Travel News Weekly - 5 May 2010

SouThERN AFRiCA’S TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLY

May 5 2010 I No. 2105

THE

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INSIDE

TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLY

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NEWS

rEporT

fEaTurE

ZiM viSAS

SAA’ AA S ‘voyA AA’ ‘voy gerS’

weSTern cApe

Application process ‘a nightmare’

Are they getting a raw deal?

Special deals will lure locals

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Page 10

Page 12

world cup up travel bans remain – corporates natasha tiPPel

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ESPITE the recent announcement from FIFA accommodation broker, MATCH, that its unsold inventory would be released back into the market, corporates are not considering lifting their ban on travel over the Soccer World Cup. However, the availability of rooms and airline tickets and the reduction of costs of these commodities have resulted in some corporates moving from a ‘full travel ban’ policy to a ‘controlled reduction’ in business travel over the period.

“We are seeing some travel managers approving ‘essential’ travel during the World Cup period, where each trip will have to be deemed necessary by senior line managers in the organisation before travel is booked. This is especially for business travellers who deal directly with clients, such as auditors,” says Sharon Richards-Lund, ITMSA national sales and marketing manager.

A company that has implemented a ‘controlled reduction’ in travel over the World Cup period rather than a complete ban is Accenture

SA. Travel manager, Jacqui Abrahams, says: “Local travel for client purposes was initially limited to key resources/mission-critical work but it is turning out that much of our local travel is mission-critical to enable us to provide continuous service to our valued clients.

We asked that people book travel early for the affected period to reduce cost and ensure availability.”

Meanwhile, international and local internal meetings in the company are to be conducted via electronic media and travel has been prohibited for these meetings. “This has not changed since local flights and hotels have been released. We are still finding a shortage of accommodation at our preferred hotels, especially over match days. We generally need accommodation from Monday to Thursday and can’t accommodate a break in the middle of the week.”

In summary, Accenture SA’s local and international client travel will continue, while internal travel has been reduced and/or limited by cost, says Jacqui.

Group head of procurement (non-merchandise) and

B-BBEE for Ellerine Holdings, Rod Ward, says TMCs and travel procurement managers are watching the unfolding scenario with great interest.

“My opinion is that given the following two provisos – that service providers keep their costs affordable and don’t exploit the opportunity and there is not a last-minute ‘feeding frenzy’ by foreign travellers to get to the World Cup – then it’s possibly going to be pretty much ‘business as usual’.”

But it is still expected that corporate travel will be slow over the World Cup period. “Our forward bookings confirm the trend,” says md of BCD Travel, Kananelo Makhetha.

“We are encouraging our corporate clients to book early and avoid travelling to destinations where matches are taking place a day before and a day after the game.

“Some hotels are still indicating lack of availability during the period; it is possible that they may be holding on to rooms in anticipation. Airlines show availability during the period but not to all destinations around match days. Many guest houses have been released and are available.

The advice to clients is

The Lufthansa A380 will celebrate its first long-haul flight with an array of special guests on board. The special flight on June 6 will be carrying the German team to the 2010 World Cup. The A380 will leave Frankfurt Airport at 20h30 and will arrive in Johannesburg at 08h15. DFB trainers and assistants and around 150 soccer fans will also be on board. “We are thrilled to be the first guests on board Lufthansa’s biggest and most modern airliner and hope after a relaxed flight to realise our sporting ambitions at the World Cup in South Africa,” said team manager, oliver Bierhoff. Waiting to welcome the German team are director of Southern and Eastern Africa Lufthansa and Swiss International Air Lines, Alex Simon, and director South America and the Caribbean, Gabriel Leupold Photo: Tijana Huysamen they can still travel during the World Cup period, they should avoid match days and also expect to pay a little more as corporate rates and special rates do not apply.” Financial director of Tourvest’s Outbound Travel Services division, Morné du Preez, agrees. “No doubt the opportunity now increases to not have a total standstill on corporate travel.

Mom deserves to be spoiled.

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INDULDGE. SWISS STYLE. TNW3952SD

german soccer team to arrive in style!

But all corporates make plans in advance based on the information that is available to them. We have a number of corporates that have put embargoes on travel in place already, forced their staff to take leave, reduced plant capacity over the period, etc. To now expect them to make significant changes with less than 50 days To page 2

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on Europe’s most beautiful waterways from Amsterdam to the Black Sea

AMADEUS CLASS

NEWS

RHINE · MAIN · DANUBE

Jet launches Konnect Select Jeanette PhilliPs

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ET Airways Konnect, Jet Airways’ all-economy service, has announced the launch of its new ‘Konnect Select’ premium cabin on several domestic routes, effective April 26.

According to the airline, the new cabin is specifically aimed at business and leisure travellers wanting more flexibility, comfort and benefits.

www.austriaconnection.co.za Tel. 011 476 3967 austria.co@mweb.co.za

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The new cabin features wider and more comfortable seats, similar to Jet Airways’ business-class seats.

The service also includes complimentary in-flight reading material, a welcome drink and complimentary hot meals on board.

Konnect Select also offers guests lounge access, priority check-in at dedicated counters and priority baggage tagging and baggage allowances.

Jet Airways ‘Konnect Select’

guests also receive Jet Privilege benefits, including a mileage accrual structure as per the existing domestic accrual levels for various booking classes, redemption requirements similar to the current requirement for Jet Airways business class, extra baggage allowance similar to current tier-based benefits for domestic routes and the acceptance of upgrade vouchers in line with the current policy. n

Travelinfo,s Shanaaz Khan selects the top specials from Travelinfo ● Emirates Airline.. Madrid route launch offer: first-class passengers travelling exclusively on Emirates to Madrid receive two nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai. Business-class passengers receive a one-night stay at the hotel with breakfast. Valid for travel from August 1 to September 30. ● Sure Tours.. Special charter flights to South America from R4 850 return ex-JNB and Cape Town. Set departures from June 8 to 22.

Business- and first-class fares also available. Includes taxes. ● Radisson Blu Hotels is offering a special ‘Spa and Gourmet Getaway’ package at its Waterfront property in Cape Town. The rate of R1 870 per person sharing includes accommodation for two nights, full breakfast, a one-hour massage and a three-course dinner. Valid for South African passport holders only until October 31 (excludes June 10-July 12). ● Starlight Cruises is offering rates from R3 890 per person sharing on its 17-night Europe to South Africa cruise and its 18-night South Africa to Europe cruise. The rate includes on-board accommodation, meals and entertainment. Cruises depart December 1 and March 7 respectively.

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Rubes® By Leigh Rubin

Speciapotls S

World Cup travel bans remain – corporates

“For cryin’ out loud, roll down the window if you’re going to emit greenhouse gases!”

TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLY

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

2 n Wednesday May 5 2010

EDITORIAL Editor: Natalia Thomson nataliat@nowmedia.co.za Deputy Editor: Natasha Tippel natashat@nowmedia.co.za Sub-Editor: Ann Braun annb@nowmedia.co.za Cape Town Editor: Hilka Birns hilkab@nowmedia.co.za Journalist: Jeanette Phillips jeanettep@nowmedia.co.za Photo Journalist: Tijana Huysamen tijanah@nowmedia.co.za Founding Editors: John H Marsh (1914-1996) Leona Marsh (1923-2003) ADVERTISING Sales Manager Kate Nathan Advertising Coordinator: Natalie Walker PRODUCTION Design Head: Brendon Bester

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From page 1 to the World Cup is unrealistic.

“The one positive aspect is there is always travel that needs to take place and at least now this will be made possible and hopefully not at ridiculous rates,” says Morné.

Meanwhile, with almost 300 000 rooms dumped back into the accommodation sector, more hotels are making previously blocked-out

inventory available at domestic rates. In the Western Cape alone it is estimated that there will be 2 000 extra rooms available each night by June 1 (see Western Cape feature on page 12).

Protea Hotels is already running specials for domestic leisure and corporate travellers. In the Cape these start at R270pp sharing for June and July, prices that

match normal winter season rates in the Cape. Thompsons Holidays ‘Cape Town Winter Warmers’ are available from R419pp for two nights.

Meanwhile, Southern Sun has launched a ‘business as usual’ campaign, affirming that there are still rooms available over the World Cup and encouraging corporates to continue with business travel over the period. n

Thailand still safe – TAT From page 16 areas in Bangkok are quite safe, tours are operating normally and traffic is being redirected to avoid the protest areas.”

Travel Vision’s product development manager, Ronel Coston, agrees, saying that it is still safe to travel to Thailand. She, however, advises that travellers should perhaps avoid Bangkok during the protests and rather travel to other areas that have no reports of incidents.

Ronel also feels that the

current situation has not necessarily put people off the destination, saying Travel Vision has not received any cancellations. “We are still receiving daily requests from clients interested in the destination.”

Meanwhile, the long-term effects on tourism as a result of the political unrest remain unclear.

Says Noor: “It depends from which country the tourists are coming and the negative sentiment generated by media speculation. Some markets

are giving Bangkok a wide berth, some are cancelling, while South Africa and others are still going to Thailand.”

Noor adds that, unlike other destinations, Thailand has had a history of coups and political unrest and has proven to be resilient in the past.

“The situation will definitely impact negatively on tourism to Thailand in the short term and hurt the bottom line of its tourism industry. However, we are confident that Thailand will bounce back when the situation returns to normal.” n

QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

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NEWS

Passport fees to go up

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andy’s ounsel

Hi guys!

Welcome back to my column!

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Simply follow the standard ticketing process in your respective GDS and issue any interline option of our 220 airline partners on one Hahn Air e-ticket (HR-169).

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Candy Kasonkomona, Hahn Air’s Regional Director Africa, e-mail: c.kasonkomona@hahnair.com

Melody Brandon

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HE cost of South African passports is set to go up by R170 once new security features are incorporated.

Home Affairs director general, Mkhuseli Apleni, said last week that the department had approached the national treasury to request the tariff for new passports be raised from R100 to R270 to cover the cost of installing new security features.

The home affairs application comes after the UK imposed stringent visa requirements late last year as a result of what they thought was the lack of credibility of South African passport documents after non-South Africans managed to get into Britain with genuine but fraudulently obtained SA passports.

However, the implementation of new security features in passport documents does

not guarantee that UK visa requirements for South Africans will be scrapped.

Regional manager of Southern Africa visa services, UK Border Agency, Edward Bossley, told TNW the issue of security of South African passports was not the processing but the handling and administration thereof. “I cannot comment on whether or not visa requirements will be reduced. That will have to be decided by the UK government.” n

Premier Hotel OR Tambo’s first phase to open in time for World Cup

If you like to learn more about Hahn Air’s services visit us at www.hahnair.com

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SPECIAL FARE

To Ndola and Lusaka One way fare

Jeanette PhilliPs THE first phase of the Premier Hotel Group’s new OR Tambo International Airport hotel is set to open in time for the World Cup, with 160 rooms to be handed over by June 1.

“As construction of the entire building will be completed by end-May, only the furnishing of additional rooms will be done after this

date, ensuring a noise and nuisance-free experience for guests from June 1,” says Premier Hotels and Resorts md Samuel Nassimov.

The second phase, which will bring the hotel to its 280-room capacity, will be handed over by the third quarter of this year.

The hotel rooms, 45 of which are suites, and public areas will all offer free Wi-Fi. Other facilities will include

a spa, swimming pool deck, gym, business centre, restaurant and two bars along with 24-hour room service.

Similar to the group’s other hotels, the new Premier Hotel OR Tambo will also feature a large conference centre with nine conference rooms and board-rooms able to accommodate 800 delegates cinema-style. n

R540 plus approx.Taxes – R774 = R1314

Return fare

RwandAir to take delivery of new aircraft

R1080 plus approx. Taxes – R1189 = R2269 FARE PRICES EXCLUDE ZAMBEZI AIRPORT TAX OF US$25

natasha tiPPel

Selling and Travel Period: 24 March 2010 – 31 May 2010.

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Zambezi A I R L I N E S

RWANDAIR has signed an agreement with General Electric Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) that will see the national carrier receive two Boeing 737-500s in May and July this year.

The agreement paves the way for a long term engagement between the two

organisations in the areas of aircraft leasing, maintenance, training and human capacity development.

The two aircraft are expected to be deployed on routes with heavy passenger and cargo demand such as Johannesburg while also serving intended RwandAir destinations like Kinshasa. n

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der African skies to the From twinkling stars un brewed coffee . . . From taste and smell of freshly r echoing across the the sound of a lion’s roaviews, this breathtaking savannah to endless desert this 2010. land of contrasts has it all and see Namibia.

Touch, taste, smell, hear Our beautiful ga me.

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4 n Wednesday May 5 2010

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Travel Agent Solutions

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For more information Call 011 548 7300 or e-mail solutions@amadeus.co.za TNW3942SD

NEWS

Zim visa process ‘a nightmare’ Melody Brandon

Estimated Costs Of Some Typical TIC Claims Flu in the UK: Consultation + treatment between R3500 and R4000 Appendicitis in the USA: R100 000 Broken ankle in Switzerland: Medical expenses of R80 000 + flight costs of R50 000 = R150 000 Food poisoning in India: Between R3000 - R5000 Repatriation of Mortal Remains from MVA in Namibia: R80 000 Bowel obstruction in the UK: R2,9 million Internal bleeding in Senegal and London: R5,9 million Medical bills abroad can be financially crippling, and that’s why it’s vital that your clients take out TIC travel insurance in the event that they require emergency medical treatment as a result of accidental bodily injury, illness or disease.

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HE visa application process for the UK may seem arduous but for foreign passport holders wanting to travel to Zimbabwe, the process is almost just as difficult.

“It’s fine for South African passport holders as they don’t require a visa, but for a South African resident who holds a foreign passport, it is a nightmare. We are aware that clients need to apply for visas to Europe in advance but one doesn’t expect it to take so long to get a visa for Zimbabwe,” says Brad Muir sales and marketing manager at BurnsCunningham Corporate Travel.

Jitendra Patel, consultant at XL Fly Well travel says the requirement for a Zimbabwean visa on foreign passports is worse than getting a Schengen or UK visa. “A colleague who wanted to go to Victoria Falls had an Indian passport. The consulate told him that they needed an official letter from the hotel he had booked, with the hotel manager’s signature.

Even if you are getting a visa for the UK or one of the Schengen countries, an Internet copy is sufficient.”

Shanna Ehlilemr, visa consultant at Visa Shop, says two of her clients, who hold Indian passports, were denied visas with no explanation. “The consulate would not tell us why and said the clients would have to go to the consulate building to find

out what the problem was.”

Visa companies and agents report it can take up to five weeks for a visa to be processed. A long list of documents, including telephone and lights and water accounts as well as personal bank statements have been pinpointed as the culprits for delays.

“The problems come when we submit the application and receive it back because the forms are incomplete.

Applicants need to supply their passport, two passport photos, a copy of their passport, the visa application form and a letter from their company that they are doing business with in Zimbabwe,” says Mandy Cassim, md of Visas International.

“In addition to the normal documents, applicants need to submit a ZIA and CR 14 certificate from the company they are visiting in Zimbabwe.

“The embassy also requires a telephone account or lights and water account to verify where the client lives as well as a bank statement.”

Mandy says applicants need to submit their documents well in advance to avoid delays. “I would advise applications to be made 14 working days before travel, bearing in mind that the consulate is closed every Wednesday.”

Eden Matumba, consular attaché for the Consul General at the Zimbabwe Consulate would not comment on specific issues but did supply TNW

with a list of requirements for visa applications.

“We do not reject hotel bookings from the Internet.

Business visas take seven to 10 working days to process, urgent visas take three to four working days and holiday visas take seven to 10 working days.”

What’s needed for a business visa?

● Copy of valid passport (valid for at least six months) ● Copy of valid SA visa, i.e. visitor visa, work permit, study permit, accompanying relative/ partner/spouse permit etc) ● Proof of hotel bookings from Zimbabwe on a hotel/ lodge letterhead ● Letter of invitation from company/organisation in Zimbabwe on a letterhead ● Supporting letter from employer/company/ organisation ● The following are also required from a company in Zimbabwe: ZIA certificate, CR 14 Form, Zimra returns (current) ● Telephone bill ● Bank statement

What’s needed for a holiday visa?

● Copy of valid passport (valid for at least six months) ● Copy of valid SA visa ie visitor visa, work permit, study permit, accompanying relative partner/spouse permit etc ● Proof of hotel/lodge bookings from Zimbabwe on a letterhead or with company logo ● Air ticket bookings if travelling by air. n

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6 n Wednesday May 5 2010

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QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

NEWS Europcar’s new carrental mobile phone site, ‘mobisite’, offers customers ‘instant access on the move’ to Europcar.

Features on the site include receiving quotes and making, cancelling, viewing or amending reservations.

Also available on the site is information on specials, vehicles, branch locations and all contact details.

Travel agents who book primarily through a GDS will not be able to enter the customer’s mobile number, enabling him/ her to receive updates, as there is no field. However, if the customer has rented a vehicle with Europcar before (i.e. the customer’s profile includes their mobile number), the agent can load a reservation with a customer identifier that links the reservation to the client’s profile, enabling notifications to be sent via their mobile phone.

Getting connected is Dawn Nathan-Jones, ceo of Europcar SA Photo: Tijana Huysamen

AirHeads Check in for AA online

AMERICAN Airlines has made check-in a breeze for both domestic and international flights. Customers can check in online at the company’s website two to 24 hours before international flights and one to 24 hours before domestic flights. Passengers are now able to print or receive their boarding pass electronically on their phone or PDA to avoid an extra stop at the airport.

Online check-in can be done anywhere in the world.

Airline losses estimated at US$1,7 billion

IATA has estimated that the Icelandic volcano crisis cost airlines more than US$1,7billion in lost revenue on April 20. At the worst, the crisis impacted 29% of global aviation and affected 1,2 million passengers a day. Iata said that although airlines saved costs on fuel, they faced added costs such as passenger care.

EY to launch Iraq service

Get connected!

ETIHAD commenced flights to Baghdad on April 26. The airline operates five return services per week to Baghdad, operated by a two-class A320 aircraft, and will extend its operation with two flights to a second Iraq destination, Erbil, starting June 1. Flights depart to Baghdad on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 10h00, arriving in Baghdad at 11h25 the same day.

The return service departs Baghdad on the same days at 12h30, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 15h30. Services to Erbil will depart Abu Dhabi at 10h00 on Tuesdays and Sundays, arriving at 11h50. The return service will depart Erbil at 13h00 on the same days, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 16h40.

Double baggage allowance.

60kg in Economy, 90kg in Premier.* Newest aircraft.

Daytime Lagos arrival, not the middle of the night.

Best of both Hollywood and Nollywood entertainment.

Does your airline of choice to Lagos tick the boxes?

*Baggage allowance terms: maximum 30kg per bag; maximum two bags per customer in Economy Class and three in Premier.

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Passengers treated with the utmost courtesy and respect.

A network of over 30 destinations in Nigeria and West Africa.

Great fares between Johannesburg and Lagos.

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Wednesday May 5 2010 n 7

NEWS 23463 Travelport TNW editorial 2/1/10 2:33 PM Page 3 C

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Travel Talk

Following year for Travel Talk aischallenging a very appropriate travel in 2009, plagued by the title for our column because effects of the economic recession this it’s those aboutina the solution andmonth swine flu, industry that turn your will can be hoping for aviews rapid recovery and opinions into valuable in 2010. Indeed, IATA’s latest report discussions with your peers, has hinted at an increase in business enabling you to better serve travel following a strong rise in your customers. world trade in recent months.

Developing markets appear Clients rely on their travelto be improving more quickly agents for informed andthan some of the major economies, with Asia, accurate advice.

Travelport South America and African has now developed an countries showing encouraging innovative way to ensure that growth.

South African travel agents have access to a wealth of In South Africa, it is likely that we current, relevant and unbiased will see more consolidation, with information on which to base smaller agencies seeking the their recommendations. relative security of their larger It is a professional social compatriots. Bigger groups will networking agents continue to site lookfor at strengthening called Travelport Opinions and it affiliations with global groups. relies on the world’s top travel The FIFAfor World Cup will provide a experts its information – boostagents over the traditional winter travel themselves. trough andup hopefully also some Already and running in longer-term growthEast, for the France, the Middle thelocal airline, hospitality and it related UK and Ireland, where is industries and the broader South used by over 3000 leisure and African economy. Another benefit is business travel agents and increased cooperation between tour operators, is now being African airlines.itGDS content is launched in South Africa. being bolstered with more Travelport Opinions connects interlining and sharing agreements travel agents around South to improve connections and services Africa andthe theadvantages world allowing for 2010, of which you to share your knowledge will extend well beyond the tournament. and experience and get instant access to the expertise of your Travel can expect to see more peers. agents You can post or access full-content from major hotel reviewsagreements and even ask carriers andexperts new airline participants destination questions.

on For Galileo as theyan seek to regain example, agent in the some of the ground lost in 2009 and UK booking accommodation capitalise on the World Cup. for the World Cup could contact Although South Africa will be centre a South African colleague stage during 2010, there will also be to find out if the hotel was opportunities for other African in a good area and whether countries, with airline GDS sales it is competitively showing growth inpriced. several Similarly ifSouth you were looking countries.

African travel for a reasonably hotelto in agents should be priced well placed London you capitalise on could this. read the hotel reviews of your The coming year UK willpeers. also see a There’s also innovative a host of hotelnumber of new products introduced to the region, over including: related media including 110 000 pictures and 2 a500 videos.

Universal Desktop: unified GDS All this information desktop that seamlesslyisintegrates content from a variety of provideddirectly in a user-friendly suppliers. will no interface Agents which can belonger have to log into different systems but can personalised by agents.

The tool access everything their oneincludes a privatefrom e-mail system stop-desktop, time, and the abilitysaving to track updates improving service and efficiency. on particular properties.

KDSWe Portal the latestreally version of a have6:received corporate self-booking tool that positive feedback to date enables management from thetravel markets where companies to book and manage Travelport Opinions has been travel arrangements while reducing implemented. Agents describe costs. It combines Galileo, low-cost Travelport Opinions as acontent trustedas carrier, hotel, car and rail resource where they can get well as agency and corporate reliable information and where negotiated rates, presented in a hotel reviews single display. are trustworthy and add an realonline value.

They are Traversa: booking tool that also able to submit theirthe own allows business travellers ability reviews based on personal and to quickly and cost-effectively shop customer experiences. and make their own reservations Although Travelport Opinions while enabling corporations to is normally accessed through maintain travel policies, maximise peer invitations, we’ve made supplier agreements and achieve it available through www. high online adoption. It is currently travelportopinions.com/pr for a used by time.

IBM. limited

www.travelport.com TNW5157

Composite

Aviation pioneer retires With over 50 years of service to the aviation sector, former Airlines Association of Southern Africa ce John Morrison (left) bade farewell to colleagues recently as he retired from the association. Described as a highly principled, moral and ethical person, John first dabbled in African aviation when he was asked to go to Malawi in 1965 to set up a new airline, which became known as Air Malawi. In subsequent years, John was instrumental in setting up Air Botswana, Swazi Air, and in South Africa, he had ownership interests in Protea Airways, Magnum Air, United Air, Border Air and Citi Air, which he consolidated into Link Airways in the mid 1980s – the forerunner of Airlink as we know it today. John was instrumental in setting up the Airlines Association of Southern Africa and became ce of the association in 1992. Said his successor Chris Zweigenthal paying tribute at an event in Johannesburg recently: “John has succeeded in raising the profile of the association to the highest level and successfully looking after airline interests throughout his tenure with the association.”

KMIA to handle 45 000 pax over World Cup Kate els

K

RUGER Mpumalanga International Airport is expecting to handle approximately 45 000 passengers over the period of the 2010 FIFA World Cup starting in June.

Although the airport is very small, it will utilise a drop-and-go policy throughout the month-long tournament regardless of whether aircraft are

Mauritius

full or not on take-off, says operations manager, Rowan Torr.

Rowan says with the constraints that are expected to be placed on the airport’s apron coupled with the fact that the airport has no taxiway, it must be conservative in managing the facilitation of passengers.

“The airport can handle eight aircraft per hour – four in and four out,” says

Rowan. “This results in about 600 passengers per hour.”

Carriers that will be flying into the airport include South African Airways, British Airways, SA Express, Airlink, Federal Air, Bateleur Air Charter and Execujet. Rowan says the airport is well equipped to deal with these carriers as they are among those that offer regular services to the airport. n

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8 n Wednesday May 5 2010

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Ex JNB and DUR R322.00 p/p 20-28/09/10.

On MK ex CPT R1 110.00 p/p 11/04-09/06/10 and 16/07-19/09/10 and 04-31/10/10 and R1 425.00 p/p 20/09-03/10/10.

Ex JNB and DUR R191.00 p/p 20/09-03/10/10.

Additional taxes: Ex DUR R250.00 p/p

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Subject to availability, air fare increases and currency fluctuations.

QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

NEWS KQ plans to increase fleet and frequency Kate els

K

ENYA Airways is looking to increase its daily frequency into Johannesburg from the east African hub of Nairobi to four flights per day.

Rosemary Adogo, Kenya Airways area manager Southern Africa, says that with the looming 2010 FIFA

World Cup, the carrier has received a surprising influx of bookings for the period and has seen the necessity to increase the frequency.

The increase will coincide with the carrier’s ‘Escape South Africa’ promotion for over the period of the tournament. The campaign is to promote the carrier’s connections to six popular

holiday hotspots: Bangkok, Mumbai, Mombasa, Nairobi, Guangzhou and Cairo.

Rosemary added that the carrier will be utilising a Boeing 777 throughout the period in order to increase its capacity on the Johannesburg route. The aircraft will be instated on the route from June 9. n

Holiday Inn Rosebank enters the scene Natalia thomsoN IT’S one of the hottest new addresses in town located in Rosebank’s trendy The Zone shopping district and just metres away from Rosebank’s new Gautrain station. The brand new Holiday Inn Rosebank,

offering 158 rooms, opens its doors on May 7.

Managed by ISO Leisure, Holiday Inn Rosebank will offer guests access to a business centre, fitness centre, outdoor pool, cocktail bar and restaurant, among other facilities.

The Holiday Inn brand

mauritius

�

is undergoing the biggest relaunch in the hospitality industry with a US$1bn investment across more than 3 200 hotels and 430 000 rooms worldwide.

All Holiday Inn hotels in South Africa have already been relaunched well ahead of the December deadline. n

*

TNW3938SD

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a beachcomber hotel

Indian Ocean Island Lifestyle For Reservations call Beachcomber on 0800 500 800 www.beachcomber.co.za TNW3953SD

QUICK READ FOR bUSIESt pEOplE

TNW3956SD

Wednesday May 5 2010 n 9

Report

SAA’s ‘Voyagers’ getting a raw deal?

TNW’s Max Marx compares SAA Voyager’s redemption requirement to that of other airlines…

M

EMBERS of Voyager, SAA’s frequent flyer programme, have to pay twice – and sometimes more than three times – as much as members of other airlines’ loyalty programmes in terms of airfares to earn a domestic reward ticket on the JNB/New York routing.

TNW compared British Airways, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, Air France and SAA to find out how many frequent flyer miles a passenger needs to earn to get a free return domestic frequent flyer reward ticket in their home market.

We then asked the airlines what the lowest fare would be that would earn passengers that reward ticket.

To try and compare apples with apples, we asked airlines to give us the amount of miles earned on a return flight from Johannesburg to New York in the different booking classes and cabins, and then what the lowest fare would be to earn that reward ticket.

We also asked them to provide us with the number of miles earned on a oneway segment in the different booking classes, from JNB to their primary hub in their home markets. In the case of SAA, they used Frankfurt as their European hub in order to provide TNW with the

information.

The investigation reveals that to earn a domestic reward ticket on SAA, passengers flying to New York have to buy a business class ticket at R54 340 (excl. taxes). The next most expensive is Air France where passengers have to buy a premium economy fare for R26 800 (excl. taxes).

Lufthansa is the cheapest with passengers only having to fork out R17 100 (excl. taxes) to earn a domestic reward ticket.

The situation on the UK/ Europe routings seems more equitable where passengers flying on SAA can earn a domestic reward ticket by paying similar fares to those of European and UK carriers.

Explaining the significant price difference Josh Bustos, SAA’s head of Revenue Management, said SAA currently is not offering any mileage specials in the market. “The mileage earn rates that the other airlines quoted are tied to bonus mileage specials they are running in their respective frequent flyer programmes.

At this point in time SAA does not always match other airlines when they have these types of offerings.

“SAA is considering bonus mileage specials in some markets and you may see those in the not too distant

Air miles needed to earn a return domestic economy-class or business-class ticket BA

Lufthansa

Virgin

Air France

SAA

Economy Class

18 000

25 000

20 000 in SA 12 500 (BMI)

20 000

18 000 (Miles Keeper) 28 000 (Anyday award)

Business Class

36 000

35 000

30 000 in SA 22 500 (BMI)

40 000

30 000 (Miles Keeper) 40 000 (Anyday award)

Footnotes: ● Different booking classes in economy, business, and first class earn different mile percentages. The comparison is based on an airline’s lowest tier frequent passenger status. ● Some of the international airlines allow for reward tickets to be redeemed in the South African market but for this privilege, passengers in some instances have to use more miles to get the reward ticket. ● Virgin Atlantic does not fly internally within the UK but uses British Midland (BMI) as its UK partner.

Virgin’s lower economy fare classes (X,N,O) earn 50% miles, while it’s full economy fare classes (Y,B,L,M,Q) earn 100% miles. Premium economy (K) earns 125% and (W,S) 150%, and upper class (R,Z) earns 150% and (J,D) 200% miles. ● Lufthansa’s Miles & More members can also redeem miles on SAA domestic flights in South Africa. The carrier’s economy-class fares (L,S,U,W) accrue 50% of actual flown

miles, while (V,Q,H,M) accrue 100% of flown miles and (B,Y) 150%. All business-class fares (Z,D,C,J) accrue 200% of actual flown miles and all first class fares (F,A) accrue 300% of actual flown miles. Status members (Frequent Flyer Card holder, Senator or Hon) earn an additional 25% executive bonus. ● Air France’s Flying Blue members can redeem their award miles locally on BA Comair. For a return economyclass ticket on BA Comair one needs 25 000 award miles and return business-class ticket 50 000 award miles.

On Air France lowest economy fare classes (G,U,Q,N) earn 25% miles, while classes T,Y,L,V,C earn 50%, and H class 75%. Full fare economy classes Y,B,K earn 100% of mileage flown, and lowest fare business class (W,S,Z) earn 125%, business class (D,I) earn 150% and full fare business class (C,J) earn 175%, and first class (P,F) earn 300%.

● On SAA, full fare economy class (Y,B,M,K,H,S and Q) earn 100% of the actual mileage flown. The following classes T,V,L,W earn 50% while Z,D,J,C business class earn 100% of actual miles flown (base miles) plus an additional 25% class of service bonus miles. ● On British Airways (BA) the amount of frequent flyer miles collected depends on distance flown, the cabin one flies in, the type of ticket held and one’s executive club status.

On flexible economy fares (Y,B,H) passengers receive one BA mile for every mile flown. On discounted economy fares, passengers earn 25% of actual miles flown. BA also offers additional mile bonuses for flying in one of its premium cabins – World Traveller Plus (25%), Club Europe/Club World (50%), and First Class (100%).

Silver and Gold executive Club members earn additional miles of 25% and 50% respectively on top of the basic mileage rate.

JO’BURG. FUN. AUSTRALIA.

International Airline of TNW3946SD

10 n Wednesday May 5 2010

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BA Blue card holder

Lufthansa

Virgin Atlantic

Air France

SAA

Miles

Miles

Miles

Miles

Miles

Economy Lowest fare

4 550 S, V, Q, M, O, N, G, K, L

9 251 L, S, U, W 18 502 V, Q, H, M

9 090 X, N, O

4 526 G, U, N, Q

7 975 T, V, L, W

Full Economy

18 196 Y, B, H

29 726 B, Y

18 180 Y, B, L, M, Q

18 106 Y, B, K

15 950 Y, B, M, K, H, S, Q

Premium Economy

22 746 W, E, T

22 726 K 27 270 W, S

22 625 W, S

N/A

Business Class

27 294 D, C, I, R, J

27 270 R, Z

27 159 D, I

19 937 D, Z

36 360 J, D

31 685 J, C

19 337 J, C

N/A

54 318 P, F

N/A

37 004 Z, D, C, J

Full Business Class First Class

36 392 F, A

55 506 F, A

Lowest fare (excl taxes) to New York to earn a return domestic reward ticket For passengers to earn a domestic class ticket in their home market, passengers flying on Lufthansa would have to buy a full-economy B class return ticket (JNB/FRA/NYC/FRA/JNB) for R17 100. This earns the passenger 150% of actual flown miles: 27 753, of which 25 000 are needed for an economy-class domestic return ticket.

For passengers travelling on SAA, they would have to buy a businessclass ticket to New York (19 937 miles)

for R54 340.

On BA, passengers would have to buy a full economy-class ticket to New York for R25 910 (18 196 miles earned).

On Virgin Atlantic, to earn a domestic award ticket in South Africa one would need to fly on lowest premium economy return fare to New York – R18 320 (R24 350 with taxes), On Air France, passengers would have to buy a Premium Economy fare of R26 800.

Miles earned are based on a return Johannesburg to New York ticket via the carrier’s primary hub.

BA Blue card holder Miles

Lufthansa

Virgin Atlantic

Air France

SAA

Miles

Miles

Miles

Miles

Economy Lowest fare

1 410 S, V, Q, M, N, O, G, K, L

2 700 L, S, U, W 5 400 V, Q, H, M

2 816 X, N, O

1 354 G, U, N, Q

2 695 T, V, L, W

Full Economy

5 640 Y, B, H

8 100 B, Y

5 632 Y, B, L, M, Q

5 418 Y, B, K

5 391 Y, B, M, K, H, S, Q

Premium Economy

7 050 W, E, T

n/a

7 040 K 8 448 W, S

6 772 W, S

N/A

Business Class

8 460 R, I, C, J, D

10 800 Z, D, C, J

8 448 R, Z

8 127 D, I

6 739 D, Z

First Class

11 280 F, A

16 200 F, A

N/A

16 254 P, F

N/A

What is the lowest fare (excl taxes) to Europe that can earn passengers a return domestic reward ticket?

On British Airways, if a member flies JNB/LHR and books one first-class (F & A classes) return ticket from JNB to LHR, or three sectors in business class, or four sectors in eligible economy class, they’ll earn a free domestic reward ticket.

On Virgin Atlantic, for a domestic reward flight within the UK on BMI, one would need to purchase the lowest class premium economy fare to the UK, R10 980 (ex taxes).

On SAA, passengers travelling to Frankfurt would have to buy two return economy-class fares to Frankfurt to earn a domestic reward ticket. The cheapest fare in Q class is R7 260.

On Lufthansa, flying first class JNB/ FRA/JNB will get one a free domestic reward ticket with 7 500 spare. A business class ticket JNB/FRA/JNB will earn passengers 21 600 miles.

As 25 000 miles are needed for the award ticket, passengers will be short 3 400 miles.

Passengers who paid an additional €120 (R1 190) could get the reward ticket. In economy class, passenger would have to buy two return economyclass tickets (R6 040 excl. taxes - 10 800 miles each), plus pay in €120. So for two economy-class return tickets plus the €120, passengers would pay R13 280 to get a reward ticket.

Miles earned are based on a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to the carrier’s primary hub, and in the case of SAA, to Frankfurt.

TNW3957SD

QUICK READ FOR busiest people

Wednesday May 5 2010 n 11

Special deals will lure locals

Cape

Contrary to all expectations, there is great, affordable accommodation to be found in Cape Town and the rest of the Western Cape in the run-up to and during the FIFA World Cup, writes Hilka Birns.

A

SLOWER than anticipated uptake of World Cup tickets and accommodation is having a positive spin-off for South Africans wanting to make the most of the extended school holidays in June/July, with many Western Cape establishments offering excellent deals that locals can afford.

On April 10, FIFA accommodation broker, MATCH, released its unsold inventory back into the market, a large percentage of which is Cape-based, says Protea Hotels’ director of sales, marketing and revenue manager, Danny Bryer.

Fedhasa national chairman, Brett Dungan, Dungan says hotels now need to find mechanisms to sell these rooms that have been released back to them.

Exacerbating the situation is a surplus of rooms after at least nine new hotels opened in Cape Town in the last year.

Fedhasa Cape chairman, Phillip Couvaras, Couvaras estimates there will be about 2 000 extra rooms available each night by June 1.

All this adds up to a lot more rooms to fill, at shorter notice, at a time when a wintry and rainy Cape doesn’t attract its normal sun and beach holidaymakers from up-country.

Protea Hotels, says Danny, anticipated the situation some time ago and is already running specials for domestic leisure and corporate travellers.

Thompsons Holidays media and pr executive, John Ridler, confirms that more and more hotels are making previously blocked-out inventory

available at domestic, not rack rates. The tour operator has brought out a winter prize guide, an easy reference tool for travel agents, listing all the properties in its collection and accessible via its website.

Cape Town Routes Unlimited (CTRU) ceo, Calvyn Gilfellan, has been quick to stress that domestic visitors remain the destination’s bread-and-butter. “As much as Cape Town and the Western Cape’s ‘2010 – Beyond the 90 Minutes’ marketing programme focuses on soccer fans, it also encourages non-soccer visitors and locals to come and explore the city and province’s tourism activities and attractions.”

To combat perceptions of over-pricing, representatives from all tourism organisations in the city recently signed a Code of Responsible Pricing for Cape Town, committing themselves to fair and transparent pricing during the event and beyond.

A recent Grant Thornton SA accommodation survey commissioned by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) found that less than 20% of Cape Town’s establishments were hiking their prices beyond their usual summer season rates, because of the large supply of new hotel rooms that had recently opened. In fact, Cape Town emerged as the destination that is offering the best value-for-money in the country during the World Cup. Cape Town will host eight World Cup matches between June 11 and July 6.

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TNW3954SD

12 n Wednesday May 5 2010

QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

Cape hotel boom: only the fittest will survive THE addition of nine, mainly five-star, hotels into the Cape Town market has given consumers more choice and – instead of pushing up the cost of accommodation – has resulted in a drop in prices, says Phillip Couvaras.

This, coupled with an over-supply of rooms in the city and traditional trading troughs in winter, will create a market where only the strongest and fittest of hotels will survive, he says.

“Remember, the 2010 FIFA World Cup is

only seven weeks out of 52, while hotels are open 365 days of the year. Last year was a very difficult trading year, with declining revenues and very poor margins.

The strength of the rand has made South Africa expensive.

“The 2010 FIFA World Cup is viewed as potentially being very well timed for the South African hospitality industry, encouraging a strong trading environment, provided that hotels, restaurants and bars do not overprice their products,” he warns.

What’s new?

At least five more hotels are due to open in Cape Town over the next year or so, following the opening of nine hotels since 2009.

According to Grant Thornton SA they are: Name

Operator

Area

Grade

Year

Rooms

Strand Towers

Leisure Hotels

CBD

4

2010

252

Radisson Blu

Rezidor

Blouberg

5

2010

144

Hotel Missoni

Rezidor

CBD

5

2011

139

Portside Hotel

to be advised

CBD

4

to be advised

to be advised

Protea Hotel Blouberg

Protea Hotels

Blouberg

4

to be advised

to be advised

tcg tnw 04.p 4/22/10 4:16 PM Page 1 TNW3963SD

Five-star hotels that have opened since 2009 are: African Pride’s 15 on Orange and Crystal Towers Hotel, Coral International Cape Town, One&Only V&A Waterfront, Cape Royale, The Pepper Club and Taj Hotel Cape Town. New four-star hotels are Harbour Bridge Hotel and Suites and the Upper East Side Hotel.

Did you know?

Cape Town Tourism’s Central City Visitor Information Centre will be open from 08h00 until 21h00 on weekdays, 08h00 until 17h00 on Saturdays and 08h00 until 15h00 on Sundays. A 24-hour contact centre will provide visitor-friendly information.

Cape Town: what to do in winter WINTER allows visitors to get to know Cape Town from a different perspective.

Cape Town Tourism suggests the following activities that won’t break the bank: ● The Southern Line is a train route that leaves from the newly improved Cape Town station and travels along the False Bay coastline at a bargain cost, while allowing travellers to hop on and off along the way. ● Advise your clients to avoid the queues and buy their tickets for the Table Mountain Cable Car online. ● Restaurants and bars will be cosy and buzzing – so visitors who want seats at their favourite restaurants should think about making their bookings well in advance. ● Many attractions will extend their hours because of the World Cup. ● Learn to surf or walk along the 3km catwalk from Muizenberg to Kalk Bay. ● Shop for trinkets along Kalk Bay Main Road, watch the fishing boats come in and enjoy the best fish and chips at Kalky’s. ● Visit the penguins at Boulder’s Beach. ● Go horse riding on Noordhoek beach or stroll to the Kakapo shipwreck. Warm up with coffee or wine at the Noordhoek Farm Village. ● Visit Rhodes Memorial in Newlands for a view over the suburbs or take a walk in Newlands Forest.

QUICK READ FOR bUSIESt pEOplE

● Take a walk or horse-ride in Tokai Forest. ● Tour the Constantia Wine Route. ● Visit any of the numerous craft markets and craft shops all over Cape Town, including Greenmarket Square, the Milnerton flea market and the trendy organic food market at the Biscuit Mill in Woodstock. ● Drive up Signal Hill or walk up Lion’s Head for a 360-degree view of the city. ● Cape Town CBD has a ‘museum meander walk’ and an abundance of religious venues. ● Window-shop at the V&A Waterfront or watch the buskers and street life. ● Relive the world’s first heart transplant at the Heart of Cape Town Museum at Groote Schuur Hospital. ● Visit Durbanville Nature Reserve or the Durbanville Wine Valley. View contemporary art at the Rust-en-Vrede Gallery. ● Stop at Sir Lowry’s Pass Lookout Point for 403m-high views of the False Bay coast. Encounter wildlife along trails suitable for young and old at Helderberg Nature Reserve. ● Build a snowman at Klondike Farm outside Ceres. ● Coffeebeans Routes offer Cape Malay cooking safaris, music dinners in exclusive locations, music workshops and jazz safaris.

TNW3960SD

Wednesday May 5 2010 n 13

Western Cape

t!

ki o o B

New wing caters for special needs

T

HE de-luxe Vineyard Hotel and Spa in Newlands has opened a new wing of 41 rooms, four of these being especially designed for guests in wheelchairs or with special needs.

Hotel gm, Roy Davies, says the new courtyard luxury rooms and bathrooms have plenty of room for easy movement and ablutions. The rooms also have wooden floors to enable effortless movement and some have easily accessible balconies from where guests can view the courtyard gardens. “The entire hotel is wheelchair friendly,” he says, “and there is no

need for all-terrain wheelchairs. Wherever there are steps, there are also alternative, easier routes for guests in wheelchairs.”

The new wing also comprises 32 de-luxe rooms; two sets of interleading courtyard de-luxe rooms for families; and the Kitty Suite – with views of Rhodes Memorial, the University of Cape Town and Devil’s Peak – in honour of the hotel’s co-owner Kitty Petousis. A sky bridge will soon link the new wing to the hotel, replete with a rooftop and water-wise garden. In total, the Vineyard Hotel and Spa now has 207 rooms and suites and 85 new parking bays for guests.

Holiday Tours

'Escape the Vuvuzelas' specials: Hermanus Windsor Hotel from R990pps and Knysna Parkes Manor from R1 860pps.

Valid from June 1 to July 31.

Protea Hotels

World Cup fun in the wineland VUVUZELAS will meet fine includes day trips, interactive wines and family fun when the winemaking, restaurant 9th annual Stellenbosch Wine and accommodation deals, Festival kicks off a month wine tasting and exclusive earlier this year from July 1 winemaker dinners. to 5, offering football fans a Wine farms getting into wide range of ‘off the pitch’ World Cup spirit are Delheim, activities.

Jordan Wine Estate and Visitors can park their cars Webersburg, which will at any of several park-andhave big screens showing ride areas in Stellenbosch the soccer. Idiom Wines of and catch shuttles operating Helderberg will host a fivebetween the 140 participating a-side supporters’ football wine farms. There will be also competition, a supporters’ be transport from Cape Town, boules competition and wine or visitors can drive there as tasting. tempest radisson bluP.fh11 4/23/10 9:19 Page 1 well.

Thiscar year’s programme Villiera willAM offer game

Thompsons Holidays

● ‘Cape Town Winter Warmers’: a wide range of two-night specials starting from R419pp. ● Spier Hotel Winter Breakaway: self-drive from R2 049pp or from R3 699pp fly-in package. Valid from May 1 to September 30. Peak season surcharges apply from June 8 to July 12. ● Spier Hotel World Cup fly-in package priced at R5 169pp ex-JNB and DUR (R4 859pp ex-PLZ). Valid from June 8 to July 12. ● Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa: self-drive packages from R3 799pp. Fly-in ex-JNB/DUR R5 589pp and ex-PLZ R5 269pp. Valid from May 1 to June 5; July 15 to Aug 10.

drives ending with Méthode Cap Classique tasting, while Waterkloof will offer wine tasting on horseback.

L’Avenir Estate will offer a host of activities celebrating French culture, ending with a performance by The Matthew Kruger Band, while Simonsig will have live music throughout the festival.

Tickets are available online or from the Information Centre at Doornbosch, Stellenbosch, at R150pp per day or R500 for a festival pass. Under-18s are free.

● Nine Cape-based June school holiday packages, starting at R270pp (room only) for a minimum two-night weekend stay at Protea Hotel King George on the Garden Route. Valid from June 10 to July 13.

Sure Tours

● Various hotel specials, e.g. Pepper Club Opening Special at R1 999pps. Valid until May 31.

Mont Rochelle Hotel & Mountain Vineyards ● Winter breakaway packages from R2 300pn for two people sharing. Valid from April 6 to September 30, including the Franschhoek Literary Festival (May 14 to 16) and the Bastille Festival weekend (July 11 and 12).

Cape Milner Hotel

● A full-day conference package at R370pp for a minimum of 12 people.

TNW3958SD

14 n Wednesday May 5 2010

QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

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Tel: Jill (031) 201 8330 durban@nowjobs.co.za See our website for a further selection of exciting vacancies! www.leebotti.co.za

2010

QUICK READ FOR bUSIESt pEOplE

Expanding incentives company wants you to join their growing team! Enjoy fantastic working environment & service orientated team. Min 5 years incentives exp & ability to travel with groups. Deal with affluent corporate clientele and flaunt your excellent int’l product knowledge and creative flair. Highly negotiable offer.

CAPE TOWN FORTUNE TELLER – NORTH

Riveting opportunity exists for your CA or BCOM working qualification. You’ll have exposure to IFRS, TAX plus overseeing a team. Ability to do all functions up to Trial Balance plus prepare for external audits. Overseeing 3 entities within the Group. Int’l working exp highly beneficial. Top salary for ‘top hot shot’!

Thrive on motivating & developing your team of consultants?

Leap into this hot seat now with your zeal for Southern Africa. You’ll have managed a team of at least 15 persons with passion for ensuring “cream of the crop” standards are adhered to. Min 5 years inbound exp with passion for vision of the company going forward. Salary market related.

dURbAN

dURbAN

AIRLINE SALES!

Rare, sought-after opportunity! Join int’l airline, and take responsibility for promoting & marketing their services in the KZN region. Previous airline sales exp essential to work to defined sales objectives, and become known as the person behind the brand! Package incl basic, car allow + excellent perks!

INbOUNd TOURS!

Intermediate level consultant required with outbound wholesale expertise! Leading, established tour operator seeks 3-4 years exp, and a knowledge of packaging travel + IT fares. Exp on Amadeus a distinct advantage. Will suit team player, who can work under pressure & meet deadlines. R8,000-R9,000 neg.

TNW2048 TNW2048

Please Take Note of Our New Telephone No.: 011 704 4909

CONTACT WENDY/KIM TEl: 011Contact 465 8221 FAx: 086 538 5889 Wendy/Kim E-MAIl: wtp@icon.co.za (011) 704 4909 or e-mail: wtp@icon.co.za

For all aviation opportunities email CV to joyce@sgroup.co.za Due to the volume of CVs received we apologise for not being able to respond to every applicant. Should you not hear from us within 10 days please consider your application unsuccessful, however we will keep your details on file for alternative opportunities.

Senior Manager (Commercial & Financial) Financial Degree and /or MBA candidate with Oracle & Cognos experience essential. Business case management, drive business performance and profitability, forecasting, budgeting, strategic planning, vendor contracting essential, understanding of global company and organization structure. Kati Outbound Incentives Cons – Jhb North Be responsible for projects from start to finish working for reputable Incentives company. Candidates must have at least 5 years experience with international/outbound travel and be able to travel with the groups.

Amadeus is an advantage but not essential. R15000/R18000. Kati Senior Wholesale Consultant – Jhb N/ Suburbs Extensive knowledge of the Far East or Australia is key to joining well reputed tour operator. Kati Wholesale Consultant – Jhb N/Suburbs Minimum 5 years wholesale experience with broad knowledge of international and domestic travel arrangements.

Be part of a small team. Candidates must be emotionally mature and able to deal with demanding clients.

R15000. Kati Snr & Intermediate Consultants Considering a permanent career move or interested in doing temporary contracts? Job opportunities, both permanent and temp, are on the increase! Tina Rates Administrator – Jhb N/Suburbs RWA Suite experience an advantage.

Candidates must have excellent attention to detail and analytical skills.

Join highly regarded company! Kati

Office Hrs (011) 884-9113 Website: www.specialized.co.za e-mail: kati@sgroup.co.za or tina@sgroup.co.za

TNW0714

As part of our continued growth and expansion we have vacancies for SENIOR WHOLESALE OUTBOUND CONSULTANTS for areas: Far East, Australia and Groups.

Min 8 yrs exp

Wednesday May 5 2010 n 15

TNW NEWS

Hotels scramble to fill rooms Suppliers are desperately trying to encourage corporates to travel over the 2010 World Cup, reports TNW’s Natalia Thomson.

L

IFT your self-imposed ban on travel over the 2010 World Cup! That’s what suppliers, especially hoteliers, are urging corporates to do in the wake of MATCH’s recent release of thousands of hotel rooms back into the market.

On April 10, MATCH announced it would only need 600 000 contracted bed nights, as opposed to the 1,9m it originally bound hotels to in contracts for the duration of the tournament.

The release of rooms at this late stage was not unexpected, confirms City Lodge ce, Clifford Ross, but it certainly was bigger than hotel groups had expected, especially in Cape Town and Durban.

Nicholas Barenblatt, Protea Hotels’ group marketing and advertising manager, says MATCH has returned 60% of

the inventory originally contracted to it by Protea.

He confirms that the inventory returned was not only based in “secondary cities” but also in Cape Town and Durban.

Hotel groups are turning to local corporate and leisure travellers to fill the rooms that have been left vacant by this latest release and have injected a range of specials into the market to stimulate demand.

Says Nicholas: “There has been some confusion in corporate circles with many simply assuming travel would be out of their reach during this time. In terms of local leisure travel, the schools are out for six weeks and many people, not only soccer fans, are using the new deals in the market as an opportunity to travel within the country.”

Protea, says Nicholas, is looking at a variety of

campaigns, including one aimed at the domestic market for school holidays occurring during the period of the tournament.

“These campaigns provide consumers with a variety of options, for example the ‘June School Holiday’ campaign is for those looking to escape the World Cup frenzy by taking a break to the outlying areas like the Garden Route, KZN coast or Mpumalanga.

“Protea Hotels is also working with airline partner kulula.com and other domestic wholesalers to create a range of travel packages both in city and countryside locations across the country that will prove very attractive to South Africans should they want a family getaway or need to travel for business.”

Refuting claims that hoteliers are now only turning their attention to the

domestic market because the expected number of international visitors has fallen through, Fedhasa ceo Brett Dungan highlights that a condition of hosting the World Cup had been hotels’ willingness to commit 55 000 rooms to MATCH. “The final release in April meant it was the first time hoteliers could tell corporates what was available.”

Some industry pundits are now predicting that, with this last-minute release of rooms, travellers can expect rates to be even lower this winter than last year as hotels attempt to shift their distressed inventory.

Brett says this is unlikely to be the case as MATCH was only one channel of sale open to hoteliers.

“The normal corporate rates should apply and although hoteliers may get less than what was

anticipated, this does not necessarily mean they will put out ‘cheap’ rates over the period.”

Clifford believes there will be a slight premium over the rack rate in host cities where the matches will be played.

“All other hotels will be applying the normal rack rate as usual.”

So it’s definitely business as usual, say hoteliers.

Corporates and leisure travellers can travel over the June 11 to July 11 period and even at an affordable rate, although demand will be tight on match days in host centres.

In the run-up to the event, Clifford confirms there appears to be little pre-event travel being booked. “Hopefully this means the business travellers have come to realise that it will be ‘business as usual’.” n

AF KLM launch BlueBiz brought to you by

Air France KLM have made their join Corporate Benefits programme for small and medium-sized businesses available in SA. Up to now, both airlines had their own corporate benefits programme aimed at this segment. As a member of the BlueBiz programme, a company earns Blue Credits each time one of its employees travels with Air France or KLM. Blue Credits are valid for at least 24 months up to a maximum of 36 months and are granted according to the route and the booking class. In addition, the members of Flying Blue, the Air France and KLM frequent flyer programme, continue to earn miles when travelling on Air France and KLM. Blue Credits can be converted into award tickets and upgrades to any destination in the extended global network of Air France and KLM. Any company employee can use the awards. All the services offered to BlueBiz members (membership, customer profile management, consulting and managing accounts and using awards etc) are accessible directly online 24/7 on the Air France website. Pictured here is programme manager, Trish Fischer Photo: Tijana Huysamen

eTNW and TRAVELINFO

SA corporates staying put Have your corporate clients considered lifting their ban on business travel over the Soccer World Cup period since MATCH’s release of unsold inventory?

n Yes 21% n No 40% n Not yet, but I expect them to 39% In a series of polls run by TNW on MATCH’s release of inventory, results show that corporates are not rushing to make reservations or are waiting for the last minute to book. eTravel is the ITC market leader in South Africa and assists senior Travel Consultants and Travel business owners to realise their dreams. If you have ever dreamt of owning your own travel business or would like to cut costs by doing away with your IATA license and improve your current business efficiencies then you should call eTravel. We run the back office for over 190 Independent Travel Companies and specialise in making your travel business a success by offering the best commissions, overrides & a comprehensive support structure. If you have a client base, 5 years retail travel experience or already own your own business but want to make more, then contact us!

You’ll be amazed at how easy it is!

lauraw@etravel.co.za / charmainem@etravelcpt.co.za

16 n Wednesday May 5 2010

Thailand still safe – TAT Jeanette PhilliPs DESPITE the ongoing political situation in Thailand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has urged visitors and the trade not be ‘put off’ by the destination.

In a statement, TAT says foreigners have not been targeted in the ongoing political conflict, however visitors are advised to be vigilant, follow news

developments, exercise extra caution and avoid areas where demonstrators are gathering.

The emergency decree currently in place, adds TAT, is to enable government to restore normalcy to various areas in Bangkok and continues to remain in effect as the government continues to work towards resolving the political situation. Sales and marketing director for Avocatur, Noor Vadachia, says the company currently has a few

groups and individual clients visiting Thailand and it has not received any complaints.

“Returning passengers, some of whom walked among the protestors and engaged with them in conversation, reported that the protestors were peaceful.”

In terms of safety, Noor says, as in any other part of the world, safety while travelling is a relative issue. “In this specific case the main tourist To page 2

QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS