corporate travel management in larger markets.

While not discounting the existence of highly professional global brand TMCs outside South Africa, Monique Swart, founder of the African Business Travel Association (Abta), says true TMCs “are a drop in the ocean”. The concept of true travel management

– including duty of care, data provision, technology offerings and more, is in an infancy stage for most, she comments.

“Coupled with this, local corporates in many emerging regions do not yet have a good understanding of how to manage a corporate travel programme, with many not having travel policies. So, a key element needed – the push from clients – for travel agents to grow into TMCs, is often not there.”

Sharon Nash, director: Travel Operations for Club Travel Corporate, says the reality is that most of the African markets are not big enough to specialise. While many of Club Travel’s Globalstar partners in

Africa come with the strength of familiarity with their markets and have established, on-the-ground relationships, “the small negative comes in with challenges relating to reporting, which is expected by multinational corporate clients”.

Travelport’s Guido Verweij, regional md, Africa, also says the size of the business is much smaller and is led by international organisations or non-governmental organisations that have large teams on the continent. But with the bleisure trend growing, he sees the lack of a business/leisure differentiation as less of an issue.

“A recent independent

global study commissioned by Travelport found that millennials’ escalating thirst for bleisure – itineraries combining both business and leisure – is driving change in booking and travel habits. Over half (56%), for example, now regularly extend their business trips by a few days to see local attractions. To satisfy their ‘bleisure’ needs, most South African millennial business travellers are now doing their own research before finalising their travel plans.”

Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) board member, Robyn Christie, has a different view on the lack of professional TMCs overborder.

To page 12

“The reality is that most of the African markets are not big

enough to specialise.” Sharon Nash

QUICK READ FOR BUSIEST PEOPLE Wednesday August 29 2018 n 11

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NDC – join the conversation

Currently, the technology that enables airlines to deliver and receive data

such as prices and availability information to and from GDSs and other third parties is mostly a basic data exchange. The potential for NDC to transform this through API (Application Programming Interface) is really exciting.

The opportunity for airlinesAirlines see NDC as a way to build direct relationships with agencies, travellers and corporate customers.

A major attraction of distribution using NDC is the ability to sell ancillary products – lounge access, pre-checked bags, on-board food and drinks and more. Traditionally, “extras” were hard to book via GDS, but newer technology such as APIs, Travelport’s Rich Content and Branding and now NDC, open this potential to airlines. NDC is also appealing to airlines because it offers them the opportunity to differentiate their products and services.

Some believe it will also lower the cost of distribution.

Challenges for airlinesNDC does not equate to ‘free distribution’. There is still a cost, whether that might be in customer

acquisition, back office and customer support or technology investment. Airlines will need to find common ground with travel sellers and clearly establish who their customer is.

Currently airlines distribute fares; in the future they will create and distribute offers, packaged to meet the exact, known needs of a traveller.

Also, airlines are at very different stages of NDC implementation.

The opportunity for TMCsNDC is a continuation of what agents have always done – delivering value to their customers by accessing the richest choice of content through a single workflow. However, it will also allow agents to provide a more personalised service, by providing an ‘Amazon-style’ shopping experience based on choice.

Challenges for agenciesAlthough OTAs are generally operating with more modern technology, for some TMCs with older systems, even minor changes have the potential to create

significant disruption. It’s not just about the front-end selling process, mid- and back office workflow also needs to be considered so that what seems like everyday tasks, which for TMCs might include expense management and duty of care, still need to be fulfilled.

Also, agencies will no longer hold booking information in their systems as they’re directly accessing content within the airline system. Ownership of the customer is crucial to ensure a personalised service.

Agents need to seize the opportunity to promote the value they provide, embracing the new era of travel retail and acting in a consultative way.

The opportunity for corporatesCorporate travel managers are looking to their partners, including Travelport and their TMC, for their expertise in delivering the benefits of NDC.

NDC distribution could help travel managers prevent out-of-policy travel, ensuring their travellers have access to the right, relevant and bookable content at the right time.

It will also enable corporate travel buyers to negotiate deals that deliver significant added value, and which can be tailored to their specific needs and budgets.

A wider and richer choice of air content will be available from TMC partners in a more user-friendly booking process.

Lastly, once fully implemented, NDC will enable corporate travel buyers to offer the rich customer experience of airline websites in their online booking tool (OBT) and mobile environments.

The challenge for corporate clients With travel representing a major cost for companies, some travel managers may simply see NDC implementation as an additional inconvenience if the benefits are not clearly articulated.

The speed and consistency of NDC booking needs to be as good, if not better, than the systems corporate travel managers currently work with.

NDC could make it more challenging for travel managers to compare fares in a transparent way as airlines have more flexibility in bundling and unbundling services.

ADVERTORIAL

TMCs, are you ready for the new retailing era? Travelport unpacks how NDC (New Distribution Capability) will impact you and your clients.

“Agents need to seize the opportunity to

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Travelport achieves NDC Level 3Travelport stands apart from others in distribution as the first to have achieved level three certification, the highest level.

The technology company is currently beta testing solutions with a small group of agencies enabling them to continue to refine its product roadmap.

Coming in the second half of the year is the capability within Travelport Smartpoint enabling agencies to search and book NDC content alongside traditional GDS content. This will be followed next year by a fully aggregated search and booking facility offering

To find out how Travelport can help you get NDC ready, come and join the New Distribution Conversations: travelport.com/ndc

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12 n Wednesday August 29 2018 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

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“Having recently spent some time in Zambia with a leading travel company, I have to say this may be an opinion formed by those who are not familiar with the true workings within the travel environment in Africa. Travel companies have evolved to meet the needs of their travelling customers and, whilst the cookie-cutter approach may not work, some of the TMCs have become more resourceful than those in more developed countries.

“Owing to the fact that in some regions the choice of supplier or even access to information about destinations is less accessible, it is very clear that the relationship between the traveller and the TMC is perhaps a little more co-dependent. Unlike in markets where broadband and availability of choice are in abundance, [corporates in] many African countries rely on using the services of a professional. As such, TMCs operating in Africa have had to evolve at a fast pace and are keen adopters of technology, particularly in the distribution of content.”

However, it’s a numbers game, says Robyn, and suppliers of more sophisticated booking tools are

less likely to view opportunities in some African countries with the same enthusiasm as markets that offer better infrastructure and bigger volumes. “This means that products we may have available in a South African context are not yet deployed in other countries, but that doesn’t mean it won’t change in the future.”

Robyn notes that multi-national account programmes deployed by large global accounts demand that TMCs meet their standards. Whilst they may not have the sophisticated booking tool functionality at the front-end, it is expected that the required data is collected, collated and uploaded into the customer systems so that the contribution of that customer’s activities is incorporated into the global spend.

“Within these countries there is every chance that business travellers also make up the leisure travel market and for those TMCs delivering great service and managing good business relationships, the likelihood of that traveller booking elsewhere is slim. The challenge, of course, is that it is not common practice for TMCs to differentiate business and leisure passenger bookings, so the blur is inevitable,” says Robyn.

AFRICA CORPORATE

From page 10

Safety: views split on corporate attitudesDO CORPORATES undertake sufficient research on the risks in specific African destinations before sending their clients into the fray? Some say awareness of the dangers has increased but others feel the approach remains somewhat cavalier.

“From a South African perspective, I believe that we still have a long way to go in relation to duty of care, with our general ‘I’m sure we’ll be fine’ attitude rising to the fore and pushing travel risk management to the bottom of the ‘to do’ list. Globally mandated programmes generally are far more focused on this element but, in my opinion, your average African/South African company does not place

much, if any, emphasis on this,” says Monique Swart of Abta.

She says certain industries – such as oil and gas and the banking sectors – do better than others and display a stronger interest in risk management. “I believe this is an area that will take a lot more education in the coming years, with companies truly understanding the cost as well as various risk elements, including reputational, of not effectively applying duty-of-care principles to their staff travel programmes.”

Monique recently attended an event with some national corporates, where avoiding putting a full management team on one aircraft, due to business

Caption

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AFRICA CORPORATE

continuity risks in the event of a plane crash, was discussed. “Not one of the 30 corporates in the room had considered this risk, and even when faced with it, the general response was: ‘Yes, but how likely is that to happen?’,” she says.

City Lodge Hotel Group spokesman, Angus Macmillan, says there is no doubt that travellers are more aware than ever about conditions in countries they are travelling to, thanks to electronic news and social media. “However, there is never room for complacency. It is always advisable for travellers to get quality, up-to-date information on their destinations before setting out on a trip.”

Traveller awareness of safety has spurred many corporate companies to employ safety officers who travel to vet the security and emergency procedures at hotels, says Karin Sieberhagen, sales and marketing manager – Africa, of Serena Hotels, only permitting their staff to stay at properties that meet stipulated criteria.

African Sun sales and marketing director, Tariro Ndebele, says, from enquiries received, a heightened sense of security is in play, attributable to prior research. Further, the continent is currently relatively safe. “To a large extent, if we look at Southern Africa, there are no ongoing conflicts, something that could not be said two decades back. Even as we move north,

there are fewer conflicts comparatively, although of course any conflict is cause for concern, so the ideal would be total eradication. As a continent we could do better, although there has been a marked improvement in communication and raising awareness through the issuance of travel alerts.”

Research on safety varies from company to company, says Kerry Scrooby, office manager for XL Turners Travel in Johannesburg. “Some companies follow strict procedures when they have employees travelling in African countries, but in general the corporates/travel bookers still rely on us as agents to advise or alert them on any health or safety issues and do not research on their side. This is quite risky when travel extends to remote areas, beyond the port of entry that is booked by the agent, and the agent may not have been informed of this.”

“We should never underestimate the infrastructure and resources that these corporate companies who send travellers into countries in Africa have available to them,” is the view of Robyn Christie. “They are very well equipped and have a network of providers that ensures their passengers’ safety and security. I think travellers into those areas should also take responsibility to find out the details of what resources and support are available to them in the event they need them.”

Lifestyle diseases are a riskDR ALBIE de Frey of The Travel Doctor Corporate, says in two decades of taking care of corporate travellers, statistics show that only about 2% require medical assistance that leads to hospitalisation abroad, medical evacuation and repatriation.

The Travel Doctor is a guest speaker this month at a series of countrywide workshops hosted by TIC, the insurer of a large majority of South African business travellers.

“Whereas the headlines are ruled by exotic tropical diseases [such as ebola, dengue fever and the zika virus], in reality, by far the majority of travellers who fall ill and consult us for itinerary-altering conditions suffer from pre-existing medical ailments, many of which could have been avoided if taken care of prior to departure,” says Albie.

The primary killer of corporate travellers in developing countries is, in fact, trauma such as traffic and other accidents, notes Albie, complicated by a lack of emergency services such as ambulance helicopters, which can make the life or death difference. ‘Lifestyle diseases’, such as uncontrolled hypertension, ischaemic heart disease and diabetes, come second.

The most common tropical disease affecting travellers is

malaria. Every malaria death is a failure of medical care in some form or another, he says, and in the case of a corporate traveller, there is a real medico-legal risk for the company (malaria is a work-related disease in terms of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act).

Other risks Simmy Micheli, sales and marketing manager of TIC, says 50% of SA business travellers visit destinations where malaria is found. The country posing the largest malaria burden in our region is Mozambique. TIC provides unconditional cover for tropical diseases.

Zika, says Albie, was discovered in Tanzania, but the widely reported birth defects in Oceania and South America are not found in Africa and are caused by a mutated form of the virus. Ebola, he says, is a small threat to regular business travellers, unless they are in the healthcare industry.

Simmy says manual labour injuries are excluded from regular cover and business travellers working on mine and construction sites must select the appropriate product. Relatively minor injuries can become major when orthopaedic services are limited, and tetanus and lock-jaw are complicating possibilities.

14 n Wednesday August 29 2018 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

AFRICA CORPORATE

Acceptance of card payments improves but cash remains kingFOREIGN exchange and payment have long been a challenge for corporates doing business in Africa – for their travellers, with the lack of acceptance of credit cards, and investors who have difficulty getting foreign currency out of certain countries.

Travelport’s Guido Verweij says: “The settlement of airline charges by local agencies can be difficult, as credit cards are not widely available or adopted, so agencies cannot pass these on to airlines. Instead, they need to be able to accept alternative payments such as M-Pesa, the mobile wallet in Kenya. “Kenya has led the world in mobile-based payment systems for a number of years. It was the first country where Travelport successfully launched its new Travelport Smartpoint plug-in to enable travel agents in Kenya to accept payment for travel services via mobile devices from travellers, using either M-Pesa or Airtel money, as an alternative method of payment instead of cash or credit card.”

Hotels, too, frequently reject credit cards. TNW asked some local hotel groups prominent in Africa about their policies.

“The City Lodge Hotel Group's acceptance of credit cards in Africa is determined by the acquiring banks available to us. Depending on the country, we typically accept all Visa and MasterCard cards, with some of our operations accepting Diners Club and/or American Express,” said Angus MacMillan, group spokesman for City Lodge brands.

Serena Hotels, says Karin Sieberhagen, accepts Visa and MasterCard at its properties. “To eliminate problems and to assist travellers we have a ZAR bank account for pre-payment of bookings, transfers

and other services. In the Johannesburg office, we accept all cards, including Diners Club and American Express, which might be a problem in Africa.”

Hara Jackson, corporate business development manager for Legacy Hotels, recently told an Abta workshop that, although credit card usage was growing, it did come with its challenges, including fraud. She noted that in some countries, such as Ghana, cheques are still in use for 10% of hotel payments. In that country, just over 30% of payments are on 30-day accounts, 30% of corporates do physical transfers at banks, and other modes, including cash, account for the remaining 30%. In Nigeria, an enormous amount of business is through direct deposits and cash, with a small number of payments by credit cards.

PCI compliance, says XL Turners Travel’s Kerry Scrooby, has compounded the credit card challenge, as a lot of hotels still ask for copies of cards. “Tour operators/suppliers that have secure payment links have made agents’ life a lot easier.”

Says Robyn Christie of the

GBTA: “In those countries where the local infrastructure is lacking, one cannot expect that the virtual card market is the payment solution of choice. But for the most part in our surrounding countries – Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia – credit cards are well received in the cities and, of course, at cash machines where one can draw local currency.”

This is confirmed by Zimbabwe group, African Sun Hotels. Tariro Ndebele says all African Sun hotels accept most internationally recognised credit cards and payment options. “We strive to make it easy to do business with our partners and are continually researching how we can make transactions easier for our guests,” she says.

But cash still rules continent- wide. Abta’s Monique Swart says: “We are seeing a slow improvement in certain emerging countries but for the most part, cash is still king in Africa. In many countries, only the local currency may be used. My advice would be to do your homework, check with suppliers what payment options are accepted, and limit cash transactions as much as possible. Not only are they more difficult to track but carrying large quantities of cash is also a safety risk to travellers.

“When using cash, try to determine as accurately as possible the exact amount that will be required during the trip to reduce instances of travellers returning home with large amounts of forex that they often cannot convert back into rands, leading to wastage for the company. These funds can always go into a kitty and be used on the next trip, but sometimes large currency fluctuations, can lead to a loss,” she remarks.

The City Lodge Hotel Group is rapidly extending its network of hotels suitable for corporate travellers in East and Southern Africa. This includes the 171-room City Lodge Hotel at Two Rivers Mall in Nairobi, the 147-room City Lodge Hotel Dar es Salaam (above), and the 148-room City Lodge Maputo. All three hotels are expected to be fully operational by the end of September. The group already has two hotels in Nairobi and one each in Gaborone and Windhoek, complementing its 54 hotels in South Africa.

Rewards for both corporate and travellerWHEN Virgin Atlantic’s second daily flight from Johannesburg to London swings into service on October 28 it will not only add 180 000 seats to the route between Africa and Europe, it will also improve connections between regional Africa and the US West Coast. So says Mandy Lerena, the airline’s commercial manager.

She adds that the Flying Co rewards programme is tailored for small to

medium corporate clients. Businesses that join will earn Flying Co miles on all aspects of business travel – flights, hotel stays, foreign exchange and more. These can be exchanged for reward flights, flight upgrades and Clubhouse invitations.

“We also reward the travellers themselves, as they’ll earn their own Flying Club miles in addition to the miles earned for the company,” she says.

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Air, hotels and visas ease upAFRICA has long had a bad rap as a travel location, the critics citing poor air connections, expense, and prohibitive entry regulations. But there are positive signs that all these factors are easing up.

Travelport’s Guido Verweij, who is well travelled on the continent, is one of the upbeat ones. “As a Dutch national, I needed a visa to almost every country I visited, but almost all countries now have an eVisa where one can simply apply and pay online beforehand. The process is very clear and transparent.”

Abta’s Monique Swart agrees that visa processes have improved for certain countries, but often these relaxations are for tourist and not business visas. “As much as business travellers might be tempted to enter a country on a tourist visa, this is not recommended as many countries are clamping down,” she points out.

On the subject of air travel, Guido notes that the first phase of the recently instituted Single African Air Transport Market will make travel much easier and an entrepreneurial spirit bodes well for new routes and frequencies in the sometimes precarious African aviation industry.

“It has seen many issues in terms of the number of airlines that have ceased operations, but 283 African airlines currently operate, and 52 airlines are preparing to start up,” he says. “The substantial number of failed airlines in a relatively small

market can create challenges, but the constant supply of start-ups presents many opportunities as we engage with the local markets and sign up airlines to our merchandising solutions as soon as we can.” He also notes significant growth in the LCC sphere.

Club Travel Corporate’s Sharon Nash feels that while there is still much room for improvement, there are more flight options, and inconvenient instances of having to fly to Europe to locate a connection to West Africa, for example, happen less often. Kerry Scrooby of XL Travel agrees that airlines have added new routes and additional frequencies, improving convenience, “but I think the general perception of unreliability still persists,” she notes.

Robyn Christie of the GBTA says unexplained delays and technical issues really rile travellers in Africa. Ground staff are not always equipped

with information and some airports can be a little chaotic but “for the most part one can get around with a degree of ease”. “Travellers and their bookers should make informed choices. A further night in a hotel may be more palatable than trying to take the last flight out of a destination and then hearing its ‘gone technical’.”

Ground travel, says Monique, remains a challenge, with many travellers not being comfortable driving on local roads. Hotel-operated and secure transfers are the way around this, she advises.

The hospitality sector is improving, however, with widening choice, even in emerging markets, notes Monique. “The price for hotel accommodation is still relatively high though, in relation to South African pricing, which has led to a fair amount of companies utilising corporate housing or B&B options.”

Robyn, too, has seen an increasing number of hotels popping up in all the cities, but not so in more rural regions. There are few platforms offering a directory of up-to-date and relevant hospitality content, she says.

“When sending travellers into Africa, corporate travel managers have to adopt a far more strategic approach in comparison to other markets. Understanding the destination, traffic delays and local cultures is vital to ensure that travellers have productive trips with as little downtime as possible,” concludes Monique.

Travelport innovatesRECENTLY launched Travelport Trip Assist provides agencies with a fully branded mobile engagement solution that enables them to connect with their travellers at every stage of their travels.

It incorporates smart itinerary management capabilities and

the ability to create agency-defined messages. It acts as a personal digital travel concierge service that provides day-of-travel assistance, real-time trip alerts and click-to-call agent support.

Travelport has also been investigating the implications

of blockchain, both for its own business and for the wider travel sector. It is currently working on a prototype with IBM, enabling blockchain payments for hotels into the GDS – a potential natural extension to enable a better payment process.

Convenient perksALL African Sun Hotels feature dedicated business centres and high-speed Internet access, allowing guests to log on with at least two gadgets.

The group also maintains a tranquil environment for business travellers on its executive floors and wings by accommodating families

in other areas, where possible.

Most hotels have adequately resourced fitness centres which are open early in the morning to cater for the early birds, till early evening for those who want to exercise ‘office fatigue’ away. “Our meals are also continuously

re-engineered to take into account healthy options and make these available to our corporate travellers,” says African Sun’s Tariro Ndebele.

“Our loyalty programmes top it all up, as we give something back to the guests in appreciation of their business,” she says.

Robyn Christie Remodelled bedrooms, a new ballroom, a new Executive Floor and free WiFi are among the improvements at the renovated Nairobi Serena Hotel. In addition, new function rooms are available for meetings, conferences, seminars, product launches, gala dinners and end-of-year celebrations. Photo: Serena Hotels

Back with a bang!

16 n Wednesday August 29 2018 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

The ‘Spice Island’ of Zanzibar has seen a number of new developments targeting niche and luxury-orientated markets. Sue van Winsen finds out more.

New niches for old favourite

TROPICAL beaches, culture and proximity have seen Zanzibar become a firm favourite

amongst South African travellers over the years and, according to destination experts, there’s no sign of this slowing down in the future.

Steve Cooke, sales and marketing manager for AfricaStay, says Zanzibar continues to grow in popularity due to the “exceptionally good value for money” it offers SA travellers. In particular, honeymoon and destination weddings are showing positive growth, he adds. “Zanzibar’s ease of access, affordability and incredible

weather all play a role in making it an attractive destination for honeymoons and weddings.”

Food toursZanzibar is called the Spice Island for good reason, and Steve says spice tours are very popular amongst SA travellers. One of the

popular sites to visit is Tangawizi Spice Farm, where guests can take walks through the plantation and learn more about the various spices grown there, along with the medicinal values of each.

Also popular is the Malindi Fish Market, which specialises in seafood caught by local fishermen, including kingfish, tuna, squid and octopus.

Steve says another niche that is gaining traction is shopping tours in Stone Town. “In addition, Safari Blue is an absolute must-do snorkelling and beach barbecue excursion.”

Room for growthSteve says forward bookings are exceeding numbers seen in previous years, and says Mango’s decision to add an extra flight to Zanzibar on Thursdays has helped to contribute to the positive performance of the destination. “AfricaStay has a very good relationship with Mango,” but, he says, long term for any destination, it would be beneficial for there to be more competition as this would help to keep pricing competitive. He believes there is definitely sufficient demand to warrant additional services on the route.

New in the luxury marketUNTIL recently, travellers had limited choice when it came to luxury options in Zanzibar, but a spate of new openings has increased those available to high-end clientele. One of the newest luxury hotels to open is the Zuri Zanzibar Hotel and Resort, located on the sunset-facing side of Unguja Island. The hotel is the first Design Hotel to open in Tanzania.

The resort has 46 bungalows, six suites and three villas set in landscaped gardens. The bungalows can accommodate two adults and an extra bed for one child on request. The suites can accommodate up to three adults. Two of the suites have two bedrooms, semi-private bathrooms and can accommodate up to four adults and two children. The third villa has three bedrooms with a lounge, kitchen, 12m pool, terraces, games room, ocean-front location, private beach access and can accommodate up to six adults.

Other offerings at Zuri Zanzibar

include a spice garden, infinity pool, salon, gym, library, three restaurants and four bars.

Another new opening is the Hotel Verde Zanzibar – Azam Luxury Resort and Spa, which claims to be ‘East Africa’s greenest hotel’. It features 106 rooms, and some of the sustainable developments included during the construction are renewable energy generation, reticulated grey- and black-water recycling systems, waste management, a heating ventilation air-conditioning system and regenerative drive elevators.

Situated 2km from Stone Town and within walking distance of the beach, Hotel Verde Zanzibar offers a spa, gym (equipped with energy-generating equipment), three restaurants, conference facilities, games room, kids’ club, entertainment, jet skis and water sports. Future plans include the construction of a marina and waterpark.

Coming soon...

...and further down the line

Next year will see the opening of the Swiss-Belresort Zanzibar. The hotel will feature 125 rooms with views of the Indian Ocean, along with a wide range of facilities and entertainment facilities. On site will be an all-day-dining restaurant, a speciality restaurant, a banquet

hall, a beach lounge, kids’ pool and kids’ club, swimming pool, spa and health club and a variety of water sports. The resort will be just 3km from Abedi Amani Karume International Airport, 7km from the Wonders Palace, Stone Town and Forodhani Gardens.

In two years’ time, the Zanzibar Amber Resort is expected to open, set across 1 520 hectares and eventually featuring five international hotels, an 18-hole Ernie Els-designed golf course, deep water marina, aqua park, underwater restaurant, polo club and super yacht facility.

The first phase will include the first hotel, the Anantara Zanzibar, golf course, water marina and infrastructure and will be completed by 2020. The hotel is under construction and will feature 100

rooms alongside 50 one- and two-bedroom pool villas. Leisure facilities will include a spa and wellness centre, gym, kids’ club and three restaurants and bars. There are also plans to introduce marine life and coral to restore and re-create a reef ecosystem.

In 2021, the second hotel will open, the Ritz-Carlton Zanzibar, which will feature over-water villas, each with a private pool, four restaurants and bars, spa, meeting facilities, pool, beach club and kids’ club.

“Zanzibar’s ease of access, affordability and

incredible weather all play a role in making it an

attractive destination.”

Ts & Cs apply

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18 n Wednesday August 29 2018 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

ZANZIBAR

Six great specials

AfricaStay is offering Moja Tuu packages from R10 635 for four nights and R14 495, for seven nights, both pps. Rates include accommodation on an all-inclusive basis, return airfare from Johannesburg to Zanzibar, taxes and return airport transfers (seat-in-coach). Valid September 1-October 30.

Zanzibar Serena Hotel is offering an ‘Indian Ocean Explorer’ air safari package from Nairobi priced at US$800pps (R11 630). It includes

return airfare from Nairobi with Kenya Airways or Safarilink, two nights’ accommodation on a bed-and-breakfast basis, airport transfers in Zanzibar and guided Stone Town tour. The package excludes the departure tax payable at Zanzibar Airport. Valid until October 31.

Thompsons Holidays’ seven-night package, from R30 559pps, includes villa club room accommodation at the five-star Diamonds Gemma Dell’Est. Rates

also include return flights from Johannesburg to Zanzibar (incl. levy), return airport-hotel transfers, breakfast, lunch, dinner

and selected drinks daily. Added bonuses include a welcome drink, complimentary mini bar in rooms, snacks and fruit at the beach bar throughout the day, selected water activities and WiFi in public areas. Valid from January 8-February 28 for bookings and payment made 30 days prior to arrival.

AfricaStay is also offering special rates on seven-night packages at the four-star Karafuu Beach, starting from R14 375pps. Rates include return flights between Johannesburg and Zanzibar, taxes, return airport transfers (seat-in-coach) and seven nights’ all-inclusive accommodation in a Bondeni Room. Valid October 1- November 30.

Gallivanter Holidays’ Mermaids Cove Resort and Spa special starts from R9 850pps and

includes flights from Johannesburg to Zanzibar (on Kenya Airways or Mango), departure airport taxes, car transfers between the airport and hotel and five nights’ accommodation in a double bungalow on an all-inclusive basis. Valid from September 9-18 and September 26- October 19.

The Holiday Factory’s early-bird special packages start from R23 930pps, which is a 20% discount on the normal rates.

Packages include seven nights’ accommodation at the five-star Gold Zanzibar, return flights, airport taxes, return transfer, as well as breakfast, lunch, dinner and selected drinks daily. Bookings and payment must be made 60 days prior to departure.

Valid from November 1- December 12.

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Did you know?

AfricaStay offers guests the option of securing their booking with R1 000 deposit and settling the balance later. This option is valid for selected Zanzibar departures only and T&Cs apply.

The five-star Diamonds Gemma Dell’Est. Photo: Diamonds Gemma Dell’Est

Zanzibar’s beaches are a short flight away.

A round-up of some of the best Zanzibar specials now on offer.

JOBSCOMMUNITYNEWSBirths, deaths, marriages, promotions – we want to know! Please fax or e-mail TNW’s Savannah Freemantle, at savannahf@nowmedia.co.za or (011) 214 7324.

QUICK READ FOR BUSIEST PEOPLE Wednesday August 29 2018 n 19

Obituary

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Glenn Lewington, well known in the travel industry as an airline personality and also popular as a radio presenter on Classic FM, died on August 16.

Glenn worked as cabin crew for Luxavia in the 1980s and when the airline closed, he joined Sun Air as sales and marketing manager. This was followed by a spell as a presenter at SABC. He was appointed marketing manager at Kenya Airways and then pursued his love of aviation at Skyclass Aviation, which operated charter flights with SAA’s classic DC4s and a DC3. He returned to broadcasting as a presenter with Classic FM, a position

he held at the time of his death.

Glenn had many interests – music, reading, aviation, photography, cooking,

writing and travel. He was passionate about the outdoors and his three dogs. He also wrote travel articles.

Shianne de Lange, international account manager at Comair, described Glenn as someone with a terrific sense of humour. “He would often recount some of the funny incidents of passengers and crew that would have me in hysterics. His memory of incidents never failed to amaze me and he always added a humorous touch to his story. That was the gift of journalism that he carried throughout his life.”

He is survived by his mother, Beth, and brother, Grant.

Glenn Lewington

Janine Roux, training manager at Harvey World Centurion (pictured), and her husband Ruan, recently welcomed an addition to their family. Amy was born on April 26, weighing in at 3,36kg. Janine said: “My entire world changed on this day. Being a travel agent involves following set procedures and developing a familiarity with how our systems work. Having a brand new little human I had to learn an entirely ‘new system’ and I am still learning every day.”

Janine’s bundle of joy

Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town Newlands has recently appointed Carly de Jong as general manager. Prior to joining Park Inn, Carly worked for

hotels in the Cape Town CBD and surrounds.

Natasha Webb has been appointed head of the Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) South Africa Air

Division, taking over from Carlos Luis. Natasha will be responsible for negotiating FCTG’s air contracts, product development, supplier account management and the development of a profit maximisation department. Carlos has been in the role of FCTG South Africa land product leader since July 1.

Appointments

20 n Wednesday August 29 2018 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

TNW NEWS

TNW8837SD

Travellers say the funniest things to their travel agents…

Could you ask the airline to hold the

plane for me? Can I please have a refund for half my flight ticket?

Most requests travel agents receive are pretty run-of-the-mill, but every once in a while, travellers push the boundaries of what’s normal—or even possible.

Amadeus’ travel agents shared some of the funniest things clients have asked on the new Amadeus Africa Blog recently.

Who needs a visa?“I don’t have a visa yet. When I get to my destination, I’ll explain it to them,” a client told her travel consultant.

Just reimburse half my flight ticket…A very cost-conscious customer tried to haggle with his travel consultant: “I bought a return ticket but only used one segment. Please refund me half the amount of the ticket.”

Where do travel agents park their planes? An Amadeus consultant was not sure what to answer when the client asked: “I am booked on a flight tonight. Should I come to your offices in town or where do you park your flights?”

The hop on hop off plane…One client asked: “Since Lufthansa is passing through Germany, can you ask the airline if it is p[ossible to make a quick stop in Cologne so I can see my cousin before we continue?”

Check out the new Amadeus Africa Blog for Expert Travel Agent Tips, Industry Updates or even funny travel agent stories…

amadeusafricablog.com • work.smarter@amadeus.com

Pay back the money, SAX!and Bloemfontein; begun operating a direct service between Cape Town and Hoedspruit; and launched flights between Johannesburg and Kimberley as well as between Johannesburg and Richards Bay. All of these were SAX routes.

Airlink also began operating on SAX routes together with SAA as part of a ‘relief schedule’. At the time SAA requested that Airlink take over these routes for an entire system range (one rolling year).

Rodger Foster, ceo and md of Airlink, told TNW that the airline had strong forward sales of this inventory (over 100 000 forward bookings) until June

2019, as per the original intervention request.

“As at present, we have had no sight of any of SAX’s ‘return to business’ planning, there has been no consultation and, despite several requests, we have had no indication from SAA that Airlink should terminate our franchised services on any route. Therefore, Airlink has no intention of discontinuing any of the services that we currently offer.”

Rodger also says it is “inconceivable” that SAX will be the only carrier on any route again, save possibly for Lubumbashi in the short term. “In all other instances, competitors filled the void left by SAX almost overnight and it is unlikely that these

competitors will relinquish what they have gained in SAX’s absence.” He says while this route is operated by SAX, SAA aircraft are used.

In response to a TNW poll, 60% of agents said they would not feel confident to sell SAX on its return.

David Pegg, md of Sure Viva Travels, told TNW that he expected to see consumer resistance to SAX flights and that SAX’s return would result in over-capacity on certain routes, which could result in SAX dropping prices and make it difficult for private airlines to compete.

TNW asked SA Express for comment, but no response had been received at the time of publishing.

From page 1

Harvey World Travel celebrated 20 years in the South African market with a classy cocktail function at the Birchwood Hotel earlier this month. Old friends, who are more like family, came together to share memories and their hopes for the future. Members who have been with the group since the very beginning were honoured by head office with a special award. Pictured here from left are: Anneke Geldenhuys (gm); Jay and Misha Bhula (HWT Fordsburg); Stanley Timhuwe (HWT Gaborone); Jackie Viljoen (HWT Centurion); Jacques Tribelhorn (HWT Auckland Park); Diane Du Plooy and Craig Cowgill (HWT Randburg); Marco Cristofoli (md); and Alan Viljoen (HWT Centurion). Founding members who were missed and could not make the event include HWT Springfield, HWT Groenkloof, HWT Empangeni, and HWT Seagull, Jeffreys Bay. Photo: Natascha Schmidt

20 years of fun!

Travelport to offer surcharge-free GDS bookings Savannah Freemantle

IN THE next three months, Travelport will launch the first version of Iata NDC

API-sourced content, which agents and TMCs will be able to book without paying a GDS surcharge, all within their traditional workflow.

This is according to Gordon Wilson, Travelport president and chief executive.

Claudette Thorne, SA country manager for Travelport, told TNW that once it was rolled out, agents would have a fully integrated system, where NDC content appeared alongside traditional GDS content on the same screen. “Agents will be able to choose which content

they would like to sell.“The NDC content will be

GDS surcharge-free for all agents, however, if agents sell the NDC content they won’t receive their GDS rebate.”

A Travelport spokesperson from the international head office told TNW, “A handful of airlines globally surcharge content purchased by agents via a GDS. Our aim is for these charges to no longer be incurred once the content is sourced through NDC technology using our API or Travelport Smartpoint solution.”

The spokesperson added that Travelport had been in discussions with the airlines for a number of months to provide a

solution that took both agents and airlines into account. “As we were the first to be certified by Iata as an NDC Level 3 Aggregator late last year, we have been in talks with a number of airlines since to ensure that we can fulfil both their needs and the needs of our agency customers, in the NDC era.”

The spokesperson did not discuss the impact on commercial models, but said there would be a range of commercial models as the era of NDC-enabled content evolved.

At present, the Amadeus GDS allows agencies that have negotiated agreements with IAG-owned airlines to access airfares surcharge free.