TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLY

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SOUTHERN AFRICA’S TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLYFebruary 13 2019 I No. 2530

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FEATUREEUROPE

ASK AN EXPERTFRAUD

Don’t be complicit

NEWSTPCONNECTSTech firm eyes SA

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Airlines taken for $2,3mSarah robertSon

A NUMBER of airlines have fallen victim to fraud, and have allegedly been taken for millions of dollars

by Travel Mart – an agency based in Johannesburg. TNW received reports from several

airlines detailing how, in December, there was a spike in cash tickets issued by the agency, which then defaulted on its Iata remittance.

Iata confirmed that Travel Mart was suspended from the BSP in mid-December owing to irregularities detected in sales volumes. According to an airline source, Travel Mart’s guarantee was set at US$146 000. “On December 15, ticket sales spiked to US$2,3m in one day,” the source said.

Ethiopian Airlines was taken for approximately R100 000, says Abel Alemu, regional manager for Southern Africa.

“This appears to be yet another well-orchestrated fraudulent agency default,” says Greg Fuller, gm and director of Holiday Aviation. “It’s most unfortunate that the agency concerned was able to

ticket well in excess of the guarantee amount they had lodged with Iata.

“We hope to see the end of this practice once Iata commences the implementation of the long-awaited NewGen ISS programme later this year, which will afford financial protection to the airline industry,” says Greg.

In this instance there was little impact on the airlines represented by Holiday Aviation, says Greg, as most participate in Holiday Aviation’s default insurance programme, APG ABCS.

Travel Mart, which rented office space in Sandton and sold tickets through its website travelmart.co.za, launched operations in February last year. Moyeed Muhammad Abdul is registered on Cipro as the company’s director. TNW made numerous phone calls to listed numbers, which went unanswered.

The agency’s website is no longer available and the domain has been parked. Telephone lines have been disconnected. TNW visited the offices where Travel Mart rented space. Signs for the company are still on display in reception but the receptionist denied TNW access to the office upstairs, saying the company had vacated the premises in January. The rental agent for the building advised that they could not disclose any further information due to client confidentiality clauses.

It is unclear whether the agency was affiliated to www.travelmartindia.com or US-based www.travelmart.com. TNW has not received a response from these organisations. n

From MK, with loveAir Mauritius has launched a new couples’ special celebrating the month of love. The offer includes return flights for two people from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Mauritius for R12 300 and R13 300 per couple respectively. These special fares are for sale until February 28. For Johannesburg, the special is valid for travel until March 12 and again from April 2 to June 10. For Cape Town the special is valid until February 26 and again from April 2 to June 4. Pictured here enjoying the sunset are Air Mauritius’s Wouter Nel and Carla da Silva. Photo: Shannon Van Zyl

“We hope to see the end of this practice once Iata

commences with the implementation of the

long-awaited NewGen ISS programme later this year.”

Letter to the Editor

The flexi-fare fiascoTHE recent introduction of flexi-fare checked luggage policies by certain airlines is not only causing confusion, but, more importantly, has agents wasting their time, especially junior

consultants. Agents tend to off-sell these carriers and opt for a simpler solution that is clearly understandable.

Most travellers booked in lowerTo page 2

2 n Wednesday February 13 2019 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

Rubes® By Leigh Rubin

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NEWS

“So when you say it would be a crime to wake him, are we talking

misdemeanor or felony?.”

TPConnects eyes SA marketSarah robertSon

TRAVEL tech company, TPConnects, is looking to break into the South

African market. The Dubai-based tech

company, an Iata NDC-certified IT provider and aggregator that specialises in distribution and content management solutions, has put out an open-ended RFP (Request For Proposal) inviting airlines, travel agents and IT companies to bid for its GSA to take care of its sales, marketing and support services in SA.

TPConnects offers middle-ware solutions, enabling travel agencies to ‘go online’ by providing them with their website, mobile app, B2B agent platform,

and corporate booking tool solutions, the company said in a statement. These systems are integrated with flight (GDS, NDC and LCCs), hotel, car-rental, and payment gateway providers, “with zero initial

investment”. The company charges a transaction fee per passenger.

“Travel agents are provided with an administration platform, where they can maintain all points of sale.” From the middle-ware,

agents could mark up rates, manage supplier info, control user permissions, push offers, create multiple corporate accounts etc, said TPConnects.

Agents could also save on GDS surcharges imposed by airlines such as Lufthansa, British Airways and Air France KLM, the tech company said.

The company recently received certification as Iata’s first Financial Gateway (IFG) Solution Provider, streamlining TPConnects’ payment platforms across various distribution channels. The change is expected to reduce payment costs, increase sales conversion rates and result in a more seamless user experience. n

Ethiopian grows US networkETHIOPIAN Airlines is boosting its US routes. The changes are due to come into effect in time for the Northern hemisphere summer season.

The airline will increase its flights to Washington from once daily to ten a week, with the three extra

services flying via Abidjan. The new flights will depart Addis Ababa in the morning, arriving in Washington in the evening of the same day. Flights to Chicago will be increased from three to five a week. The airline will fly daily flights to New York, four of which will fly via

Lomé, Togo, to Newark; and three will fly via Abidjan to JFK International Airport.

ET will also add Houston as a destination, serviced three times a week via a West African stopover. This marks the only connection between Africa and Houston. n

City Lodge has opened its new hotel in Dar es Salaam with special rates – $175 (R2 358) single, and $220 (R2 965) double, valid until February 28. They include breakfast. Agents who book using the promotional code ‘NOWOPEN’ will get up to 25% discount on rack rates. From left: Nonhlanhla Mpepuka, sales executive, and Jennifer Beard, group sales manager, of City Lodge Hotel Group. Photo: Shannon Van Zyl

Hello Dar!

bucket fares for long-haul flights tend to be away for a period of time and require at least one piece of checked luggage.

There are business-class travellers who travel for a few days and can get away with only hand luggage, so this initiative could work for this market, but the bulk of travellers from South Africa to long-haul destinations most certainly require checked luggage.

The challenge that consultants face when doing

a Best Buy is that certain GDS systems do not identify what category is being quoted. Agents then find out later that tickets issued do not have a checked luggage facility.

You can imagine what extra work and aggravation this causes.

To exacerbate this issue, most airlines practising this policy have no idea how to assist consultants looking for checked luggage options. Even more frustratingly, some airlines allow checked luggage one-way but not in both directions. Who would travel

long haul only to be held to ransom, having to pay for a piece of luggage?

There has barely been training or correspondence from carriers on how to differentiate the various options, leading to much frustration from both consultants and passengers. Surely it’s time for airlines to wake up to these issues and either provide guidelines to the industry or have their GDSs provide very clear information to the trade.

Allan WolmanCeo, XL Rosebank Travel

The flexi-fare fiasco

What GDSs say A spokesperson from Travelport explains that more airlines are introducing ‘unbundled’ fares. On Travelport, when performing a basic fare entry for Fare Shopper or Best Buy fares, the system will automatically quote the cheapest fare available for the class of travel booked, which may be an unbundled fare. To address this, there are

modifiers that agents can apply to include or exclude specific requirements. “Agents have the ability to search for bundled or unbundled fares and can use Travelport Smartpoint to easily identify inclusions and exclusions for each fare by displaying the branded fare information,” the spokesperson said.

On Amadeus, a Best Buy

search automatically gives agents upsell options that have been excluded from that fare class, says Jannine Adams, senior marketing and communication manager. “Baggage inclusion is listed in the fare option. Agents also have the option to click on fare notes, which provide further details about inclusions and exclusions for that fare class.” n

From page 1

“Travel agents are provided with an administration

platform, where they can maintain all points of sale.”

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Grazie! Alitalia recently hosted members of the trade at the Kyalami Race Track to thank them for their support. The event was filled with fun, laughter, Italian food, wine, dancing and prizes. Pictured here are Paolo Guidi, Alitalia country manager; and Sabrina Allcock, director of Discover the World (GSA for Alitalia). Photo: Jade Kelmovitz

Ethiopian opens new terminal, hotelETHIOPIAN Airlines has opened its new passenger terminal and Skyline Hotel at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. The new passenger terminal features technology security systems, self-check-in, comfortable lounges, duty-free shops and other amenities. The Ethiopian Skylight Hotel at the airport has 373 guest rooms and executive suites, a Chinese restaurant and a conference hall that can accommodate 2 500 people.

Air France boosts summer servicesAIR France will introduce eight new destinations for its peak summer season between July and August. For the first time, the carrier will operate flights to Heraklion (Crete), Palermo (Sicily), Olbia (Sardinia) and Split (Croatia). The other four flights will run as a weekend service to Cagliari, Dubrovnik, Ibiza and Bari, departing from Paris-Charles de Gaulle. From January to March, Air France will serve new gourmet creations in its business-class cabins.

Iberia grows networkIBERIA has plans to grow its network, adding new destinations throughout the year. The new destinations are Oslo and Bergen in Norway; Genoa, Bari and Verona in Italy; Bastia in Corsica; Zadar in Croatia; and Champagne, France. The airline will fly three times a week between Madrid and Châlons-Vatry, in the Châlons-en-Champagne region of France. Flights will be operated by the franchisee, Iberia Regional Air Nostrum, starting March 31. The carrier will also up capacity on the Madrid-Buenos Aires route as well as the Madrid-Chicago route with the addition of four A350-900 aircraft and five A320Neo aircraft to service these routes respectively.

Air Namibia adds regional flightsAIR Namibia will increase capacity on routes where it has high numbers of passengers, and introduce flights on days most suited to its clients’ requirements, effective from March 30. The schedule changes affect routes from Eros to Ondangwa, Katima Mulilo and Rundu; Ondangwa-Walvis Bay; Windhoek-Lusaka and Windhoek-Harare.

Emirates revises infant policyEMIRATES has revised its acceptance policy for infants aged between seven months and two years. All infants in this age group occupying a seat at an applicable child fare must now be secured in an approved Child Restraint System/Device. Prior to this, infants were accepted for travel, provided the child was over 12 months old and able to sit on a seat with a safety belt secured. If the infant was younger than 12 months, a Child Restraint System was required. The airline does accept some government-approved car seats and/or devices for infants occupying a seat on the aircraft.

A snapshot of the week's airline news

ASK AN EXPERT Issuing itineraries compiled from un-ticketed flight bookings for visa applications could have serious repercussions. TNW spoke to Asata ceo, Otto de Vries, and the association’s appointed attorney, Elizabeth de Spadar.

Don’t be unwittingly complicit in fraudTHE findings of a recent

TNW survey show that more than 50% of agents

may be unwittingly agreeing to be complicit in fraudulent behaviour. Of the respondents, 56% said they would create an itinerary with the sole purpose of securing a client’s visa application, with 30% saying they would offer this to clients for an additional service fee.

Otto firmly advised against this. “Submitting an itinerary that your client does not intend to use in order to secure their visa application, borders on fraud. The fact that you are submitting this on your

professional letterhead, makes you complicit.”

Elizabeth agreed, explaining that a consulate or embassy is an official representative of the government. “Lying to a government official is considered a legal offence in most countries. As a result, when you submit information for a visa application you are under a legal obligation to tell the truth and could face serious consequences if you don’t.”

The consequences of submitting a false itinerary vary depending on the country for which you have submitted

the visa application. “When you step on to embassy property, or submit official documents to an embassy, you are bound by the laws of the represented country and will be charged accordingly,” said Elizabeth. “Some countries call for jail time, while others might impose a fine.”

She said the likelihood of being caught was high, as officials were increasingly checking itineraries. “By agreeing to create a false itinerary, you are not just exposing yourself, but your client as well. Both parties would be held responsible.” n

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6 n Wednesday February 13 2019 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

For South African passport-holders, travel to Europe will be unaffected when the UK leaves the EU. However, the same is not true for South Africans with ancestral British passports, reports Hilka Birns.

Deal or no deal? Post-Brexit travel outlook uncertain

AS POLITICAL uncertainty continues around the UK’s

planned departure from the EU on March 29, tour operators report increasing concern amongst clients as to what Brexit will mean for their future holidays to Europe.

Travel companies have begun preparing for a hard Brexit. “Most important to remember at the moment, is that all regulations will stay the same until the UK has ratified a final deal,” says Travel Vision md, Marelize le Roux. “The future scenario really depends on a ‘deal’ or ‘no-deal’ situation,” adds The Travel Corporation md, Teresa Richardson.

Prime Minister Theresa May wants to renegotiate Brexit after Parliament on January 29 backed amendments to the deal it had earlier rejected. The EU is opposed to renegotiations.

The original deal provides for an orderly withdrawal during a transition period until December 31, 2020, which could be extended until 2022. During this time, the UK would retain most of its EU member state rights, providing stability for business and travel to continue.

However, as the deadline

approaches with no agreement in sight, the European Commission – the EU’s executive arm – has published its own contingency action plan, which it will implement unilaterally in the event of a ‘no deal’ to prevent major disruptions. The UK government has published its own guidance documents, while the Association of British Travel Agents advises travel agents to prepare their clients for a possible disorderly Brexit. In that event, British citizens will be considered ‘third country’ nationals (countries that do not belong to the EU or the European Economic Area), to whom the Schengen border code applies. Glyn Cartmell, regional communications manager at the British High Commission in Pretoria, recommends that agents monitor www.gov.uk for travel advice.

Passports & visas:The UK Government and the EC advise the following: Check the expiry date of

British passports. The UK government recommends that British travellers to the EU after March 29 must have six months left on their passport from the date of arrival in the EU. The UK Passport Office

has released a toolkit and Q&As to help agents make customers aware about possible passport validity changes. The EC’s recommended

plan, reaffirmed on February 1, exempts UK nationals from Schengen visa requirements for short stays (up to 90 days in a 180 day-period), provided that all EU citizens are equally exempted from UK visa requirements. UK nationals who want to stay in the EU for more than 90 days need a residence permit or a long-stay visa. British passport

holders will have to apply in advance and pay a fee when the EU’s new European Travel Information and

Authorisation System comes online in 2021.

Flights:There will be no impact to direct flights from non-EU countries, such as South Africa. Both the UK and the EU have made it clear they want flights to continue in any scenario and that travellers can continue to book with confidence.

In terms of the EC’s contingency plan, flights between the EU and the UK will continue as normal for 12 months, on condition of reciprocity. It will be a ‘bare-bones’ agreement to ensure a basic level of air connectivity. Iata says this would, however, not allow for any increase in flight numbers in 2019, capping an expected five million additional seat requirement, potentially stunting economic growth and leading to airfare increases.

The scenario after the transition period could be one where the UK and EU would have to renegotiate hundreds of new bilateral air service agreements. EU and UK airlines would have to secure reciprocal foreign carrier permits (in the UK’s case from each of the relevant national authorities) and authorisation from respective aviation safety

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8 n Wednesday February 13 2019 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

EUROPE

agencies. The EU-US Open Skies agreement, which allows US and UK airlines access to each other’s markets, would also have to be renegotiated.

Another complication is that the EC requires airlines operating in the territory to be majority owned and effectively controlled by EU nationals.

EasyJet has already set up an Austrian-based subsidiary, easyJet Europe. Concerns have been raised over the ownership structure of UK-based IAG, which owns British Airways, the Spanish Iberia and Vueling, Ireland’s Aer Lingus and LEVEL, a new European low-cost carrier. The airlines may need to prove that they are EU controlled, but IAG has dismissed concerns in the light of the ‘bare bones’ agreement.

Aviation security:The UK government says passengers will not experience any difference in aviation security screening and the EC proposes measures to avoid extra security screening of passengers from the UK when transferring to onward flights at EU airports.

Cruising: Cruise operations will continue as normal. Passengers who embark on a cruise at a UK port will continue to be protected by the EU regulation on maritime passengers’ rights, which will be brought into UK law.

Currency:The pound has declined since the results of the Brexit referendum in 2016. Teresa believes the future impact of Brexit on the UK currency depends on a deal/no-deal scenario. Cruises International contemporary brand manager, Thaybz Khan, predicts that Brexit will further weaken the pound and the euro, making travel to Europe and the UK more affordable for South Africans.

Travel insurance:While a disruption due to a political event is not covered in the specified perils listed under cancellation cover, TIC’s travel insurance policy provides an ‘unspecified events’ cover that would apply to a cancellation as a direct result of Brexit, says sales and marketing manager, Simmy Micheli. However, the cover would only apply if the traveller purchases the policy within 48 hours of buying the holiday, she explains.

“In such case, we will pay for or reimburse the non-refundable portions of travel or accommodation arrangements, including a booked event, for which the traveller is legally liable, and the reasonable additional travel and accommodation expenses (three-star accommodation and economy-class travel) for any other cause outside his control that is not specified or specifically insured anywhere else in the policy,” she says.

From page 6

Tourists shy away from over-tourismTHE hottest European destinations in 2019 are the ‘alternative’ ones, thanks to changing customer demands and the phenomenon of over-tourism, Trafalgar research reveals.

Top over-crowded destinations include Barcelona (32m annual visitors), Venice (20m annual visitors) and Croatia (18,5m annual visitors). Package tours and cruising contribute to this by bringing in large numbers of holidaymakers en masse. “Communities are being compromised. In Iceland in 2016 the number of international visitors outnumbered residents 5:1 and in Croatia this was 3:1,” says The Travel Corporation’s Teresa Richardson.

As travellers increasingly seek out destinations that allow them to learn, appreciate and experience something new, destinations like Scandinavia, Portugal, Spain and Slovenia are trending in 2019, says Teresa. “This is due to their being easier to access than ever before, but

also because of increased demand from guests to explore other parts of Europe.”

Austria Connection md, Inge Dobihal, says over-tourism in Croatia results in high demand for accommodation in the old town centres of Split and Dubrovnik, with limited availability at the Plitvice National Park and on island-hopping cruises. “Agents need to make their clients aware of this and advise them to pay a deposit to secure a place. If they don’t, clients run the risk of losing out,” she warns.

Travel Vision’s Marelize le Roux and Cruises International’s Thaybz Khan say agents can help by suggesting alternative travel dates, travelling in off-peak seasons and recommending alternative destinations. “Travelling responsibly, in smaller numbers, not only helps avoid over-tourism. It will give you a greater connection with local people and a far more authentic holiday experience,” Marelize says.

Teresa believes the tourism industry has a responsibility

to invest more in relieving the overburdened infrastructure and environmental damage in popular destinations. “Trafalgar believes in sustainable tourism and giving back to communities. The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland reached 1m visits in 2017, of which 70% were international visitors. Without the work of the National Trust, which Trafalgar supports, this site would not be sustainable. There was a desperate need for a sustainable visitor centre. This was opened in 2012 with the vision that it would enable a sensitively managed 30% visitor increase. This is a shining example of tourism as a force for good,” says Teresa.

“There are more things we can do to support destinations that are currently experiencing over-tourism. We can delve deeper into destinations. Don’t only stop at the city centre. Some of the best places to see and experience can be found in the surrounding areas. It is here that we have opportunities to benefit communities,” says Teresa.

The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland received a million visitors in 2017.

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EUROPETop trends... Austria Connection’s

top sellers include Croatia, Prague, Vienna, Budapest and Amadeus River Cruises. Many river cruises for the upcoming European summer season are booked heavily already because of block bookings, but these will be released gradually, creating more availability. Particularly popular last season were barge and cruise options on the Danube. Trafalgar is seeing

a continuous rise in enquiries to affordable Portugal. The Busabout brand has three trips that include Portugal and Spain. The 15-day Ultimate Iberian

Adventure starts from R17 750pps and spends six days exploring Porto, Lisbon, Sintra and Lagos before heading off to the Algarve. The Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection offers an 11-day river cruise through the Douro River valley, with land excursions to Lisbon, Coimbra and Guimaraes. Turkey also remains superb value. Cruises International

recommends an eastern or western Med cruise with a variety of options that centre on sporting events such as the Grand Prix or the Cannes Film Festival.

St Charles Church, Vienna.

Aurora Borealis tops bucket list WITNESSING the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, in Scandinavia has become a top bucket-list item for 2019, say local tour operators.

The massive increase in travellers wanting to explore Scandinavia has resulted in Insight Vacations adding an extra travel product in 2019. “Our Northern Lights of Scandinavia is a 10-day Country Roads journey that begins in Helsinki and ends in Oslo, taking in mountains,

rivers, cities and fjords,” says The Travel Corporation’s Teresa Richardson. “This trip operates from October through April, giving travellers a good chance of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights. It is priced from R55 200pps.”

Trafalgar has five guided holidays to Scandinavia. The 19-day Nordic Adventure takes guests into the Arctic Circle to the ‘land of the midnight sun’. Priced from

R66 200pps, it includes Santa’s home town of Rovaniemi; and a meal of Finnish delicacies on Haapasaari Island.

Contiki offers three trips through Scandinavia. Priced from R22 045pps, the nine-day trip has the under-35 age group discovering museums and cinnamon buns by day and saunas and Swedish meatballs by night in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

Norway is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights.

10 n Wednesday February 13 2019 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

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KQ introduces new European flightsAdele MAckenzie

FOLLOWING a turnaround in its economic fortunes last year, Kenya Airways is resuming its flights to Rome and introducing flights to Geneva.

The airline suspended its flights to Rome in 2012 as part of cost-cutting measures.

“The addition of flights to Rome and Geneva in June will be welcomed by both our leisure and business customers,” says Kenya Airways group md and ceo, Sebastian Mikosz.

Flight KQ 124 will depart from Nairobi at 23h50 on Wednesdays and Sundays, arriving at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport at 06h10 the next day. It then departs

at 07h30 and arrives in Geneva at 09h10. The return flight will depart from Geneva at 10h30, arriving in Nairobi at 19h10.

Flight KQ 128 flies direct to Geneva on Mondays and Fridays, leaving Nairobi at 23h50 and arriving in Geneva at 06h45 the next day. The flight departs for Rome at 08h05, arriving at 09h50. The return flight departs Rome at 11h05 to arrive in Nairobi at 19h05.

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner will be deployed on the routes.

Kenya Airways is offering special introductory fares for South Africans of R7 069, which includes airport taxes, on tickets purchased from now until February 15.

What’s new? Austria Connection’s new

City & Country Highlights package combines a city stay in Vienna, Prague, Budapest and Ljubljana (Slovenia), with one- or two-day excursions into the countryside. Trafalgar’s new 14-day

Treasures of Spain and Portugal package begins in Madrid and ends in Barcelona. It’s a big round-trip that includes the Hanging

Houses of Cuenca, the synagogue in Toledo and the cave houses of Guadix. Clients also visit a 17th-century stud farm in Portugal’s Alentejo for a traditional ‘Be My Guest’ lunch and savour the 7th-century sherry making tradition in Jerez. Treasures of Spain and Portugal is priced from R44 800pps. KLM starts a seasonal

summer service from

Schiphol, Amsterdam, to Naples on April 21, just in time for visits to the southern Italian town of Matera, the European Capital of Culture 2019, which features cave dwellings carved into the mountainside. Visitors can purchase a temporary citizen ‘passport’ to Matera, the proceeds of which will go to support this Unesco World Heritage Site.

Kenya Airways is resuming flights to Rome and introducing flights to Geneva.

Hanging Houses of Cuenca.

Air France regional carrier rebrands HOP!, Air France’s regional carrier, has been rebranded to Air France HOP. The airline is hoping this development will make it easier for clients to link the regional carrier to the Air France brand.

“This is the next step in the process of simplifying Air France KLM’s brand portfolio in order to provide

greater clarity for customers and more consistency with the group’s global commercial offer,” said Air France in a statement.

The rebrand will have no impact on operations. All tickets already sold on HOP! or currently on sale will continue to operate normally, with no impact on customers. n

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

QUICK READ FOR BUSIEST PEOPLE Wednesday February 13 2019 n 11

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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.

TNW8001

Has your agency reached a milestone?

Celebrate by sending us the details and images. Your news could be featured in TNW.

Photos must be high res (1MB or more).Email jadek@nowmedia.co.za

Thompsons Travel recently honoured its top independent consultants with a foody tour in Melville, Johannesburg, that included eating mopani worms at the Mootee Bar. From left: Rudi Theunissen, commercial manager Thompsons Retail; Mary Shilleto, ceo Thompsons Travel; Marietjie Van Zyl, director of Connoisseur Travel; and Sharon Leong, new ceo of Thompsons Travel Johannesburg. Photo: Shannon Van Zyl

Thompsons honours consultants

n Travelport has appointed Kerry Koutsikos as managing director of the Middle East and Africa (MEA), replacing Matthew Powell. Kerry joins Travelport from Qlik, where he spent more than six years in leadership roles including, most recently, vice president, Middle East, Africa, Mediterranean, Eastern Europe and the Baltics. At Travelport, Kerry will be responsible for leading the company’s operations across MEA, and will be based in Dubai.

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

TNW

8079

Operations Manager – CPT, SouthQuantex Recruitment GroupRelated experience + fantastic leadership abilities + excellent Cape Town & surrounds knowledge + a background in travel or hospitality industry is what we want! Email: lee@quantex.co.za

Top Junior/Intermediate Consultant – CPT, SouthQuantex Recruitment GroupJoin these leaders & be rewarded! 3+ years’ ticketing experience, sound Amadeus skills, prior experience with domestic reservations essential. Email: lee@quantex.co.za

Senior Groups Consultant – JNB, NorthProfessional Career ServicesMinimum 5 years’ experience within similar position in inbound tour operator. Good knowledge of Southern Africa. Email: jeancv@pcs-sa.co.za

Inbound Tour Consultant – Languages – JNB, NorthProfessional Career ServicesFrench, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian or German speaking consultants. FIT’s, groups. Plan and propose own itineraries. Southern Africa destination knowledge. Email: nonocv@pcs-sa.co.za

Senior Consultant – CPTLee Botti & AssociatesLuxury tour operator in need of Southern & East Africa experts experienced in selling high-end travel & safariholidays. R20k-R24k. Email: lee-annem@leebotti.co.za

Sales Manager – CPTLee Botti & AssociatesSeeking manager with success in a sales role and the ability to lead and manage a team to achieve sales targets. R35k-R45k. Email: lee-annem@leebotti.co.za

n Co-owner of British T.I.P.S, Ken Hill, died on January 23 after fighting a battle against cancer. Ken filled a strategic role in the company and was frequently the person to bounce ideas off. He also attended trade shows overseas to identify new opportunities. “He was brave in the face of cancer,” says co-owner, Susan Thesen, adding that a week before his death, he was still available to consult with the team.

12 n Wednesday February 13 2019 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

TNW NEWS

brought to you by eTNW and TRAVELINFO

eTravel is the ITC market leader in South Africa and assists senior Travel Consultants and Travel business owners to realise their dreams. If you have ever dreamt of owning your own travel business or would like to cut costs by doing away with your IATA license and improve your current business efficiencies then you should call eTravel. We run the back office for over 200 Independent Travel Companies and specialise in making your travel business a success by offering the best commissions, overrides & a comprehensive support structure. If you have a client base, 5 years travel consultant experience or already own your own business but want to make more, then contact us! You’ll be amazed at how easy it is!

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TNW7136

No Too early to tell Yes

Will taxes on international visitors, such as those imposed by New Zealand and Japan, prevent over-tourism?

Taxes to tackle over-tourism?

49%

32%

19%

Cruises International launched its Luxury Collection at a special event at the Mesh Club, in Rosebank, Johannesburg. Building on its growth of the luxury segment in 2018, the collection groups together Cruises International’s luxury cruise brands – Seabourn, Oceania Cruises, AmaWaterways, Crystal Cruises and Windstar Cruises – as a way of differentiating them from the other brands. Pictured at the launch are Seymour Brugger, Cruises International’s luxury brand manager; and Lizelle van Zyl, business development manager of the Luxury Collection. Photo: Jason Simpson

Curious about luxurious?Industry rethinks ‘agent’ titleSarah robertSon and teSSa reed

INDUSTRY is calling for agents to rebrand themselves. The nature of the travel

industry has changed significantly over time and for consumers to understand the value travel agents offer, it’s time to review how they are designated.

This is the sentiment of local industry players following a call by the American Society of Travel Agents, encouraging the industry to switch from using the term ‘travel agent’ to ‘travel adviser’.

The call was made by Asta in an open letter, endorsed by over 60 travel companies.

“Today’s travel agents are no longer mere booking intermediaries. They have become trusted advisers –

akin to financial planners – who make the overall travel experience better and provide both leisure and business travellers maximum value for their travel dollar,” reads the letter.

In the letter, the association challenged its industry colleagues to follow the rebranding initiative and come together with “one voice”. It was also endorsed by companies representing hotels, cruise lines, tour operators and other suppliers.

Consultants are no longer what they used to be – that is, agents acting on behalf of suppliers, says ceo of Asata, Otto de Vries. Today’s agents offer specialised services based on their knowledge and expertise to advise customers on how to make the right choices for business and leisure travel, he says. “It has become

more obvious that the name ‘travel agent’ is probably no longer fit for purpose.”

However, he adds, Asta’s call follows a slow and steady change that has taken place organically. “Asata has had similar conversations and this will be a topic at the association’s board meeting in March.”

“I have been a travel adviser for years now,” says Teresa Smith, travel adviser for 2Travel. “I have not used the term ‘travel agent’ since airlines stopped paying us commission.”

“I like the term ‘travel adviser’,” says Shannon Botha, senior consultant at Sure Etnique Travel.

“We do not merely make bookings; we advise on the entire journey that ends up being an experience of a lifetime. There seems to be a stigma attached to the word ‘agent’,” she says. n

Egypt high season hit by visa delays teSSa reed

THE processing time for visa applications to Egypt has been extended from five to 21 business days. This comes during high season, when agents are processing bookings for scheduled tours.

The embassy told TNW that the decision had been taken to “improve the delivery of the consulate services”.

Twenty-one business days works out to a month-

long processing time, Michelle Kendall, Visalogix owner, points out.

The difference in processing times has come without warning and in the midst of high season for SA travellers to Egypt, she says, and some clients are looking at alternatives to Egypt because of the risk of not getting visas on time.

Moreover, Michelle says there is no option to apply for an expedited visa at an additional cost.

The spokesperson for the embassy says the embassy in South Africa is always keen to meet deadlines and grant all possible facilities to South Africans.

In a separate development, applicants are now required to provide a certified copy of the information page in their passports. Applicants will need to submit a certified copy every time they apply for a new visa, marketing director at Visas International, Robert Ramsden, told TNW. n

SAA resumes Blantyre servicesSAA has resumed operations to Blantyre, Malawi.

This follows the conclusion of audit and inspection process at Chileka International Airport in Blantyre. SAA suspended its operations after it was found that the airport was not fully compliant with the conditions of its operating

licence.The South African Civil

Aviation Authority informed SAA on Friday afternoon that it was satisfied with the measures they had taken in response to the situation at the airport.

“We truly apologise to our passengers and customers for the inconvenience

caused by the suspension of services for the last two weeks. Safety of our passengers and crew will always remain paramount in our operations,” said SAA spokesperson, Tlali Tlali.

Customers with enquiries can contact SAA on 011 978 1111 or 0861 606 606. n

Airlink puts biz class on two routesAIRLINK has added business class to its services from Cape Town to Hoedspruit and Nelspruit.

The E-Jet services on the routes will now offer an intra-continental-style business-class service, with six seats

in business class, and 92 economy-class seats with a generous pitch in a two-two seating configuration.

The cabins will feature large windows and overhead space for carry-on items. Every seat offers either a

window or aisle option.Through its alliance with

SAA, Airlink passengers can enjoy convenient connections with SAA, its Star Alliance partner airlines and other carriers throughout Southern Africa and the world. n