Marriott plans 65 more African hotels

Southern Africa’s Travel News Weekly
April 9 2014 I No. 2296
INSIDE
TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLY
TNW6106SD
NEWS
NEWS
Feature
BUMPER 2014
Consumer Booking sites
Prague & Budapest
Airline and hotel bookings are up
Valuable tools for agents
Different ways to explore the cities
Page 2
Page 5
Page 9
Marriott plans 65 more African hotels
Sue van Winsen
M
ARRIOTT International has
completed its acquisition of the
116-hotel Protea Hospitality
Group (PHG), increasing its presence
in the Middle East and Africa (MEA)
region to more than 160 hotels and
23 000 rooms. According to the latest
published information by Marriott
International, this will make it the
largest hotel company in Africa.
At the same time, Marriott said that
its pipeline of new hotels in the Middle
East and Africa, including Protea’s
pipeline, was now more than 65 hotels
and 14 300 rooms, including more
than 20 hotels and 3 000 rooms in
sub-Saharan Africa. The company
has a strong pipeline of upcoming
properties in Africa, which now also
includes the Protea Hotels brands,
in several markets including Nigeria,
Ethiopia, Ghana, Benin and Algeria.
Marriott International also expects to
recruit more than 5 500 staff over the
next four years to meet the needs of
its growing portfolio of hotels in Africa.
Marriott expects that the Protea
portfolio will be available for booking
on Marriott.com or via Marriott
International’s Global Reservations
Centres toward the end of May,
and the hotels will join the Marriott
All conference specials
at your fingertips
FINDING conference and meetings
venues in South Africa – including
special offers – has never been
this easy.
TNW’s sister publication, Meet DigiMag, a digital publication for meetings
organisers, has launched the Meet
Finder – a database of all meetings
and conference venues in the country,
including details of those with special
deals. Travel agents will find the Meet
Finder searchbox on the eTNW home
page, www.etnw.co.za, where they
can search conference and meetings
venues by location.
Info and special offers on some
thousand venues are updated
throughout the day by our associated
Meet Digi-Mag. The quick-reference tool
pins all venues for a location to a map
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and flags those with special deals in
red. Venues with a special offer are
listed first and details of the deal can
be viewed by hovering your cursor over
the word ‘Special’.
The Meet Finder appears in each
issue of the monthly Meet Digi-Mag and
you can see the full issue by clicking
on ‘Contents’ at the top of the results
page after doing a search.
Meet Finder can be found on the
home pages of the daily issues of
Travel News Weekly, SA Tourism Update,
Travelinfo and Freight & Trading Weekly.
Between them, the sites attract over
20 000 unique corporate conference
organisers, PCOs, travel buyers and
travel and tourism professionals every
week. For more details, contact Sue at
[email protected]. ■
Rewards guest loyalty programme
later, at a point to be announced.
Alex Kyriakidis, president and md of
Marriott International’s MEA region,
said there were no current plans to
change the brands’ identities.
Protea ceo, Arthur Gillis, will join
the Marriott International family as
non-executive chairman for Africa
Development of Marriott International,
focusing on exploring opportunities
for new African hotel growth for all of
Marriott International’s brands. Mark
Satterfield, currently chief operations
officer for Marriott International’s
MEA region, will relocate to Cape
Town, Protea’s headquarters, to act
as business leader overseeing the
integration of the two companies.
Marriott paid approximately R2,02bn
for PHG. As part of the transaction,
the previous owners of PHG created
an independent property ownership
company that retained ownership of
the hotels PHG formerly owned, and
entered into long-term management
and lease agreements with Marriott
for those hotels. The property
ownership company also retained a
number of minority interests in other
Protea hotels. Marriott now manages
approximately 45% of Protea’s rooms,
franchises approximately 39%, and
leases approximately 16%. ■
New look,
new friends
No speeches, no presentations, just networking – and, if you like,
a site inspection. This month’s TNW’s Thirsty’s was hosted at the
recently refurbished, fun and vibey, Protea Hotel Sea Point in Cape
Town. Protea Hotels’ regional sales manager for the Western Cape,
Carla Larsen (left), and sales executive, Veronica Brits, are pictured
here showing Beachcomber Tours’ Terry Munro (far right) and Club
Travel’s Gary Mulder the hotel’s new rooms. Photo: Natasha Tippel
NEWS
Travel agents predict
bumper 2014
Dorine Reinstein
A
VIS has released its
latest GDS Travel Index,
which shows airline and
hotel bookings are up, and
travel agents say the trend will
continue through 2014.
The index shows a year-onyear growth (Dec 2012-2013)
for the hotel and airline
industries of approximately
7% and 2% respectively.
Meanwhile, car-rental bookings
declined by approximately 2%.
Serendipity’s bookings
through the GDS are soaring,
says Dinesh Naidoo, group
operations director of SWG. He
says this is for all categories,
including hotel, airline and car
rental, which were up last year
and the trend is expected to
continue this year.
Claude Vankeirsbilck, chief
sales and marketing officer of
Tourvest Travel Services, has
seen a similar trend. “We have
TNW6005SD
Rubes®
By Leigh Rubin
seen a much greater shift to
GDS bookings when comparing
2013 with 2012, as more
traditional non-GDS content,
such as LCC content, has
shifted to the GDS.”
Rod Rutter, coo of XL Travel,
predicts that 2014 will see
a surge in travel bookings in
general of between 6% and
8%. He says the positive trend
is reflected in the fact that
airlines are increasing their
capacity on popular routes
as a result of an increase in
demand, such as the recent
introduction by British Airways
of the A380 on the London
route. The noticeable absence
of tactical airline fares is
another indication that travel
demand is up, he says.
The only noticeable leveller
that puts a slight damper on
travel this year is the general
elections in May, as people
are holding off with travel
plans until the elections are
completed, he adds.
Maree Chambers, owner
of Chambers Travel, agrees,
saying people are dragging
their heels with making travel
arrangements as they await
the results of the general
elections. Bookings for June
are up though, she says.
Claude is more cautious
with predictions. He says the
outlook for rest of the year
is difficult to predict due to
very late booking profiles
and extreme pressure on
cost containment, both in
the corporate sector and
government sector. “Our
predictions for the remainder
of the year are that the market
will be under severe pressure
although the past three
months have certainly been
better in comparison to same
period last year, but that could
be attributed to our growth in
business acquisition/share of
market.” ■
Nikita Tavlet selects the top specials from Travelinfo
Founding Editors:
John H Marsh (1914-1996)
TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLY
www.etnw.co.za
Published by
Travel & Trade Publishing (Pty) Ltd
Printed by Juka Printing (Pty) Ltd
Phone: (011) 327-4062
Fax: (011) 327-4094
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.nowmedia.co.za
Address: Now Media Centre,
32 Fricker Road, Illovo Boulevard,
Illovo, Johannesburg.
PO Box 55251, Northlands,
2116, South Africa.
EDITORIAL
Editor: Natasha Tippel
Features Editor: Michelle Colman
Contributors:
Mandy Watson
Hilka Birns
Dorine Reinstein
Photographer: Shannon Van Zyl
Production Editor: Ann Braun
Leona Marsh (1923-2003)
[email protected]
[email protected]
Debbie Badham
Chana Boucher
Publisher
Kate Nathan
[email protected]
Group Publisher
David Marsh
[email protected]
ADVERTISING
Sales:[email protected]
Advertising Co-ordinator: Courtney Canham
[email protected]
PRODUCTION
Design Head:
Dirk Voorneveld
Subscriptions
[email protected]
Air France KLM. Promotional fares from SA to New York, Washington and Toronto. Fares to Washington are
from R12 694 all inclusive. Offer is valid for sales until April 17 and travel is permitted until November 30.
Minimum stay is three days.
The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa. Winter offers – ‘Celebration’ rates are from R1 450pppns. Rate includes
breakfast with oysters and bubbles, three-course dinner, one-hour hydropool session in spa plus choice of two
amenities (romantic turndown/sparkling wine in room or birthday cake). Valid until September 30.
EgyptAir. ‘Affordable Europe’ – economy-class fares ex-JNB are from R2 890 to Istanbul and R3 190 to Rome,
Milan, Athens and Larnaca. Valid for travel from April 16 to June 19. Fares exclude airport taxes and fuel
surcharge.
RH Hotels and Management. Easter specials at Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express.
Holiday Inn Express Cape Town City Centre rates are from R1 600 per room per night.
Rate includes Express Start breakfast, parking (valued at R50) plus dinner for two
at Doppio Zero to the value of R300. Refer to Travelinfo for specials at Holiday Inn
Johannesburg-Rosebank and Holiday Inn Express Durban-Umhlanga.
Kenya Airways. Special return fares ex-JNB to East Africa. All-inclusive fares are
from R5 372 to Dar es Salaam, R5 888 to Entebbe, R5 753 to Kigali, R6 260 to
Bujumbura and R6 808 to Mombasa. Valid for sales and travel until May 31.
Dolphin Beach Hotel, Cape Town. Special offer – double rates from R1 046 per
room. Minimum two-night stay required. Offer is valid from March 30 to April 17.
Available for Sunday to Thursday only.
Specioatls
Sp
To the point
Travelport and low-cost carrier, Air Asia, have announced a new partnership that will see the airline
distribute its fares and ancillary services through Travelport. Air Asia will also make use of Travelport’s
merchandising technology, including its unique aggregated shopping functionality, which allows travel
agents to shop, compare and book flights with both Air Asia and long-haul LCC, Air Asia X, in the same
booking workflow as traditional carriers.
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2 n Wednesday April 9 2014
QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS
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NEWS
Vietnam visas – apply online
TNW brings you the latest updates on visas. For more
on visas, see Travelinfo.
Vietnam
South African travellers
planning to visit Vietnam are
now required to fill in the
visa application form online.
The form can be accessed
at visa.mofa.gov.vn and
travellers have 15 minutes to
complete each application.
The completed form should be
printed and then taken to the
Embassy.
Germany
Port Elizabeth-based
passengers planning to travel
to Germany can now make
visa application appointments
online through Intergate
Visalink. Clients are still
required to visit the application
centre 15 minutes prior to the
appointed time to complete
the application process.
Appointments can be made at
www.visa-germany.co.za.
Chad
The cost of an ordinary visa
for Chad (three to six months)
has increased from R1 450 to
R1 500. A business visa
(one to three months) has
increased from R850 to
R1 000. An urgent visa will
now cost R1 500 – previously
R1 200. All other visa costs
remain the same.
The Chad Embassy has
moved to new premises
from April 1 in 157 Banket
Street, corner Dely Road and
Club Avenue, Waterkloof,
Pretoria. ■
Travel memories
for life...
Ireland • Scotland • england • WaleS
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ONLY CIE TOURS OFFERS YOU...
• 82 years of travel experience
• Over 40 coach tour itineraries
• Guaranteed departure dates
• Free places for groups of 8+
• Special discounts available
CemAir launches JNB-CPTPBZ flights
Tessa Reed
D
OMESTIC charter
company, CemAir, has
launched scheduled
flights between Plettenberg
Bay and Cape Town as well
as Johannesburg, from
March 28.
The carrier operates
flights between OR Tambo
International Airport and
Plettenberg Bay with
connecting flights between
Plettenberg Bay and Cape
Town International Airport.
CemAir is a privately
owned airline and all flights
will be operated by a Beech
1900 aircraft from the
CemAir fleet. Tickets are
priced from R1 799 one
way (all taxes included) for
the JNB-PBZ route and from
R1 449 one way (all taxes
included) for the PBZ-CPT
route.
The schedule will operate
on Fridays, Saturdays and
Sundays with flights leaving
Johannesburg at 09h00
and Plettenberg Bay at
16h00. Connecting flights
between Plettenberg Bay
and Cape Town depart
from Plettenberg Bay at
12h00 and from Cape Town
International at 14h00.
Alan Winde, minister
of finance, economic
development and tourism,
welcomed the new
flights: “According to the
organisers, market research
has identified a need for a
route between Cape Town
and Plettenberg Bay. It’s
good for tourism, more
airlift always benefits the
destination. The introduction
of this flight service is
great news for consumers
as additional flights create
better pricing,” he said. ■
SAA warns of phishing scam
Chana Boucher
ANOTHER phishing scam
is circulating the travel
industry, this time targeting
SAA customers.
An agent contacted TNW
after receiving an email that
appeared to be a booking
confirmation sent by SAA
and urging the recipient to
click on one of two links
to either print an itinerary
or cancel the ticket. The
agent became suspicious
as the wording was unusual
and she had not made any
bookings for her client.
She also noticed that,
when holding the cursor
over the links, they were
not actually directed to
the airline’s website.
“We would like to advise
our customers that this
phishing scam features from
time to time and targets
airline customers as a way
of getting to credit card
and Voyager log-in details,
as well as their personal
information,” says SAA
spokesperson, Tlali Tlali.
The scam involves e-mails
thanking customers for their
purchase, stating that their
booking is confirmed, giving
a booking reference number
as well as the credit card
charge and then asking the
customer to follow a link.
Tlali says these emails
are not from SAA. “We
advise that in the event
they receive such e-mails
they should delete them
immediately and not enter
any personal information.
“No matter how authentic
such emails may seem, any
email that has a link to an
Internet banking sign-on
page, or a page requesting
any personal or banking
information, is not from
SAA. In addition, customers
are advised never to click
on such a link as it will
take them to a fraudulent
website where their banking
details, including a PIN or
customer selected PIN may
be compromised.” He adds
that SAA will never include
a link that takes customers
directly to a log-in page. ■
Shearwater expands to Botswana
SHEARWATER Victoria Falls
has bought 50% of Chobezi
Safaris from Wilderness
Safaris, Botswana, marking
the company’s expansion to
Botswana. Chobezi Safaris
offers cruises on the Chobe
River and game drives in the
Chobe National Park.
Following the acquisition,
new game-drive and transfer
vehicles will be added and
the cruise boats will be
refurbished. Thereafter,
Shearwater will resume the
multi-day camping tours in
Chobe and the Okavango
Delta. ■
For more information contact your travel agent,
call (02) 80056802 or visit www.cietours.com
All CIE Tours travel programs are protected by the
company’s A$550+ Advantage, a no-fee benefi t
guaranteeing that travellers are never charged for
special features considered optional extras with
other tour companies.
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4 n Wednesday April 9 2014
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QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS
NEWS
Consumer booking
websites – a tool for TMCs
Dorine Reinstein
A
RE you using consumer
booking websites to your
advantage?
Two websites, tripBAM and
Roomer, that at first glance
seem to be solely aimed at
consumer leisure travel, have
proved to be valuable tools for
TMCs in the US – and could
present an opportunity for
travel agencies in SA too.
TripBAM is an online hotel
shopping service that helps
travellers to find lower rates at
preferred hotels. It constantly
searches for rates that dip
below a preset level at the
hotels selected by the traveller.
If rates fall, travellers get an
email alert from tripBAM.
TripBAM has also launched
an agency version that tracks
queued reservations on
the GDS and sends them
to tripBAM for monitoring.
TripBAM creates clusters
of hotels based on agency,
company, and traveller
preferences; shops daily and
when a lower rate is found, the
travel agent is notified to either
book the lower rate online or
in their GDS. Agencies in the
US say this service is bringing
in new revenues, as they are
able to charge an additional
service fee to their customers
as savings are found. Steve Reynolds, president
of tripBAM, told TNW: “If an
agent in SA wanted to use the
system today, all they need to
do is go to the website and
register. We’ll email the agent
as we find savings. If they’d
prefer that we also book using
their Iata number, bias clusters
towards their preferences,
and co-branded emails, that
would require an agreement be
signed.”
US-based Roomer provides
an online marketplace where
travellers can sell their
unused non-refundable hotel
reservations. The start-up
company recently reached out
to travel agencies and TMCs to
make use of their services.
Richie Karaburun, md of
Roomer, says non-refundable
hotel rates are often the most
competitive and TMCs tend
to avoid them. Roomer offers
a way to recoup all or part of
the non-refundable rate when
a change in plans means the
traveller can’t use a room
they’ve booked.
Hickory Global Partners is
the first travel agency group
to work with Roomer in the
US and president, Chris Dane,
calls the concept a “win-win”
for all concerned. “Access
to Roomer provides agents
with a unique, innovative
customer service tool to offer
their clients while creating an
opportunity for the agency's
client to utilise their prepaid,
unwanted bookings.”
Currently, Roomer is not
working with any SA hotels or
travel agencies but, according
to Richie, the company hopes
to expand to South Africa in
the near future. ■
Three nights for one!
The Blue Train is offering two nights’ complimentary hotel
accommodation in June as part of its ‘three nights for the
price of one’ special. The offer must be used pre or post
journey and includes breakfast at the hotel and a one-way
transfer to or from the station. It is valid for departures
from Pretoria to Cape Town on June 2, 9 and 16, and
departures from Cape Town to Pretoria on June 4, 11 and
18. Hotel choices in Pretoria are the Sheraton Pretoria
Hotel and Castello di Monte Guest House, and in Cape Town
are the Taj Hotel or The Westin Cape Town. The Blue Train
brand marketing and communications manager, Themba
Masheula welcomes guests aboard! Photo: Shannon Van Zyl
www.etravel.co.za
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QUICK READ FOR busiest people
Wednesday April 9 2014 n 5
NEWS
FlightSiteAgent gets off to
a flying start
Debbie Badham
I
N UNDER a year of
operations FlightSiteAgent
has already broken its
three-year target of signing
up 3 000 travel agents.
FlightSite, a subsidiary
of Club Travel, launched
FlightSiteAgent.co.za – a
booking platform that
enables anyone to become
an Independent Travel
Consultant (ITC) – in March
last year.
Successful growth
aside, founding director of
FlightSite, Rian Bornman,
says the most satisfying
aspect of the company’s
journey thus far has been
seeing people who have
never been involved in travel
before, starting up their own
businesses and living out
their dreams.
“Together, with our
partners, our long-term goal
is to drive growth, whereby
anyone is able to break
“We plan to give
proactive entrepreneurs
a ‘business in a box’.”
Rian Bornman
into the travel industry in
South Africa. We plan to
do this by giving proactive
entrepreneurs a ‘business
in a box’ or, in other
words, the tools to start
a financially viable travel
business today,” he says.
No travel agent
qualifications, GDS or travel
industry experience are
required. Sign-up is free.
No deposits or sureties
are needed, nor contracts
or start-up fees. All that
is required is a cellphone
number and an email
address. Sign-ups have to
load money into an account
and then have access to
the best nett fares drawn
from Travelport, aggregators
and airlines, and are able to
determine their own markups, making them more
competitive than traditional
travel agencies.
FlightSiteAgent’s
considerable success has
prompted the company to
extend its offering to also
provide agents with access
to new inventory, including
car hire, bus tickets, and
bed and breakfast and
guesthouse options. ■
DreamBoats
Send your cruising news to [email protected]
RCI plans bumper European season
ROYAL Caribbean International has announced that Anthem of
the Seas will be joined by Adventure of the Seas and Brilliance of
the Seas in the UK as part of an unprecedented 2015 European
season. Anthem of the Seas will homeport in Southampton in April
next year. Its inaugural European season will include 19 cruises to
the Spanish, French and Italian rivieras and the Canary Islands on
three- to 16-night itineraries. It will reposition to Port Everglades in
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in late October 2015 to sail the Caribbean
until April 2016 for its first winter season. Royal Caribbean recently
became the first cruise line to receive ‘autism friendly’ certification,
offering services, venues and amenities that are accessible to guests
with autism and other developmental disabilities.
New ports of call for Crystal and Regent
CRYSTAL Cruises is expanding its range of ultra-luxury European
cruises with the addition of nine new ports of call. The new
destinations featured are Oban, Scotland; Ferrol, Spain;
Londonderry, Northern Ireland; Santander, Spain; Alta, Norway;
Galway, Ireland; Ibiza, Spain; Skagen, Denmark and St. Helier/
Jersey, Channel Islands. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is to include
new ports in its 2015 season by when its three ships will have
completed a multimillion-dollar refurbishment. Seven Seas Voyager
will call on new ports – the Solovetsky Islands in Russia, Malmö in
Sweden and Tyne, England on her Northern Europe sailings. New
destinations for Seven Seas Mariner include Trieste, Italy; Almeria,
Spain and Gythion, Greece. The ship will also sail from Lisbon down
the west coast of Africa, making inaugural calls in São Tomé. Seven
Seas Navigator will explore Alaska fresh from its refurbishment.
An evening of Fun, Elegance
& Fine Dining with XL Travel
When Rod Rutter COO of the XL Travel Group invited senior management and
Directors of agency members along for an evening aboard Rovos Rail he was delighted
that the positive response was so great it meant that XL Travel chartered the whole
train for an evening of networking, luxurious sophistication and fine dining. Also
invited to enjoy the ride were some of the consortium’s key preferred suppliers,
who welcomed the opportunity to relax, chat with XL members and experience the
unique atmosphere and service that Rovos Rail has to offer. The evening provided
an opportunity for members and suppliers to reflect and discuss business activity, to
set the foundations for the continued growth and expansion of XL Travel Group and
reward its existing members for their contribution to the success of the consortium.
Whilst guests chatted at
Rovos’ Capital Park Station, a
wonderful old steam engine
was letting off periodic
puffs of white steam, which
blended beautifully with the
lilting sounds of violin and
cello to create a combined
‘Symphony of the Station’.
Champagne was served
and enjoying the moment
together were: (top) Richard
Beadle, Lisa Moricz, and Inge
Beadle. (Seated) Lisa Mayer,
Gabor von Moricz and Gabi
Mayer… all representing
GSTA.
Those happy faces say it
all…Albert Van Zyl, Marianne
Strydom, Johan Le Roux and
Tony De Villiers…all from XL
Astra Travel in Bloemfontein.
All looking very smart indeed and enjoying themselves at
the Rovos Rail Capital Park Station were: (L to R) Silverio and
Grace da Silva (XL Novo Mundo), Rod Rutter, Nomvula and
Temba Mthombeni (Duma Travel), Lynne Backos (The Travel
Company) and Allan and Jocelyn Wolman (XL Rosebank).
XL Nexus’ head Sailesh Parbhu welcomed Chantell and
Tiekie van den Heever of XL The Travel Professionals, who
came all the way from Windhoek.
TNW7070
6 n Wednesday April 9 2014
QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS
T
RAVEL agents were
welcomed by warm
weather and warm
hospitality at TNW Thirsty’s
hosted at the Protea Hotel Sea
Point in Cape Town last month.
No guest went hungry – or
thirsty – with plenty of food and
wine, and delicious donuts and
cupcakes for dessert. The next
Thirsty’s event will be held in
Johannesburg in May – keep
a look-out for that coveted
invitation! ■
1.It’s a girl thing… From
right: Thembisa Shoko
(Thompsons Travel),
Tandeka Bizana (Rennies
Travel) and Siyasanga
Ndaba (Rennies Travel).
2.From left: Zelka Spoja
Vieira (Travelinfo), Morne
Schuin (Lee Botti), Penny
Bannerman (Curious
Traveller), and Kathy Ridler
(Bobcat Travel).
3.From left: Patsy Fivelman
(Rennies Travel), Janine
York (Fine Travel), and
Sandy Leslie (Club Travel).
4.From left: Eloise Liebetrau
(Air Namibia), Genevieve
Styger (Thompsons
Holidays), Marc Harding
(Virgin Atlantic), and
Michaela Vollmer (SA
German Overseas Travel).
5.Gm of the Protea Hotel Sea
Point, Janneman Britz, with
Development Promotions’
Jacqui van Dooren.
6.It’s the Minnie Mouse Club!
From left: Sandy Pretorius
(HWT Steenberg Village) and
Lea Kotze (HWT Steenberg
Village) showed up in fancy
dress.
7.From left: Harold Cox
(Kenilworth Travel) and
Ian Matthews (Triton Cape
Sea Travel).
QUICK READ FOR busiest people
RegisteR now!
www.wtmafrica.com
RegisteRed to attend
– what now?
So you have registered to attend the inaugural WTM Africa
in Cape Town kicking off on 2nd May 2014. Our column is
here to assist you to make the best of your time at WTM
Africa and our very informative and educational event
programme is sure to keep you updated with what is
happening in the travel and tourism industries. Interested
to hear more about Travel Technology or is Responsible
Tourism part of your offering?
WTM Africa’s leading event programme in partnership with
local and international organisations will provide a strong,
professional series of conferences focusing on the African
region, covering important topics affecting the market,
offering industry insights of real value to any travel industry
professional.
For more information on the event programme,
pls visit http://www.wtmafrica.com/Event-Programme/
Visit us on facebook and follow us on twitter
/wtmafrica
@WTM-Africa
TNW7068
Wednesday April 9 2014 n 7
All aboard!
Gautrain hosted members of the travel industry at its Travel Agents
Ambassador Programme at the Radisson Blu Gautrain on March 20. Travel
agents and tour operators were invited to take part in a workshop and
guided tour to give them greater insight into a traveller’s Gautrain journey
to and from OR Tambo International Airport. Pictured at the event (from
left) are: Derek Martin (marketing manager, Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel);
Andrea Bull (ticket office manager, Swissport); Marie-Luise Nusser (acting
deputy passenger services, Swissport); and Ashton Bodrick (executive
manager: marketing services, communication and marketing, Gautrain
Management Agency). Photo: Shannon Van Zyl
The changing face of
island tourism
Tessa Reed
Z
ANZIBAR, Seychelles and Mauritius
are looking to new markets
following a decrease in demand
from European markets, says Wayne
Troughton, ceo of hospitality and
property consulting firm, HTI Consulting.
Wayne says Zanzibar has responded
by leveraging off the lodge industry in
Tanzania. He says seven or eight years
ago 75% of Zanzibar’s market was
package tourists from Italy who would
fly in and stay at Italian-owned hotels.
Leveraging off the game lodge
industry is also changing the way the
hospitality sector is developing on the
island, he says. “They are looking at
more boutique properties and higherend properties. People want similar
facilities to those they can get in the
game lodges and they don’t have a
problem paying for them.”
Wayne says these travellers add
beach stays to the end of a safari
package and stay in Zanzibar for two
to three days. “Zanzibar is becoming
a luxury, upmarket destination as a
result.”
Zanzibar is only a 15-minute flight
from the mainland but this is not the
case for Mauritius and the Seychelles.
These islands rely on direct travellers
who typically stay longer, Wayne says.
He says 80% of the Seychelles
market used to come from Europe
on high-end package tours. “With
the economic crisis, you would have
expected the occupancy to drop
significantly,” he says, adding that
occupancies may have been saved by
Middle-Eastern airlines. “Etihad bought
40% of Air Seychelles and now flies
direct routes to Seychelles,” he says,
adding that Emirates and Qatar Airways
also fly to Seychelles roughly five times
a week.
While the Seychelles has lost direct
flights from some key European
destinations, flights through Dubai
and Abu Dhabi have opened up the
destination. “Being one of the biggest
hubs in the world, the Middle East
is facilitating travel from all over.”
He says focusing on the luxury and
boutique market with controlled hotel
development has worked well for the
destination.
Mauritius, however, he says, is looking
to expand the tourism sector, opening
up additional resorts.
He says in certain areas occupancies
have dropped and there is an
oversupply in the five-star category.
However, he says the destination has a
strategy to address this and is looking
to different market segments and
hoping to attract travellers from new
source markets, including Russia and
the Far East. ■
New Tanzanian airline on the cards
Mandy Watson
TNW6116SD
8 n Wednesday April 9 2014
Fly-SAX, a Kenyan safari and private
charter airline, is awaiting regulatory
approval to launch SAX-Tanzania, a
new Tanzania-based airline.
The company has appointed Brown
Francis to head up the operation as
gm and expects its maiden flight
to take off in the second half of
this year.
“We are launching a new airline to
meet the ever-increasing demand for
low-cost, efficient and safe air travel
within Tanzania, for the country’s own
citizens as well as tourists visiting the
country,” says Don Smith, ceo and
founder of Fly-SAX and Fly540 Kenya.
“I am delighted to be working again
with Brown. Having previously headed
up Fly540 and Fastjet’s operations
in Tanzania, he brings a wealth of
experience and local knowledge to
SAX-Tanzania.” ■
QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS
Photo: Stock.xchng
Prague and Budapest
Dorine Reinstein looks at different ways to explore these two Eastern European capitals.
Suggest a cycling tour
B
UDAPEST and
Prague have become
particularly popular
with South African travellers
as they are seen as an
alternative to the more
obvious European capitals.
They have become known as
destinations that offer great
value for money, according
to Theresa Szejwallo, md of
Trafalgar. “Without question,
visitors have an interest in
the culture and traditions
that these historic riverside
cities have to offer.”
John Ridler, spokesperson
for Cullinan Outbound
Tourism, has also seen
Budapest and Prague
gaining favour with South
Africans. “The best way to
see Prague is on a bicycle
tour, which takes you down
narrow lanes to places
rarely seen by tourists,” he
says. In Budapest, a segway
tour is growing in demand
and John further suggests
cruising the Danube as great
exploratory experience.
Numerous operators in
Prague and Budapest offer
active tours of the cities.
Local company, Budapest
Bike Breeze, for example,
offers the Szentendre Bike
and Boat sightseeing tour,
which takes travellers to one
of the most charming towns
near Budapest, Szentendre.
It is a medieval town on
the Danube with twisting
streets, quaint houses and
several churches.
The trip starts in the
centre of Budapest, stopping
at the most attractive
sights, including the House
of Parliament and Margaret
Island. It continues past the
Roman coast and Aquincum
to Szentendre. The return
trip to Budapest is by boat.
A great way to see a
different side of Prague is
by bike at night. Night rides
afford visitors stunning
views of the city and the
Vltava River, taking travellers
along the river and through
beautiful Letna Park to the
Royal Gardens and Prague
Castle. They can then park
the bikes and continue on
a pub crawl or opt for a
folklore show and dinner.
Theresa says cuisine
is a fundamental part of
any visitor’s experience
to either city, and the
more authentic the better.
Referring to Trafalgar’s
offerings, she says that in
Hungary this could be a
personal invitation to the
Schieszl vineyard, owned
by a family who once saved
Jewish neighbours from the
Nazis by hiding them in wine
barrels. One of the young
boys they saved became a
lawyer and helped them buy
back their land, lost during
the Communist era.
Inge Dobihal, owner of
Austria Connection, says: “It
is such a pity to stay only
in the cities and not take
the opportunity to see a bit
more of the countries. There
are many exciting, regular
excursions that make a
visit a complete experience
of Hungary or the Czech
Republic.”
New flights to Budapest
SA TRAVEL agents have
seen increasing demand for
Eastern Europe but flight
connections can sometimes
be a nightmare.
Three new European airlines
have launched flights or
increased frequencies to
Budapest this year.
Budapest-based Wizzair is
one of the largest budget
airlines in Eastern Europe.
It added an extra daily flight
between London Luton and
Budapest from March 30,
bringing total services to four
(one morning flight and three
afternoon/evening flights).
Norwegian, Norway’s only
budget carrier, now offers
direct flights between
Budapest Franz Liszt Airport
and London Gatwick, also
since March 30.
Jet 2, the budget airline
serving the northern part
of the UK, introduced twiceweekly flights from its home
base at Leeds Bradford
airport to Budapest, starting
April 3. This has increased
the number of Jet2’s
Budapest-UK connections
to four; it also serves
Manchester, Edinburgh and
the East Midlands.
Budapest Airport is
further eyeing new routes to
Germany and other European
destinations. The airport’s
ceo, Jost Lammers, said:
“According to recent statistics
there are more foreigners
visiting Hungary than ever
before. So now, more than
ever, it is time for us to attract
new airlines and discuss
improved flight connections,
especially as we move into
the winter schedule planning
window.”
Várbazár (Castle Bazaar), which is under renovation, is
a Budapest landmark. Photo: Panoramio
Várbazár gets a makeover
THE renovations of
Várbazár (Castle Bazaar)
– a key element in the
cityscape of the Buda
Castle area in the
Hungarian capital – are
well under way and are
expected to be completed
by spring this year.
Várbazár has been in a
state of decay since World
War 2, however, thanks to
the renovations, the bazaar
will soon be a venue for
exhibitions, art galleries,
workshops, a lecture
theatre, a restaurant,
coffee house and shops
offering Hungarian
products. The complex is
expected to be a new jewel
in the capital’s crown.
The Castle Bazaar, built
between 1875 and 1883,
originally served as a trade
facility, with its arcades
once full of businesses. Its
promenade was a favourite
of Queen Sissi, wife of
the Austrian Emperor.
But it has continuously
deteriorated since the
1980s, eventually leading
to the complete closure
of the complex. This
monument of unparalleled
beauty, designed by Miklós
Ybl, has since 1996 been
one of the world’s most
endangered monuments.
Download a map of
Gay Prague
The fourth edition of
the Prague Gay Map by
GayPride.cz – a map
covering gay and gay-friendly
establishments in Prague –
has been published and will
guide tourists from abroad
around the city. It also lists
the main gay events taking
place over the next couple
of months. The map is
available free of charge. See
www.gaypride.cz/prague-gaymap ■
Book it!
Austria Connection is offering three nights in Budapest for €239pp (R3 570) in a three-star hotel
or €272pp (R4 063) in a four-star hotel on a bed and breakfast basis. The special includes a onehour sightseeing cruise, a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, coffee and cake at Café Gerberaud and a typical
Hungarian dinner at a traditional restaurant. Arrival and departure transfers are also included.
A three-night Prague special is also offered for €246pp (R3 673) in a three-star hotel or €260pp
(R3 882) in a four-star hotel on a bed and breakfast basis. It includes a half-day sightseeing tour, a
sightseeing cruise, coffee and cake at Café Slavia and a typical Czech dinner at a traditional restaurant.
Arrival and departure transfers are also included.
TNW5983SD
QUICK READ FOR busiest people
Wednesday April 9 2014 n 9
COMMUNITYNEWS
The ladies land in Jozi!
Fun in the sun
Enjoying time in
Shandrani’s pool after a
snorkelling trip during one of
Beachcomber’s educationals
in Mauritius (from left) are
Michelle van de Coolwyk
(Flight Centre Kempton Park),
Pria Govender (Pentravel
Pavilion), Jade de Villiers
(Flight Centre Pinetown) and
Jaune Shrives (Flight Centre
Durban North).
Air France celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8. An Airbus A380 with
an all-woman crew and 560 tons of flowers arrived in Johannesburg to recognise the
important role that women play within the industry.
Going green for
St Paddy’s Day
In celebration of St Patrick’s Day,
visitors to the Lesedi Cultural Village
were treated to a performance by
Zulu and Irish dancers to a mix of
cultural music from the Irish fiddle
to African drums. The video footage
of the Zulu dancers dressed in
green tribal outfits was beamed
across the globe, along with a
number of other “greened” cultural
icons such as the London Eye and
Great Wall of China.
Club Travel supports Shavathon
Staff members and colleagues at Club Travel in Strand
Street, in partnership with Holiday Inn Express, shaved and
coloured their hair on February 27 in support of the annual
Cancer Shavathon. Pictured (back from left): Maruska
Muller, Irene Alhadeff, Justine Varner and Wafieka
Davids; (middle) Charlene Boshoff; (front) Jacques
Byliefeldt, CJ Van Rooyen and Louis Snelling.
E nf
V
I
S
eli
U
v
L f Tra
C
EX sers o
s
lu
oP
U
To
A Free Multimedia Online Course
Get travel sales fit!
Boost the fortunes of yourself and your agency
A life-changing two-hour workshop aimed at all travel consultants.
Make your career in travel more satisfying as well as financially rewarding
with these 10 short multimedia modules. Available exclusively and free
to Travelinfo Plus users through Travelinfo Workshops. Consultants are
certificated after successfully completing the evaluation as SALES FIT!
This engaging two-hour Multi-Media Workshop includes:
Take the sales fitness assessment
Engage
Profile
Hook
Match
Sell
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Fans
Pride
Evaluation
Fiona Liebenberg is one of
South Africa’s top travel trade
sales trainers. She has an
unequalled track record
spanning 25 years of
significantly improving the
bottom line of travel agents
in South Africa and the
UK through changing the
attitude and developing the
skills of consultants. She is the author of the
leading travelsalesblog.com and a partner in
Big Ambitions, the SA-based consultancy that
creates travel experts through skills development
and sales coaching. Big Ambitions also provides
content and digital marketing services.
For more details email: [email protected]
+PLUS
TNW7024
10 n Wednesday April 9 2014
QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS
COMMUNITYNEWS
JOBS
Births, deaths, marriages, promotions – we want to know! Please fax or e-mail TNW’s Debbie Badham, at [email protected] or (011) 327 4094.
Mark Satterfield to oversee integration
of Protea, Marriott
MARK Satterfield
(pictured here) has
been appointed Marriott
International’s business
leader in South Africa, to
oversee the integration
of Protea Hospitality into
the company, following
Marriott’s purchase of the
group.
Mark, who is ceo of
Marriott International’s
Middle East and Africa
■ Durban-based Three
Cities Group, which owns
Three Cities Hotels and The
International Hotel School
has been the subject of
a management buyout by
directors, Mike Lambert
and Murray Jacklin,
backed by an Investment
bank. The recent change
in management will in
no way affect the group’s
operations.
■ Andrew Conn
has joined
African Pride
Mount Grace
Country House
and Spa in the
Magaliesberg
as gm. Andrew
has a wealth of experience,
having run a number of fivestar operations during his
30-year career within the
hotel industry.
Continent organisation, will
relocate to the head office
in Cape Town.
Graduate of the Cornell
University School of Hotel
Management and former
Executive Board Member
of the British Hospitality
Association, Mark will
assist in expanding the
company and the brands
as well as managing the
integration of all systems.
Town. Previous positions
include team leader, travel
consultant and assistant
manager for Cruise About,
Sure Travel and Flight
Centre. Natalie
Magill has
been appointed
senior training
consultant for
Thompsons
Holidays – Cape
Town. She was
previously national trainer
and national career and
business coach at Flight
Centre.
brought to you by
Account Executive - Jnb
Travelinfo
Suit intermediate looking for
a career change. Maintain
relationships with travel clients and
agents. Travel diploma, 4-5 years’
experience, license & own car.
Email: [email protected]
■ Armand
Brunde Louw
has been
appointed food
and beverage
manager for
the Conrad
Pezula Resort
and Spa’s two
restaurants and
champagne and cocktail
bar. Armand has 25 years
of industry experience
and previously worked as
assistant food and beverage
manager for the Conrad
Pezula Resort.
Contracting Manager - CPT North
Professional Career Services
Matric/tertiary qual. in Travel.
Min 8 years tourism/
contracting manager/product
developer experience. Excellent
communication skills/strong sales
focus. Foreign language an adv.
Salary: R25-R28000.
Email: [email protected]
Allapplicationswillbetreatedinthe
strictestconfidence.
Pleasetreatyourapplicationas
unsuccessfulshouldyounothear
backfromBCD.
Top jobs in Gauteng this week:
Snr MICE Guru
Deal with local & int’l groups & incentives! Your creative flair, ability to travel & sound
exp will put you in the lead. To R25 000 ctc.
POSITIONS:
In-house – Rosebank:
• Seniorconsultantposition
• Seniorconsultantposition–
(6monthscontract)
Groups Cons
Pretoria. Work closer to home for well est agent. Flaunt your outbound groups exp to
design enticing packages. To R15 000 ctc.
Leisure Enthusiast
Passion for making holiday dreams come true & love writing
your own cheque? This is the opp you’ve been waiting for!
Amadeus adv. R10 000 + top comm.
E Centre – Johannesburg:
• Junioron-lineconsultant
Pretoria
• SeniorTravelConsultant
• IntermediateTravelConsultant
Sales Rep
Write your own cheque! Promote int’l school tours to
existing database. Ideal opp for Consultant wanting to move
into sales. Basic sal + top comm.
TNW7072
Call Tracey:
011 452-0204, 076 993 7945, [email protected]
Dynamic Leisure Consultants –
Cape Town
Quantex Recruitment Group
R14000 basic + comm.
Have you worked/lived in the
UK? Experience on Amadeus
(preferable) and have good
product knowledge of SA.
Email: [email protected]
Senior Consultant – Durban
Lee Botti & Associates
National expanding corporate
agent. Upmarket clientele and
some government consulting.
Highly neg on salary!
Email: [email protected]
Sales & Marketing Manager Cape Town
Lee Botti & Associates
National TMC. Strong background
in sports & travel coupled with a
financial acumen is needed to excel
in this role. Salary from R 30 000.
Email: [email protected]
Top Senior - Pretoria
Infusion Consulting
Full-function corporate travel
consulting - GDS: Galileo.
Amadeus. R18–22K. Avail: ASAP.
Email: [email protected]
Travel Expert - Cape Town
Flight Centre
2 years sales/customer service,
Matric or relevant degree/diploma,
SA citizen, international travel
experience. Basic, lucrative
commission structure, medical aid
and provident fund. Email:
[email protected]
TNW6121SD
International Sales Executive
– Sandton
Professional Career Services
At least 4 years proven sales
management track record.
Degree/ Diploma. Sales and
luxury tourism product experience
preferred. R25000 ctc.
Email: [email protected]
Inbound Consultants - Parow CPT
Quantex Recruitment Group
Excellent knowledge of RSA &
Southern Africa. A minimum of 5
years exp. Excellent track record
essential.
Email: [email protected]
Project and Implementation
Manager - Sandton
Infusion Consulting
Successful planning, initiation,
management and completion of any
assigned projects. Handle multiconcurrent projects (MS Project,
PMBOK OR Prince 2). Salary neg.
Email: [email protected]
■ Cullinan
Outbound
Tourism has
welcomed two
new members
to its team.
Charlene
Chand has
been appointed travel
adviser team leader for
Thompsons Holidays – Cape
Closing date:15April2014
Address applications to:
Email:[email protected]
Fax:0865881862
Pick of the week
Flight Centre Business
Development Managers –
Bloemfontein
Flight Centre Business Travel
Looking for Business
Development Managers to
grow our new business in
Bloemfontein. Corporate sales
experience essential. Email:
[email protected]
PR Manager – Sandton
Equity Connections cc
Take full responsibility for all PR
communications within specific
International regions. Must have
PR/Marketing Degree/Diploma
and minimum six years relevant
PR experience.
Email: [email protected]
F.I.T/Groups Consultant Sandton
Equity Connections cc
Plan, design highly creative
itineraries. Handle full functions of
reservations from inception to
finalisation. In-depth knowledge of
East/South/Southern Africa needed.
Email: [email protected]
Travel Sales Consultant – Cape
Town
Club Travel
Opportunity to analyse the
market, offer feedback, meet,
exceed targets whilst identifying
new agents, build relationships,
provide training and handle
branding for agents.
Email: [email protected]
Online Galileo Consultant –
W.Cape
Club Travel
Contacting agents regularly, follow
up, obtain feedback, assisting
with queries, activation of nontransacting agents and coordinate,
fix agents issues and advise sales
executive.
Email: [email protected]
PR Manager – Gauteng Sandton
Wendy’s Travel Personnel
Lead PR Communications for
USA, Canada, South America
& Asia while developing and
maintaining strong working
relationships with key media
contacts!
Email: [email protected]
TNW7075
Appointments
These adverts were selected from the vacancy
section of www.travelinfo.co.za
For more details contact [email protected]
TNW7073
QUICK READ FOR busiest people
Wednesday April 9 2014 n 11
TNW NEWS
Make a wish!
Cruise company strikes a
blow for the small agent
CRUISE Vacations has
launched a new scheme,
PACE (Pro-active Agent
Commission Earnings),
that will give all agencies,
irrespective of size, the
opportunity to earn override
commissions on combined
bookings across all Cruise
Vacations products.
The scheme will be
target driven and include
all sales for cruise lines
represented by Cruise
Vacations – Silversea
Cruises and Silversea
Expeditions; Scenic
Cruises; Star Clippers;
Emerald Waterways; and
Carnival Cruise Lines.
Agents can earn up to 15%
commission.
Gaynor Neill, gm of Cruise
Vacations, says: “Override
commission agreements
have historically been
set up between GSAs
and large retail outlets
or consortiums, however
following the success
of our recent bonus
commission promotions
we recognise that there is
enormous potential through
smaller and independent
consultants, and we see no
reason not to reward their
often pro-active efforts and
loyalty.”
To register to join the
scheme, agents need to
contact Cruise Vacations
for the relevant registration
form, at which stage a
formal PACE Agreement will
be implemented. ■
Austria Connection is offering travel agents a special rate for cruises in Croatia
aboard the MS Princess Aloha and the MS Vita, for all departures in 2014. Travel
agents will pay US$558pp (R5 916) and their companion will pay US$658pp (R6 973)
for a seven-night cruise. Spaces are limited. Pictured here, making your wishes come
true, is fairy godmother, Inge Dobihal from Austria Connection. See Travelinfo for
more info. Photo: Shannon Van Zyl
Airlink looks to spread its
regional wings
Chana Boucher
A
Asata conference – there’s still time
to register
Have you registered for the Asata conference?
No: 89%
Yes: 11%
Visit: www.satravelagents.co.za/conf2014
IRLINK has applied
to the Department of
Transport for a number
of new routes as well as
additional capacity and
frequencies on some of its
existing regional routes.
Among other routes, the
airline has applied for three
flights a week between
OR Tambo and Nosy Be,
Madagascar; 650 seats a
week between Durban and
Nampula, Mozambique; and
two return flights a week
between Cape Town and
Manzini, Swaziland. If granted,
these will all be potential new
routes for the carrier.
However, Airlink is keeping
mum about its plans. Karin
Murray, marketing and sales
manager, told TNW that,
apart from the new flights
between Kruger Mpumalanga
International Airport and
Vilanculos launching on
June 19, there were “no new
routes at the moment. We
are merely busy with some
admin with the Council”.
She says, at this stage, it’s
the status quo.
Airlink has also applied
for additional flights and/
or capacity on some of its
routes. From OR Tambo
International Airport, the
airline has applied for 21
flights a week to Gaborone
and seven return flights a
week to Maun and Kasane in
Botswana; 12 return flights a
week to Maseru in Lesotho;
28 return flights a week to
Matsapha in Swaziland; 14
flights a week to Ndola and
Lusaka in Zambia; and seven
return flights to Antananarivo
in Madagascar. From Kruger
Mpumalanga International
Airport, the airline has
applied for seven return
flights a week to Livingstone
in Zambia. ■
Saudi Arabia launches visa centres
THE Saudi Arabian ministry
of foreign affairs has
appointed VSF Tasheel
International to handle
the management and
administration of its visa
application process, with
the opening of two new
application centres in
Johannesburg and Cape
Town.
Services that the new
centre will offer include
dissemination of visa
information, application
guidance and processing,
and passport delivery.
Centres will be open for
extended hours during
peak season to speed up
application procedures.
The new centres are
located as follows:
Johannesburg: 8th floor,
Fredman Tower, 13
Fredman Drive, Sandton.
 Cape Town: 28th floor,
Absa Centre, 2 Riebeek
Street.
For further information
and appointment details,
visit https://www.
vfstasheel.com ■
For the record
In last week’s story, ‘Agents left out of pocket by ‘endorsed’ operator’ (TNW April 2, 2014), it was
incorrectly stated that Quality Tours participated in the Dubai Tourism road show in 2013. Quality
Tours participated in a DTCM road show in October 2012. They did not participate last year. TNW
apologises for the error.
TNW7067
TNW7067
TNW6109SD
12 n Wednesday April 9 2014
QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS