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SOuTHErN AFriCA’S TrAVEL NEwS wEEkLyAugust 12 2009 I No. 2070

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NEWS‘StAycAtionS’

SA pax travel closer to home

NEWSLA meRcy AiRPoRt

Expensive white elephant?

TrAVEL NEwS wEEkLy

fEaTurESenSAtionAL

South AmeRicAAffordable & accessible

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TRAVEL agents in South Africa could follow the lead of

their US counterparts, who are renegotiating their sales targets with preferred suppliers due to weakened demand and price discounting.

American agents have taken a proactive approach to preferred agreements, renegotiating their deals as early as the first quarter of 2009.

With BSP figures dropping massively in South Africa, agent sales are taking a knock leaving agents unable to achieve sales targets and overrides.

Iata’s latest international scheduled traffic results show passenger demand dropped by 7,2%, compared with the same month the previous year.

Said Giovanni Bisignani, Iata dg and ceo: “Airlines are seeing international revenue falls of up to 30% at the start of the busy June-August period when airlines traditionally make their money. The outlook remains bleak.”

In SA, BSP figures for the first quarter were down

23%, while in the second quarter they were 31% down compared with the same periods the previous year.

Tight-lippedWhile airlines operating into

South Africa are tight-lipped about the specifics of their renegotiations, they recognise the need to look after their preferred agreements.

Lufthansa and Swiss International Air Lines say they see preferred agent agreements as an integral part of their professional relationship forged over many years with agents.

“We cannot ignore the current crisis and the effects it has on the market. Our fundamental understanding of working together is to analyse the situation and to find adequate solutions. Lufthansa and Swiss are in regular dialogue with their preferred agents and have also now developed and

implemented solutions,” said Gabriel Leupold, md Southern and Eastern Africa for Lufthansa and Swiss.

Delta Air Lines told TNW it was “working closely” with agents. “The information is sensitive for competitive reasons, but we continue to work closely with the trade in South Africa in a competitive environment,” explained Jimmy Eichelgruen, sales director: Africa, the Middle East and India.

While in theory renegotiation may seem the only option, issues around preferred supplier agreements and anti-competitive behaviour have shrouded the issue in secrecy.

Holiday Tours md, Otto de Vries, warned that negotiations with airlines would not be as easy as agents would hope.

“I think that generally airlines may be anticipating an upturn in the next year. If the override target was to be reduced dramatically, they (airlines) would lose out tremendously if there was an upturn. I think it would be easier for agents to

JeaNette PhilliPs

FOLLOWING its 10% fare increase in July, Emirates has again increased fares by up to 5% to all destinations in all classes from August 4.

In July, Emirates regional manager Southern Africa, Fouad Caunhye, defended the airline’s decision to increase fares by saying

Emirates was implementing more realistic total prices for any journey in an effort to stabilise the industry as a whole (TNW, July 1 2009).

Agents have reacted angrily to the announcement. R&M Global Travel Service consultant Jan Levitan said she believed more airlines would follow suit. “As most people

Renegotiate!SA travel agents should consider renegotiating their overrides and incentives as BSP figures plummet, reports Melody Brandon

To page 12 To page 2

Kenya Airways is increasing its Nairoboi-Mombasa schedule from 27 to 58 flights a week using a B767-300ER aircraft to serve the high-frequency route on Wednesdays and weekends. The airline is also gearing up to launch three weekly flights to Gaborone on September 3. The connections for South Africans with Kenya Airways’ three daily flights from Johannesburg mean Mombasa is now closer than ever, say (from left) Bathi Pendu, ticketing agent; Melissa Dolby, sales executive and Edith Tabane, reservations Photo: Tijana Huysamen

mombasa mad!

eK’s next fare hike angers agents

“We cannot ignore the current crisis and the effects it has on the

market.”

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

Published by Lugan Investments (Pty) Ltd trading as Now Media Printed by Juka Printing (Pty) Ltd

EDITORAL Editor: Natalia Thomson nataliat@nowmedia.co.za Sub -Editor: Ann Braun annb@nowmedia.co.za Cape Town Editor: Hilka Birns hilkab@nowmedia.co.za Journalists: Jeanette Phillips jeanettep@nowmedia.co.zaNatasha Tippel natashat@nowmedia.co.zaMelody Brandon melodyb@nowmedia.co.za Photo Journalist: Tijana Huysamen tijanah@nowmedia.co.zaFounding Editors: John H Marsh (1914-1996) Leona Marsh (1923-2003)

ADVERTISING Sales Manager Kate Nathan katen@nowmedia.co.za Advertising Coordinator: Lana Sachs lanas@nowmedia.co.za

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2 n Wednesday August 12 2009 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

TNW NEWS

The famous “Mr. Ed vs. Francis the Talking Mule” debates

EK’s next fare hike angers agentsFrom page 1are battling to find enough money for even the current low airfares, air traffic is going to fall off even more.”

Said another agent who asked not to be named: “Emirates has increased its

fares by 15% in two months. It’s absolutely crazy. Our clients are not happy and they will fly other airlines from now on.”

And said Shireen Badrudin, Travel Centre Malek Travel and Tours: “Passengers are

definitely price conscious and I think Emirates will be losing a lot of passengers to Etihad and Qatar as their fares are lower and will be even lower after the additional 5%.”

● See Pulse Poll on page 12 for further comments. n

Melody Brandon

NO-SHOW penalties may become a reality in October next year if the

Consumer Protection Act sees airlines penalised for overbook-ing.

“While the Act seeks to protect passengers, the government also realises that an air ticket has a shelf life. You can’t sell food that has gone off, just like you can’t sell a seat on an airline once the plane has left,” said Barsa ceo, Allan Moore.

Allan said there were a lot of “ifs” and “buts” about the finer details of the CPA, but the penalty for no-shows would more than likely be a non-refund to the consumer.

“The reality is, if airlines overbook a flight, they will have to reimburse the passenger as well as pay denied boarding compensation and will face huge penalties. In the same vein, if airlines can’t overbook,

then they will have to penalise no-shows,” he said, adding that different airlines would have different policies in this regard.

In a recent webinar conducted by TNW’s sister publication, Business Travel Now, Aasa ceo, Chris Zweigenthal, said, depending on the sector, airlines expected anything from a 10% to 20% no-show rate on flights.

“If you start refusing the ability of airlines to overbook, this could have a huge loss impact for the airline industry.”

Agents dividedIn a recent poll conducted

by TNW, 60% of agents were against no-show penalties, while 40% were for them.

“I can see it from both sides, so it’s hard to say whether I am for or against. Clients certainly don’t like to hear that they will be penalised, but I think that the biggest concern for travel agents will

be receiving ADMs because they booked the flight. How will the airline contact the client directly if they don’t know who they are?” said Travel Counsellor, Helen Aitchison.

“The intricacies with missed domestic connections, cancelled domestic flights connecting with international flights and various other reasons including weather will be a nightmare,” said Tony Borg from Sure Non-Stop Travel, Durban.

Shirley Kelly, Burns Cunningham Corporate Travel, says: “If we’ve ticketed a booking and the passenger has all the documentation and doesn’t let the agent know, we have no control over the no-show and should not be held liable. However, if we are informed, we have a responsibility to go into the booking and cancel it. If the agent is holding a booking and hasn’t ticketed it, we should be penalised.” n

No-show penalties ahead ?

Top web stories

● BA reduces JNB services● Monday smile: Pilot humour● Taxpayers will save SAA again● Possible strike at airports may cause delays● EK implements self-service policy for agents● Thai passenger jet crashes in Koh Samui● Kulula to connect to Galileo● Weak demand, falling load factors – Iata● Emirates celebrates Durban service● Plastic bags prohibited in Rwanda

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Be astonished...The only daily non-stop flights to Cairo with easy connection to many Middle Eastern and European cities.For more information visit: www.egyptair.comor contact our Johannesburg Office on (011) 327-0258/9 or our Cape Town Office (021) 421-7503/13

Jeanette PhilliPs

BRITISH Airways has announced that it will further amend

its winter 2009 schedule by reducing flights between London Heathrow and several destinations, including Johannesburg.

BA spokesperson, Stephen Forbes, said in response to the current economic

climate the airline was making some cancellations to its Iata winter (SA summer) schedule. These will mainly affect the five additional services it began operating to Johannesburg in June.

“We continue to fly twice daily to Johannesburg, except on Christmas Day when we’ll operate one flight. Our Cape

Town frequencies are unaffected. We will evaluate reintroducing the additional frequencies after March.”The cancellations are: ● BA033/034 – between September 13 and October 6. ● BA033/034 – between October 25 and March 28 2010 ● BA056/057 – December 25 and December 26 n

hilka Birns

CAPE Town’s inner-city renewal will be boosted in November with the opening of the R500m Taj Cape Town in the St George’s Mall precinct.

“It will provide guests with an authentic Cape Town experience because of its location in close proximity to the vibrant inner-city with its diversity of culture, art, entertainment, restaurants and rich heritage,” says sales & marketing manager, Theo Cromhout,

Theo says part of the marketing strategy is to attract more Capetonians to the CBD by offering a Jiva Spa (specialising in Indian Ayurveda treatments), two new restaurants, a seafood and champagne bar with live evening entertainment, and a cocktail and cigar bar.

The 176-room Taj Cape Town will be housed in two of the city’s oldest buildings and a 17-storey new tower block. Workers have converted the original SA Reserve Bank (built in 1929) and the BOE building, formerly the Temple Chambers (built in

1890). The ground floor of the Reserve Bank will become the hotel lobby, with the original marble columns and skylight.

Eleven room types include a Presidential Suite, 10 Heritage Suites and the Taj Club floor with a private lounge and dedicated butlers. Within the restored buildings there will be 30 Heritage luxury rooms, combining old-world interiors with modern conveniences. The new tower will house 122 modern rooms.

The first floor of the BOE building will house eight banqueting and meeting rooms catering for up to 110 guests, as well as two boardrooms and a business centre. A fitness centre and spa with a heated indoor pool and two saunas will complete the picture.

The Taj Cape Town is a 50/50 joint venture between property investor Eurocape and Tata’s Indian Hotels company, which owns Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces, one of Asia’s largest hotel companies. Taj Cape Town will be the first Taj hotel in South Africa. n

● Lufthansa is offering a group offer on its flights with up to 30% off. Valid for sales until September 15 and travel from October 25 to March 27.● British T.I.P.S. – The ‘Edinburgh Break & Scottish Evening’ package includes two nights at the Thistle King James with breakfast, a Scottish evening with a three-course meal, haggis ceremony and Scottish cabaret, a three-day Edinburgh pass with entrance to 27 attractions, airport transfers and retail discounts. The rate from R3 920 per person sharing is valid during September. Excludes flights. ● Trafalgar Tours is offering an 'Italian Holiday' package from R10 640 per person sharing. The rate includes six nights’ first-class hotel accommodation, breakfast daily, selected dinners, touring by luxury coach, services of a tour director and local guides, fabulous sightseeing, return airport transfers and all service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes. Valid for departure September 14. Applies to new bookings from August 1 to 15.

BA reduces JNB services

Taj Hotel will boost Cape Town inner-city renewal

Theo Cromhout, sales & marketing manager of the new Taj Cape Town

Travelinfo ,s Hayley Cochran selects the top specials from Travelinfo

Specials Spot

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6 n Wednesday August 12 2009 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

NEWS

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Neal McAlpine, MD, has been with SLT since 1996.

With a great depth of experience in the skiing industry, Neal is a veteran

of 13 winter seasons in Austria.

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Natalia thomsoN

SEPTEMBER is going to be Thai month in Gauteng, as consumers

and agents are invited to two incredible events.

South Africa is receiving renewed focus from the Tourism Authority of Thailand as a “developing market” with successful road shows held recently in the country.

“TAT arranged a road show in Johannesburg and Cape Town with 40 hotels from Thailand to create further awareness of more destinations and special offers from hotels with Kenya Airways now coming on board to promote Thailand as a favourite destination for South Africans,” says marketing representative, Leon Els.

SA is counted among Thailand’s top 12 inbound source markets and South Africans benefit from good exchange rate, service excellence and safety.

Leon admits that the country

has seen an 8% drop in tourist numbers from SA, and says several joint ventures with airlines and hotels have meant increased awareness of the great specials available, especially to Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui.

The Royal Thai Embassy will be leveraging off this awareness with its Amazing Thailand event at the Capital Arts Festival in Pretoria on September 3 and the Thailand Grand Festival at Johannesburg’s Zoo Lake on September 12 and 13.

The events will showcase the many facets of Thailand and enable locals to experience Thai culture and heritage. The Amazing Thailand event will include a Thai small puppet play with a collection of 50 traditional Thai puppets.

The Thailand Grand Festival will showcase food, arts and craft stalls. The event is free and will also include a Thai Silk Village and Thai cooking ingredients and herbs. n

melody BraNdoN

WITH international leisure travel down, local hotels are capitalising on ‘Staycations’, a new trend that sees South Africans holidaying closer to home.

Protea Hotels has seen an increase in local corporates extending their business stays into leisure stays.

“We have certainly found that the market is choosing to stay closer to home. It is quicker and cheaper to pack the car and travel for an hour or two to get to your holiday destination than to travel overseas,” said Protea Hotels’ marketing and revenue director, Danny Bryer.

“We have seen the same trend as well,” said City Lodge sales and marketing manager, Peter Schoeman. “Many people, due to the current economic climate, would rather spend their money locally. We have shifted the brand and are allowing for shorter lead times for the leisure market.”

Hotels are not the only ones to capitalise on

the trend. Tour operator, Thompsons Holidays, has also seen the gap to promote local travel. Media manager, John Ridler, said travel agents too could benefit from the move to local travel.

“The economic downturn has definitely seen a ripple effect in the SA travel industry. Whereas travel agents were booking holidays in Paris, London or Mauritius last year, they now have the opportunity to sell a more reasonably priced local holiday. If the client is not sure if they want to commit to an overseas trip, the agent can recommend a product closer to home. Once the economy improves, they have a relationship with that client and can upsell accordingly.

“We recently sent travel agents on a tour organised by Thompsons in conjunction with the KZN tourism board to see what Natal has to offer as a tourist destination. This assists travel agents in becoming more proactive. They are now in a position to offer something for anyone who comes to their agency.” he said. n

Natasha tippel

WORLD Travel has released details of the first overnight train service between Paris and Moscow.

The train departs Paris Gare de l’Est at 20h20, arriving at Berlin HBF at 09h30 next morning. Passengers boards the train for the second leg of the journey at 15h15, arriving at Moscow Bielowruskaia

station at 20h35. Overall, the trip takes 46

hours.There is a choice of sleeper

cabins (including double, single and triple) and the train is equipped with a restaurant and snack bar.

The service is available three times a week during the summer season and twice a week in winter. Prices are from €497 (R5 501). n

Tease your Thai senses in September

The Hin Lad Temple, located on the west coast of Koh Samui, marks the gateway to the pristine Hin Lad Waterfall, as yet a relatively undiscovered highlight on the island. South African tour operators are starting to put packages together to the beautiful Thai island of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. Keep a look out for TNW’s bumper Thai feature in the issue dated October 28 Photo: Natalia Thomson

Sell your clients ‘staycations’!

Tell us: Do you think offering local products will stimulate your business? Email melodyb@nowmedia.co.za

New Paris-Moscow rail service

to the point ☞● Emirates has introduced the Travel Agent Self-service Policy globally across all its points of contact. Agents will have to perform certain tasks and will no longer be supported by Emirates contact centres, agency support units and CTOs. These tasks include: special meal reservation; advanced seat reservation; booking on chauffeur drive for first- and business-class passengers; Skyward registrations; information about excess baggage rates; and fare confirmations for published fares.

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AirHeadssponsored by Virgin Atlantic Airways

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Kate els

DURBAN’S new international airport at La Mercy is an

ambitious project, in the hope that international airlines would rush to open routes to KwaZulu Natal. Unfortunately, airlines haven’t really taken the bait.

Emirates has been enthusiastically promoting its new route to Durban, which will commence in October, but Acsa says it hasn’t been shown any further interest from international carriers.

Spokesperson for Acsa, Colin Naidoo, says that the airport is being built to cater for 7,5m passengers annually and has the potential to cater

for 45m annually by 2060. But despite these numbers he reports that “at this stage we have not received any indications of any other international airline wanting to fly directly to Durban other than Emirates”.

The airport currently handles around 5m passengers annually.

Said Colin: “We are confident that Acsa and other relevant stakeholders [will] be part of a process that will ensure that Durban and KwaZulu Natal are marketed as a destination of choice.”

Tourism KwaZulu-Natal says it will endeavour to prove critics wrong and is determined to grasp the potential the new operation

will bring. “Tourism KwaZulu-Natal is elated that Emirates will be launching direct flights to our beautiful province, which will now be opened to the world – making inbound and outbound travel far easier and cost effective. As Tourism KZN, we have pledged our support for Emirates to make the route a resounding success and prove sceptics wrong,” commented ceo, Ndabo Khoza.

Emirates will operate a daily flight from October 1, inbound and outbound, to Dubai from the Durban International Airport and later the new King Shaka Airport. The Airbus 330-200 will service the route with 27 business-class and 251 economy-class seats. n

melody BraNdoN

ZAMBEZI Airlines has introduced a fourth frequency between Johannesburg and Ndola.

The service will operate on Saturdays from August 28, departing Johannesburg at 11h20 and arriving in Ndola at 13h35.

The return flight departs Ndola at 14h10, arriving in

Johannesburg at 16h25.“This service is seen as

a boost for travel to and from the Copperbelt in Zambia and it means that Zambezi Airlines will now be operating flights from Johannesburg to Ndola on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Seat factors on the Ndola flights are improving every week and the addition of

the fourth frequency is seen a positive response by the airline to the growing demand for this important route,” said Bets Combrink, gm Holiday Aviation, Zambezi Airlines GSA.

The new service has already been loaded into Zambezi’s Videcom reservation system and is reflected in the GDS systems. n

VS and V Australia announce FFP partnershipVIRGIN Atlantic and V Australia have announced a new loyalty programme agreement which allows travellers to earn miles when flying on the networks of both airlines. Virgin’s Flying Club members and V Australia’s Velocity members to earn Velocity Points or Flying ClubMiles on both V Australia and Virgin Atlantic flights. The two airlines are working on plans to introduce reciprocal mileage redemption.

Zanzibar airport taxes included in airfareEFFECTIVE August 1, the U$30 departure tax currently payable at Zanzibar airport will be collected by the various airlines and incorporated into the airfare.

QR expands to European capitalsFOllOwING its recent decision to add three flights on the Doha-Paris route, bringing it to double daily from October, Qatar Airways is adding capacity to Madrid, Athens and Stockholm – an almost 40% increase in frequency to the four cities. The four times a week Madrid service will increase to daily, effective December 2. Athens, currently daily, will increase over a five-month period beginning in October, to double-daily services from March 2010. The Stockholm service will get an extra weekly service on Thursdays, beginning October 25. October 25 marks the start of the northern winter schedules, and the Paris schedule will increase from 11 to 14 flights a week offering passengers a double daily service. The flights offer excellent connections via Doha to a wide network of cities across the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and the Far East.

Lufthansa seeks to extend OS deallUFTHANSA has asked the Austrian Takeover Commission to extend the deadline to complete its deal to buy Austrian Airlines, as it battles to address EU antitrust concerns. Although the airline is nearing an agreement with the European Commission, whose approval is required for the deal, it said it would not be able to get formal approval by the July 31 deadline.

La Mercy – an expensive white elephant?

Zambezi Airlines adds JNB-NLA flight

An artist’s impression of the new Durban airport

8 n Wednesday August 12 2009 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

Affordability and increased access into South America have resulted in greater interest in the destination. Sue Lewitton brings you the latest news.

THE launch of SAA’s Johannesburg-Buenos Aires route in April this

year was greeted with much enthusiasm by the trade. In fact, demand has been so strong that the airline has just added an extra frequency, upping the flights from twice-weekly, to three a week.

Miles Willis, md of Sure Tours, says the ease of access with more flights and no visa requirements has helped to generate more interest in South America as a holiday destination for South Africans. “This has also been helped by the good rand exchange rate, which has meant that prices are cheaper than they are in the UK, Europe and US,” says Miles.

Deon Freemantle, head of marketing for LAN in SA, says SAA’s additional flights are a positive move for the

whole industry. “Argentina is a very popular destination for South Africans as it is still very affordable with many more options to choose from on arrival in Buenos Aires, as LAN connects all our passengers seamlessly from there.”

Argentina and Brazil continue to be the most popular South American destinations for the South African traveller.

Lal Jayamaha, md of Serendipity Tours, says Rio de Janeiro is still the main tourist city in Brazil. “It has a happy-go-lucky feeling with its friendly people, a buzzing nightlife, Copacabana beach, and of course the world-famous Corcovado as the main attraction,” she says. “Buenos Aires in Argentina is dubbed the ‘Paris of South America’, and is also very appealing to South Africans.”

LAN has just installed its new premium business and renewed economy class on all long-haul flights to destinations in North America, the Caribbean, Europe, South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia. It is also offered on some flights within South America.

Premium business class

offers fully flat sleeper-style seats. Seat panels provide increased privacy and amenities, including comforters, soft pillows and newly upholstered chairs. Menus are based on a selection of seasonal products characteristic of South America.

Economy class has also

been refurbished with seats with increased recline and larger individual high-resolution and wide-screen video monitors with on-demand entertainment.

LAN now offers an in-flight entertainment service with 44 movies, 95 TV programmes, 550 music CDs and 14 video games.

ROYAL Caribbean International is featuring several new South American products in its 2009/2010 portfolio.

The Vision of the Seas will be based in South America from November to March 2010. Three-, four-, six-, seven- and eight-night cruises will be on offer out of São Paulo, including the Rio Carnival in February 2010.

Celebrity Cruises' Infinity will also be based there at the same time and will offer 14-night cruises from Valparaiso in Chile to Buenos Aires, and Panama Canal sailings.

Travellers wishing to extend their stay can choose from a selection of fully

escorted land tours offered in combination with cruises departing from or arriving in Buenos Aires and Valparaiso.

Celebrity offers two land tour packages as a pre- or post-cruise option. The five-day, four-night ‘Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls’ package includes visits to gaucho 'estancia', Buenos Aires’ old city San Telmo region and the Puerto Madero neighbourhood. It also includes a flight to Iguazu Falls, where guests spend two days. The six-day, five-night ‘Machu Picchu Adventure’ package lets guests experience the Sacred Valley of the Incas in the Cuzco region, and the capital,Lima.

Book it!Serendipity Tours

is offering a five night package

exploring both Rio de Janeiro and Buzios. The package includes flights from

Johannesburg to Rio de Janeiro, via São Paulo and all transfers. Three nights will be spent at the four-star Augustos Copacabana in Rio and two nights at the three-star Hibiscus Hotel in Buzios, both in a double room on a bed and breakfast basis. Half-day tours of Corcovado and the Sugar Loaf are included. The price is R15 620pps, including approximate airport taxes.

Vibrant colours, music, and culture are celebrated at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro in February Photo: Stock Xchange

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Price Includes:● Airfare Jnb/Bue/Jnb on MH● Return transfers airport / hotel / airport● 4 Nights Accommodation at the

3* superior Dazzler Libertad in a twin room on a bed & breakfast basis

● Half Day City Tour● Dinner & Tango Show -

El Querandi● Approximate airport taxes ● Travel Insurance

(cover for R3 000 000 up to 65 years of age)

● Serendipity Travel Bag Price per person sharingR10 320.00Valid until 30 September 09

Tango in Buenos Aires

Contact Serendipity Tours on 031 301 5230Email : ushara@serendipitytours.co.za TNW5043

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QUICK READ FOR bUSIESt pEOplE Wednesday August 12 2009 n 9

BrazilSA passport holders no longer require visas to enter Brazil as tourists or on business for a maximum period of 90 days. Passports must be valid for a minimum of six months when entering the country. Passports must have a minimum of two clear pages.

Temporary passports are accepted and must be valid for six months. Travellers also require a return or onward ticket and sufficient funds to support themselves while in Brazil.

ArgentinaTourists or business travellers with a South African permanent passport do not require visas to enter Argentina for a stay of up to 90 days. South African temporary passport holders can enter Argentina for any purpose but need a visa.

PeruSouth African nationals travelling to Peru as tourists for a maximum period of 183 days (six months) do not require a visa. Neither do passengers in transit for a maximum period of two days. Every traveller must be able to produce a return ticket and, upon request, proof of sufficient funds for the duration of stay. Business visas are required for those businessmen who will be receiving financial remuneration while in Peru from a local company or from a foreign subject established in Peru.

THE Radisson Hotel Maceió in Brazil is scheduled to open in October. The property, situated on Pajuçara Beach and close to the famous natural swimming pools, will

feature 195 rooms, including 18 suites, a convention centre that can accommodate up to 640 people, a restaurant with beach views, and a bistro.

THE Rezidor Hotel Group plans to open the Hotel Missoni Ilha de Cajaíba in Brazil, which is scheduled to open its doors in early 2012.

The hotel will be part of a luxury, eco-friendly resort development on the island of Cajaíba, within the Bahia de Todos os Santos (All Saints’ Bay). It is located 40km from the international airport and the city of Salvador.

The hotel will feature 118 rooms, including

48 suites, and 32 villas with views of the golf course and the ocean, two restaurants, including the Missoni Cucina, and a bar. Leisure facilities include a private beach and swimming pool. Guests will also have access to the island’s other facilities, including a signature golf course, five other luxury hotels, a conference centre, a sports centre, a marina, water sports and yacht club, health spas, retail shops, and a heliport.

SONESTA International Hotels opened two new hotels in Chile in early July.

The 120-room Sonesta Hotel Concepción features 120 rooms and the Sonesta Hotel Osorno offers 123 rooms.

Both hotels feature a business centre, meeting space for up to 300 guests, a restaurant, a lobby bar, WiFi access, a fitness centre, an executive floor with breakfast daily, and access to a casino and shopping arcade.

Book it!Holiday tours is offering a Rio Carnival package

from R17 990 (JNB), R19 560 (DBN), and R18 710 (CPT). The special includes return economy-

class flights on SAA and TAM Airlines, ex-JNB, prepayable airport taxes and current fuel levies, return airport transfers in Rio, five nights’ accommodation at the three-star Windsor Martinique Copa Hotel, and breakfast daily. The packages exclude tickets to Sambadrome (these are available on request), meals not specified, and visa fees. The offer is valid for travel between February 12 and 17, 2010.

The ruins of Machu Picchu, rediscovered in 1911, are one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites in the world Photo: Stock Xchange

Tel: 011 452-0244E-mail: lan@ludowell.co.za www.lan.com

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10 n Wednesday August 12 2009 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

PillowTalkA brief look at this week's hotel news

workshopsON-LINE

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Stay connected at the DonTHE Don Group, in partnership with Always On and Internet Solutions, has announced the availability of Always On wireless Internet access at all Don Suite Hotels countrywide. The Wi-Fi connection and access will be available anywhere in the hotel and not only at designated points and open areas.

The Manor House reopensTHE De Hoop Collection has announced the reopening of The Manor House after refurbishment. The property is about three hours from Cape Town and each of the three en-suite rooms has a Victorian-style bathroom with separate shower. “The opening of the Manor House means that we are now able to offer fully catered options to guests for the first time. This is ideal for people who want to enjoy the peace of De Hoop Nature Reserve in luxurious accommodation without having to worry about taking care of their own meals,” says Kate Naughton, marketing manager of the De Hoop Collection. Manor House guests can take all their meals at the Fig Tree restaurant, which offers à la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner menus and has a shaded terrace overlooking the De Hoop Nature Reserve.

Harbour Bridge awarded four starsThe new Harbour Bridge Hotel & Suites located on Cape Town’s dynamic Foreshore development has been awarded four stars by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa. With frontage on the new Roggebaai Canal and within walking distance of the CTICC and on the fringe of the V&A Waterfront, the hotel offers 40 quality rooms and 17 luxury suites.

Natalia thomsoN

THE new UK visa regime for South Africans means the country’s

iris recognition immigration system (IRIS) has been changed for SA passport holders.

IRIS is a means of border control that allows registered passengers to enter the UK quickly through automated barriers at certain airports.

It makes use of the fact that the pattern of the iris in each person's eye (the coloured part of the eye) is unique.

This makes it possible for a person to be identified simply by looking into a special camera.

Iris recognition is a form of biometrics that is a fast, secure and fraud-resistant way to check a person's identity.

The IRIS system uses a photograph of the iris pattern, converts it into a digital code and then compares it with others stored in a secure database.

How biometrics worksWhen it matches the

captured iris pattern with the corresponding one on the database and the registration is still valid, that person can enter the United Kingdom by passing through the IRIS barrier located in the immigration arrival hall.

It usually takes between five and 10 minutes to register for IRIS. A registered traveller entering the United Kingdom can cross an IRIS barrier in about 20 seconds.

South African travellers, who want to use IRIS, must

now enrol at one of the IRIS enrolment rooms located in the airside departures area of: ● all five Heathrow terminals; ● Manchester terminals 1 and 2; ● Birmingham terminal 1; and ● Gatwick North and South terminals.

Passengers must re-enrol even if they were already enrolled on IRIS before July 1.

When they enrol, they will need to present the UK Border Agency enrolment officer with:● a valid passport or travel document; ● a valid visa or identity card for foreign nationals (residence permit) confirming their immigration status in the United Kingdom; and their boarding card. n

UK-bound pax must re-enrol for IRIS

1st P

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QUICK READ FOR bUSIESt pEOplE Wednesday August 12 2009 n 11

Kate els

CRIES for the bolstering of accommodation for

the 2010 Soccer World Cup have been heard from all corners of the industry. And while the Local Organising Committee has said it won’t be a concern during the tournament, basic maths, says economist, Mike Schussler, doesn’t paint the same picture.

Taking into account the graded rooms for 2010, including not only hotels but accommodation such as guest lodges and B&Bs, Mike says looking at the January 2009 figures from Statistics SA, bed nights for the period of the tournament total around 201 800.

He says taking into account normal occupancy for June and July (50%) and assuming that half of South Africa’s normal tourists stay away during this period, as was the case during prior tournaments, this leaves approximately 151 350 bed nights available for the Fifa family and attending soccer fans. Mike removes a further 10% from this number for establishments not located near any of the hosting venues e.g. those in outlying areas.

He explains further that predictions regarding attendance numbers,

including those of Grant Thornton, forecast around 480 000 arrivals during that period, and assuming half of the arrivals come for the first half of the tournament, it leaves a deficit of around 103 000 bed nights.

Says Mike: “Perhaps some stay with family and friends, but what about a peak period like the quarter finals, played in fewer cities?

“While some hotels still need to come online and some estimates could underestimate actual beds available, the fact remains that at 480 000, South Africa would be hard-pressed to accommodate all the people concerned.”

Danny Bryer, Marketing and Revenue director for Protea Hotels, says he hopes nobody is building hotels purely for the World Cup. “Protea Hotels are looking at developments in outlying areas, like Polokwane, Rustenburg, Bloemfontein, Nelspruit and Kimberley based on the economic growth in these areas, which has ensured growth in occupancies from a corporate and government travel perspective. The World Cup will enhance the economic and structural environment, such as roads and transport, which will, in turn stimulate growth to these areas beyond 2010.” n

SpecialiZed Travel perSonnel

TNW

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Airport Lounge Supervisor - CTIABe responsible for a team servicing the Airport Lounge for reputable airline. Provide guidance, training and empower the team. Liaising with service providers; overseeing and collating daily statistics also form part of the job description. Candidates should have experience in airport operations and have previously held a supervisory role. Does involve shift work. Kati

Pricing & Yield ManagerTake responsibility for developing, maintaining and controlling dynamic pricing for top car rental company. This will include developing a pricing model to ensure maximum yield; planning pricing and rates; as well as liaising with channel and fleet managers. Candidates must have pricing, fleet and yield management experience, strong analytical skills, good business acumen, and strong IT systems knowledge. Kati

Snr VIP Consultant – Based MidrandThis is not a standard senior consultant role and candidates must have a proven record of having dealt with top VIP travelers. Will be providing a 24 hour exclusive service to an extremely affluent client base. Candidates must have strong travel consulting skills; be extremely well presented and able to visit clients at their offices/homes and have excellent up-market product knowledge and the ability to 'get the impossible'. Will be provided with laptop and 3G card. Salary negotiable but will be based on high basic and lucrative commission. Kati

Int/Snr Consultant – Hyde ParkAn initial six month contract with a view to permanent employment. Will be based in Hyde Park handling predominantly corporate travel, with off-spin leisure bookings. Will be handling mainly international and Africa bookings. Be part of an exciting new initiative. R7000/R12000 plus commission scheme. Kati

Junior Travel Consultant - SandtonSmall established agency affiliated to a large travel group requires a junior with minimum 1 years experience. Will be exposed to international travel and training and guidance will be given. 70% corporate, 30% leisure travel. Drivers license and own car essential. Tracey

Marketing Co-ordinator – SandtonPlay an important role within the marketing department of highly successful inbound travel company. Responsibilities include: putting together educational trips for agents; media familiarisation trips; updating spreadsheets and data base; and assisting with various marketing projects. Previous experience within inbound travel is required. Tracey

BDM with a difference – Based SandtonThis position entails business development for a very specialised field and only candidates with this specific experience should apply. Candidates must have called on medical associations with the view to handling their conferences/congresses. Previous experience handling this role and having a proven track of being successful in doing so, is absolutely essential. The company is prepared to pay a very attractive package for this expertise. Kati

New Business Sales ExecutiveEmphasis is on establishing new business and candidates must have a proven track record. Will be calling on corporate companies. Will be employed on an initial 6 month contract with a view to a permanent position. Will be working for a highly regarded Managing Director with a solid reputation. R12000/R14000 plus lucrative commission, plus petrol and cell allowance. Kati

Cargo Sales Executive – Based ORTIAInternational carrier requires a pro-active, self-motivated sales executive to drive the cargo side of the business. Previous cargo experience will be an advantage. Kati

Manage Boutique Hotel - CenturionManage a small, 6 roomed exclusive boutique hotel. Responsiblities include managing the front office, bar and kitchen. Relevant hospitality experience is required. Kati

Senior Inbound Consultant – SandtonYour solid inbound skills will be greatly appreciated by this highly successful operation. An opportunity to thrive & flourish within this stable environment. Tracey

Italian Inbound Consultant – SandtonIf you are fluent in Italian and have inbound experience you are sought after! Join highly regarded inbound operator! Tracey

Snr Credit Controller – Cape TownPlan and coordinate daily activities of the Credit Control Team for large, highly successful travel company. Job description also includes executing debt collection processes; conducting age analysis; reconciling accounts and maintaining customer relationships. A minimum of 3 years supervisory experience within credit control will be appreciated. Tracey

General Accounts – BedfordviewA varied job description. Min 2 years general accounts experience is what you need to join well known company. R8000/R10000. Tracey

THIS WEEK’S TOP JObS

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Specialist honeymoons & tailor-made holidays operator with a twist requires your elite expertise on East Africa combined with Indian Ocean islands. Guru who even

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Tel: Tracey (011) 803 6606 rivonia@nowjobs.co.za

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TRAVEL SPECIALIST Opportunity for highly experienced In-Bound Senior to work in dynamic team. Extensive SA knowledge and excellent communication skills essential.JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT Position out of travel! Studying B.Com and looking for growth opportunity? Impress with your three years experience, balance sheet know-how and general accounting ability.MARKETING MANAGER – NATAL High-profile opening with superb Group. Must have sound Marketing expertise and in-depth understanding of the Travel Industry.GROUPS & INCENTIVES Enjoy travelling? Passionate about South/Southern Africa? Creative itinerary design abilities? Want to earn a superb salary? If it’s yes to all these, this wonderful Operator needs you!!

2010 accommodation: doing the maths

From left: Peter Schoeman (City Lodge), Elaine Bluhm and Kathy Harris (both Rennies HRG), Mary Shilleto (Thompsons Travel) and Clifford Ross (City Lodge) enjoyed the relaunch celebration at City Lodge Katherine St after its recent extensive renovation. The hotel now has a totally fresh, clean, new look, with its beautiful gardens preserved intact

Getting fresh with City Lodge

To advertise on this page contact

Lana on 011 214 7313

or email lanas@nowmedia.co.za

Jobs Jobs Jobs Jobs Looking for a great job?

TNW NEWS

12 n Wednesday August 12 2009 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

eTravel assists senior Travel Consultants to realise their own potential and dreams. If you have ever dreamt of owning your own travel business then you should be calling eTravel. We run the back office for over 180 Independent Travel Companies and specialise in making your travel business a success. If you have a client base, 5 years retail experience, want to double your salary and run your own business then contact us, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is!

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Clients want the best price, Emirates!Will Emirates’ latest price increase deter you from booking passengers on the airline?

n Yes 55%n No 45%

“The clients in this area (leisure) want the best price, and since Emirates has now had two increases, their fares are much higher than other airlines. I can’t see me doing many tickets on Emirates now, unless clients are prepared to pay a higher fare for the convenience of the Durban flight.” Dianne Austin, Anchor Travel“They are still cheaper than the others most of the time! And pay commission, so our mark up can be lower than on other airlines. At least they don’t rip off the clients with ‘fuel taxes’!” Dick Oliemans, Westwood travel“No, the price increase will not deter me. They are one of the few airlines that held out against commission capping, only decreasing commission when they really had to. I will continue to support them, as they have supported us travel agents!” Tammy Macfie, South African Reynolds Travel Centre

For rates and reservations go to www.citylodge.co.za or 0800 113 790

TNW City Lodge

Natalia thomsoN

SOUTH Africa’s domestic and international route

monopoly must come to an end. So says the Democratic Alliance’s shadow transport minister Stuart Farrow who has released the party’s new transport policy this week.

“SAA, SAX and Mango should not dictate the size of the market and other players should be allowed to fill whatever gaps exist due to SAA’s lack of capacity. They (SAA and SAX) are a continued burden on state funding.”

And it is probable that the airline will once again ask government to bail it out this year.

Stuart’s solution is for SAA to be privatised. “In the meantime, opportunity exists for SAA to lease out or concession some of its fleet and routes to private airline companies.”

Comair joint ceo, Gidon Novick, says South Africa is unique in that it funds not only one, but effectively three national carriers. “The national carrier model in SA clearly hasn’t worked as we’ve seen some R20bn spent in the past five years.”

Gidon says the bail-outs are simply unsustainable. “If we look at how this impacts the industry in the current environment, it simply isn’t sustainable to compete with subsidised airlines able to sell seats way below their costs. The level of subsidy has consistently been increasing and government now has to make a difficult decision at a time when there are more pressing needs for their funding like education and safety and security.”

In its policy, the DA also calls for air services to and from South Africa to be liberalised and charter flights encouraged to satisfy peak

demands within an “open skies” policy.

Stuart acknowledges that SA’s main airports are undergoing major expansion and refurbishment programmes linked to increased domestic airline use, the influx of overseas visitors and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Says Stuart: “With any expansion comes the increased management and security of passengers and services. South African airports are the front desk to tourism and the international investor. If we are serious about public transport we need to make sure that Acsa provides adequate facilities for coaches and shuttle services.”

According to the DA’s policy, passenger service levels at SA’s airports would be increased “dramatically” and improvements made to passport and immigration control, passenger check-in facilities, baggage control, apron services and security.

Barsa ceo, Allan Moore, believes many of the issues addressed by the DA’s policy are already being looked at currently. “Nobody is sitting around doing nothing on these issues.” n

‘Privatise SAA’ urges DA

Renegotiate!From page 1renegotiate with tour operators than airlines, given the fact that airlines dictate what the override target is and that it is set for a 12-month period.”

BidTravel md, Allan Lunz, said while targets might be set, agreements needed to be reviewed, due to markets changing constantly.

“The statistics show that BSP is down 31% and we are not immune to these statistics. It is vital to keep a close relationship with

suppliers so that both parties are in a win-win situation.”

Terry Munro, md of Beachcomber, said targets could not remain stagnant. “When sales are up, targets increase so it only makes sense that when sales are down they should be decreased accordingly. You can’t have one-way traffic.”

Sure Travel md, Vanya Lessing, said the group was already in negotiations and suppliers were essentially very willing to renegotiate. “It is

in the suppliers’ interest to protect market share. Both suppliers and retailers need to work in a partnership to get through this downturn.”

Flight Centre communications manager, Amanda Hardy, said preferred agreements should be reviewed at all times and not just in an economic downturn.

“It would be foolish not to renegotiate preferred agreements. Ultimately you want to get a good return for your clients.” n

Gidon Novick