Travel News Weekly 21 October 09 by Now Media

Southern Africa’s Travel News Weekly

October 21 2009 I No. 2080

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TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLY

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Cough up for SA’s coffers Natalia Thomson

T is unlikely agents and their clients will be penalised for undercollecting WC tax on air tickets sold in SA after October 1. This is after agents were advised on October 9 through eTNW (Travel News Weekly’s sister online news service) of the new increases levied by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) applicable from October 1. SARS hiked the crossborder WC tax for Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland from R60 to R80 and from R120 to R150 for all other cross-border destinations. Although the notice to increase the WC tax was only gazetted on September 30 and dated October 2, airlines were told to enforce the difference retroactively for all tickets issued on or after October 1. But by October 9 the tax had still not been changed in the GDSs, say agents. “For any tickets we issued from Friday (October 9) onwards we changed the WC tax manually. Any tickets issued prior to the late notification have the old

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WC tax and any ADM that I receive I will fight,” said Trish Bezuidenhout, Harvey World Travel Hillcrest. But there may be no need to fight. The industry has issued thousands of tickets prior to the GDSs being changed to reflect the correct amount, and since the WC tax is collected from the traveller on the date of ticket issue and not on the date of travel, it is likely those passengers will not be asked to pay the increase. Asata president Laurie Wilkinson says it’s unfortunate that GDS systems were not correctly updated with the new WC tax levels for ticketing from October 1. “Asata will be contacting the various airline organisations to seek assurances that our members will not be penalised via ADM for the incorrect collection of this tax for the period in question.” Despite protests to the contrary, SARS says the industry has had months to prepare for the recent WC tax hike. “The proposed increase in the tax was first announced on page 67 of the 2009 Budget Review which To page 24

Bet on the USA! What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. That’s the word from Holiday Tours, which is punting a great eight-night special at the three-star Circus Circus Hotel. The package, valid from November 8-26, includes return flights on Delta, airport taxes and return airport transfers from R13 690 ex-JNB and R14 390 ex-Cape Town. Up the ante and suggest this special, say Holiday Tours’ Go USA department (from left) Nicole Lopes, Heidi Dos Santos, François De Klerck (sales executive) and Nadia Wagener Photo: Tijana Huysamen

Downturn claims another casualty Jeanette Phillips THE challenging economic environment has claimed another victim in the travel industry. Pretoria–based tour operator Travel Crossings announced last week that it had been handed over for liquidation on October 8. Travel Crossings md, Jacques Bezuidenhout, says

several factors led to the downfall of the company. These, according to Jacques, include the huge downturn in the economy, the fact that certain airlines are “undercutting” their airfares to direct clients leaving tour operators in the cold, as well as “unfair competition” where suppliers favour certain operators by

giving them better rates. “Only a few clients will be affected by this step with the majority of bookings being completed and suppliers being paid,” says Jacques. David Traup Attorneys has been appointed as liquidators and has undertaken to contact affected clients individually. ■

TNW NEWS Top web stories ● How honest are you? ● Travel Crossings to be liquidated ● Take note: SA WC tax increase effective immediately! ● 1time to enter GDS market? ● SATAWU members to down tools at SAA (updated) ● Breaking News: Holiday Inn Sandton evacuated ● How honest are you? What the industry had to say... ● Empty bladders = lighter aircraft? ● Specials spot ● Yay or nay for 2010

Accolade for SA’s Travel Connections Natalia Thomson

OUTH African ownermanaged TMC Travel Connections has been appointed the only SA representative of Global Specialist Markets (GSM), a global travel management company specialising in “service excellence”. GSM represents a partnership of global independent TMCs that provide innovative, flexible and competitive solutions, with each partner recognised as an expert in its local marketplace. Travel Connections joins 38 ownermanaged TMCs covering key markets around the world. Arriving back in South Africa after the global GSM conference in Abu Dhabi recently, Travel Connections director, Geraldine Zilk, said the group was a gathering of high-profile, like-minded industry people worldwide with great enthusiasm for what they did. “Being the exclusive representative in SA means Travel Connections will benefit

Geraldine ‘Gigs’ Zilke and Lindy Preston are excited to have Travel Connections selected as the exclusive representative for GSM in SA Photo: Natalia Thomson from new business originating worldwide. There’s huge interest in SA internationally because of the 2010 World Cup and we’re quoting our GSM partners for pre and post tours for their clients.” Director Lindy Preston says: “Having partners worldwide allows us to tap into their local knowledge and share in their local expertise. We also get assistance with tenders, share information and ideas on global issues affecting travel. We get the benefit of global marketing done by GSM and get assistance

with technology.” But service excellence is where this group, says Geraldine, makes its mark. “GSM regards high-touch service and attention to detail as a key focus. And as a professional TMC, high-touch personal service is a big thing for us.” GSM’s regional director: EMEA, Richard Boardman, says Travel Connections’ 21 years of experience and drive for excellence as an ownermanaged company in the SA market adds “particular value” to GSM.” ■

Seabourn Legend cancels Africa voyages Natasha Tippel

TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLY

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EDITORAL Editor: Natalia Thomson nataliat@nowmedia.co.za Sub-Editor: Ann Braun annb@nowmedia.co.za Cape Town Editor: Hilka Birns hilkab@nowmedia.co.za Journalists: Jeanette Phillips jeanettep@nowmedia.co.za Natasha Tippel natashat@nowmedia.co.za Melody Brandon melodyb@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: Lana Sachs PRODUCTION Design Head: Brendon Bester

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YACHTS of Seabourn has announced that it will not operate a planned series of voyages in the Indian Ocean with Seabourn Legend in late 2010 and early 2011. The vessel will instead be repositioned to the Americas at the end of its Mediterranean season to cruise in the Caribbean over the winter. Calling the decision “regrettable”, Seabourn’s president and ceo, Pamela Conover, said while the shoreside destinations remained safe for visitors, the routes between them on the high seas were currently vulnerable to incidents of piracy that had not been adequately controlled. “It makes me sad to have

to cancel these cruises,” Pamela said. “I personally loved touring Kenya’s game parks, and the islands of the Seychelles, Madagascar and Zanzibar are lovely and exotic destinations where we had sincerely hoped to be able to take our guests. We look forward to a time when the sea routes are controlled enough for us to cruise there for a season.” However, Seabourn enthusiasts looking for exotic itineraries still have a selection to choose from. Seabourn Spirit will depart the Mediterranean in November 2010, sailing through Egypt, the Suez Canal, the Red Sea and Oman to Dubai. It will then continue via India, Thailand and Malaysia to Singapore, to begin a season of cruises

exploring Bali, Borneo and the myriad islands of the Java, Flores and Savu seas. The luxurious, all-suite vessel will then venture southward to Australia’s Northern Territories and Great Barrier Reef. Seabourn Pride will cruise in Asia for the full year and in the autumn will sail to China, Thailand and Vietnam, with included or optional extensions to Beijing, Guilin, Cambodia and Laos and the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. Seabourn Odyssey will make her maiden circumnavigation of South America in early 2011, encompassing the Peruvian and Chilean coasts, the Chilean fjords and Patagonia, Cape Horn, the Falkland Islands, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and the Amazon. ■

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QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

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NEWS

Click and win with Mango Staff

reporter

LIFE Hotel to open at OR Tambo

passengers on their aircraft to help them go faster. For more information and to enter, visit www.clickandfly.

co.za and click on the plane. Just remember that the weather could play a role in slowing down your plane. ■

Catch some zzz... Kate Els Sports fans for the Soccer World Cup will now be able to stay in student facilities, thanks to a new venture. Neville Robinson, marketing & business development manager for Simplebedzzz.

4 n Wednesday October 21 2009

A brief look at this week's hotel news

Quarters Hotel Hermanus to open in October

QUARTERS Hotels has announced the opening of the Quarters Hotel Hermanus in October, the group’s first property in the Western Cape. The new 18-room hotel is situated on the Cape Whale Route and overlooks Walker Bay and the old harbour. Room features include satellite television, tea- and coffee-making facilities, air-conditioning, direct-dial telephones, safes, separate bath and showers. Some of the rooms also have private patios. Facilities at the property include a first-floor swimming pool and bistro-style Harbour House Kitchen and Bar.

ANGO has launched ‘South Africa’s Biggest Air Race’, an online game where you can register as a pilot and fly a digital plane around the country map. Anyone over 18 can take part and there are prizes worth over R2m to be won. The fastest lap time will win the main prize of a trip for the ‘pilot’ and 10 friends to all four Mango destinations, including car hire, accommodation and spending money. Spot prizes can be won along the way and entrants are allowed 10

PillowTalk

com, says it has contracted university accommodation close to stadiums. Neville says the company has already contracted 8 654 beds and is looking to add another 4 000. This accommodation is open to both FIT and travel trade bookings.

Fans who stay at the university accommodation will have full access to facilities normally on offer to students. “Some campuses have also agreed to pub facilities,” says Neville, describing publicviewing facilities including bigscreen TVs. ■

ONLY five minutes from the airport and conveniently reached by a free, half-hourly shuttle bus, LIFE Airport Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport is a quirky addition to Johannesburg airport accommodation. There are playstations and Wii Fit in the reception area and an outdoor pool for doing laps. An atrium chill area, mod lounges, a business centre, concierge services and an indoor restaurant with outdoor terrace are complemented by free Wi-Fi throughout. Other health facilities at the hotel include outdoor treadmills and exercise bikes. In all the hotel suites travellers will find iPod docking stations, electronic safes big enough to hold a laptop, in-room Wi-Fi, LCD TVs with satellite channels and multiplug work stations. The hotel has 90 rooms, each consisting of one and a half bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchenette, lounge-dining area and a small outdoor balcony. With the airport precinct often a convenient place for meetings and conferences, the hotel’s two conference rooms can each accommodate up to 150 delegates and 120 in banqueting format with both rooms featuring outdoor terraces for pre-assembly and tea breaks.

QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

Don’t miss this train!

e r u t r a p e d One . 9 0 0 2 , r e b m 10 Dece

Here comes the opportunity of a lifetime… The Blue Train – SA’s most famous luxury train Book your clients on this once-off Blue Train & BushBreak Reservations special.

Thornybush Collection – SA’s most famous luxury lodges Look at these prices! 2 nights on the Blue Train, 2 nights in a lodge Serondella & Waterbuck Game Lodge R12 500 per person sharing Thornybush Game Lodge R13 750 per person sharing Includes R500 per suite Spa Voucher Simbambili

R14 995 per person sharing

Includes R500 per suite Spa Voucher

10% commission paid to travel agents

Departs Pta 10 December only! Prices include: Dawn & Dusk Game Drives, all meals and local drinks, transfer to & from Hoedspruit Station, cocktail party at The Blue Train Lounge (Pta),De Luxe suites on The Blue Train. Standard terms and conditions apply. 50% single supp. applicable.

Contact BushBreak Reservations on 0861 00 44 55 www.bushbreaks.co.za TNW5061

NEWS

Come stay and play at Africa’s leading casino resort 2009 may be winding down, but with Emperors Palace, you can end it on a high note. Conveniently located next to OR Tambo International Airport and voted Africa’s leading casino resort in South Africa and Africa’s best convention and conference venue for 3 years running, we’ll stretch any budget with our unbeatable value packages! Emperors Palace offers you a wide selection of superior function venues and an equally inspired choice of outstanding restaurants offering Asian, Italian, Greek, Indian, African and continental cuisine. Plus, our newly-renovated Entertainment Emporium will boast six state-of-the-art NuMetro cinemas as of December 2009. Relax in comfort and safety at one of our four awardwinning resort hotels. These include the classical 5-star Peermont D’oreale Grande Hotel, the generous 4-star Peermont Mondior Hotel, the new 3-star Peermont Metcourt Suites and the chic new 3-star Peermont Metcourt Hotel. Only Emperors Palace offers you world-class conferencing, hotels, gaming, entertainment and dining - all in one extraordinary setting.

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The sleigh-beds and ‘Crystal Showers’ at the new Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa are sure to become a talking point when this new Cape Town hotel opens on December 1. Hosting a sneak preview last week were revenue manager, Carlyn Hansby, and rooms division manager, Siyanda Dlamini

Crystal Towers sparkles for trendies Hilka Birns

rim-flow pool over a portecochère, a white marbled internal street and a glass boardroom floating in the triplevolume space above it …these are just some of the elements that will make Protea Hotels’ new five-star Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa the talk of Cape Town when it opens on December 1. Part of the group’s African Pride brand, the R750m project in Century City will be unlike anything seen in the city before. It will consist of a 180-room hotel targeting high-end business travellers; a residential block with 90 luxury apartments; and offices; all situated on a manmade canal and linked via a steel suspension bridge to Canal Walk, Cape Town’s biggest shopping Mecca. There will be nine boardrooms – each with natural light and cutting

edge facilities – and a 300-seat conference room with car ramps for product launches. There will also be underground parking for 500 cars. The look will be modern with the colour magenta repeated throughout the hotel. Highlights include floorto-ceiling windows everywhere, embedded LED lights in a red carpet, fibre-optic curtains and suspended day-beds in reception, to snake-skin wallpaper in the passages. Bedrooms are dominated by a column-like central shower and sleigh-beds and have pop-up TVs and built-in business desks. Two themed lounges, inspired by SA personalities David Kramer and Kingsley Holgate, will be available for private functions. Apart from a 120-seat restaurant, there will also be a deli and sushi bar. There will also be a gym and wellness spa. A wind-protected pool deck with views across Table Bay will have a bar for functions. ■

Thornybush offers guests a ‘trip of a lifetime’ Kate Els

For bookings and details contact: EMPERORS PALACE SALES: Tel: +27 (0)11 928 1055 | Fax: +27 (0)11 928 1551 E-Mail: ibotes@emperorspalace.com | Website: www.emperorspalace.com

peermont supports the national responsible gambling programme. problem gambling toll-free helpline 0800 006 008. players must be 18 years or older. winners know when to stop. TNW3658SD

6 n Wednesday October 21 2009

THE Thornybush Collection, in collaboration with the Blue Train and BushBreak Reservations, is offering a once-off experience for its guests. Between December 10 and 14, guests will be offered the opportunity to travel from Pretoria to Hoedspruit on the Blue Train, spend two nights in five-star accommodation in one of The Thornybush Collection’s lodges, and travel back with the train. Guests can choose from the following lodges: Serondella Game Lodge, Waterbuck Game Lodge, Thornybush Game Lodge

or Simbambili. Packages vary according to the lodge of choice (see advertisement on page 5). Included in all packages are dawn and dusk game drives, all meals and local drinks, transfers between Thornybush and the Hoedspruit Station, a cocktail party at the Blue Train lounge and travel in the Blue Train’s de-luxe suites. Some package offers also include a R500 spa voucher. Nic Griffin, ce of The Thornybush Collection, says: “Travel agents that book through BushBreak Reservations can expect a 10% commission.” ■ QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

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report

Reduce carbon emissions! Melody Brandon

EING carbon neutral is no longer just a fad. The issue has become even more high profile among the global travel trade with Iata challenging governments to take specific actions to support the aviation industry’s approach to climate change. The EU has already decided to impose carbon emission quotas on airlines, and in South Africa, companies could be required to compile annual carbon emission reports as soon as 2012. A white paper on climate change will also be released by 2010. “The SA government has been proactive in its climate change response and is a signatory of the Kyoto protocol. Following the National Climate Change Summit in March this year, it is expected that a binding Climate Change Policy will be implemented in 2012, including either a carbon tax, or a carbon cap and trade scheme,” says Kerry Wright, director of carbon solutions company, Cleaner Climate.

Kerry says South Africa has been identified as a hotspot that will be most adversely affected by climate change. In addition, SA companies lag behind their international counterparts in reducing carbon footprints. Airlines Association of Southern Africa ce, Chris Zweigenthal, said while the SA and African aviation industry had a way to go to catch up on carbon emission reduction

“If you fly to London and back, that is almost the amount of carbon you would emit living at home the whole year." policies, airlines were not the “bad boys”. “A lot needs to be done. Africa is a bit behind because we are a developing nation, but it is not just the aviation industry that needs to come to the party. Generally, airline technology is streets ahead of other industries when it comes to fuel reduction. Airlines operate because people want to fly”

Kerry agrees that carbon emissions are not a specific industry’s problem, but that a cohesive approach needs to be implemented. “To put the effect of our personal travel emissions into context… in South Africa the emissions attributed to your domestic electricity consumption per year are six tons. A flight from here to London is just over four tons. A return flight to London is almost the amount of carbon you would emit living at home the whole year,” she explained. Kerry says while it might not seem necessary to put changes into place now, shortterm inconvenience is a part of a bigger picture. “If the temperature increases by five to seven degrees, there will be far more serious implications for the travel industry than the investment of becoming carbon neutral now.”

Simple tips

Kerry advises individuals to put systems into place before carbon reporting is mandatory such as: ● Change light bulbs to energy savers ● Switch off the light when you leave a room ● Turn down the thermostat on your geyser or install a timer. ● Turn appliances off when not in use. Standby mode still consumes electricity ● Unplug your phone and laptop chargers when not in use. ● Think about the products you buy. Shop for goods produced locally and organically ● Recycle waste ● Consider the impact of your travel, organise a lift club, or consider teleconferencing ● Instead of faxing, or printing, move towards a paperless office

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8 n Wednesday October 21 2009

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Current initiatives ● Hotels: City Lodge employs energy-saving methods like heating boilers during off-peak times, using energy-efficient light bulbs and automatic switching off of room air-conditioners at set times. Sun International Zambia has been awarded platinum heritage status for responsible tourism for its initiavtives in managing noise, energy, water, waste and air quality. ● Car rental: Avis invested R2m to save water from its carwash.

Recycling water saves up to 100m litres a year. An underground water storage facility in Cape Town is expected to save up to 180 000 litres of water. Europcar is introducing a carbon offset initiative that will allow customers to contribute to a verifiable programme. New technologies will see the company reduce its paper consumption by almost 50%. ● Airlines: kulula.com’s greening initiative, Project Green, in partnership with Food and Trees for Africa, uses

money raised through passenger and kulula.com contributions, to green rural schools around the country. Swiss International Air Lines allows its passengers to immediately calculate the carbon emissions their planned travel will generate and compensate for these via the Swiss-based My Climate foundation. It calculates the costs involved in offsetting the volume of these carbon emissions attributed to each passenger.

Understanding carbon emissions Don’t understand the jargon? Here are some definitions:

What is a travel footprint?

A travel footprint is the emissions associated with air and ground transport and accommodation. Each of these activities burns fossil fuel.

What is offsetting?

How can you calculate your footprint?

Specific emission factors and other variables are applied to the raw travel data to calculate the actual emissions attributed to each activity. Emission factors and other variables are constantly updated. It’s therefore imperative that the carbon calculators used reflect these changes. ■

AV/TNW/OCT09

A carbon offset (carbon credit) represents one ton of CO2 reduced or removed from the atmosphere by a registered carbon project. Purchasing carbon offsets effectively neutralises the emissions caused by an activity. For example, if your flight produces

four tons of CO2, purchasing four carbon credits will offset or balance out the global warming effect of your travel.

We all leave a mark on the world. At Avis we care about our impact on the environment. This is why we’ve offset our measured internal energy and fuel carbon footprint in line with international carbon reduction protocol and have attained CarbonNeutral® accreditation! This is OUR commitment to the environment, to the air we breathe, to the planet and everyone on it. So join Avis in combating global warming and make a difference to our future. Discover more about our CarbonNeutral® journey at www.avis.co.za.

www.avis.co.za or call 0861 021 111 Avis rents VW and other fine cars

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Wednesday October 21 2009 n 9

NEWS Taj focuses on niche markets Hilka Birns

HE new five-star R500m, 176-room Taj Cape Town, due to open at the end of November, is betting on its international branding and focused niche marketing to differentiate itself in a market that has seen a glut of new premium hotels and fierce competition as the recession forces visitors to buy-down. Sales and marketing manager, Theo Cromhout, says: “We’re fortunate that we’re able to look at diverse markets and so can spread our risk.” These will include international and domestic corporates; government and related business; international

leisure; and MICE, particularly incentives. The local market will be attracted through the hotel’s food and beverage outlets, the pricing of which will be aimed at Capetonians. He says the Taj will create an “authentic cultural incentive programme” such as a treasure hunt focusing on historic buildings and museums. Theo says it will not engage in a price war, but will position itself in line with its five-star competitors, differentiating itself through excellent service; by keeping food and beverage services in-house; investing in training and development of its 300 full-time staff; and offering a sense of “warm Indian hospitality”. ■

Celebrating 20 years on – fall of the Berlin Wall Natalia Thomson TWENTY years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, visitors can participate in a guided tour in Potsdam offering insight into the history of a divided nation. The route starts at Glienicke Bridge and follows the line along which the wall once ran, giving participants insight into how it affected people’s lives, attempts to cross the border and secret agents. The tour then continues to Cecilienhof House and into the ‘forbidden city’. Residents of Potsdam’s Nauener Vorstadt district were forced to leave their homes in 1945.

Potsdam celebrates the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall Photo: StockXchange The ‘little Soviet Union’ was then set up there and buildings, such as the boarding school once attended by the empress, were turned into the KGB’s German headquarters.

The next two-and-a-half-hour guided tours will be offered on November 9 in German and English. Tickets cost €9 (R99) for adults and reservations are recommended: www.postdamtourismus.de. ■

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NEWS Letter to the editor:

Fees disguised as ‘airport taxes’

Visit unique historic site with Thompsons Touring

THOMPSONS Touring and Safaris has introduced a new full-day tour along Adam’s Calendar, ancient stone ruins about 20km from Nelspruit in Mpumalanga. Adam’s Calendar is a monolithic calendar estimated to be at least 75 000 years old, pointing to the first tangible evidence of the earliest humans in the Cradle of Humankind. It was originally a large circular structure resembling Stonehenge and is hailed by academics, mystics and researchers as one

T’S amazing what double standards the airline industry likes to practise. On the one hand, they want complete transparency when it comes to travel agents charging service fees and, on the other, they themselves are charging service fees under the guise of ‘airport taxes’. I qualified for a prize on an airline, which excluded ‘airport taxes/ fuel levies’ and ‘government surcharges’ as they put it. The total ‘airport taxes’ were R200 more than what I got off my system. On enquiring, I was told that if the airline were to issue these tickets, I’d have to pay this extra R200 per person. Since it was a prize from the airline, it was quite

obvious that if I wanted to make use of these tickets, I would have to pay the R200 as no one else is permitted to issue these tickets, other than the airline itself. This service fee very conveniently appears as a YR tax. I know we charge change/ re-validation fees on behalf of airlines as YQ or YR taxes or sometimes as a Q surcharge when re-issuing tickets, but is this allowed? If airlines are going to charge service fees for prize tickets or travel trade specials, then why not mention it in the prize letter or on the travel trade special and be transparent about the fees? Yumna Kharodia Senior Corporate Travel Consultant Sure Travelmaster

Ed’s note: Do you agree with Yumna or do you have a comment you’d like to share? Send your comments to nataliat@nowmedia.co.za ■

Jeanette Phillips

to the point

of the most important archaeological discoveries of our time. It is the oldest man-made structure found to date, thousands of years older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids, and is possibly the only example of a functional, mostly intact stone calendar site in the world. Visitors on the tour can hug the Stone Man, the oldest known sculpture on earth; walk along the ritual path among dozens of carved monoliths, guarded by another stone man; witness the sacrificial altar and the grave of an ancient king; take

in the northern and southern sites with their own stone men and women. They can view the ceremonial stone chair and wander through the ancient workshop, strewn with incomplete sculptures and the oldest evidence of masonry known to man which includes the first known carving of a sphinx and the first statue of the hawk, Horus, vastly predating those in Egypt. The tour departs from central hotels and lodges in Hazyview and Malelane on Sundays at 08h00. Tours can be booked through Thompsons Holidays. ■

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● Wild Horizons, in a joint venture with Discover Safaris, has introduced its Night Eyes Safari, a ‘night drive with bush dinner’ package designed to keep guests entertained for up to four hours in Victoria Falls. The safari package comprises an open-vehicle safari with a qualified guide and includes foreign-language options such as French, German, Italian and Spanish at an additional cost on private tours. The tours can accommodate up to 14 people and depart at 17h00 every evening from hotels in Victoria Falls. No children under 12 years will be allowed on the tours.

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Wednesday October 21 2009 n 11

NEWS New Quarters for Hermanus Natalia Thomson THE boutique Quarters brand heads for Hermanus this October as the group announces the opening of its first property in the Western Cape. The new Quarters Hermanus will overlook Walker Bay and the old harbour and facilities include a panoramic firstfloor swimming pool and the bistro-style Harbour House Kitchen & Bar.

Designed in Cape contemporary coastal style, the hotel is located adjacent to the town’s charming new market square. It has nine standard rooms and nine suites (with kitchens and lounges together with balconies). Quarters Hermanus joins two existing Quarters hotels (on Durban’s Florida and Avondale roads) with another two Quarters hotels coming on stream late this year. ■

to the point

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● Turkish Airlines has called on all agencies to insert the passenger’s title (Mr, Mrs, Ms, Miss) into the PNRs they create. The airline says it frequently notices that sales agencies using a CRS create PNRs without the passenger title, which is causing problems. A passenger with no title in the PNR cannot get a boarding pass at check-in. They need to visit the ticketing office to have this rectified and then lose their place at the check-in queue. Advertisement

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2010 fuel supply – airlines not worried Natalia Thomson

E’RE ready for the 2010 World Cup, says Acsa, however jet fuel supplies are a concern. This was according to Acsa operations director, Bongani Maseko, who told parliamentarians recently that insufficient jet fuel supplies would lead to “a disaster”. Bongani said the airports authority was in talks with Transnet and refineries to ensure there would be sufficient supplies of jet fuel. Acsa, he said, was also considering facilitating arrangements to dock a ship at Port Elizabeth with stockpiles of jet fuel.

Having learnt from previous fuel shortages at OR Tambo, airlines appear to have contingency measures firmly in place.

Acsa is considering docking a ship at Port Elizabeth with stockpiles of jet fuel. Says Ralf Karsenberg, Air France KLM commercial director for Southern Africa and Angola: “For now Air France KLM has no reason to be concerned regarding the fuel supply during the World Cup period. We always have contingency plans on the shelf in case

of emergency.” SAA for its part has said it is able to tanker additional fuel needed on routes and does not expect problems as jet fuel supply shortages are “infrequent” and limited to only a “few regional stations”. Qantas manager Africa, Michi Messner, says airlines are notified several times a day on the fuel stock level. “The daily stock of jet fuel at OR Tambo will remain at five and a half days. “Should a decline in the daily stock come under the radar for whatever reason, a module will be put into place to best avoid any flight disruptions.” ■

Travelinfo,s Hayley Cochran selects the top specials from Travelinfo ● Virgin Atlantic Airways. Special November sale to London and the USA from R3 240 (excl. taxes) in economy class. Minimum stay is three days and maximum stay is 12 months. Valid for sale to October 30 and travel between November 2 and 25. ● African Link Tours – 2010 World Cup packages in Johannesburg from R2 500pps. The rate includes return transfers from the airport, three nights’ accommodation in a three-star hotel with breakfast and entrance to fan parks. Excludes flights and match tickets. Valid from June 10 to July 12. ● Triton Cape Sea Travel is offering sevennight cruises on Star Cruises’ Superstar Virgo from US$1 085 (R8 110)pps. The rate includes on-board accommodation, meals and entertainment. Vietnam cruises depart June 6 and 20 and Thailand cruises on May 30 and June 13. Book before January 31. ● African Pride Hotels, Lodges & Country Houses is offering a special rate at African Pride Hacklewood Hill Country House from R750pps, including breakfast, Internet usage and a fruit basket. Valid Sunday to Thursday until October 31. A two-night minimum stay applies.

Specials Spot

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12 n Wednesday October 21 2009

2009/10/08 11:41 PM

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NEWS

AirHeads Lufthansa’s traffic figures decline

LUFTHANSA traffic figures declined in the first nine months of 2009 owing to the persistent global recession. The Lufthansa passenger count in the first three quarters of the current year was down by 3,9% to 41,9m compared with the same period in 2008. In the same period, capacity was scaled back by 1,9% in line with the drop in demand. Revenue seat-kilometres fell by 3,8% with the seat load factor down to 77,7%. Passenger numbers dropped in all traffic regions with the exception of the MiddleEast/Africa. Lufthansa, Swiss, bmi and Austrian Airlines carried 55,4m passengers in the first nine months of the year. The group’s nine-month figures include passengers from Austrian Airlines only since September and those from bmi only since July. The number of flights operated by the Lufthansa Group rose to 636 199, an increase of 1,4%.

SAA, VX sign interline agreement

SAA and Virgin America (VX) have signed an interline agreement, offering seamless travel on the networks of each carrier, across the United States and on transatlantic routes. The agreement will allow connecting passengers to purchase interline tickets for travel between the United States and South Africa through travel agents or through SAA’s customer call centre. Both airlines will transfer baggage between connecting flights and to passengers’ final destinations. The partnership offers a new choice for SAA passengers to connect at New York and Washington to several other Virgin America destinations, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego and Seattle.

Zambezi Airlines increases JNB/NLA flights

FROM October 25, Zambezi Airlines will introduce Monday flights on the Johannesburg/Ndola route. From this date flights will depart Johannesburg at 10h55, arriving in Ndola at 13h10. Flights from Ndola will depart at 14h15, arriving in Johannesburg at 16h30. At the same time, Zambezi Airlines and Air Namibia will commence codeshare flights between Johannesburg and Lusaka. The schedule will operate as follows: On Tuesdays and Thursdays Zambezi Airlines will depart Johannesburg at 11h10, arriving in Lusaka at 13h10. The return service departs Lusaka at 14h00, arriving in Johannesburg at 16h00. Air Namibia will operate the same route on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, departing Johannesburg at 11h40, arriving in Lusaka 13h40. The return service departs Lusaka at 14h40, arriving in Johannesburg at 16h40.

An artist’s impression of the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! – Melrose Arch

Fire & Ice! heads for Jo’burg Hilka Birns

OLLOWING the success of Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! in Cape Town, the hotel giant is expanding this contemporary urban hotel concept with the planned opening of a second property next year in Johannesburg’s trendy Melrose Arch precinct. The new hotel will be known as Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! – Melrose Arch. Protea Hotels group marketing and revenue

director, Danny Bryer, says: “The Cape Town Protea Hotel Fire & Ice!’s uniqueness has been talked about around the world and it made sense to expand the hip and stylish Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! concept into Melrose Arch, which is probably the most trendy business and leisure hub in the province.” The hallmarks of the threestar, 197-room Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! – Melrose Arch will be fashionable design and décor, excellent music,

television channel mixes and latest-trend bar and restaurant services. It will have its own restaurant and a street level deli, while the precinct offers guests a choice of other eateries. There will be four multi-functional conference rooms, four meeting rooms and a business centre. Like its Cape Town counterpart, the hotel will offer three-star rates but service levels and features normally associated with a higher star grading. ■

TIME TO CHANGE YOUR COLOURS?

New aircraft for Air Seychelles

Join the Flight Specials Group!

AIR Seychelles has announced that it expects to take delivery of a new Twin Otter DHC6-400 aircraft by the end of the year. The airline initially placed an order for two new aircraft but as a result of the slowdown in traffic, has decided to delay the decision on the second aircraft. The new Twin Otter is in stage 9 on the assembly line with the fuselage, wings, undercarriage and empennage all completed. The installation of the final wiring, systems and engines is now under way. Air Seychelles will also be taking delivery of two new B787-900s in 2013.

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Wednesday October 21 2009 n 13

Luanda, Angola

A sea of cranes greets business travellers arriving in Luanda. Just seven years after the end of a bloody civil war, the city is embarking on an aggressive reconstruction campaign, as Natalia Thomson discovered on a recent visit...

Investors are welcome

T Flight information Flights from SA are available on TAAG (Angolan Airlines) and SAA. SAA flies six times a week, while TAAG operates daily frequencies from Johannesburg. The flight is about three hours, but obtaining a seat can be challenging and expensive. An alternative is to fly via Windhoek from JNB

with Air Namibia. The carrier operates seven frequencies a week, two of which are on a Sunday, none on Saturday. International airlines operating direct flights into Luanda include British Airways, Lufthansa and Air France. Rumours that Interair will be launching a JNB-LAD service are unconfirmed.

HE countdown to the African Cup of Nations 2010, hosted by Angola, is apparent everywhere in this bustling African city. The Angolan nation is fully behind this soccer event and so, it appears, are foreign investors who are pouring millions into the city’s reconstruction. Within a few years, Luanda’s traditional landmarks of the Marginal (palm-lined avenue along the Bay of Luanda) and Fort of St Miguel will be flanked by high-rises, many of which are already well under construction.

Investment in new and improved road infrastructure should help to curb the shocking traffic congestion, arguably unrivalled elsewhere in Africa, while new office, hotel and residential buildings are springing up throughout the city. Sixteen new hotels are expected to open in Luanda by 2010. The Angolan National Agency for Private Investment (ANIP), established to “facilitate and stimulate private-sector investment in Angola”, lists 15 reasons for investing there. Among these are the country’s vast

oil reserves (some 800 000 barrels of oil are produced per day, and it is estimated to have up to 10bn barrels in reserve); and the large water and mineral reserves, as well as its agricultural potential. ANIP has therefore introduced several initiatives to encourage investment, including tax exemptions, reduced bureaucratic obligations and guarantee repatriation of foreign investment. Key investors in Angola include Chinese, Portuguese, South African, American and British companies.

Airport The 4th February International Airport is about a half-hour drive from central Luanda provided there is absolutely no traffic. During the week and peak traffic times it is, however, advisable to leave for the airport at least four hours before the flight, as traffic can be very bad and it can take a few hours to move just a few kilometres. Usually only a few check-in

counters serve a particular flight so queuing can take some time. Once checked in and having gone through immigration and security, travellers must declare any dollars and confirm that they are not taking the local currency, kwanza, out of Angola. There is also a separate mobile security check for hand luggage upon boarding the aircraft.

Fast facts ● Business attire is formal despite the heat and humidity, i.e. business suits. ● Don’t be deterred by the military and police presence on the roads. ● Roads are not well signposted, nor are building numbers marked. ● Don’t try to arrange more than three appointments a day, unless they’re in the same area, since the traffic can be very bad. ● Expect appointments to arrive late or not at all. ● Angolan businesspeople are very courteous and formal. ● Communication by telephone is more effective than by e-mail. E-mails often remain unanswered. ● Walking around Luanda can be hazardous. Pavements are blocked by cars, potholes, and vendors – and open drains, overflowing bins and rubbish are everywhere. ● Be careful not to board the wrong bus when leaving the aircraft upon arrival at Luanda airport (if arriving on a flight from Namibia). There is a bus that takes domestic tourists (originating from Lubango) avoiding immigration and it’s difficult to get back. Rather take the bus for passengers flying from Windhoek. ● English is not spoken widely so brush up your Portuguese or ensure you have a Portuguese interpreter accompanying you. 14 n Wednesday October 21 2009

Construction cranes dot the Luanda skyline, as millions of dollars of investment in private and public infrastructure pour into Angola’s capital city

What to do and see... Luanda is certainly not a leisure tourism destination and therefore has very few attractions, except for the St Miguel Fort, overlooking the city, currently closed for renovations; the Slavery Museum, about 20km south of the city; and Benfica arts and crafts market (very basic selection of arts and crafts) on the way to the Slavery Museum. A popular option is to drive to the Ilha de Luanda for lunch or dinner, or a quick boat trip

to the island of Mussulo, south of Luanda, for the day. For trips outside Luanda, visitors can contact EcoTur which arranges short trips to the nearby Kissama National Park and the Kalandula Falls. EcoTur also arranges Luanda city tours. There are a few game fishing lodges south of Luanda, run by South Africans, the most popular of which is Flamingo Lodge.

Money matters The dollar and kwanza (AOA) are interchangeable in most parts of Luanda. Bills are usually given in kwanza, but can be paid for in dollars and change is given in both currencies. Kwanzas cannot be obtained before arriving in Angola and it is illegal for travellers to take the currency outside Angola. The dollar/

kwanza exchange rate is set at about US$1 to AOA75. The rand/kwanza rate is R1 to AOA8. Bureaux de change are located across the city, as are an extensive number of local banks, and foreign currency can be exchanged for kwanza there. It is advisable for South African travellers to carry dollars. QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

Recommended restaurants While it may appear to be more convenient to eat at the hotel, it’s very expensive (dollar-priced) and travellers will miss out on the delightful Portuguese cuisine that can be had at local restaurants. A popular option for expats is the Ilha de Luanda (a peninsula that juts out into the Bay of Luanda). The most popular restaurants here include Coconuts, Chill Out, Chez Wou, Caribe and Pimms. For more traditional Portuguese or Angolan fare, try Cilena (Rua Amilcar Cabral), Restaurante na Brasa (near Cilena), and O Tendinha (Rua da Missão almost across from

Hotel Trópico). For a quick lunch, try Restaurante Marginal Esplanada (great soup and Portuguese lunch dishes) and Rialto Cervejaria for pizzas (both on the Marginal). The local beers: Cuca, Nocal and Eka are cheap and good. International beers are available, while wine is imported and quite expensive. Bottled water is imported from Portugal (Caramulo) although a local, less popular, bottled water (Bom Jesus) can be bought a supermarkets. The usual rules about drinking tap water or ice, and eating unpeeled, uncooked fruit and vegetables apply in Angola.

Recommended hotels Hotel rooms in Luanda are extremely expensive and fairly difficult to obtain at short notice. While this situation may change soon with a significant number of rooms coming on stream in 2010, travellers can expect to pay several hundred dollars for a three- or four-star room anywhere in the city. The most popular options are Hotel

Alvalade, Hotel Trópico, Hotel Continental, Hotel Tivoli, Hotel Mundial and Hotel Presidente. The facilities at these hotels are as modern as travellers can expect anywhere else in the world. Hotel bills can be paid in dollars or kwanza, but charges for food, room service, drinks and other services are very expensive.

The landmark Marginal, bordering the Bay of Luanda, is being extended outwards to increase the number of lanes of the road

Getting around Only the very brave need consider driving themselves around Luanda. The city’s roads for the most part are not in good condition and often chaotic traffic conditions mean the congestion is intolerable. The city’s minibus taxis (candongueiros), are not a safe option for travellers, nor are there any formal taxis available outside the airport or hotels. Travellers should instead pre-arrange a car and driver who can navigate the city’s treacherous traffic. When setting up appointments, ensure that in addition to the

address, travellers also enquire about nearby landmarks, as drivers often do not know locations by the name of the street. Ensure your clients have a driver for night driving as well, as often drivers are not willing to ferry their clients at that time and wait for them. Although local expats are quick to warn travellers not to walk in Luanda, it appears to be generally safe to do so provided travellers remain aware of their surroundings and do not carry laptops, cameras etc. in plain sight as petty crime is on the increase.

Visas

The pretty pink National Bank of Angola building lies on the Marginal and is arguably Luanda’s most famous landmark

Angolan officials acknowledge that visa requirements for any nationality are quite stringent. South Africans can apply for visas in Cape Town, Pretoria and Johannesburg and these take a minimum of five working days to process, although it’s advisable not to leave it to the last minute. The Johannesburg and Cape Town offices require applicants to fill in

application forms at the office, not beforehand. A letter of invitation from an Angolan company or an official entity with full name and passport number, a letter of employment and two passport-size colour photographs are required to accompany the visa application. The embassy or consulate only advises visa costs once they have confirmed the visa application is correct.

Comprehensive Travel Insurance

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Wednesday October 21 2009 n 15

Loyalty

Miles More & ?

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Voy

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e v i r D d? Car

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What is the real value of loyalty programmes? Do they add value or are they simply a nuisance in the travel consultant’s daily operations? Natasha Tippel investigates…

The travel loyalists

HEN airline loyalty programmes were originally introduced, they rewarded travellers for their commitment to certain brands and the value they offered these businesses. “The possibility of enhancing the frequent flyer’s experience through upgrades, lounge access or free tickets was an excellent marketing idea and certainly still holds great appeal for travellers,” says Ingrid von Moltke, Carlson Wagonlit Travel SA national sales and marketing manager. Loyalty programmes have now evolved into other areas and there are a host of them that reward in different ways and with human nature being what it is, incentives are always popular. However, from a travel agent’s perspective, the demise of the loyalty programme would not be the worst thing to happen, as it’s common for clients to be driven by their programmes, which can result in unnecessary hassles for the agent.

Challenges

Inflexibility and unavailability are two reasons why agents are not fans of frequent flyer programmes. “For example, there is very seldom a suitable flight that you can book using the miles. If you want to guarantee the flight you have to fork out more miles and if you want to make changes the airlines have major issues and there 16 n Wednesday October 21 2009

are charges associated,” says one agent who asked to remain anonymous. Co-owner of Corporate Travel Services, Inge Beadle, agrees: “It’s OK for agents to deal with frequent flyer programmes provided the airlines are accessible to us, with a dedicated email address for instance. If airlines are not co-operative, then the client should deal with them directly.” Another challenge is redeeming miles for the purchase of ‘free tickets’ and upgrades. “Depending on the programme, these ‘free’ tickets can be very difficult to redeem and often cause considerable frustration and resentment on the traveller’s part – this can be taken out on the travel agent as not having ‘tried hard enough’,” says Ingrid. At the same time, the redemption of these tickets can be time consuming. “The lack of availability means travel consultants need to check continuously, either on the supplier’s website or through a call centre. Free tickets are often subject to changes, as is common with corporate travel, and these are as difficult to effect as the initial booking. In addition, the agent also often has to deal with the resolution of programme complaints, i.e. where Voyager miles have been earned, but are

not recorded on the traveller’s statement. This can be even more time consuming than the original booking,” says Ingrid. Another agent who wishes to remain anonymous believes travel consultants should not be involved in the process unless they are adequately remunerated for their services. “Clients should pay the same fee for the service that they would for a ‘regular’ air ticket of the same routing or destination,” says Inge.

Should agents bother?

Cape Town airport manager for Turkish Airlines, Alp Alper, notes that often travel agents only have a basic understanding of loyalty programmes and, as a result, it is more useful to direct clients to the relevant airlines. Md Southern and Eastern Africa for Lufthansa and Swiss, Gabriel Leupold, agrees: “To enable travel agents to effectively manage Miles & More queries Lufthansa continuously offers training. Essentially all Miles & More queries are handled by the Lufthansa call centre so in-depth involvement by the agent is not required.” “However, agents can benefit from loyalty schemes in gaining the competitive advantage as these programmes often boost sales,” says Alp.

A|Club celebrates its first anniversary A|CLUB, a worldwide loyalty programme, recently celebrated its first anniversary, with three million members. Over the past year, A|Club card holders have been able to earn points at more than 2 000 Accor hotels in the Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Mercure, Suitehotel, Ibis and all seasons networks, a benefit soon to be extended to the Adagio network. In addition, A|Club members can accumulate points from an everexpanding base of partners, such as Club Méditerranée, Europcar, Lenôtre and 12 major airlines. Main benefits of joining A|Club are: ● Terms of application, with points awarded for each euro spent in a hotel, whether on lodging, dining or other services. ● Inclusiveness, as the only loyalty programme awarding points across a broad spectrum of two- to five-star hotels worldwide. ● Generous promotional offers, which are regularly renewed and always easily accessible online at www.a-club. com. Meanwhile, the A|Club website, currently available in seven languages, will be available in Chinese and Polish by the end of the year. Starting in January 2010, a paperless reward system will be introduced, allowing members to receive their A|Club vouchers in electronic form. QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

Did you know? Air France and KLM offer a loyalty programme specifically for small and medium-size enterprises. Corporates can achieve cost savings by joining BlueBiz. As well as earning Flying Blue Miles for each passenger, the company earns credits that can be used to purchase free tickets. Depending on the booking class, after buying six business-class tickets to Europe, the seventh ticket can mostly be obtained free. Another airline that offers a company loyalty programme is LAM. LAM’s Flamingo Corporate Card benefits organisations by registering points from LAM flights made by employees on the corporate account. In the case of a group, the organisation is entitled to register points from flights made by all the group’s companies on the corporate account. Special benefits are awarded when using services provided by the partners of the programme.

New business network partner joins Etihad Guest Loyalty Programme ETIHAD Airway’s loyalty programme, Etihad Guest, has announced a partnership with XING, a global online network for business contacts. XING is an online business networking community that offers members the ability to develop professional contacts, access networking opportunities and other privileges through a range of web-based tools and resources. Membership

is on two levels – a basic membership which is free, and premium membership which requires a monthly fee. XING premium members who enrol in Etihad Guest through its Best Offers link will earn 5 000 Etihad Guest bonus miles with their first, post-enrolment Etihad Airways flight. Etihad Guest members who enrol as premium members of XING will get three months’ free membership.

Flying Blue passengers have access to executive lounges, such as the KLM Crown Lounge at Schiphol airport and the Air France lounges at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris

Miles & More launches multi-store cash card THE challenge recently facing Lufthansa was how to provide SA-registered Miles & More members an alternative to competitors that offer miles through local credit card usage. Accor Services recently launched a prepaid card that entitles the card holder to shop at a range of over 3 000 selected retailers countrywide. Lufthansa selected its

network from 120 000 MasterCard outlets nationwide, which include Woolworths, Boardmans, The Pro Shop, Arthur Kaplan, Edgars, Hi Fi Coporation, and Waltons stationery, to name a few. The Miles & More multi-store cash card can be ordered on Lufthansa’s website and is then issued and distributed by Accor Services. The card comes in four denominations:

a R200 card costing 9 000 miles, a R400 card costing 17 000 miles, an R800 card for 31 000 miles and a R1 000 card in exchange for 40 000 miles. Other benefits of the Compliments Card include safety aspects and an antifraud administrative support that permits corporate branding and tracking of consumer spend.

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Wednesday October 21 2009 n 17

New benefits and changes to Continental’s OnePass programme

Turkish Airlines’ Miles & Smiles programme now offers last-minute upgrades

Upgrade to business and first class with Miles & Smiles

EMBERS of Turkish Airlines’ Miles & Smiles programme who are Elite and Elite Plus card holders can have their flight upgraded to business class at time of check-in by

redeeming miles from their accounts as soon as there are available seats. The last-minute upgrade service can also be applied to Classic and Classic Plus members under the

same conditions. Miles & Smiles members also have the chance to upgrade to first class using their miles when they hold a business-class ticket.

Mexicana to join oneworld in November MEXICAN airline, Mexicana will become part of the oneworld alliance on November 10. Its subsidiaries MexiancaClick and MexicanaLink will also join the alliance at the same time as affiliate members. Members of oneworld airlines’ frequent flyer programmes will be able to

earn and redeem awards and tier status points and receive all other oneworld benefits on Mexicana and its two affiliates. Adding Mexicana will expand the alliance’s network in Mexico and Central America. Mexicana with MexicanaClick and MexicanaLink will add 26 destinations to the oneworld

map – 24 in Mexico plus Edmonton (Canada) and Oakland (USA). Iberia has been supporting Mexicana through its 18-month alliance implementation project, as its oneworld sponsor airline, with working groups covering some 35 streams of activity.

CONTINENTAL Airlines has announced changes to its OnePass frequent flyer programme, adding new benefits for its customers, some of which are as a result of joining Star Alliance in October. Continental’s OnePass members will enjoy reciprocal mileage earning and redemption opportunities with Star Alliance’s 24 member airlines and will be able to connect to more than 950 cities all over the world. OnePass Platinum and Gold Elite members are now Star Alliance Gold members, gaining recognition and rewards across all member airlines in addition to OnePass benefits. Platinum and Gold Elite members will have access to more than 800 worldwide lounges when travelling on an international itinerary with any Star Alliance member airline, regardless of class of travel. Additionally, Platinum and Gold Elite members

will receive an extra baggage allowance of up to three bags or 20kg on both Continental and Star Alliance member airlines and will receive priority services including priority airport check-in, boarding and baggage handling across the network. In addition to these benefits, upcoming changes to the OnePass programme include fewer fees for Platinum Elite members, no more Saturday-night stay required for reward travel and 100% Elite Qualification Miles and Points earnings on any ticket, regardless of where it was bought or issued. “With change comes opportunity, and we’re working hard to ensure the transition to Star is smooth for our customers,” said Mark Bergsrud, senior vp of marketing programmes and distribution at Continental Airlines. “We look forward to bringing new benefits, better global coverage and more good news later this year.”

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18 n Wednesday October 21 2009

QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

Star Alliance launches world-wide meetings product STAR Alliance has launched a global product for the meetings market: Meetings Plus. Companies, meeting planners and incentive agencies needing to organise gatherings with participants from different countries, now have access to the entire Star Alliance network, by contracting their travel needs through just one Star Alliance member airline. “With Meetings Plus we are

offering an alliance product to a new market segment. We are certain that our Meetings Plus customers will value the experience and expertise which we can provide, largely based on knowledge gained by having offered an alliance conventions product for more than eight years”, said Christopher Korenke, vice president commercial, Star Alliance. Meetings Plus can be used for most meetings of 50 people or more, with

attendees originating from at least three different countries. Interested meeting organisers send an online request for proposal (RFP) via www.staralliance.com/ meetingsplus. The organiser will then be contacted by the Star Alliance member carrier designated to handle the travel requirements for the requested event. Bookings will be made through the organiser’s appointed travel agency.

Green benefits with Miles & More Award miles earned in the Miles & More frequent flyer programme can now also be used for voluntary carbon offset donations with Lufthansa and Swiss. For the past two years Lufthansa passengers have already enjoyed the option of voluntarily donating cash through the prestigious Swiss ‘myclimate’ foundation to help compensate for the CO2 emissions caused by their flight. In addition, passengers can now use the mileage they accrue in the worldwide Miles & More frequent flyer programme to compensate for the impact their flying has on the climate. Passengers opting to pay with award miles will have the miles deducted from their mileage account. Myclimate will receive the corresponding amount in cash from Miles & More and invest the money in certified climate protection projects. Within the Lufthansa Group, Swiss also offers passengers the option of co-operating with myclimate

From November we connect Maputo and Luanda (direct flights).

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www.lam.co.mz

The world has never been so delicious to fly around. We're proud to fly you to more than 150 destinations aboard our young fleet, offering you more comfortable seats, culinary delights and an exclusive flight experience along our expanded routes. Enjoy the privileges of exploring the world on Turkish Airlines and connect to over 960 destinations, taking advantage of Star Alliance network.

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Wednesday October 21 2009 n 19

AIRLINES Programme

Air Austral Capricorne

Mileage expiry

Three years

Partners

Codeshare flights carrying UU number earn points

Non-related point accrual

Unique selling features

Bonus points on specific, promotional fares and enrolment

● Award flights on UU on a one-way basis ● Automatic upgrade twice a year to Premium Capricorne status on reaching 12 500 points during the last 12 months ● Awards possible for companion, excess baggage or upgrade ● Additional benefits for higher tier club members

Air Berlin Topbonus

Status Miles: no expiry Award Miles: three years

None

Hotels, airlines, car rental, local partners including telecommunications, German insurances, and newspapers

● Airberlin VISA Card ● Airberlin Service Card, offering 10kg additional baggage allowance ● Free seat reservation ● One piece of sports equipment free of charge ● Topdeal tickets ● Companion ticket ● Business-class upgrade available, even on the day of departure at the airport ticket counter

Air Canada Aeroplan

Active account miles are valid for seven years

Star Alliance and other airlines

Hotels, car rental, vacation packages, retail and services, telecommunications, financial and insurance

● Over 400 Aeroplan Rewards to choose from ● Additional benefits for higher tiered club members

Air France/KLM/ Kenya Airways Flying Blue

20 months from the last flight on SkyTeam carrier

SkyTeam

Hotels, car rental, commercial partners

● Extra baggage purchase possible with miles ● Buying of gift miles possible ● Upgrades available on all SkyTeam carriers except AZ ● Additional benefits for higher tier club members

Three years

None

● Free tickets ● Excess baggage allowance (10kg on international flights)

Do not expire

None

Air Madagascar Namako Air Malawi Skypoints

Three years

None

Car rental, duty free

● Priority waitlist ● Family points ● Extra baggage allowance ● 10% discount on helicopter services ● Dedicated reservation and check-in counters ● Can check miles online ● Personalised baggage tags ● Additional benefits for higher tier club members

Do not expire

None

● Transferable to family and friends ● Free return flights on domestic, regional and international ● 50% reduced fares and upgrades

Two years

None

● 10kg free on Silver tier ● 20kg free on Gold tier and access to VIP lounge ● Members can access their statements and redeem points online

American Airlines AAdvantage

Each qualifying activity extends mileage expiry for 18 months

oneworld

Credit and debit cards, dining, financial services, hotel partners, telecommunications, car rental, shopping, vacations and cruises

● Not subject to capacity controls ● Plan AAhead awards ● One-way flex awards – allows various award combinations ● Enhanced AA.com award booking tool

British Airways/BA Comair Executive Club

Miles expire if account inactive for 36 consecutive months

oneworld

Hotel partners, credit cards, car rental, shopping on board

● Access to 250 lounges ● Preferred seating ● Upgrades ● No black-out periods ● Up to seven members living at the same household collectively earn BA miles

American, BA, Aer Lingus, Iberia, Qantas, Alaska Airlines, Air China, China Eastern, Dragonair, Finnair, Gulf, Malev, Mexicana, Royal Brunei, Royal Jordanian, Vietnam Airlines, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, LAN

Hotels, dining, telecommunications, car and transport, professional services, finance and insurance, retail, travel and leisure

● First class earns 150% of miles per trip; business class earns 125%; economy class earns 100% ● Members can redeem miles from 20 airline partners

Star Alliance from October 27, 2009

Hotels, car rental, credit/debit card, cruises, others

● Redeem miles to over 500 destinations earning a minimum of 500 One Pass miles for every flight

Air Mauritius KestrelFlyer

Air Namibia Reward$ Air Seychelles Seychelles Plus

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles The Marco Polo Club Continental Airlines One Pass

Three years One year

No expiry date

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles

Miles do not expire as long as there is activity every 24 months

SkyTeam, associates: KQ, UX

Car rental, telecommunications, credit cards, dining, retail, hotel partners and shopping

● Earn miles towards Elite Status on SkyTeam and member airlines ● SkyMiles Medallion members enjoy Systemwide U pgrade Certificates redeemable on day of departure, the ability to Gift Medallion Status to a friend, bonus miles that can be kept or donated to a S kyWish charity and Delta Sky Club One-Day passes. ● Access to over 415 SkyTeam lounges worldwide

EgyptAir EgyptAir Plus

Two years from earning date

Star Alliance, codeshare flights

Hotels, cruises, car rental, restaurants, shopping, others

● 5% discount at EgyptAir duty-free shops ● Family bonus miles ● Additional benefits for higher tier club members

Three-year bonus period, after which voucher (valid for 12 months) must be issued against points

Joint point accrual (conditions apply) AA, QF, SA, AeroMexico, Sun D’or codeshare partner flights only: LX, SA, TG, IB, OS, LO, TQ, FB, VV, SN

Duty-free on board, hotel partners, car rental, restaurants, and shopping

● Extra 5kg free baggage allowance ● Bonus tickets valid for one year ● Members may give free tickets to anyone ● Additional benefits for higher tier club members

El Al Matmid

20 n Wednesday October 21 2009

QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

AIRLINES Programme

Emirates Skywards

Ethiopian Airlines Sheba Miles

Etihad Airways Etihad Guest

Iberia Iberia Plus

LAM Flamingo Club

Lufthansa/Swiss Miles & More

Malaysia Airlines Enrich

Mileage expiry

Partners

Non-related point accrual

Unique selling features

Three years. They expire at the end of the month in which a member was born. Tier miles are accumulated from January 1 to December 31 each year, at which time a member’s tier miles account is reset to zero.

Continental Airlines, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, Korean Air, South African Airways, United Airlines, Virgin Blue

Hotel partners, car rental, financial, leisure and lifestyle

● Flights to hundreds of destinations ● Upgrade flights ● Shop at the Emirates High Street ● Exclusive holiday and leisure rewards ● Additional benefits for higher tier club members

None

● Personalised luggage tags and membership cards ● Waitlist priority ● Cloud Nine check-in ● Use of exclusive departure lounge ● Tier activity bonus ● Extra baggage allowance ● A dedicated reservation hotline ● Frequent Flyer help desk support

Three years

Lufthansa, Gulf Air, South African Airways

Three years

Brussels Airlines, Oman Air, Jet Airways, Sri Lankan Airlines

Car rental, hotels

● 500 miles when enrolling ● Unique miles and cash option available on all flights ● Full mileage accrual on lowest fare classes ● No black-out periods ● Double miles promotions for the first month of each new route

Points expire on December 31 of the fourth year of earning them

oneworld, codeshare flights

Hotels, car rental, shopping

● Beneficiaries can be appointed and can redeem points without an accompanying member

Hotel partners, car rental, fuel products, and telecommunications

● Check in at the executive desk ● Additional 5kg luggage on domestic and regional flights and 10kg on intercontinental flights. ● Priority on the waiting list ● Special benefits when using services provided by the partners of the programme. ● Additional benefits for higher tier club members

Car rentals, hotel partners, shopping

● Miles can be purchased and statements checked online ● Missing flights can be retroactively credited ● Higher free baggage allowance ● Use of lounges (conditions apply) ● Executive bonus (on certain Star Alliance partners) ● Donate miles to social and environmental projects

Air France, ANA, KLM, Northwest, Virgin Atlantic

Telecommunications, travel, shopping, health and wellness, car rental, hotel, credit cards

● Free flights ● Upgrades ● Enrich Vouchers ● Excess baggage payment ● Temptations in-flight shopping ● Golden Lounge access vouchers ● Enrich Express (Top Up Miles) ● Increased baggage allowance ● Preferred seating ● Complimentary Gold membership for Platinum member’s partner ● Family points transfer

Two years

No expiry for Frequent Traveller and Senator cardholders, otherwise usually after three years

Yearly

None

24 Star Alliance airline members, 21 other airlines

Qantas Qantas Frequent Flyer

Three years

oneworld and other airlines

Credit cards, hotel partners, car rental, travel partners, shopping, financial and business services

Qatar Airways Privilege Club

Five years

Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, Middle East Airlines, ANA, United Airlines

Hotels, car rental, banks

● Tier membership with different benefits: Burgundy, Silver, Gold ● Family programme

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

Three years

Star Alliance, SilkAir, Virgin Atlantic, Delta, Mexicana

Hotels, car rental, credit cards, telecommunications, and insurance

● Priority check-in and boarding ● Increased baggage allowance ● Additional benefits for higher tier club members

Three years. Mileage validity can be extended by one year (conditions apply)

SAX, Airlink, Airlink Swaziland, El Al, Jet Airways, Emirates, Virgin Atlantic, Star Alliance

Car rental, financial, hotels, property, retail and lifestyle

● Bonus miles ● Upgrade to Silver tier at 25 000 miles; to Gold tier at 50 000 miles; and to Platinum at 100 000 miles ● Additional benefits for higher tier club members

Three years

Star Alliance

Hotels, car rental, airport shopping, telecommunications, selected petrol stations

● Bonus miles are excluded from status evaluations priority baggage handling ● Additional benefits for higher tier club members

Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, EgyptAir, Lufthansa, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, Swiss, TAP Air Portugal, Thai Airways, United Airlines, US Airways, Jet Airways

Hotels, car rental, financial, telecommunications, technology, vehicle purchases, fuel products

● Earn miles from partner hotels and car-rental companies through the Shop&Miles credit card ● Free tickets or upgrades for traveller and companion ● Classic Card can be used to check in at the selfservice kiosks ● Online check-in ● Reservation priority ● Advantageous car-rental rates ● Meal selections ● Additional benefits for higher tier club members

Star Alliance and other airlines

Hotel partners, car rental, communications, dining, retail, Mileage Plus credit cards, financial services, and vacations

● Award flights from SA to USA ● One-way upgrades ● Separate domestic and international check-in ● Preferential seating ● Additional benefits for higher tiered club members

Air China, Air Jamaica, Air New Zealand, ANA, bmi, Continental, Caribbean Star, Gulf Air, Hawaiian Airlines, Jet Airways, Malaysia Airlines, SAS, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, US Airways, Virgin Blue

Hotels partners, car rental, and credit cards

● Earn miles even on discounted fares ● 200% miles in Upper Class ● Chauffeur-driven car to/from airport for Upper Class ● Additional benefits for higher tier club members

South African Airways Voyager TAP Air Portugal Victoria

Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles

Three years

United Airlines Mileage Plus

Non-active account miles expire after 18 months, Frequent Travellers and Senator mileages do not expire provided status is retained

Virgin Atlantic Airways Flying Club

Miles do not expire if members use airline or its partners in three-year period

Disclaimer: The information contained in this table reflects only those airlines that willingly participated. TNW cannot be held responsible for any inaccurate information. Use this table as a guide only.

QUICK READ FOR busiest people

Wednesday October 21 2009 n 21

CAR RENTAL Programme

Participating partners

How to earn points

Benefits

Rent a latest model vehicle from Avis Earn Roses for each reservation made with Avis

5 000 Avis rental locations worldwide Avis Southern Africa

● Worldwide discounts and a variety of airline rewards on qualifying rates ● Earn Roses and redeem them for eBucks, then go shopping.

Budget Frequent Renter Rewards

Rent nine times, earn a free day on tenth rental (terms and conditions apply)

Budget

● Members continue accumulating complimentary days and can use a maximum of three consecutive days with one rental

Europcar Drive Card

Rent a vehicle from Europcar in SA and in over 3 000 global locations and receive benefits

Airlines, hotels and affiliate partners

● 5 000 Bonus Voyager Miles after 10 rentals in 12 months (once-off) ● Discounts on published rates ● Discounts at Executive Carport at Ortia ● Discounts with Imperial Chauffeur Drive

Clients receive free card at rental counters countrywide

First Car Rental

● Quick check-out ● Upgrading the car type of an existing rental ● Free car rental days ● Additional benefits for higher tier club members

Avis Rent a Car Avis Wizard Card Avis Club Red (travel trade)

First Car Rental First Club Card

Hertz #1 Club Gold

For every 10 rentals, one free rental day voucher given (terms and conditions apply)

Signature Life Hotels, Southern Sun, Status Hotels, SAA and numerous global airline, rail and hotel partners

● No long queues ● One Master Contract ● Service Priority ● Pre-allocation of car ● Special dedicated counter ● Two-hour advanced reservation ● Electronic name board recognition ● No signature required, just show driver’s licence ● Additional benefits for higher tier club members

Tempest Car Hire

Rent a vehicle from Tempest Car Hire and receive low rental rates throughout South Africa

Mango Airlines, corporate and leisure self-drive

● Preferential car hire rates when flying with Mango Airlines ● Chauffeur drive ● GPS rentals available from main airport branches ● Corporate Hub that facilitates bookings for travel agents and corporates

HOTELS Accor A|Club City Lodge The Lodger Club Hilton HHonors

Protea Hotels Prokard The Status Travel Card

Southern Sun Southern Sun Frequent Guest

Stay at 2 000 hotels from Ibis to Sofitel worldwide

Club Med, Europcar and 10 airline companies

● Convert points into hotel checks and airline miles ● Additional benefits for higher tiered club members

Points earned by processing bookings online while logged in to your account

City Lodge Hotels

● Earn points towards free nights for every night stayed at any Courtyard Hotel, City Lodge, Town Lodge, or Road Lodge ● Up to 50% more points earned on weekends

Earn hotel points and airline miles for the same stay at more than 3 300 hotels in over 80 countries

Hotels and airlines

● No black-out dates ● Priority reservation recognition ● Spouse stays free ● Level-dependent late check-out and upgrade on availability

Budget

● Up to 20% discount off the best available rate of the day, including peak season. ● Guaranteed 5% discount on special offers advertised on proteahotels.com and 5% off weekend Pricebreaker rates. ● Exclusive weekly e-mail offers ● Hotel room upgrades (subject to availability) ● Early arrival and late departure privileges ● Varying options of free night rewards ● Exclusive preferential car hire rates with Budget Rent a Car. ● Additional benefits for higher tier club members

American Express, Nedbank Greenbacks, SAA Voyager, SunSwop, Europcar and Executive Carport

● 10% to 20% Sun Rands ● Preferential accommodation rates ● Pay single, stay double ● 5% discount on published SunBreaks rates, further 5% discount when booking via southernsun.com ● Dedicated check-in and check-out ● 15%-20% food and beverage discount ● 10% discount at Southern Sun Spas ● Upgrade to best available room, subject to availability on check-in ● Benefits specific to tier and brand

One point for every night spent at a Protea Hotel or African Pride Superior Deluxe, Hotel, Lodge or Country House when staying on a Prokardrelated rate

Earn Sun Rands on accommodation and other specified hotel spend, valid for a maximum of 24 months. Sun Rands are earned when a participating accommodation rate is paid

Starwood Starwood Preferred Guest

Earn and redeem points at 940 properties in 93 countries worldwide

Airlines, car rental, financial, retail

● Free nights, free flights, room upgrades, gift certificates, and transportation ● No point expiration dates for active members ● No blackout dates ● Instant rewards for hotel services ● Online Reward redemption ● Access to Once-In-A-Lifetime Moments

Three Cities Preferred Guest Card

10% CashBack rewards at participating hotels paid on to card. Rewards can be used to settle guest accounts in part or full at any participating hotels, resorts or game lodges

Infinity merchants countrywide, discount at Avis when booked through Three Cities call centre

● 10% of the applicable rate as a CashBack reward ● Express check-in and check-out ● Automatic ‘best room available’ upgrade when available ● A free night’s luxury accommodation for two people for every 10 stays. Loaded electronically on to the card

Disclaimer: The information contained in this table reflects only those companies that willingly participated. TNW cannot be held responsible for any inaccurate information. Use this table as a guide only.

22 n Wednesday October 21 2009

QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

COMMUNITYNEWS

jobs

Births, deaths, marriages, promotions – we want to know! Please fax or e-mail TNW's Jeanette Phillips, at jeanettep@nowmedia.co.za or (011) 327 4094.

our website is updated daily! visit www.specialized.co.za

Appointments ■ Vuvu Ilung (pictured here) has joined Tempest Car Hire as training manager. Vuvu previously spent 11 years with Avis Rent a Car, the last two as training co-ordinator and training facilitator. Also joining Tempest as e-commerce manager is Naufal Khan. Naufal spent nine years with Thompsons Tours developing travel technology and a reservations system.

Remembering Rio! In the October 7 issue of TNW we published a photograph dating back to 1976 of a group of travel agents enjoying a tropical tour. The photo was first published in TNW on May 22, 1976 under the headline ‘With PanAm to Rio’. The agents pictured in the photo visited Rio on the inaugural flight of Pan American Airways’ weekly B707 service via Cape Town for a familiarisation tour. Pictured in the photo are – back row: Ray Powell (Gateways Pinetown, tour leader), Donald Bett (PanAm, Johannesburg), Peter O’Donoghue (Miller Weedon Travel, Durban), Richard Beadle (Kuhne and Nagel, Johannesburg), Sylvia Buerger (Musgrove and Watson, Johannesburg), Peter Iseli (Musgrove and Watson, Maseru). Middle row: Anna Saragas (Yale Travel, Braamfontein), Mabs King (International Travel, Kempton Park), Lily Lai Tong (Peltours, Johannesburg), Brian Bengis (Sneech Travel, Bedfordview), Beatrice Breytenbach (Kuoni Tours, Johannesburg), Beverley Leppan (Rennies Travel, Johannesburg). Front row: Cecile Mosselson (Jet International, Johannesburg), Maya Gabriel (Hillbrow Travel, Johannesburg), Edie Houston (Bleekers, Johannesburg), Arthur Goldman (World Tours, Johannesburg), Helga Horak (American Express, Johannesburg), Prakesh Kalanjee (Kajees, Durban), Andy Ravid (VIP Travel, Johannesburg) and Liz Kearsey (Dunlop Travel, Durban)

Whether you want to work from HOME or in our WORKPLACE… let us be the fORCE behind you. ● Do you have your own client base? ● Are you tired of traffic jams? ● Do you want to work your own hours? Contact: Lara Casasola SeekerS Lara TraVeL Tel: 011 435 6742 / Cell: 082 659 0469 email: lara@laratravel.co.za

Call NadiNe (011) 803 0056 or e-mail equitycon@mweb.co.za for these and many others! TNW1997

TNW5062

needs active person fluent in English, German & Spanish. Must have code 10 drivers license, be a qualified professional hunter.

FINANCIAL MANAGER/ISANDO

Highly negotiable pacakage offered by Market Leader SAlES ExECUTIVE/PRETORIA for your B.Comm/equivalent and ability to lead Dynamic person to promote super department of 45 people!

products to the Travel Agents!! NATIONAL SALES MANAGER/

INTERMEDIATE INBOUND NORTHERN SUBURBS

CONSUlTANT/SANDTON Hands on position with total responsibility for Market your Inbound Keyleader Account rewards Managers and Business expertise!! Development Managers! CAR RENTAl SUPERVISOR/ BRAND MANAGER/ PRETORIA NORTHERN SUBURBS Opportunity growth for toperson Person strong for in Marketing invited join who has worked in the Car Rental leading Wholesaler! Industry!!

Competitive offer.

SENIOR CONSULTANT/BOKSBURG

TRANSP0RT MANAGER/SANDTON Join well established, friendly company and work Experienced person closer to home!for Leading Concern!! Please Take Note of Our New Telephone No.: 011 704 4909

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

lee botti & associates JOHANNESbURG

CAPE TOWN

INTERMEdIATE INbOUNd FUNdI – NORTH

RETAIL OPERATIONS MANAGER – Cbd

Opportunity knocks once! Fabulous opening with highly regarded, successful inbound operator! Your excellent knowledge of Southern Africa coupled with your creative flair designing tours for the int’l market will see you winning this one. Tourplan exp adv. Min 3 -4 years inbound exp ess. To R10 000 ctc.

Incoming

operator

Personnel with the personal touch

Queen Bee to sweeten honey in this hive of activity! Join this crème de la crème inbound online specialist with tip top web optimization position to keep you ahead of the competitors. Lead, motivate & manage sales team to smash targets. People, passion and product knowledge secure this hot seat. R20 000

TNW2048 TNW2048

SALES & MARKETING MANAGER – CAPE TOWN Relevant marketing experience essential for outstanding position. GENERAL MANAGER – IN-BOUND In-depth knowledge of in-bound market plus great management skills could secure. LEISURE CONSULTANT Intermediate/Seniors needed for leading leisure Organisation. RESERVATIONS MANAGER - NAMIBIA Manage reservations team, drive sales and grow and develop fantastic product. IN-BOUND CONSULTANT Intermediate position for F.I.T expert. INCENTIVES SPECIALIST Contract opportunity. Develop Operational documents from quotations and proposals.

“ The true character of liberty is independence, maintained by force”… Voltaire

■ The Three Cities Group has appointed Yolanda Prinsloo as gm of both The Rex Hotel in Knysna and Plettenberg Park Hotel & Spa in Plettenberg Bay. Yolanda joins the Three Cities Group from the Grande Roche Hotel in Paarl, where she has worked for the last 12 years as banqueting manager, food and beverage manager and deputy gm.

Post CV to Advertiser, P.O. Box 4844, Dainfern Valley, 2055 TNW5056 TNW4530

THIS WEEK’S TOP JObS dURbAN KEY ACCOUNTS! - NORTH

Divine position – not to be missed! Top-notch retail agency seeks customer-focused person to call on corporate clients. Maintain existing business & dev new business utilising your proven sales repping b/ground, with strong operational team as support. Excel skills essential for reporting purposes. R14,000 CTC + perks.

JOHANNESbURG

CAPE TOWN

dURbAN

RATES AdMINISTRATOR – ROSEbANK

SALIVATING SALES – CAPE TOWN

GAME LOdGE ROLES! - KZN

Expanding inbound operation requires your minimum 2 years experience dealing with loading and maintenance of rates. Exceptional attention to detail secures! If you thrive in a close-knit environment and love what you do, call us now!

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

QUICK READ FOR busiest people

WOW opportunity to join wholesale operator with 3 amazing products that sell themselves! Young, vivacious vibrant hip-happening go-getter to call on travel trade. You’ll be equipped to work from home with laptop, 3G, travel allowance, petrol card and basic salary of R10 500. Pop into office once a week for meetings!

Tel: Wayne (021) 418 1084 capetown@nowjobs.co.za

Tel: Jill (031) 201 8330 durban@nowjobs.co.za

Not for the faint-hearted!! Superior 5-star lodge in Northern KZN seeks exp’d people to assume responsibility for various roles within their lodges. Prior management exp within game lodge environ / hospitality essential + ability to deal with demands of elite clients. Live-in position for single person with own transport. R8k - R10k + perks.

See our website for a further selection of exciting vacancies! www.leebotti.co.za

General Manager Inbound Travel Well established incentive travel company with large blue-chip client base requires a GM for their inbound division. Minimum 10 years inbound experience plus strong leadership skills and a BCom Marketing or similar degree is required. A highly negotiable package is on offer depending on experience and the company is prepared to pay a top salary for the right expertise. Kati Operations Manager Take on the role of Operations Manager for well established incentive travel company reporting to the directors. Candidates must have previous outbound incentives experience, have excellent leadership skills and a relevant business degree. The company will pay a highly attractive salary in line with experience. Kati Leisure Travel Consultant – Pretoria East R14000/R16000. Be part of an established travel group handling leisure travel. Will be based in a shopping centre dealing directly with the public. Excellent fixed salary on offer and is not dependent on targets. Does involve working on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Kati Something different for Leisure Consultant! Call on the travel trade representing tour operator. Candidates must be young, maximum 3 years working experience, be well travelled, well groomed and have an outgoing, fun and confident personality. Training and guidance will be provided. Two opportunities are available: one in Johannesburg and one in Pretoria. R12000/R13000 plus cell and petrol allowances. Kati Cape Town Opportunity! Something different for a leisure consultant with maximum 3 years working experience - represent top wholesale operation, calling on the travel trade! Will be selling excellent, well known products. Candidates must be well groomed, well travelled and have a friendly and outgoing personality. Previous sales executive experience is not required as training and guidance will be given in this regard. R10000/ R120000 plus cell and petrol allowances. Kati Portuguese Inbound Consultant Must be able to speak, read and write Portuguese fluently plus have the ability to independently put together inbound travel programs. Will be rewarded with an attractive package and incentive bonus. Kati Inbound Consultants – Sandton Highly acclaimed inbound operator requires a Senior and Intermediate Inbound Consultant. The job description includes: developing relationships with overseas agents; design develop and plan itineraries; produce quotations; process reservations and handle all the relevant administration. This is a top company with an excellent infrastructure that provides very good support to the consultants. Tracey Snr Incentives Consultant R20000 plus hospital plan and incentive bonus. Handle outbound incentives for well established company dealing with blue-chip companies. Will create incentive programs, handling the process from beginning to end. Will also travel with the groups and undertake site inspections. Kati PA to Hotel GM – Magaliesberg area A live-in position based at 5 star hotel. Your general PA skills will be appreciated. R7000 plus full board and lodging. Tracey Processor – Sandton Play a supportive role to a team of inbound travel consultants. Emphasis will be on preparing, processing and filing of documentation. An excellent opportunity for a junior to join highly regarded company with excellent reputation. Candidates must have above average English writing ability as well as excellent keyboard/typing skills. Tracey Office Admin Assistant – W/Suburbs A graduate with drivers license is required to handle various admin functions within a busy office, as well as take responsibility for submitting and collecting group visas and general collections and deliveries. Be part of a highly successful company. This is an AA opportunity. Kati Admin Controller – Sandton R10000/R12000. Join well known 3 star hotel and be part of a large hospitality group. Job description includes creditors, debtors, salaries and wages, and general administration of procedures and standards. Min two years bookkeeping experience required. Tracey Spa Therapists – 5 Star Hotel A live-in position providing full board and lodging, based in the Magaliesberg area. Contact Tracey for details. Reservations Manager – Sandton Impressive operator with long-standing history and an excellent reputation requires a Reservations Manager for one of their business units. Will be responsible for a team of 5 with the focus on managing and developing the business unit in line with company goals. Relationship management, delivering service excellence and driving sales are core functions. Sound knowledge of the SADAC area and excellent knowledge of Namibia is required. Must have 3 years managerial experience. Tracey World Cup 2010 Opportunity! A specialist role promoting and maintaining business with a specific focus on the FIFA World Cup 2010. This is a Fixed Term contract, ending August 2010. Will design programmes for existing and new clients and handle the full process thereafter. Will include traveling with the groups and assisting with on-site coordination. R17000/R18000. Kati Help Desk Consultant – N/Suburbs Take inbound calls and emails requesting assistance with online bookings and ticketing. Will also assist with training. Must be proficient on Galileo. R6000. Tracey

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

TNW0714

Community news

eQUiTY CONNeCTiONS cc

SpecialiZed Travel perSonnel

Wednesday October 21 2009 n 23

�� TNW NEWS �� Cough up for SA’s coffers DBN another HLA? �� V ��

From page 1 stated: “The international air passenger departure tax, which stands at R120 per passenger on flights to international destinations and R60 on flights to Southern African Customs Union member states, was last raised in 2005/06. It is proposed to increase these amounts to R150 and R80 respectively from October 1, 2009,” says senior communications officer, Malerato Sekha. Malerato says while the increase came into effect on October 1, it need only be collected with tickets bought on or after the date the legislation is published, which in this case was October 2. A Galileo notice issued on October 10 advises agents to re-fare quote before issuing a ticket as the WC tax had been loaded by Iata for travel on or after October 10. The WC tax is different

��

�� TNW3643SD

24 n Wednesday October 21 2009

brought to you by

from most other airline ticket taxes in that it is a government-imposed tax that goes directly into the state’s coffers, while the ZA tax, for instance, on all tickets sold locally goes to various industry bodies like Acsa and security screening, for example. But just whose responsibility it was to let industry know appears to be in question. Since no industry body takes ‘ownership’ of the collection of the tax, there’s nobody to advise when any changes take place. Some say it’s Iata’s responsibility, others claim that it would usually fall to the national carrier as a courtesy to act on behalf of all airlines in our market and advise industry bodies accordingly. SAA issued a notice on Travelinfo advising of the changes on October 9 effective “immediately for travel on or after October 10”. ■

eTNW and TRAVELINFO

‘Busy day’ surcharge – it’s a rip-off! Several big airlines including Delta, American Airlines, United, Continental and US Airways have added US$10 surcharges for busy days around the holidays, making it even more expensive to fly on peak days. What do you think? ■ Ridiculous, just another attempt from airlines to fleece pax – 82% ■ Good idea, as long as the money is redirected to the people doing the extra work – 10% ■ I don’t care – 8% “The US$10 surcharge on certain carriers for busy days is ridiculous. This is not a new thing – some of the London carriers have had surcharges for weekend travel for a few years now.” Burnice Muir, Burns Cunningham Corp Travel “It is a money-making racket with these airlines taking advantage when they should be reducing the costs. I think it is disgusting to add surcharges for a reason like that. Absolute rip-off!” Monique Manley, Walmer Travel “When is somebody going to take action against the airline mafia?” Dick Oliemans, Westwood Travel 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

Natalia Thomson

ISIONARY thinking or pie in the sky? That’s the question aviation experts are asking following Comair Limited’s surprise announcement it is hoping to buy the existing Durban International Airport. Joint ceo, Gidon Novick, said this week that Comair, together with an unnamed airport operator, would be interested in tendering to acquire the airport prior to the opening of the new La Mercy airport, which has yet to be officially named. Acsa will be opening its new R7bn La Mercy airport in March 2010, although both airports will remain operational during the World Cup to cater for the expected influx of passengers. Comparing the continued use of Durban International Airport to Lanseria, Gidon said competition between multiple airports in Durban would be good for travellers, resulting in lower airport charges and airfares. “The model of low-cost airlines using secondary airports is proven internationally, as evidenced by the successful strategies of Ryanair and easyJet in the UK.” But questions have been raised with regard to the practicality of the proposal

with issues like air traffic control highlighted as a potential problem. Air Traffic and Navigation Services SA marketing and communications specialist, Anna Sanfilippo, says ATNS is treating La Mercy as the only major airport in the area from May 2010. “Should the need arise we will assess the requirements to be able to run interdependent operations between the two airports in consultation with appropriate stakeholders.” Acsa is also alleged to have put a R2bn price tag on the land. Spokesperson Solomon Makgale says the land is up for sale but the aviation infrastructure will be moved to the new site at La Mercy. “A multi-stakeholder task team has been set up to manage the disposal of this asset and there are a number of parties who have shown interest.” But is the market big enough to sustain two airports so close to each other, particularly as the existing Durban International Airport has in the past struggled to attract international airlines to operate there? Gidon maintains having two airports in the greater Durban area would give travellers a choice depending on their proximity and preferred destination.

Durban’s market share – a fraction of JNB’s Johannesburg Cape Town Durban

17 488 125 passengers 7 699 866 passengers 4 239 084 passengers

Source: Acsa (September 2008 to August 2009)

■

Iata fights credit card fraud Melody Brandon BARSA has welcomed an Iata initiative to form an online database recording fraudulent credit card transactions, estimated to cost the airline industry US$1,4bn (R10,2bn) annually. Perseuss allows airlines to share data about fraudulent credit card transactions. At least 40 airlines reportedly have used the service so far. “It is an excellent initiative but, as with anything, there needs to be full buy-in from the airlines,” said Barsa ceo, Allan Moore. “Unfortunately credit card fraud is a huge issue in South Africa,” says Allan. “Many airlines check your credit card before you board your flight.” Credit card fraud affects all airlines, says Desmond

O’Connor, commercial director at 1time, which has its own fraud department. “It’s an ongoing problem in the industry.” Another scam seen frequently by carriers, Mango, kulula.com and 1time, is opportunists promising consumers ridiculously low fares, or buy-one-get-one-free deals on websites. “Unsuspecting consumers would deposit money into the individual’s account and wouldn’t get the tickets,” explains Desmond. He says constant public education is needed and going through a reputable website or travel agency is the only way travellers can avoid being scammed. “The reality is, the lowest fare you see on the airline’s site is the lowest you are going to get.” ■

QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS