TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLY

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SOUTHERN AFRICA’S TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLYJune 5 2019 I No. 2546

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New luxury accommodation in KNP

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ITCS & HOMEWORKERSNEWSAMADEUS

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Lerato Motaung (left), passenger sales executive, and Rachel Donalds, national corporate sales manager, both of Singapore Airlines, are celebrating the airline’s special fares. On flight SQ 481 from JNB to SIN in economy class, onward destinations include BKK and HKT for R6 700; HKG for R8 160; and MEL for R11 630. In premium economy class, DPS and USM are R15 900; HIJ and HND are R14 900; and WLG is R19 150. Business-class fares include CMB for R30 900; BWN and DAD for R35 900; and SZX for R29 900. All fares include taxes. Ticketing is until June 13 and travel dates are July 10-December 6. Blackout dates for economy and premium economy class are from September 27-October 9. Minimum stay of three days in economy class and five days in premium economy and business class. Maximum stay of one month. Photo: Shannon Van Zyl

More SQ for lessNew Iata resolution strong-arms agentsSarah robertSon and Catherine bower

IATA has mandated that agents must now ask passengers for their permission to share contact

details with airlines. In cases where a passenger does not grant consent, the agent is now required to insert that refusal into the PNR.

This is a new resolution in Iata’s updated Travel Agent’s Handbook, the new amendments to which came into effect on June 1.

Agents have raised concerns about the process under which this resolution has been developed. David Pegg, md of Sure Viva Travels, told TNW: “Having spoken to people within

the agent community, this has been presented to agents as a fait accompli. In other words, Iata has made the change with no consultation to the industry. Iata’s Agent Passenger Joint Council exists to debate changes to resolutions like this, but there has been no debate with the industry about this.”

Resolution 830d – reservations procedures for agents – has been on Iata’s books since 2014 but has now changed what was a recommended step to a mandatory one.

The resolution states: “To be able to advise passengers of irregular flight operations and disruptions

Members and BSP Airlines need to have sufficient contact details available to proactively contact the passengers. Consequently the Agent should provide contact details on behalf of the passenger by entering in the Passenger Name Record (PNR), the passenger’s mobile phone number and email address, while maintaining compliance with all applicable data protection directive and regulations. Contact details should be entered in the PNR in compliance with the Resolutions governing reservations procedures. Members and BSP Airlines shall use these contact details exclusively for the purpose of operational notifications, e.g. flight cancellation, schedule change, etc. and shall not use the contact details for sales and marketing purposes.

“In the event the passenger exercises his or her right not to provide contact details it is incumbent on the Agent to indicate that the passenger has declined to provide such details, and to enter the refusal in the PNR to limit any statutory liability. In such a case, the passenger shall not be provided information relating to flight cancellation or schedule changes (including delay in departure).”

David is also concerned that this new mandatory ruling adds to the workload of agents for no remuneration. Agents have also raised concerns that they do not have direct contact with every passenger, often booking groups at a time or via a secretary or travel buyer. This new resolution could

To page 16

“This has been presented to agents as a fait accompli.”

SAX goes after former execsSOUTH African Express (SAX) is preparing to lay fraud and corruption charges against some of its former executives. The airline made the announcement following the conclusion of a forensic investigation that flagged a number of irregularities in transactions.

The investigation looked particularly into transactions related to millions of

rand undertaken prior to the airline’s grounding in May 2018.

“The transactions which were flagged by the forensic investigation include multimillion-rand cases of alleged collusion with service providers, manipulation of procurement processes, as well as the irregular and overpayment of

To page 2

FEATURE

2 n Wednesday June 5 2019 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

Phone: (011) 327-4062 Fax: (011) 327-4094 E-mail: tnw@nowmedia.co.za Web: www.nowmedia.co.za Address: Now Media Centre, 32 Fricker Road, Illovo Boulevard, Illovo, Johannesburg. PO Box 55251, Northlands, 2116, South Africa.

TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLY

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EDITORIAL Managing Editor: Natasha Schmidt natashas@nowmedia.co.za Assistant Editor: Catherine Bower catherineb@nowmedia.co.za Journalists: Sarah Robertson Jason Simpson Deena Robinson

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NEWS

Amadeus partners with Booking.comJason simpson

AMADEUS and Booking.com have signed a distribution agreement

that will see the number of accommodation options available on Amadeus increase by 30%.

This will continue to allow agents to earn commission from Booking.com, says Marian Girguis, regional customer solution manager, retail, Middle East & Africa, at Amadeus. “Agents will earn what they used to have from Booking.com, so the commercial agreement with Booking.com will stay the same,” she said.

The distribution agreement means that, for the first time, Booking.com’s accommodation

content will be integrated into the Amadeus Travel Platform, including hotels, motels, resorts, homes and apartments, among other options.

“Booking.com’s extensive range of accommodation options will be shown alongside other travel content to make it easier for travel sellers to book a traveller’s whole journey,” says a statement released by Amadeus. “The additional content enables them to meet the traveller’s desire to have a wealth of choice, access to multiple price points as well as the convenience of having a single itinerary that covers the journey from start to finish.”

Marian adds that travel agents stand to benefit from

the integration of Booking.com’s content into the Amadeus platform as it will be a part of the Amadeus booking flow. “This means that they will not have to invest in adapting their different back office systems to work with Booking.com, but can decide to work with them at any point without extra cost. It will also save time for travel agents. Instead of jumping from one platform to another, they have it all in the same booking flow.”

In the coming months, agents will be able to access the new content via multiple points of sale, including Amadeus Selling Platform Connect, and through Amadeus cytric Travel & Expense for corporate bookers.

SAX goes after former execs

suppliers,” said SAX chairperson, Tryphosa Ramano, who added that

the airline was taking strong action against all allegations involving fraud and corruption.

Tryphosa said the new board of directors of the airline were taking the allegations very seriously.

From page 1

Bag tampering surge at OR TamboDeena Robinson

AGENTS canvassed on Travelinfo’s Facebook group, Openjaw, have been reporting a surge in baggage tampering at OR Tambo.

Sarah Margison, manager of Harvey World Travel Shelly Beach, has had two instances this month of her clients’ baggage being tampered with. The first occurred when 15 of Sarah’s clients flying back to Johannesburg from Durban had wrapped their bags with plastic. The plastic was removed, zippers were cut and bags were rifled through.

The second incident happened when a client flew from Johannesburg to Mauritius and, on arrival at their hotel, found the locks of their bag cut, plastic packets torn and toiletry bags opened.

Yumna Kharodia, owner of Sweet Life Travel, has also had instances of clients experiencing bag tampering and theft in the last month. Clients travelling to India and Bangladesh from OR Tambo have had valuables stolen from their bags.

Yumna says clients come to her after attempts to contact the airline are unsuccessful. “Clients fill in claim forms from the airline but very rarely hear anything back.”

Airlines don’t have their own resources on the ground, so when a passenger checks in a bag, it becomes the responsibility of the ground

baggage handlers, says Abel Alemu, regional manager of Ethiopian Airlines. He says when a passenger reports bag tampering or damage, the passenger will be referred to Ethiopian’s customer service department, who will liaise with the passenger and offer compensation based on the particulars of the case.

Abel recommends that passengers who notice that their bags have been tampered with should open a claim with the airline before they leave the

airport and, if the baggage damage is outwardly visible, passengers should leave it on the carousel and notify airline staff. Should passengers flying on Qantas leave the airport before they notice any damage, they have seven days to report it to Qantas, says Michi Messner, the airline’s regional manager Africa.

Kirby Gordon, head of sales and distribution at FlySafair, says instances of bag tampering and damage are generally higher at OR Tambo than other airports in SA, but he suspects this may be due to the higher volumes of people going through the airport. Kirby adds that people flying through Johannesburg tend to take out travel insurance at a higher rate than other transit cities.

OR Tambo declined to comment, but said a media briefing on baggage handling would be held in the coming weeks.

In 2018, Minister of Transport, Blade Nzimande, asked his department to look into complaints of bag tampering and theft at OR Tambo.

“Clients fill in claim forms from the airline but very rarely hear

anything back.”

Home* Suite Hotels hosted a roof wetting on May 28 to introduce guests to the hotel and its unique concept. Gidon Novick (pictured), owner and developer of the hotel, said he wanted a property that was removed from the busy city centre but close enough for guests to have quick and easy access. Gidon is working in a partnership which includes Graham Wood, well-known across numerous hospitality brands, including Southern Sun. Home* Suite Hotels aims to offer guests an upmarket yet welcoming ‘home’ feel, and 28 comfortable rooms with in-room WiFi; a shared kitchen and dining area; swimming pool on the deck; and bar. Home* plans to add two further hotels in the Johannesburg region this year and another two in Cape Town from next year onwards. Photo: Kate Nathan

Welcome, Home* Suite!

QUICK READ FOR BUSIEST PEOPLE Wednesday June 5 2019 n 3

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‘Gay’cation in MauritiussaRah RobeRtson

THE first AfriGay event in Africa is confirmed to take place at World Leisure

Holidays’ four-star Ambre Resort and Spa on the east coast of Mauritius, from March 2-7, 2020.

The exclusive, all-gay event will be hosted by Cathy Specific and her Trolley Dollies and will have a range of activities to suit adults of all ages whether they are party animals or health fanatics.

“Experience a beach yoga session, beach games with gay touch or test your fitness at a daily beach boot camp. Learn to windsurf or go snorkelling along the reef. Enjoy a cocktail at our daily pool parties, watch a movie on the beach or party into the early hours at Ambre’s

Shakers nightclub. You can also meet and connect with iconic gay influencers and make gorgeous new friends from around the world,” says Michael Gladwin, founder of AfriGay and owner of The Travel and Event Company.

VIP tickets are available, providing access to VIP areas, spa treatments, sunset catamaran cruises and a chance to interact with gay icon, Rocco Steele.

Michael says they are hoping to fill the resort with 400 attendees from around the world and that it is being promoted by international gay travel bloggers and influencers. They are also leveraging off the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association for promotion of the agent and local gay media and radio.

MSC introduces private islandDeena Robinson

THE MSC Meraviglia will inaugurate MSC Cruises’ private Bahamian island destination when it makes its first call, slated for November 9. Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve will be offered on all four MSC ships sailing out of Miami.

Ross Volk, md of MSC Cruises South Africa, says: “We have made the ship an integral part of the experience, as we have built a pier so that guests can go easily back and forth between the ship throughout the day, making full use of both the shore and on-board facilities.”

The site has six beaches, a lagoon and a nearby Bahamian village. There are beaches dedicated to

families and Yacht Club guests, as well as an adjacent smaller island that can be privately rented.

Activities include a range of water sports, snorkelling and scuba diving. Guests who are nature enthusiasts can learn through lectures about the environment and the importance of protecting coral reefs.

The island is surrounded by 166 sq km of protected waters, and a coral nursery is being established to encourage and sustain the growth of new coral.

Other attractions include seaside restaurants and tiki bars, and guests can get massages and beauty treatments in sea-view cabanas from the staff of Aurea Spa. There is a

specially designed retail concept offering guests souvenirs and vacation essentials.

A self-service food venue will be offered at a nominal cost in addition to food carts at each of the beaches, in an effort to minimise the environmental impact with a minimum of food preparation and rubbish. Beverage services will also have a small add-on cost to the beverage packages offered on board. Other charges include WiFi and cabana and water-sports equipment rentals.

Walking from the ship to the furthest point of the island will take about 17 minutes, or guests can use the electric carts available.

Virgin Voyages updates 2020 sailingsVIRGIN Voyages has announced a series of updates for its 2020 sailings. The cruise line will expand its partnership with artist and producer, Mark Ronson, who will create a series of playlists for the voyages and curate the vinyl offerings in the Voyage Vinyl music shop and each RockStar Suite. He has also committed to four performances at The Beach Club in Bimini, Bahamas, the cruise line’s private beach club. Virgin Voyages is also expanding its On Deck residency programme with the addition of DJ and record producer, Diplo, to The Beach Club’s 2020 line-up.

RCI adds to Singapore season ROYAL Caribbean will add a new Singapore season for Quantum of the Seas, which will sail in the region until 2021. The additional season of seven months will be the cruise line’s longest ever Singapore deployment for a Quantum-class ship. This will add to RCI’s Asia offering which has become a focus of development for the company. Sailings on Quantum of the Seas for the 2020/2021 season opened for sale on June 3.

Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth returns to AlaskaCUNARD’S Queen Elizabeth has returned to Alaska with four 10-night round-trip sailings out of Vancouver in 2019, and ten in 2020. Cunard will offer 10-, 11-, and 12-day round-trip voyages in 2020, visiting Glacier Bay and the Hubbard Glacier. From 2020, Cunard will offer a full season from June to September. All voyages are roundtrips out of Vancouver, and there is one get-away cruise to San Francisco for an overnight stay on July 4, 2020. Guests who book a 2020 Alaska Voyage by July 31, 2019, will receive additional money to spend on board, and complimentary stateroom upgrades where guests will be able to choose the stateroom they want and pay for the stateroom a grade lower.

Send your cruising news to deenar@nowmedia.co.za

To the point

From May 23, KLM has extended its codeshare with China Eastern. The number of destinations that KLM codeshares on China Eastern’s network has increased from 14 to 63, including Yinchuan, Xining, Shantao, Zhangjiang and Zuhai. China Eastern codeshares to 24 new European destinations via the KLM network through Amsterdam, connecting with China Eastern’s flights between Shanghai and Amsterdam. This brings its total number of codeshare destinations in Europe to 39, including Turin, Warsaw and Basel.

An artist’s impression of Ocean Cay, MSC Cruises’ private island. Image: MSC

4 n Wednesday June 5 2019 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

NEWS

Local is lekker! City Lodge Hotels has 54 hotels across all SA provinces. Here is the latest news in domestic tourism.

The Thailand Tourism Authority (TAT) hosted its annual roadshow at The Maslow, Johannesburg, on May 21. Agents had the chance to meet with operators and product managers that specialise in Thailand as a destination. The roadshow then went to Durban and Cape Town. Pictured here at the event are (from left): Matthew Simpson, director of Holiday Aviation, the GSA in Southern Africa for Bangkok Airways; Chiravadee Khunsub, director of UK, Ireland and South Africa, TAT; Srisuda Wanapinyosak, deputy governor for International Marketing, TAT; Lesley Simpson of LSC PR, representing TAT in SA, and Yazeed Rosier, air product executive, STA Travel. Photo: Shannon Van Zyl

Thailand comes to Jozi

BA closes JNB lounge for refurbishmentBRITISH Airways has temporarily closed its First and Galleries Club Lounge at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport for construction work. All eligible customers are being relocated to the Slow Lounge or the Aspire Lounge until the refurbishments are complete. Work is expected to be finished by November.

Virgin launches Heathrow-Mumbai routeVIRGIN Atlantic will launch a new daily flight between London Heathrow and Mumbai from October. The service will complement the existing route between London and Delhi. Flights are on sale, with the first service commencing on October 27.

KLM increases India services KLM will expand its Indian network to include Bangalore, with a thrice-weekly service from Amsterdam from the end of October. This comes at the expense of its Colombo, Sri Lanka, service, which will be suspended from the end of October. KLM already serves Delhi and Mumbai. Passengers with tickets between Amsterdam and Colombo departing on or after October 28 will either be rebooked on the most suitable alternative flights or compensated financially.

Lufthansa Group ups distribution cost chargeThe Lufthansa Group has increased distribution cost charges (DCC) to £14 (R257) from June 1. The airline group, which comprises Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa and Swiss, initially imposed an £11,30 (R207) DCC in 2015. The charge does not apply to travel agents using the group’s online booking tool, or those connected to Lufthansa Group airlines’ NDC. The increase follows IAG-owned British Airways and Iberia increasing their DCCs earlier this month.

TK increases Istanbul-Hanoi serviceTURKISH Airlines will increase flights from Istanbul to Hanoi, Vietnam, from six a week to daily flights from March 30, 2020. Flight TK164 will depart Istanbul at 02h40, arriving in Hanoi at 16h25. Return flight TK165 will depart Hanoi at 21h35 and arrive in Istanbul at 04h15 the next day. The service will start on March 30 and end on October 25, 2020.

AA opens Dallas loungeAMERICAN Airlines has opened its Flagship Lounge at Terminal D at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Customers travelling in Flagship First and Flagship Business will have access to the lounge, which features lounge-style seating, luxury showers, wireless chargers and a variety of hot and cold entrees. The Flagship dining experience, exclusively for customers travelling in Flagship First, is the sit-down dining experience in the lounge that offers Texas-style food with premium wine, champagne and local craft beer to pair with any meal. Plans are also under way for the development of a sixth terminal at DFW. AA has also eliminated some fees for oversized bags. Customers can now check some sports and music equipment as standard baggage, up to the maximum allowed dimensions and within the weight requirements. Passengers travelling within the US will pay $30 (R430) – the cost of a standard first bag – instead of the oversize-bag cost of $150 (R2 100). The airline said that, due to special handling requirements, it would continue to charge $150 to transport antlers, hang gliders and scuba tanks, as well as kiteboard and windsurfing items.

A snapshot of the week's airline news

Hepstar adds ancillariesSarah robertSon

ONLINE travel insurance aggregator, Hepstar, has added new

ancillary products and services to its portfolio in order to offer a ‘plug and play’ travel insurance solution.

The new products and services include global e-SIM cards, global WiFi connectivity, SOS services,

access to lounges in the event of a flight delay, and temporary subscriptions to destination vouchers and deals.

The company says its new strategy is in line with global trends where companies provide greater ancillary service offerings, and global airline ancillary revenue now accounts for 10,7% of total airline revenue (compared with only 4,8% of

revenue in 2010).Brett Dyanson, ceo

of the company, says: “Essentially our technology is a recommendation engine that makes use of big data, machine-learning and behavioural analytics to deliver different customer profiles a product mix that has the highest probability of achieving the optimal revenue for our travel partners.”

Tanzania bans plastic bags THE Government of Tanzania advises travellers to the country that, from June 1, all plastic carrier bags, regardless of thickness, are prohibited from being imported, exported, manufactured, sold, stored, supplied and used in mainland Tanzania.

This excludes plastic packaging for medical services, industrial products, construction

industry, agricultural sector, foodstuffs, sanitary and waste management.

Visitors are advised to avoid carrying plastic carrier bags or packing plastic bags or items in plastic carrier bags in suitcases or hand luggage. There are special desks at all entry points where visitors can surrender plastic carrier bags.

Ziploc bags specifically used to carry toiletries will,

however, be permitted as they are expected to remain in the permanent possession of visitors, and are not expected to be disposed of in the country. The Government says it does not wish to make visitors’ stay unpleasant as it enforces the ban, but appreciates visitors’ understanding of the country’s imperative to protect the environment and keep the country clean and beautiful.

Uniworld announces new shipsUNIWORLD Boutique River Cruise Collection has announced four new ships for 2020 as well as an augmented Wellness on the Water offering.

The SS Sphinx will cruise the River Nile in Egypt

from January 2020. Also launching in January

is the Mekong Jewel, which will be based in Vietnam and Cambodia.

‘Super’ ship, the SS Sao Gabriel, which will cruise in Portugal, and the

SS La Venezia, which is being renovated and will sail in Italy, will both be unveiled in March 2020.

New to Uniworld’s Wellness on the Water programme is a three-day stay in Baden-Baden,

Germany, where guests can relax in the thermal waters at the Caracalla Thermal Bath or Sea Salt Grotto.

Kelly Jackson, head of sales for The Travel Corporation and parent company to Uniworld

explains: “With four new ships in 2020, an augmented Wellness on the Waters offering, and a new three-day stay in Baden-Baden, we are catering for the needs of our guests.”

QUICK READ FOR BUSIEST PEOPLE Wednesday June 5 2019 n 5

Local is lekker! City Lodge Hotels has 54 hotels across all SA provinces. Here is the latest news in domestic tourism.

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

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Luxury train product to launch in KNP

THEBE Tourism Group is to develop a five-star accommodation

experience, called Kruger Shalati ‘Train on a Bridge’, in the Kruger National Park.

The train carriages are placed permanently on a bridge in Skukuza atop the Sabi River, and guests will be able to view game from their bath, bedroom and balconies.

The project will incorporate

the iconic and historic original Selati railway bridge where the Kruger National Park’s first warden, James Steven-Hamilton, first welcomed guests nearly a century ago.

The train will be restored and upgraded and rooms will have floor-to-ceiling windows with unrestricted views of the river and surrounding game.

The ‘Train on the Bridge’ will launch on December 16 with

16 en-suite carriage rooms able to sleep 32 people. Each carriage will have two luxury rooms and there will also be a lounge carriage with a bar and an adjacent deck. By March 2020, capacity on the train will increase to 24 rooms, sleeping 48 people.

All meals and house beverages are provided as well as two game drives per day.

Town Lodge Umhlanga opening soonTOWN Lodge Umhlanga is scheduled to open in July.

The 154-room property is on the corner of Umhlanga Ridge Boulevard and Meridian Drive, and is near the beach, Gateway Theatre of Shopping,

and Durban, and a 15-minute drive from King Shaka International Airport.

Facilities include rooms for disabled guests, two boardrooms, a swimming pool and parking bays for 110 cars.

New food hall comes to WoodstockGOODFOOD will open its doors on June 7, offering a selection of cuisine from local foodies along with its own GOODBar and GOODCoffee.

More than a market, the ‘food hall’, located in the cosmopolitan heart of Cape

Town’s Woodstock, brings together a collection of local food and beverage businesses to offer a curated everyday food offering, from breakfasts and lunches to dinners.

The food hall will also be home to GOODCoffee and

GOODBar. These will offer coffee, cold-pressed juices, and smoothies as well as a platform to showcase exceptional players in the beverage industry.

The food hall is open from Monday to Saturday, from 07h00 to 21h00.

Plett to host adventure week PLETT Tourism has launched Plett High Five adventure week.

Taking place from September 23-29, the event aims to create personal experiences from the best five adventures in the area. These can be made up from the more than 40 adventures across the region, from the

forests of Harkerville to the mountains of Tsitsikamma, and include canyoning, abseiling, zip-lining, sky-diving, swimming with seals, blackwater tubing and leaping off the world’s highest bungee bridge. Horse and hiking trails, stand-up paddling, kayaking, surfing and marine safaris are also on offer.

An artist’s impression of the ‘Train on a Bridge’.

Two-tier pricing at RIMFROM June 1, the Robben Island Museum (RIM) has implemented two-tier pricing for international and South African visitors, changing its pricing model for the first time in 22 years.

The new rates for South Africans are R380 for adults and R200 for children aged two to 18 years. International visitors will pay R550 for adults and R300 for children aged two to 18.

The tour comprises a return ferry trip, transport on the island, a guided island tour and a guided prison tour by an

ex-political prisoner. The funds will allow

the museum to protect and preserve the island’s history as a World Heritage Site, and conserve the eco-system of indigenous reptiles, mammals and birds. “Preserving Robben Island as a world-class heritage site requires a lot of effort to balance the conservation of the tangible heritage elements with the mission of increasing local access to the island,” says Morongoa Ramaboa, Robben Island Museum spokesperson.

6 n Wednesday June 5 2019 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

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How to sell more Botswana

WHILE Botswana may be famed for its Okavango Delta and

Chobe National Park, other unique areas such as the Kgalagadi and Kalahari tend to draw longer-staying guests and repeat travellers.

Dramatic wide-open landscapes set the Kalahari apart, together with the possibility of seeing black-maned lions and opportunities to experience San culture.

Onne Vegter, Wild Wings Safaris md, says although overlooked by many South Africans, the Central Kalahari National Park is worth a visit because it boasts wide terrain, with very few other vehicles

in sight. He says, although very hot, the park is best visited in summer because when there is grass there is a lot more wildlife to be seen.

“In the summer, the green grass attracts herds and herds of zebras, and other game as well,” he says. “While it doesn’t compare with the wildebeest migration in East Africa, it is the biggest zebra migration.”

The zebra migrate from the south of the Kalahari, through Nxai Pan and into Zimbabwe.

The Botswanan side of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which also borders South Africa, is a vast reserve that offers a unique experience, says Onne. He says it is a lot more remote on the Botswanan side and recommends a visit to Mabua

Sehube. “You’re deep in the bush; there is beautiful scenery; salt pans and the traffic is a lot less that on the South African side of the park.”

The Makgadikgadi Pan is one of the largest salt pans in the world. During most of the year the pans are dry but in the wet season they spring to life, covered in water and grass and migrating birds and animals. These include ducks, geese and great white pelicans. It is also home to one of only two

breeding populations of greater flamingos in Southern Africa.

“A popular spot here is Lekaubu Island. It is a beautiful, scenic spot on the edge of the salt pan with massive baobab trees,” says Onne, adding that it is very remote and great for photography.

Tourism is thrivingTourism in Botswana now accounts for one in seven of all dollars in the economy, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) annual review,

released earlier this year. In 2018, the country’s travel and tourism sector grew at 3,4%, compared with the sub-Saharan African average of 3,3%.

Self-drive – great for longer stays

Onne Vegter

WHILE self drive holidays in Botswana are only feasible for longer stays, Onne Vegter of Wild Wings Safaris, says they are popular with South African travellers who enjoy camping and independent travel.

Nata is the logical stopover for travellers heading to Chobe from Gauteng, he says. The roads linking Joburg and Kasane have also recently been improved. Overnighting in Nata also means that you can be in Chobe early in the morning. Onne says, as there is minimal fencing, drivers are likely to spot game along this part of the drive.

“You can often see elephants crossing the road and sometimes even wild dogs.”

Onne also recommends the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park for self-drivers. Travellers spending time in

the South African part of the park will enjoy the contrast of the Botswanan section, which is wilder and has less fencing.

Lions, leopards and wild dogs have been known to enter campsites, as many of Botswana’s parks are unfenced. As a result, Onne says 4x4s with roof-top camping are essential. Moreover, while there are some tarred roads, like the main road to and within Chobe National Park, the game viewing is best along the riverbanks, which can only be accessed with a 4x4. He adds that people attempting this drive in a

2x4 with diff lock will more than likely deflate their tyres.

Caroline Tinsley, business development manager of Intrepid Travel, says self-drive is only really suitable for travellers spending a lot of time in the country because of the sometimes day-long drives between the different wilderness areas, which is why the operator sticks to fly-in packages.

She advises agents selling self-drive to inform their clients about border crossings and the possibility of drivers with a South African number plate being pulled over. Travelling with the right paperwork is essential.

Travelling in convoy, with at least one other vehicle, is also crucial, says Onne. Because of the low cellphone signal, getting roadside assistance is difficult.

Did you know?

Airlink operates daily flights between Johannesburg and Kasane, just north of Chobe National Park.

“Self-drive is only really suitable for

travellers spending a lot of time in the

country.”

Conveniently close and offering some of the best game-viewing in Southern Africa, Chobe remains a firm favourite in the South African market. Tessa Reed reports.

QUICK READ FOR BUSIEST PEOPLE Wednesday June 5 2019 n 7

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PACKAGE INCLUDES: Return transfers + Breakfast and dinner daily + 2 Game drives per stay

Added value: A boat cruise during stay

WHOLESALE MEMBER

BOTSWANA

Avis Safari Rental offers a range of fully equipped safari vehicles, including the new Ford Ranger, which accommodates between two and five travellers. The safari vehicles are fitted with quick five-minute set-up tents; comprehensive kitchens as well as solar charging systems. Safari linens, towels, chairs and a table are included for convenience. The rentals are commissionable. A ‘bush air-conditioner’ is a great way to keep cool in the

heat. Just wet a kikoi (a wrap) and wrap it around your shoulders during a game drive. It’s a good idea to take extra water to keep wetting it during the drive. The Kwa Maningi Beauty Spa at aha Chobe Marina Lodge

offers a full menu of pampering treatments from hands and feet to facials, by professional beauty therapists.

Did you know?

Spotlight on ChobeTHE Chobe region spans over 11 000 sqm and its varied landscapes include floodplains, swamps and woodlands, together with the Chobe River.

The area is best accessed by flying into Kasane, a two-hour flight from Johannesburg. Most lodges offer transfers from the airport to the parks.

The area’s proximity to other bucket-list destinations, including the Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls and the Caprivi Strip, make it a great destination to include in Southern African packages.

Celeste Muir, marketing manager of Thompsons Holidays, recommends Chobe as an “all-round, once-in-a-lifetime experience,” while Wild Wings Safaris’ Onne Vegter says Chobe National Park offers the best boat-based game viewing in the world.

Celeste also highlights the area’s large elephant population as a unique selling

point. “Chobe is renowned for having the greatest concentration of game on the African continent on both land and water.”

Deidré Ward, aha leisure sales manager, says in addition to large herds of elephant, the many species that can be spotted in the region include giraffe, zebra, impala, tsessebe, roan, sable, wildebeest, kudu, buffalo, waterbuck, warthog, eland, lion, hyena, jackal, bat-eared fox, cheetah and wild dog.

May to October is the ideal season for a Big Five experience, says Celeste. Onne adds that outside of this period, the region still offers great birding. “The water attracts a lot of birds. Carmine bee-eaters are up there, along with many others that nest in the river bank.”

According to Onne, the best game viewing is in the area north of the Chobe River.

Celeste also recommends Kazuma Forest Reserve in

the Chobe region for game watching. The reserve is one of the busiest elephant corridors and joins Chobe National Park and Hwange National Park.

Onne says Chobe is also a favourite for South Africans because accommodation in the area ranges from budget camping to high-end lodges. “Within Kasane, there are lots

of budget accommodation options that are popular with South Africans. You don’t have to stay in a luxury lodge that is priced for the international market.”

What to do in ChobeWalking safaris and boat cruises along the Chobe River are some of the must-do activities, says Celeste.

A sightseeing cruise to Sedudu Island, which is submerged by floods for several months of the year is also a top pick, says Deidré. “This is the perfect venue from which to view a truly magnificent African sunset,” she says. “These cruises are a must for photographers!”

The area is also popular for tiger fishing.

Book it!

Thompsons Holidays is offering a three-night package at the four-star Chobe Bush Lodge between December 1 and March 31, 2020. The packages include return flights from Johannesburg to Livingstone; taxes; return airport-lodge transfers; three nights’ accommodation with breakfast and dinner; two game drives per stay, and a boat cruise. Pricing starts from R13 971pps. Block-out dates apply between December 21 and January 3, 2020. Thompsons Holidays is offering a three-night package at the five-star Camp Kazuma lodge

in the Kazuma Forest Reserve until June 30. The package includes return flights from Johannesburg to Livingstone (taxes included); return transfers from airport to the camp; breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, including local drinks (soft drinks, local beers and house wines); as well as activities such as game drives, guided walks and night drives. Prices start from R17 236pps. Advance purchase, peak season surcharges, block-out periods and T&Cs apply.

Summer conferencingAha is offering a summer conferencing special at aha Masa Square Hotel in Gaborone. The special starts from R275 per person and includes morning tea/coffee with a selection of treats, buffet lunch with a soft drink and coffee; afternoon tea with a selection of treats; bottled water and mints; desk pad and pens. A data projector, WiFi and secure parking are also included. The property recently added 30 Masa Executive Apartments, suited to travellers requesting spacious, self-catering luxurious suites.

Chobe is ideal to package with other nearby bucket-list destinations.

8 n Wednesday June 5 2019 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

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ITCs & Homeworkers

The ITC model, which came to South Africa 20 years ago, continues to grow, with new business models evolving in this sector of the travel industry. Sarah Robertson reports.

Face your fears

CONSULTANTS canvassed by TNW said the thing that was holding them

back from stepping out on their own was the fear that they were not going to be able to sustain themselves with enough clients. ITCs and consortiums debunk this myth, however, and say word of mouth from good service delivery is the single biggest source of acquiring new clients.

“The best way to get new business is to look after your existing clients,” says Alwin Miles-Nell, founder of AWA and Associates, a Cape Town-based ITC consortium.

“When planning to start their own business, most consultants struggle with self-

belief that clients are booking with them and not the agency brand that they are working for. However, over the years it is the consultant who has built up trust, and this exists between the client and consultant that they speak to constantly. Clients want to be part of your journey and your success story and many ITCs find that their clients not only follow them when they set up their own venture but that their referral business sky-rockets, with clients wanting the ITC to succeed,” he adds.

Md of eTravel, Tammy Hunt, agrees and says the best way to attract new clients is through word of mouth via their own business and personal networks. Social

media also works well for some ITCs who promote their businesses in this way. Tammy says eTravel offers a service where head office staff accompany ITCs to meetings and client presentations and assist them in explaining the value of the eTravel ITC model and why this business model is such a winning formula.

Gm of Travel Counsellors SA, Mladen Lukic, says the TC business model is heavy on human touch. “So it is not a surprise that the large majority of new clients are a result of referrals. When we execute our business model correctly, our existing clients are our best and most productive ambassadors.

Vera Hendricks, franchise project manager of Club Travel, adds that having access to the best negotiated rates and availability also helps tremendously. “ITCs have access to our in-house marketing department, who can offer assistance with social media activity. ITCs can also customise newsletters and Club Travel offers with their own brand and we have also partnered with a reputable third-party service provider offering our ITCs a fully integrated website offering,” she explains.

Maria Watkins, gm – leisure travel group, WWTB and Product for Tourvest Travel Services (TTS) adds that TTS shares enquiry leads, assists

ITCs in sourcing new clients and helps them with tenders.

“We support organic growth of our TCs by coaching new skills, providing management support in strategic decisions, full marketing support and by providing a technology platform that is required to support that growth. This includes participation in RFP, tender or any other TMC lead generation process,” says Mladen.

Kelly Jackson, head of sales of The Travel Corporation, says making use of products with a high repeat guest rate is a wonderful way to solidify your relationship with a client. Trafalgar, she explains, has a repeat guest rate of over 50%.

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10 n Wednesday June 5 2019 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

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ITCS & HOMEWORKERSAgencies threatened by ‘the drain’THE drain of senior consultants from agencies to ITCs is a big concern in the industry, with store managers and consortiums developing plans to retain consultants within their stable.

Vera Hendricks from Club Travel says the consortium tries to offer great incentives to narrow the gap between what a consultant could earn being employed, compared with their earning potential as an ITC.

“One of the main reasons a good senior travel consultant is still working at an agency is because of the need for a secure income. We have previously backed consultants that we have faith in by giving them the opportunity to become independent consultants within the Club group and guaranteeing their income for the first six months,” she explains.

An ITC who wished to remain anonymous

told TNW that a large consortium recently did research into the value that senior consultants provide. They found that the pool of consultants who had been with the company for more than seven years were bringing in 80% of the agency’s business. He added that it was far cheaper for a company to try to retain senior staff than to constantly train up new consultants.

Kelly Jackson of The Travel Corporation says it seems an almost natural progression for established and senior agents who are not keen on the distinct agency or consortium environment to set up shop as independents.

Mladen Lukic of Travel Counsellors believes that the exit of seniors towards the ITC model is a positive trend, and says this makes space for new blood and creativity in the stores that the senior consultants had moved out of.

TCs – evolution of the revolutionKate NathaN

SPEAKING at Travel Consellors’ annual SA conference on May 3, Jim Eastwood, TC’s global sales director, outlined some of the new business models that had evolved from the original ITC idea, and emphasised that these operating models had come from Travel Counsellors themselves, not from head offices.

Jim told the assembled TCs: “Let us be your Sherpa,” referring to Travel Counsellors’ stated policy that head office is not there to command and control, but to facilitate and enable TCs to run their own businesses and scale and flex them according to their own needs.

One of the ways the company is facilitating just that is the formal support, on the Travel Counsellors platform, of a range of options.

In ‘TC Assistant’ a TC formalises support and pays another TC, who has extra capacity, an hourly rate for

performing tasks such as enquiries and admin. So a TC can pay someone to do the work that allows them to focus even more on customer service. Jim pointed out that the most successful leisure TC ever, Lisa Hillyard, has nine assistants. TC Assistant could also take the form of a TC paying another TC a salary for a certain number of hours of work.

The model ‘Lead Share’ will

allow a corporate-focused TC to share a leisure lead to a leisure-focused TC, and vice versa, with revenue sharing or reciprocity, working for both the sharer and share. According to Jim, one-fifth of leisure customers say they would also book their corporate travel with their TC. The TC might lack expertise and want to farm it out, via Lead Share.

‘TC Trainer’ allows TCs to train each other, fostering the sharing of expertise.

‘Referral’ and ‘Mentor’ are designed to assist those who need referrals, and mentoring, especially newer TCs.

With ‘Buddy Cover’, one TC covers for another on leave, delivering convenience. This can be done with a commission split, or none, with the parties opting for reciprocity instead.

There are also supported models for ‘Mini TMCs’ and ‘Lead Gen’ a lead-generation-only business, both of these with or without employed staff.

To page 12

Jim Eastwood

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12 n Wednesday June 5 2019 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

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Please call your nearest Travel Professional or World Leisure Holidays on 011 285 2500 / www.wlh.co.za

M A U R I T I U S

Ambre

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Ex JNB/DUR Ex CPT

18 May - 08 Sept 2019 Superior Garden Room All-inclusive R17 020 pps R18 800 pps

Standard T’s & C’s applyAll Trafalgar AWS 2019/20 bookings count towards Trafalgar’s 2019 Acclaim trip to the USA*

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ITCS & HOMEWORKERS

Why women thrive as ITCsWOMEN are drawn to the ITC model for the flexibility it gives them to spend time with their families. It is also a business model that requires little in terms of start-up costs. Consortiums and suppliers confirm that this sector of the industry is overwhelmingly dominated by female business owners.

Tammy Hunt confirms that more than 95% of ITCs within the eTravel structure are female owned. Vera Hendricks says 80% of Club’s ITCs are female owned, Mladen Lukic says 92% of South African Travel Counsellors are female, and Maria Watkins says 95% of Tourvest Travel Services’ ITCs are female owned.

Brenda Mitchell, head of sales for World Leisure Holidays, says about 90% of the ITCs that World Leisure sales executives call on are female. She says

travel has always drawn female employees, due to the perception that it is an exciting industry offering many travel opportunities. The ITC model, which offers flexibility and the ability to work from home, is another big draw card for women.

Brenda says the ITC market

is a valuable sector for WLH and that sales executives work around the schedules of the consultants when calling on them. “Not all ITCs like sale reps to visit them at home, so we try to call in advance and arrange meetings at coffee shops or sometimes even group meet-ups,” she explains.

Kelly Jackson of The Travel Corporation says as time is a precious commodity for an ITC and because many work from home, online booking systems are invaluable. She says Trafalgar’s 24/7 booking system gives real time availability and is available to take payment. A series of reminders prompt ITCs to follow up on payments or ask clients for their meal preferences. The Travel Corporation’s ‘Follow the Sun’ call centre offers after-hours telephonic assistance for ITCs too.

News flash

Amadeus Link invoice allows ITCs to create company profiles, design personalised trip plans for travellers, issue invoices and travel orders that include both GDS and non-GDS content. The documents can be customised with the ITC’s logo and contact details. The Amadeus Link Report service allows ITCs to create useful reports, helping them and their clients make the best decisions for their business.

Case study: what’s in a workspace?ALWIN Miles-Nell worked as a successful retail consultant for a large travel company for 13 years before he worked up the courage to step out and start Abroad with Alwin, his own ITC, which opened in 2016. The success of this business, and his first-hand understanding of the fears and challenges that consultants face when

starting out on their own, later prompted him to start AWA and Associates, his own ITC model in early 2018. A year and a half later, AWA is growing from strength to strength with 12 ITCs in its stable.

Alwin says AWA and Associates is unique as it does not charge ITCs ticketing fees but instead offers them

an 80:20 commission split. AWA also offers ITCs access to all the Club Travel preferred fares and rates through an agreement with this consortium.

While ITCs have the flexibility to work from home, AWA also offers them their own desk in a dynamic work environment at no extra charge. He says while it is lovely to have work hour flexibility, many ITCs soon realise that having access to a work environment filled with a team of like-minded individuals is hugely beneficial for both one’s business and personal motivation. It also gives them a professional space to meet clients. AWA is Cape Town-based at present, with offices in Green Point and Century City, with office space opening in Claremont soon.

“The benefit of working in a space with other like-minded and experienced ITCs is the added support structure. You will never feel isolated and there is always someone to bounce ideas off or who can offer assistance. Our Associates are all highly experienced and we have each other’s back,” says Alwin.

Partnerships for TCs can take several different forms. ‘Dual Branch’ looks from the outside like one business, but is two. All commissions go into one account, which then gets split.

‘Office Share’ is a model that can be beneficial in counteracting the loneliness of the lone ITC.

‘Build for Succession’ – Jim reminded the business owners that there is value in their businesses.

“The succession can be inside your family. You get to train your successor. It’s also a way to get new blood and new ideas into your business. You can grow your own TC by working with your successor!”

Another type of business

is ‘Account Manager’ – an account manager works with a team of TCs, as an implant. This can be voluntary or by invitation.

This proliferation of different business models will be welcomed by agents who want to launch their own business, but who want to tailor a situation specific to their own needs.

From page 11

Brenda Mitchell

“The benefit of working in a space with other

like-minded and experienced ITCs is the added support

structure. You will never feel isolated and there is always someone to

bounce ideas off.”

[8883_5633]_Seekers Travel_Travel News Weekly Advert_OUTLINE.indd 1 2019/01/16 08:37:50 AM

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14 n Wednesday June 5 2019 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

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Are you tired of giving away most of your hard-earned commissions?AWA & Associates offers YOU so much more• 80/20% commission split on all sales• Airline front-end commission up to

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• Zero targets, Zero working hours, Zero time required in the office

• Co-working office space with your own dedicated desk in CPT

• Modern offices: all facilities, client consulting rooms & uncapped Wi-Fi

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Don’t waste time on invoicing and reporting. Let Amadeus do it for you!

What if you could have a tool that would not only give you a quick and comprehensive overview of your travel agency sales but that would also allow you to efficiently generate automated professional invoices?

In many travel agencies today, reporting and invoicing remains a time-consuming, high-touch manual activity. That is why Amadeus has rolled out Amadeus Link Report and Amadeus Link Invoice to help you solve the reporting and invoicing conundrum.

Amadeus Link Report

By creating personalised experiences for customers, travel agents handle a lot of data and information on a daily basis. Wouldn’t it be fantastic to be able to generate valuable insights about your travel agency operations based on this information?

Thanks to Amadeus Link Report you will not only be able to get an oversight of your operations, you will also be able to create useful reports that will help you make the best decisions for your business in order to achieve your company’s

maximum potential. With one quick view, the travel agency owner will be able to see exactly where to dedicate more effort.

Amadeus Link Invoice

Getting all the information you need from your clients and compiling professional invoices without mistakes is not only difficult, it is also time-consuming and prevents you from focussing on what is really important: your business and your clients.

Amadeus Link Invoice allows you to easily create company profiles, design personalised trip plans for your travellers and issue invoices quickly.

You can create complete travel orders and invoices that include any kind of content (GDS and non-GDS) that your agency books. You can even include taxes and fees, as well as customise the document with your company’s logo and contact details.

Do you have many repeat travellers? You can store their details and easily pull the details up each time you need to generate an invoice for them.

Don’t hesitate, contact the Amadeus team to Link your business! am@amadeus.co.za

Don’t waste time on invoicing and reporting.

ITCS & HOMEWORKERS

Travel Counsellor founds ExpoITCS are looking at new ways to generate business and stay relevant.

Karin Livingstone, a Johannesburg-based Travel Counsellor and avid cyclist, founded the first Cradle Sports and Travel Expo, which was held at Valverde Eco Hotel in October last year.

“The Cradle of Humankind has become a training mecca for Gauteng athletes due to the wide roads, challenging terrain, country views, pleasant cafés and the fantastic cycling lanes in the area. Muldersdrift venues say that at any one time

there are over 1000 athletes training for triathlons, marathons, road or mountain biking events in the area,” says Karin.

She realised the huge potential to host a sports and travel expo, and selected Valverde Eco Hotel because a few hundred athletes use their parking facilities as a base to begin their training every weekend. She added that October was a good time for the expo as it was peak training time for the 947 Telkom Cycle Challenge. Entrance to the expo was free and Karin says various

travel, sports, fitness, nutrition and wellness companies hosted stalls in the hotel’s boma area. Valverde also set up a 947 pre-ride, which took place before the expo opened in order to attract more athletes to it afterwards.

Karin marketed the expo extensively through social media and with flyer drops in the area in the weeks leading up to the expo.

Karin was pleased with the results of the first expo and hopes that it will become a popular annual event in the area.

On the moveOUTSIDE the Box Holidays launched in March this year as a new eTravel Island Specialist. Founder Lesley Smith says she has chosen to specialise in Mauritius, Zanzibar, Thailand, The Maldives, Seychelles and Bali, as these are the products she knows best from her 14-year tenure at World Leisure Holidays.

Did you know?

World Leisure Holidays will reintroduce its Travel Consultant incentive programme for the period July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020. This year there will be one incentive, whereby all World Leisure Holidays properties will be included in the programme. Brenda Mitchell from World Leisure Holidays explained that it would be based on a combined minimum revenue and minimum packages booked target. Travel consultants will be rewarded with bed nights at the hotel where they have made the most bookings. Terms and conditions of the incentive will soon be shared with trade, however consultants can already start working toward this incentive as all packages booked now for the new period will already count toward the incentive.

For a FREE subscription to TNW contact Gladys on gladysn@nowmedia.co.za

Lesley Smith

JOBSCOMMUNITYNEWSBirths, deaths, marriages, promotions – we want to know! Please fax or e-mail TNW’s Deena Robinson, at deenar@nowmedia.co.za

QUICK READ FOR BUSIEST PEOPLE Wednesday June 5 2019 n 15

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Write your own salary cheque!Advertising Sales Executive wanted for a daily news website that speaks to professionals in corporate travel procurement and the

meetings, conferencing and events industry.

Travel & Meetings Buyer (www.tam.co.za) is looking for someone who thrives on the challenge of finding and securing new clients and

uncovering business opportunities.

We require: a proven track record in sales and / or the corporate travel industry. B2B sales experience an advantage.

Interested?

Send CV to: careers@nowmedia.co.za

Only short listed applicants will be contacted.

Pick of the week

These adverts were selected from the vacancy section of www.travelinfo.co.za To advertise contact jobs@travelinfo.co.za

brought to you by

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8126

VIP Leisure Travel Consultant – JNBProfessional Career ServicesMinimum 8 years’ experience handling leisure bookings, VIP clients, concierge services etc. Afrikaans speaking essential. Galileo. Email: jeancv@pcs-sa.co.za

Senior Consultant – RandburgProfessional Career ServicesGalileo/Travelport expert – must be able to do all kinds of booking processes (re-bookings & re-issues, refunds, online booking tool knowledge. Email: nonocv@pcs-sa.co.za

Tour Leader Co-ordinator – Century City areaQuantex Recruitment GroupYou have exceptional communication skills and consider your multi-tasking skills to be outstanding. Danish/Swedish language skills are essential. Email: lee@quantex.co.za

VIP Leisure Consultant – PaarlQuantex Recruitment GroupExperience in group travel and consulting to VIP leisure travellers. Experience with ski holidays/cruises preferred. Amadeus. R20000 + commission. Email: lee@quantex.co.za

Spanish Reservations Pro – JNB NorthLee Botti & AssociatesStrong wholesale travel background and proficiency in Spanish essential for this exciting role! Salary R30 000–R40 000. Email: susana@leebotti.co.za

Senior FIT Superstar – JNB SouthLee Botti & AssociatesExperienced FIT consultant with strong tour operator background & excellent interpersonal skills. Salary R20 000–R22 000. Email: susana@leebotti.co.za

Intermediate Consultant – CPT, CBDClub Travel ITCExperienced consultant required for leisure and corporate travel. Provide a superior travel service to all clients.Provide the best corporate and leisure travel assistance with tailored products and services. Email: Careers@clubtravel.co.za

To advertise on this page email robynf@nowmedia.co.za

Thompsons Holidays took part in the recent annual Slipper Day, where team members were encouraged to come to work wearing slippers, onesies or dressing gowns. The proceeds from the tickets sold went to the Reach for a Dream Foundation. Tootsies (from left): Nadia Haffajee, sales executive; Marie-Louise Mcdonald, regional manager – Durban; Prianka Mcnamee and Tina Pillay, both travel advisers; and Sindy Lloyd, sales executive.

Slipper Day with Thompsons

Barsa appoints new boardTHE Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa (Barsa) has appointed a new Board of Directors.

Re-elected as chairperson, Carla da Silva – Air Mauritius regional manager: Southern Africa and Latin America – has 21 years’ experience in aviation; Michaela Messner – regional manager Qantas Airways, Africa – is deputy chairperson.

Darren Hay, specialist in International Affairs at South African Airways, will represent the airline on the board – SAA holds the permanent seat of joint deputy chairman, a courtesy provision made for the national carrier, given its strategic role in the country’s aviation industry.

Other members include

André Schulz, gm Southern Africa of the Lufthansa Group; and Liezl Gericke, head of Middle East and Africa for Virgin Atlantic, who were re-elected.

A new member joining the board is Isaack Wambua, Qatar Airways country manager for South Africa, previously country manager for Sudan and Nigeria at Qatar Airways, and country manager for Cameroon at Kenya Airways.

The board will also be joined by Abel Alemu, regional manager Southern Africa at Ethiopian Airlines; Wouter Vermeulen, gm Air France Southern Africa; and Karlene Barkley, Etihad country manager for South Africa.

June Crawford, ceo of Barsa, says she has confidence in the newly elected board members and their abilities to take the aviation industry to greater heights.

Carla da Silva

16 n Wednesday June 5 2019 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

TNW NEWS

New Iata resolutionpotentially create much more administrative work for agents in order to get consent from passengers.

Industry consultant, Robyn Christie, of Just Saying, says agents can see this as a way to foster a better relationship with their clients. Robyn suggests that agents, while asking for passengers’ consent, also remind the client of the agents’ role and value in the travel process. “Agents can say to clients that they are here to ensure travel runs smoothly; they will be the client’s point of contact for any issues during the trip.”

Robyn also suggests that this is an opportunity for agencies to capitalise on their existing mobile app technology. “If the agency’s

app is constantly updating the passenger on flight information, they remain foremost in the client’s mind.”

However, David also raises the concern that this could become a way for airlines to begin direct marketing to customers. “Airlines are trying to get direct business and my biggest concern is that this will now be used to further the airline’s direct business.”

Agents have already received communication from some airlines regarding the resolution change. In one case, the airline says that failure to comply with the resolution will result in “appropriate action” by the airline.

Asata is preparing its response to this resolution change.

From page 1

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New aircraft for LATAMLATAM Airlines hosted a roadshow in Johannesburg on May 28, where it announced that its new Airbus A350 XWB would be introduced on the Johannesburg-São Paulo route from August 1. Pictured at the roadshow are (back from left) David and Lance van den Heever-Liebenberg, travel director and md respectively of Marmalade Toast; and Kathy Lavery, key accounts manager at Border Air, GSA for LATAM Airlines in this market. In the front is Monica Horn of Harvey World Travel. Photo: Deena Robinson

Beachcomber introduces white-label toolSarah robertSon

BEACHCOMBER has introduced a white-label offering that

allows agents to present the Beachcomber website as their own branded system, allowing customers to find, get quotes for and book Beachcomber products online.

Beachcomber describes the product as an easy-to-use tool for agents to create new revenue streams for themselves. Travel agents retain ownership of the customer and get their commission. The product also has full mobile-device compatibility.

Beachcomber’s sales and marketing director, Joanne Visagie, says the travel industry has been asking them for a white-label solution for some time. She says the offering is available for a R10 000 once-off connection fee and a R500 monthly licensing fee. She says the fees are payable directly to the web developers and that Beachcomber does not charge for the service at all.

It aims to capture the online market, letting clients

book a Beachcomber holiday through the agent’s website and pay for land and air packages without having to deal directly with the agent.

Gerald Engelbrecht Klitzke, owner manager of The Boyz Travel Merchants, is very interested in the white-label product, explaining that customers will be directed through The Boyz’ website

to Beachcomber’s website, which will be branded with his logo, allowing them to book beach packages online.

Implementation takes a few days, with the agency’s logo displayed on the website and on all client documentation. Documentation is tailored towards the recipient, with clients receiving quote documentation and agency contact details. Agents receive copies of the quotes and confirmations together with the client contact details.

“Consumers have become increasingly connected and,

as technology influences their holiday search and booking behaviour, the travel industry is challenged to meet their expectations. Beachcomber is bringing its product offering to your fingertips, allowing travel agencies to present Beachcomber’s product as their own and to build closer relationships with their existing customers, while simultaneously reaching out to new audiences,” says Terry Munro, Beachcomber Tours South Africa md.

“We trust our retail partners will leverage the ease of searching for and booking Beachcomber product online with their continued professional service, to shift the efficiency of the Beachcomber Resorts and Hotels’ sales into even higher gear,” adds Terry.

Explaining the reasoning behind the move, Terry says Beachcomber feels this additional tool will be a good step forward for agents, who will be able to earn commission for little time and effort.

“Offering guests the option to book these products online 24/7 will speed up the booking process substantially,” says Gerald.

“The travel industry has been asking for a white-label solution for some

time.”