Southern Africa’s Travel News Weekly
October 7 2009 I No. 2078
INSIDE
TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLY
TNW3637SD
News
educationals
news
report
Expect a last-minute rush
Making the right connections
green shoots for travel
Agents want more ‘experience’ of destinations Page 3
Into africa
Page 7
Page 4
AF A380 to JNB in March Jeanette Phillips
S
TARTING in March, Air France will make history as the first airline to introduce a scheduled A380 service to OR Tambo. With the introduction of the winter schedule, starting October 25, the Johannesburg service will initially be reduced from 14 to 11 weekly flights. When the A380 is introduced in March, flights will be reduced to seven a week. Other long-haul routes affected by cuts will include
New York and Dubai. The airline, however, reiterated that there would not be a change in seat availability on these routes, including Johannesburg, as a result of the arrival of the A380. “Frequencies from ParisCharles de Gaulle will be adjusted on the busiest routes, without impairing the ‘quality’ of connections with long-haul flights, so as to use larger capacity aircraft which are more cost efficient,” the airline said in a statement. Emirates says it now has
five A380s operating on its fleet and another 53 on order. They currently serve LHR, Bangkok, Toronto, Sydney and Auckland. The A380 will continue to be deployed on high density routes, although there are no current plans for it to operate to South Africa. In terms of Ortia’s preparedness for the A380, Acsa spokesperson, Solomon Makgale, says although the 2010 schedules have not been confirmed, OR Tambo is fully compliant with A380 requirements. ■
The 2010 ‘rip off’ has kicked off Melody Brandon
P
REPARE to be ripped off! Price gouging over the 2010 Soccer World Cup will be as much of a fixture as Bafana’s apparent inability to score a goal. With less than a year before the event, allegations of price gouging are rife and the imbalance between supply and demand is seeing many travel industry players’ coffers lined at the expense of others. XL Oceanair’s Liz Budge is one of many agents who have had quoted prices double after her clients showed interest. Liz adds that a
number of hotels are cutting commission after quoting with commission. “I took my clients, who had flown from Japan, to inspect the hotel they were interested in. I called to make the booking and a week later my booking still hadn’t been processed.
Massive increases
I was told that the price per room had gone up from €220 (R2 367) to €440 (R4 742).” Lydia de Beer, from Lydia’s Travel Zone in Pretoria says: “I received a lot of queries for accommodation, but the prices are ridiculous. The most recent quote I received asked for a rate of R2 400
per standard room per night. The usual rate is R1 250. It is great for those making money, but in the long run, it is going to reflect badly on South Africa. There are a number of hotels cutting commission after quoting with commission.” While many agents are being forced to take a knock in commission and dealing with disgruntled clients, others are determined not to support unscrupulous vendors. “I have decided not to be part of that and am only dealing with providers who offer reasonable prices. I will try my hardest not to
We love the Brits! Air France offers fantastic connections to destinations throughout UK, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Edinburgh, among others. Showing their support for the Brits are (from left) AF sales executives Lisa Pietersen, Lala Fernandes, Mini van der Schyff and Mireille Faluki. See page 8 for TNW’s feature on the United Kingdom Photo: Tijana Huysamen use vendors who are acting without integrity, during 2010 and after,” says Dorienne Levitt, owner of African Stay. Brian Budge, owner of 46K Tourism Transfers, says: “I have dealt with clients who refuse to come to the country due to the cost of transport. Where I paid R2 000 a day for a vehicle during the Confederations Cup, I have to
tell the same clients the cost has doubled, as I now pay R4 800 per day for a vehicle.” Tour operators too are gearing up for a trying period. South Africans wanting to travel abroad during the event will pay ridiculous airfares domestically and internationally, if they can get a ticket. “On paper right now To page 12
Fully inclusive cruise from Mauritius Unbeatable value, 14
night cruise from only R14 770.00 pps!
Visiting: Mauritius, Seychelles, Kenya, Madagascar and Reunion. Including: Return flights from JNB, prepayable airport taxes & fuel surcharges, 14 nights onboard Costa Romantica inside cabin, all meals & entertainment onboard, port charges & ship insurance. Departures in January, February & March 2010. Terms and Conditions apply.
Call Development Promotions on 011 442 0822 or devprom@global.co.za
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