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TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLY
INSI
DE
SOUTHERN AFRICA’S TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLYJuly 26 2017 I No. 2455
Page 10
FEATURE
Travellers want ‘authentic’ experiences
Page 6
NEWSHAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Club Travel turns 30
Page 2
NEWSYY FARES
Iata rescinds once-popular fares
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at the door step of the world’s great fallsWebsite: www.africansunhotels.com | Tel: +27 (0) 100030079
SAA has introduced special economy- class fares between South Africa and Australia via Mauritius. The fares are valid until January 31, 2018 and vary depending on which airport passengers depart from. Pictured is Faith Sikakane, regional sales manager – Coastal Sales. Photo: Shannon Van Zyl
Agents hazy about PCI DSS requirementTaryn nighTingale
CRACKS are appearing in Iata’s requirement for agents to be Payment
Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard (DSS) compliant by March 2018 in order to retain accreditation. Issues regarding non-compliant payment processes; a lack of communication from Iata and other key stakeholders; and concerns around implementation dates, have all come under the spotlight.
The PCI DSS is a global standard that applies to all
entities that store, process, and/or transmit cardholder data. A key part of compliance is the protection of sensitive cardholder information. In February, Iata initially announced the requirement as a prerequisite (by June 1)for agencies that process credit card sales to retain Iata accreditation. In April, the association extended the deadline to March 2018.
In a recent poll conducted by eTNW, 65% of respondents said they “had no idea” about PCI DSS compliance. On the other hand, agents who are
aware of PCI DSS say there are serious concerns around how compliance must be implemented.
One of the biggest issues is the use of credit card charge forms (CCCF). The CCCF is a requirement by the card-issuing companies that has been incorporated into local regulations, says Janaurieu D’sa, area manager, Southern Africa of Iata. It is a requirement by the Payment Association of SA (Pasa) to prove card present transactions in the local market.
To page 2
Special fares to Oz
THIS WEEK’S VISA NEWS
UK clarifies visa rulesKrisTian Meijer
TO HELP clarify UK visa rules, the British High Commission and tour operator British T.I.P.S. organised educationals for agents last week.
Two of the main points that came up at the workshops were the processing times for visa applications and the rules regarding transit visas.
Lorna Feldtmann, regional business manager, Africa, UK Visa and Immigration, says visa application turnaround times have been changed from six to seven working days to 15 working days.
Another issue that was addressed was the complicated nature of transit visas. Two types of transit visas can be applied for.
A Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) is for passengers who won’t leave the airport.
Passengers will need a DATV
if they are changing flights in the UK without going through immigration control and are from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. For example, a South African traveller flying to Paris via Heathrow with a Schengen visa, changing flights at Heathrow, will need a DATV.
South African passport holders who have Australian, Canadian, New Zealand or US visas, do not need a DATV, as these are considered exemption documents, due to the countries’ own stringent security checks. The DATV costs R574 (£34).
The second transit visa is a Visitor in Transit Visa (VTV) and is for passengers who are flying via the UK, but need to pass through immigration and are from outside the EEA or Switzerland. The VTV is only valid for 48 hours. For example, a South African traveller flying to Paris, arriving at Heathrow but departing from Gatwick within 48 hours after their arrival in the UK, will need a VTV. The VTV costs R1 047 (£62).
To page 16
In last week’s issue in the story, Austrian returns to SA, TNW incorrectly referred to Lufthansa’s seasonal CPT-MUC route as its JNB-MUC route. There is no JNB-MUC route. TNW apologises for the error.
For the record
“Visa application turnaround times have been changed from six to seven working days to 15 working days.”
2 n Wednesday July 26 2017 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS
NEWS
Rubes® By Leigh Rubin
Phone: (011) 327-4062 Fax: (011) 327-4094 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.nowmedia.co.za Address: Now Media Centre, 32 Fricker Road, Illovo Boulevard, Illovo, Johannesburg. PO Box 55251, Northlands, 2116, South Africa.
TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLY
Published by Travel & Trade Publishing (Pty) Ltd Printed by Juka Printing (Pty) Ltd
www.etnw.co.za
Founding Editors: John H Marsh (1914-1996) Leona Marsh (1923-2003)
EDITORIAL Editor: Taryn Nightingale [email protected] Features Editor: Sue van Winsen [email protected] Publisher: Anton Marsh [email protected] Deputy Publisher: Natasha Schmidt [email protected] Journalists: Dorine Reinstein Kristian Meijer Candice May
Photographer: Shannon Van Zyl Production Editor: Ann Braun
GROUP PUBLISHER David Marsh [email protected]
SALES Sales Director: Kate Nathan [email protected] Ad Co-ordinator: Anthea Harris [email protected]
PRODUCTION Design Head: Dirk Voorneveld
SUBSCRIPTIONS Circulation: [email protected]
Top web stories
Have you been a victim of the latest scam? TNW pick: Ruling on refunds raises ADM fears Biometrics now mandatory for Indian visas Flight Centre consolidates corporate travel ‘Follow home’ crime survey results revealed
Helen Johnston selects the top specials from Travelinfo
Faircity Hotels & Apartments.(Johannesburg) Stay at Mapungubwe Hotel Apartments from R1 305 per night in a double studio room. Offer includes one night’s accommodation and breakfast for two people. Valid until December 31. Kulula holidays. (Cape Town) Rates from R2 441 per person sharing. Offer includes return
flights from Johannesburg to Cape Town, approximate taxes, two days’ car hire (on standard cover basis) and two nights’ accommodation at the Garden Court Nelson Mandela Boulevard with breakfast daily. Valid for travel until August 28 (Thursdays to Mondays only). Azure Travel. Rates from R8 037 per person sharing. Offer includes two nights in
Delhi, two nights in Varanasi, one night in Khajuraho, two nights in Agra and two nights in Jaipur, breakfast daily, sightseeing, transportation between destinations, local English-speaking guide and visit to Amber Fort on elephant back. Offer excludes flights. Valid until September 30.
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• China • Tibet • Nepal • Vietnam • Cambodia • Laos • Myanmar • Japan • India • Sri Lanka & beyond
2018 ASIA SALEUp to R 7000.00 per couple
Contact details: Tel: 010 001 9998 | [email protected]
Iata retires YY faresKristian Meijer
EFFECTIVE October 31, 2018, Iata will rescind the once-popular, super flexible
and very expensive YY fares. YY fares, first established in
1945, were Iata multilateral interline-able fares. They allowed passengers to buy a ticket in a single currency and travel around the world on different airlines with luggage checked to their final destination. In essence, they were full-fare, fully
flexible fares that, in theory, allowed passengers to freely interchange between all airlines that offered the fare, depending on the market.
Over the years, as consumer demands changed, YY fares became less popular, says Katherine Kaczynska, spokesperson of Iata.
She says deregulation, market requirements, competition, and requirement for more timely delivery of competitive fares to the market (YY fares are updated only
once a year), led to the decline in sales of the fares. Today, YY fares only make up 0,03% of global ticket sales.
Industry players aren’t fazed by the change. Ros Chimes, owner of Ros-4-Travel, says she has not sold a YY fare. Other agents say they’ve never even heard of YY fares.
Lufthansa has not accepted YY fares since 2007. British Airways spokesperson, William Smook, says the retiring of the YY fares should not have any impact on BA business.
Agents hazy about PCI DSS requirement
“Airlines can ask agents at any stage to prove that the client has agreed for his card to be charged. Up to now this was done through producing a signed imprint of the card, the CCCF,” says Milan Wild, gm of American Express Travel and Tours.
Under PCI DSS, this would need to be changed and agents must be advised what other acceptable form of proof should be used and how it should be stored, Milan says.
The CCCF is a prerequisite in all markets that process credit card transactions through the BSP as per Resolution 890, says Janaurieu. He says a majority of jurisdictions have approved the use of a GDS issued electronic version of the CCCF and that Iata is engaging with Pasa to introduce the electronic CCCF locally.
However, he adds: “PCI DSS compliance is still achieved in both versions through respectively prescribed processes.”
Gm of Travel Counsellors South Africa, Mladen Lukic, says although PCI DSS compliance is good for the industry, there are levels of compliance that rest outside the ambit of the agency.
Mladen says the industry awaits Iata’s view on how far down the distribution chain it expects agents to be responsible for compliance in order to retain their accreditation.
According to the PCI council website, each payment card brand maintains its own separate compliance enforcement programmes and stakeholders are required to check with their banks. Chris Cromhout, owner of Ditshaba Travel, says he did this with his credit card supplier, Amex, but was only told that the software he uses through Nedbank was compliant. Amex had not commented at the time of publishing.
Ceo of Asata, Otto de Vries, says a PAPGJC project team, including a PCI council rep will, within the next six months, design a road map to compliance for agencies. The team will also deliver a travel agent small merchant guide by October, says Otto. Locally, Asata will devise a shared action plan for Asata travel agents to assist them in becoming compliant.
But, Otto says: “If the guide is only ready by October and the road map is only delivered in the next six months, I suspect that nobody honestly
thinks March 2018 is still an achievable deadline.” He adds that a PCI representative at the PAPGJC meeting earlier this month said the council had not seen any other sector reach compliance in less than 18-24 months.
He says the trade is the only industry being forced into compliance. As much as the PCI council provides a standard best practice for compliance, it isn’t enforcing it on any industry, however Iata is forcing the travel industry into compliance by imposing resolutions on the trade, Otto says.
Iata told TNW the industry needed to be aware that compliance, and whether the agency would retain its accreditation, only applied to credit card sales.
“If an agency doesn’t process credit card transactions, it may submit a declaration that will state that, and should be signed by an authorised signatory of the agency. Such agencies won’t be required to provide compliance evidence, however this information will be kept on file and once New Gen ISS resolutions are effective, the agency’s credit card form of payment will be switched off,” says Janaurieu.
From page 1
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4 n Wednesday July 26 2017 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS
NEWS
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Trafalgar held a travel agents’ lunch to launch its 2018 North America, South America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand guided tour packages. Staying true to its ‘Made With Love’ proudly South African initiative, the lunch was held at Moyo Zoo Lake where agents tucked into a three-course traditional African meal. Pictured (from left) are Nadine Daley, junior consultant of Travel Counsellors; Bronwyn Strydom, marketing manager of Trafalgar; Kirsty Mayson and Siobhan Nel, travel consultants of Travel Counsellors. Photo: Shannon Van Zyl
Tourific Trafalgar
Agents tackle school holidays sales slumpKristian Meijer
SALES during mid-year school holidays this year have seen a strong decline due to budget
constraints, some agents report, with clients enquiring about local destinations to save money.
Princess Majiki, md of Khuseleka Travel & Shuttles, notes a substantial slowdown in sales and says more travellers are enquiring about local travel options to fit their smaller budgets.
“Sales are between 50% and 80% lower than they were this time last year,” says Princess, adding that she suspects the downturn in business is a result of tougher economic times.
Ros Chimes, owner of Ros-4-Travel, says business during the holidays has been its slowest in 17 years.
Quinten Barnard, head of marketing, Cruise Corner, of XL Travel Sandown, agrees and says a changing market requires agents to react to clients’ new preferences.
Matthew Fubbs, sales director of The Holiday Factory, says the downturn in sales and changing traveller
preferences provide agents with an opportunity to find more value for their clients than ever before.
“Often, travellers will assume that local holidays are a lot more affordable than international holidays, which is not always the case. As a result, we’ve seen good sales in affordable island destinations,” says Matthew.
Ros adds that the best way to find value for clients is by promoting all-inclusive packages so that they know exactly how much they are paying beforehand.
Agents should rather promote the value of alternative destinations, or find ways to add value to the original trip by suggesting cheaper flights so that better accommodation can be booked, says Matthew.
However, some industry players haven’t experienced the same drop in sales. Joanne Adolphe, ceo of Thompsons Holidays, and Annemarie Lexow, sales and marketing manager of Travel Vision, both say travel during the school holidays is up, as most of the sales for the mid-year school holidays were made months ago, before the economic downturn.
Upgraded Premier Hotel Cape Town opens next monthTHE Premier Hotel Cape Town will reopen by the end of August after being closed for an R11m renovation programme.
Work included refurbishment of all 130 rooms to give them a more contemporary look; a refresh of the three conference venues; and a full refurbishment of the Promenade restaurants and cocktail bar.
Renovations are still under way but the completed East wing of the hotel is available for bookings, and a temporary reception desk has been
set up to assist guests.Access to certain areas of the
hotel will continue to be periodically restricted while the various stages of the project are completed. Food and beverage services remain suspended and the conference rooms, business centre and library are still temporarily inaccessible.
Certain facilities, such as the on-site parking, free WiFi and complimentary shuttle to the V&A Waterfront, are still on offer but may be limited at certain times.
New Travelport product makes hotel bookings easier TRAVELPORT has released a brand-new retail product for hotels called Hotel Retail, which is set to simplify the booking process for agents.
Travelport South Africa could not yet confirm the roll-out date for Hotel Retail in this market, but said a date would be announced at a later stage.
Hotel Retail, which is integrated into the already existing Travelport platform, enables increased hotel attachment rates within one workflow for agents. It also gives ‘power users’ the ability to make cryptic commands, enabling bookings in a few commands.
In addition, it gives Travelport Smartpoint-connected agencies
access to multiple rate types, hotel details, amenities and location information.
Hotel Retail’s graphical interface also features a side-by-side rate comparison, including best available, negotiated and consortium rates.
“Hotel Retail is a real timesaver for agents, providing productivity and workflow benefits as they no longer need to rely on multiple rate searches in multiple places nor websites and mapping applications outside their workflow to locate the most relevant hotel with the best rates for their customers,” says Niklas Andreen, vp and md, global hospitality and digital of Travelport.
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6 n Wednesday July 26 2017 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS
NEWS
For a FREE subscription to TNW contact Gladys on [email protected]
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12 x Workshops = 5 Stars = Automatic entry to monthly Travelinfo draw for *R10 000 for 6 months =
Under the new Travelinfo Workshops you get 200 points for every Workshop completed. When you accumulate 2 400 points within a 12 month period the 2 400 points translates into 5 STARS. All agents with 1400 points or more will go into the monthly *R10 000 cash draw starting July. Go to your personal Dashboard on Travelinfo Workshops. You have already been credited with Workshops completed in the last 365 days.* Subject to Tax.
R60 000Visit: www.travelinfo.co.za
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AVANI to arrive in Mauritius THAI hotel group, AVANI Hotels & Resorts, is to develop its first resort in Mauritius, the AVANI Bel-Ombre Mauritius Resort & Spa. The Bel Ombre area is in the south of the island and a 30-minute drive from the international airport.
The Bel-Ombre is set to open in 2021 with 134
standard rooms and 16 suites. The resort will also offer a speciality restaurant, an all-day-dining restaurant, large multi-functional meeting space catering for MICE and weddings, a spa and gym, a kids’ club, as well as a beach activities centre, and two swimming pools.
“Mauritius is one of the most vibrant beach destinations in the world and AVANI is the ideal brand to offer honeymooners, adventurers and incentive houses an alternative dynamic hospitality offering,” says Alejandro Bernabe, group director of AVANI Hotels & Resorts.
Club Travel celebrates continuing growthLiesL Venter
CLUB Travel celebrated 30 years in business at a glitzy evening event for its
employees at the Cape Sun. Started in 1987 by travel maverick, Wally Gaynor, as a small agency in the Picbel Centre in Strand Street, this year the Club Travel group will see a turnover of close to R3 billion – a testament of how far it has come
“We started very small and humbly in a tiny office. It was not always easy but it has been rewarding and life changing,” said Wally.
Speaking to TNW he said the highlights of the past 30 years had been, oddly
enough, embedded in the most difficult times. “9/11 brought challenges unlike any other, transforming our entire industry. It was in the ability to re-invent and innovate that we found success, especially after 9/11.”
Wally said it was during this time that he undertook not to retrench any of his staff, despite agencies around him downsizing. “We were all grappling with the aftermath of the terror attack and its impact on leisure tourism. It was tough financially, but letting employees go was simply not an option.”
Attributing the success of his business to his employees, Wally said the ability to adapt
in a rapidly changing business environment was crucial.
“We are seeing it again as we introduce more technology. Sometimes I think we are more of a technology company than a travel one,” he said. “But technology on its own is meaningless without the human touch to connect the dots.”
With leisure travel making up the smallest percentage of the business these days, Wally said Club Travel had some big plans for its leisure sector growth.
He also said the company had become extremely good at partnerships and the industry could see the company continuing this approach.
In high spirits at Club Travel’s 30th birthday celebrations are (from left): Jerry Mabena, chairman of Club Travel and Thebe Tourism Group ceo; Wally Gaynor, founder and md of Club Travel; and Rian Bornman, md of Flightsite. Photo: Liesl Venter
QUICK READ FOR BUSIEST PEOPLE Wednesday July 26 2017 n 7
NEWS
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FCA goes from strength to strengthKristian Meijer
FLIGHT Centre Associates (FCA), the Flight Centre Travel Group’s ITC model, is growing. FCA has, since
its inception in July 2013, grown from a group of five, to 55 consultants who sell Flight Centre products from home.
FCA has also seen a year-on-year profit increase of 50%, with sales exceeding R400 million between July 2016 and June 2017.
Chantal Gouws, area leader of FCA, attributes the growth to many factors, including FCA’s ability to sell the full range of FCTG corporate and leisure offerings.
While there are no specific requirements for agents to join FCA, the model does cater better for retail agents or ITCs who have an existing client base and are
looking to make a switch.“We hand pick the people who
join FCA. They generally are people who have been part of the Flight Centre brand for a number of years and are now looking to work in their own time to accommodate their new young families. So the growth we see is sustainable, opposed to gearing up yearly to meet supplier targets,” says Andrew Stark, md of Flight Centre Middle East and Africa.
Agents who join FCA complete a start-up package that includes a two-day induction training course. They then get access to 24/7 ticketing support and a dedicated marketing team to assist them.
Chantal says the model also offers agents a full back-office support team, which assists with bank recons and statement updates.
25 years of AirlinkOn June 11, Airlink celebrated its 25th birthday. In 1992, Link Airways, as it was known then, operated out of a hangar in Bonaero Park with a total of 30 employees. Its fleet comprised three Metroliners and three Piper Chieftains. Now Airlink has 1 350 employees, 46 aircraft and flies to 36 destinations. Airlink ceo, Rodger Foster, and director, Barrie Webb, have been running the airline since 1992. Pictured (from left) are: Nelda Leach, Olivia Wadi, customer relations officers and Tshepo Skhosana, senior revenue controller celebrating the airline’s birthday. Photo: Shannon Van Zyl
To the point
The Hilton Garden Inn Gaborone is now expected to open in 2018. The 150-room hotel marks Hilton’s entry into Botswana. Facilities will include an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant, bar and 24-hour Pavilion Pantry. Guests will also have access to a 24-hour business centre, complimentary WiFi and more than 400 sqm of meeting space.
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25 reasons why you should sell a cruise, plus a sneak peek of our 25th anniversary party on June 21.
On Cruises International’s 25th birthday, George Argyropoulos shares 25 reasons why you should be selling cruises to your clients.
1. A cruise is the best value for money you can offer your clients Rates start from US$100pppn, inclusive of unlimited meals, accommodation, entertainment, activities and transportation of ship from port to port.
2. Your clients don’t waste time getting from A to B By selling a cruise, you are maximising your clients’ time – once they are on board, the holiday starts immediately and lasts for the full duration of the cruise.
3. You will be providing your clients with a hassle-free, multi-destination experience Land-based multiple-destination holidays include hours spent packing and unpacking, going through formalities and standing in queues, but on a cruise they get the benefit of experiencing a range of destinations without any of the inconvenience.
4. There is an incredible assortment of restaurants Land-based holidays can be repetitive with resorts having around one or two restaurants on offer. Ships on average have a minimum of 10 restaurants, meaning your clients can eat in a different restaurant every night!
5. There are unlimited options for activities and entertainment Cruise ships are known for their incredible spas, gyms, children’s activities and facilities.
6. You’ll be earning great commission Not only will you be earning a high percentage – you’ll also be earning commission on the entire fully inclusive package, from food and beverage through to tipping.
7. You’ll be offering clients the ‘wow factor’ People who go on cruises, especially first-time cruisers, only have two complaints – firstly, that the cruise was too short, and secondly that they should have started cruising when they were younger.
8. Cruising appeals to people of all ages It’s a misconception that cruising is only for older travellers – from honeymooners through to families, there is a product that suits every market.
9. It’s a great alternative to backpacking Many young travellers opt to backpack across Europe – but they could do a two-week Mediterranean cruise for even less than it would cost to stay in land-based accommodation.
10. Cruising is safe Cruise ships have great security on board – in fact they are probably the safest places on the planet, so your clients won’t have to worry about their family’s safety.
11. Your clients will become addicted After going on their first cruise, travellers become hooked. Often cruising becomes their annual holiday throughout their life, adapting to the life stage they are in along the way.
12. There is huge diversity in terms of product From big ships to small ships, river cruises to around-the-world expeditions, we represent nine brands so that we can always match the right product to the right customer.
13. You’ll gain more customers through word of mouth After a cruise, your clients will discuss their holiday and will be likely to send more business your way from their network of family and friends. Agents can encourage this by staying in touch with their customers after their travels.
14. Cruising is resilient, even in tough times Even in difficult economic times, cruising remains relatively unaffected. This is because it appeals to a market segment that can still afford to travel.
15. You’ll have a strong support network We have all the systems, facilities and support that an agent could ever need. We have our portal – shipmates.co.za – where you can access training modules, and our sales representatives are always happy to meet with you, one on one, anywhere in the country.
16. The cruise industry is still growing There is such great momentum in the market that the only thing that limits the growth of the industry is the number of ships that can be built at a single point in time.
17. Your clients will have access to exotic destinations Cruise ships call at interesting destinations that are otherwise difficult for South Africans to access, such as the Caribbean, Amazon and Antarctica!
18. Clients can go on an adventure – in total comfort After venturing off to exciting and remote destinations,
your clients can return to their cabin for a hot shower or bath, incredible food and their comfortable bed.
19. Packaging is simple and effortless If you were to try and replicate a cruise itinerary, it would likely take you an entire day – and that’s not factoring in your clients’ changes.
20. Shore excursions are well organised English-speaking guides will take your clients on amazing organised excursions, taking them to reputable shops and restaurants and hard-to-access tourist sites. Some cruise lines even have a shopping guarantee – and if items don’t meet your clients’ expectations, the items will be replaced.
21. Cruising is great for MICE groups Cruising effortlessly combines business and leisure and has huge motivational appeal. On board, cruises are also easy to organise, with no hidden costs.
22. You don’t have to worry about sea sickness Modern cruise ships are built and designed to be stable – but if your clients are still concerned, you can suggest river cruising on calm waters.
23. Cruising is flexible While there is a daily cruise programme, there are myriad activities for guests to choose from and they can do as much or as little as they like. The activity combinations are infinite.
24. Your sales tools are at your fingertips From brochures to galleries and video clips – all the collateral you could need is easily accessible.
25.It’s easy to control costs With the volatility of the rand, cruising is the most cost-effective holiday you can sell. Your clients won’t have to be a victim of the rand exchange rate with their trip paid for upfront.
10 n Wednesday July 26 2017 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS
Thailand
Northern Thailand is still relatively unexplored by South Africans, but that could change as adventurous travellers seek out more authentic experiences throughout the country. Sue van Winsen reports.
Straying off the beaten track
SOUTH African travellers are increasingly requesting “other destinations” within Thailand
and tour operators are looking for new drawcards, says Lesley Simpson, marketing representative of the Tourism Authority of Thailand in SA, who says requests for northern Thailand are on the rise. “The fact that internal flights are so affordable makes exploring this vast country much easier and, of course, more appealing – not forgetting the overnight train option between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.”
Thompsons Holidays pr and media manager, John Ridler, says the increase in interest is largely due to the information that is available and what the region has to offer. “Traditionally, the southern regions have had the most exposure and therefore demand for the northern region needs to be stimulated.”
Exciting itineraries Lorraine Clinton, sales manager of Checkout Tours, says northern Thailand is a great option for repeat travellers looking to extend their beach holiday to include something more cultural and authentic. “A mix of clientele would love this area, from the adventure traveller who enjoys
trekking to the those looking for culture and tranquillity,” she says.
“The night markets are a shopper’s paradise for those in search of authentic Thai textiles and ceramics. I personally would love to take my children to this area to experience the peacefulness of the local people,” adds Lorraine.
Shona Pittaway, director of Perfect Destinations, recommends starting a northern Thailand itinerary in Chiang Mai. “The city is incredible, with many new experiences to be had. These can be part of a day trip, and include trekking or cultural activities such as a visit to the traditional long-necked hill tribes.” She says Chiang Mai is very different from the cities in southern Thailand. “The night market in the centre used to be a big attraction, but becoming even more popular is Nimmanhaemin Road, which in recent years has become Chiang Mai’s most vibrant strip.”
According to Lesley, Chiang Mai is worthy of at least a four-night stay,
and agents can also package the city with the attractions up north, such as the Golden Triangle, and even cross into Myanmar or Laos to experience other cultures of South East Asia. “Northern Thailand appeals to all markets of holidaymakers, even families, although my personal recommendation would be for older children from the age of 12.” She says it’s also well suited to women travelling in small groups, or for those with special interests such as cooking, wellness and golf.
Shona believes South Africans have an appetite for northern Thailand, but admits that there is a lot of scope for educating clients on the different experiences they can have within the region. “I think too often there is a preconception that Thailand is great for beaches and entertainment, and this is true, but there is a lot more on offer.” She says this is particularly true for luxury, repeat and adventurous travellers. “The north offers a whole new world of shopping, dining, culture and exploration that is very different to the south and the islands.”
Northern Thailand gives guests the opportunity to understand the culture, way of life and history, says Shona, while also offering ample
opportunities for shopping, dining and exploration. “Chiang Mai is considered the adventure capital, with white-water rafting, trekking, quad biking, climbing and rope traversing all on offer.”
Stand-alone or add-onShe says northern Thailand is easily combined with a beach stay at the end of a trip, with connections into Phuket possible from both Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. “It can also be packaged with another Asian city stop such as Singapore if your clients are not interested in beaches.” The region also packages well with other cultural destinations outside Thailand, says John, particularly Cambodia and Myanmar.
Lorraine agrees and says that while the northern region could provide a fantastic holiday experience as a stand-alone destination, a combination with a beach experience may be more popular with South Africans. She says the main challenge in selling the region is that agents need more knowledge on the area to gain the confidence to promote it. “A solution would be for agents to attend workshops and destination training through wholesalers.”
Where to stay The Shangri-La Chiang Mai is just a few hundred metres from the city’s vibrant night market, as well as a selection of restaurants, spas and shops. Positioned as an urban resort hotel, the Shangri-La also offers Chiang Mai’s biggest
conferencing facility, including boardrooms, auditoriums and function rooms. The property is popular with families and is in the process of constructing a new playground area for children.
Lesley adds that aside from
the well-known hotel brands, there is a wide selection of smaller boutique hotels and villas to choose from, “even jungle-type resorts such as Hmong Hill Tribe Lodge en-route to Chiang Rai, in the heart of the rolling hills and forests”.
Did you know?
Singapore Airlines operates 42 flights a week between Singapore and Bangkok. Through its regional wing, SilkAir, and its low-cost subsidiary, TigerAir, it also flies to Phuket 35 times a week, Chiang Mai 12 times a week, Langkawi three times a week and Krabi seven times a week.
“Northern Thailand lets guests understand
the culture, way of life and history of the country.”
Phot
o: P
ixaba
y
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DISCOVER
AMAZINGSTORIES
AND SAY YES TOTHAILAND
SA Representative office for Tourism Authority of ThailandTel: 011 463 8195 | Fax: 011 463 8196 | E-mail: [email protected] | Twitter: @thailandsa
www.facebook.com/amazingthailandinsouthafrica
12 n Wednesday July 26 2017 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS
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Thailand
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Selling responsible elephant interactionsTHAILAND’S elephant interaction tourism offering was recently thrust back into the spotlight with the publishing of a World Animal Protection document stating that the vast majority of the country’s elephants were kept in “severely inadequate conditions”.
So how can South African agents ensure that they are selling only ethical elephant experiences? According to tour operators, there are a number of important factors to take into consideration.
Celeste Gordon, product and pricing executive of STA Travel, says the company commenced a full audit of all animal practices associated with its products in early 2014. “Following this audit process, we made the decision to stop selling elephant riding. We only work with a handful of well-respected partners who have proved that they run ethical projects and can clearly define
what the project delivers to the host community.”
Early 2014 was also a turning point for Perfect Destinations, says Shona Pittaway, with the operator removing all elephant trekking and riding packages from its portfolio. “Often in Thailand, young elephants are stolen from their mothers before they are mature enough to be separated, then they frequently end up in unhealthy situations and are used for paying customers to ride, bathe or trek.
“We were the first operator in the South African market to offer Elephant Hills Tented Camp in the Khao Sok National Park as an eco-friendly alternative elephant experience product in Thailand,” says Shona. Elephant Hills works with rescued elephants and, following traditional Mahout culture, elephants are unchained and are free to
roam within their natural surroundings. “It offers the chance to understand why elephants form such an important part of Thai culture, but it does so in a way that supports the elephants, causing them no harm.”
Shona adds that Elephant Hills is the only elephant operation Perfect Destinations currently works with. “We would be open to alternatives, provided we had inspected them and were equally assured of their integrity.”
Checkout Tours has taken a similar stance and only deals with rehabilitation sanctuaries where travellers can get a better understanding of elephants. Lorraine Clinton of Checkout Tours says: “Unfortunately, we cannot change how elephants have been treated in the past but we can support the organisations that are healing the elephants and ensuring a better life for them.”
Elephant Hills Tented Camp offers an eco-friendly elephant experience. Photo: Elephant Hills
New SilverKris lounge opens at Bangkok AirportA NEW SilverKris Lounge has opened at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok for Singapore Airlines’ premium customers. The 313-sqm lounge has space for 102 guests and is located on Level 3 Concourse A, after the immigration area.
It has been designed in a modern, contemporary style with high ceilings and fabric-laminated glass panels to enhance
privacy. It is equipped with 127cm plasma televisions, business areas where passengers can work, as well as high-speed WiFi.
A selection of the latest newspapers and magazines are on offer, along with a variety of food, including delicacies from Singapore.
The SilverKris Lounge is open daily from 05h15 to 23h00, except on Thursdays when it is open until 19h00.
For a FREE subscription to TNW contact Gladys on [email protected]
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14 n Wednesday July 26 2017 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS
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FAM trip experience
Thailand
Lorraine Clinton, sales manager of Checkout Tours, was hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand on an educational to northern Thailand.
Expectations: I started to count the sleeps long in advance in anticipation of my trip. Expectations build up and there is always a chance that you may be let down, however this was certainly not the case when I flew into Chiang Mai and explored northern Thailand. The destination left me feeling rejuvenated and excited to be exploring a part of the country that is slightly less travelled than down south. I came home feeling that I had made a life-long friendship with a beautiful destination!
While it was probably the most turbulent flight I have been on in a long time, Singapore Airlines was a pleasure to fly on. The crew were calm and professional and looked after their passengers.
Changi Airport is great and probably one of the best airports to have a connection – you almost wish you could
have more time there. There are numerous activities and attractions, from rooftop sunflower gardens to terminal slides for the kids and, obviously, WiFi.
Highlights:I had previously been to a night market in Bangkok, however the Chiang Mai markets really give you a different experience. The market has an authentic and cultural feel to it that you don’t get elsewhere in the country. My suitcases came back packed with Thai-style pants, cotton scarves, dried fish (for the cat) and pink elephant key-rings (for the office).
It is always refreshing travelling to countries that offer a different perspective on cultures and religions and one comes back feeling a little worldlier. I loved seeing Wat Prathat Doi Suthep temple and, through our guide, gained more knowledge of the
Buddhist way of life. The food in northern Thailand
is less spicy than in the south, but certainly no less tasty. We were treated to a selection of delicious dishes, my favourite being khao soi, which is a curry-based soup with coconut milk and noodles, followed closely by a cold Singha beer. Coffee is now grown in the area instead of opium, so an iced coffee is essential in the tropical heat!
We were welcomed like friends into the hillside tribe. The world would be a different place if more people could experience their way of life. The people living there are peaceful and happy living a simple life surrounded by natural beauty.
I had my reservations about visiting the Elephant Sanctuary. Truth be told, there are loads of illegal and cruel activities that elephants are put through around Thailand, however there are also ethical
sanctuaries that are healing these beautiful giants and giving them a better life. We visited one of these places, which opened our eyes to the plight of these animals as well as the importance of supporting organisations so that they can carry on their dedicated work.
I always prefer travelling off the beaten track and we were fortunate to become ‘lost tourists’ on our longtail boat on the Mae Kok River. It was just ourselves, the beautiful landscape, a few fishermen and a once-in-a-lifetime memory.
How often can you say that you have stood and looked upon three countries at once?
The Golden Triangle is a must for anyone’s bucket list. South Africans generally visit the southern part of the country, but northern Thailand easily matches its beauty, adventure, culture and tradition.
Top tips: Pick up a free SIM card at
the airport and buy data for the duration of your stay.
Recommend that your clients order a selection of dishes from restaurants and share with friends so they can try a variety of different things.
Organise a guide to accompany clients on temple tours to provide more insight.
Sell northern Thailand – it is good for the soul!
Lesley Simpson (left) and Lorraine Clinton learn about local crafts made by a hill tribe near Chiang Mai.
JOBSCOMMUNITYNEWSBirths, deaths, marriages, promotions – we want to know! Please fax or e-mail TNW’s Taryn Nightingale, at [email protected] or (011) 327 4094.
QUICK READ FOR BUSIEST PEOPLE Wednesday July 26 2017 n 15
ObituariesAppointments
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We have numerous vacancies available in both Travel Agencies and Tour Operators for experienced and qualified Travel Industry Professionals.
Should you be looking for a new and exciting career opportunity please contact either Jean or Nono or log on to our website to apply online.
Positions available in the following areas: Consultants (Inbound/Outbound/
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Sales Representative/ Reservation – Johannesburg, RosebankEgyptAirGood sales communication skills, good knowledge of airline product and travel agents. Minimum of 3 years’ workingexperience in Amadeus. Email: [email protected]
Travel Consultant – Shelly BeachFlight Centre Travel GroupSell travel experiences to your customers. From adventures to Thailand to city breaks in London. Provide outstandingcustomer service while managing every aspect of their trip. Email: [email protected]
Senior Leisure Consultant – Johannesburg NorthProfessional Career ServicesMin 5 years’ experience in a senior position. Galileo Smartpoint. Ticketing and fares knowledge. Automated refundsvia Galileo/BSP link. IATA BSP cert. Quicktrav invoicing. Email: [email protected]
Product Consultant – S/Suburbs,CPTQuantex Recruitment GroupChallenging position with international leaders want your 5+years’ consulting experience with inbound high-end market experience & expert level Southern & East Africa product knowledge. Email: [email protected]
Product Manager – GautengLee Botti & AssociatesNorth. Flourishing inbound operator! Secure with sound rate negotiation skills and excellent 4/5 star SA product knowledge. Competitive offer. Email: [email protected] Junior Ticketing Agent – Cape Town CBDClub TravelSeeking junior ticketing consultant to assist with reissues, exchanges and manual fare builds in Galileo. At least 1 year minimum ticketing experience required. Email: [email protected]
In-House VIP Consultant – JohannesburgEquity Connections ccHighly skilled senior needed to join team of professional seniors. Deal with VIP and Company Executive’s travel needs. Galileo essential. Email: [email protected]
Business Development Manager – Pretoria/East RandCorporate TravellerTo gain & increase new business sales. Perform at a profitable level and act as a CRM to both prospective and existing clients. Email: [email protected]
Operational Regional Manager – Western CapeProfessional Career ServicesTop notch inbound operations manager required to oversee entire Africa operation of multinational company. Southern & East Africa product knowledge. Email: [email protected]
Senior Inbound Consultant – N/Sububrs, S/Suburbs, Boland)Quantex Recruitment GroupConsultant with expert Southern & East Africa knowledge wanted to service elite high end clients. Work in a professional environment & be rewarded! Email: [email protected]
Intermediate Consultant – GautengLee Botti & AssociatesEast. Corporate your forte? Beat the traffic blues and work closer to home! Highly professional TMC. Salary negotiable. Email: [email protected]
Technical Support – TygervalleyClub TravelTech savvy individual required to assist with daily website testing, logging errors and quality assurance testing.Minimum 1 year leisure consulting & GDS experience (preferably Amadeus). Email: [email protected]
Financial Accountant – JohannesburgEquity Connections ccOpportunity for numbers fundi. Take charge of all aspects of groups finances. Relevant tertiary education needed,excellent numeracy skills. Tourplan an advantage. Email: [email protected]
Inbound Incentive& Groups Consultant – FourwaysWendy’s Travel PersonnelConfident, enthusiastic individual required to deal with international clients! Email: [email protected]
Claudia Camarda, owner of Travel C, died on June 23. She started Claudia’s Travel in 1999 and later sold it to Travel Assignment Group. Last November Claudia started a new business, Travel C. “Claudia was a dynamic woman, she was never one to sit around and do nothing,” says Bobbi Markantonis, corporate manager of Claudia’s Travel.
Lameez Pillay died on June 26 after a third heart operation. Lameez was an administrator in the processing department of Comair. “She was known as the ‘mother’ in the office and always took care of everyone,” say Geraldine Treasurer, operations manager – retail travel of Comair. Lameez is survived by her husband.
Flight Centre Travel Group has appointed Tebogo Thekisho to its FCM Travel Solutions and FCTG Corporate boards as a non-executive director. “I aim to use my networks, resources and influence to create new business and forge relationships, but also to grow the business and help steer it to a new market,” says Tebogo.
Lauren Blaine has joined Beachcomber Tours as a sales executive. Lauren previously worked in sales at Flight Centre, The Travel Corporation and World Leisure Holidays. “It is a phenomenal brand with an amazing reputation and I feel honoured to be representing the pioneers of the Mauritian island,” Lauren says.
Pentravel has appointed Nicole Coetzer as national sales manager. Nicole started at the George branch and progressed to manager in nine months. From there she became the Cape trainer and then Cape regional sales manager.
Carol White has been appointed md of Meikles Hospitality and is the first female executive to hold the post. She previously worked in sales and marketing and has held several positions in commerce throughout Zimbabwe and Zambia.
The Rezidor Hotel Group has announced two new appointees. William McIntyre is the new regional director of Southern Africa. William has over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, most recently as coo of the Hospitality Property Fund. He will be based in the group’s Africa and Indian Ocean area support office, in Cape Town. Patrick Lan has been appointed regional director of sales, North Africa and Indian Ocean. Patrick has over 12 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, with a core focus in sales and marketing, most recently as deputy gm at Maritim Hotels and group director of sales and marketing at Sun Resorts before joining Carlson Rezidor in 2016.
The Globus Family of Brands incentive programme ran from November last year until June, with a monthly prize of an Avalon Europe river cruise for two. Each ticket sold on any of the Globus Family of Brands gave one entry into the draws. The winner of the June draw was Ana Fasulakis from Travkor Sure Travel Group. Pictured (from left): Ana and Justine Choveaux, sales executive of Globus Family of Brands.
Cruising with Globus
16 n Wednesday July 26 2017 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS
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THIS WEEK’S VISA NEWS
Backlog causes delays for Canadian visasCandiCe May
THERE are major delays in the issuing of Canadian visas due to a backlog at the High Commission of Canada’s South African offices.
The High Commission of Canada in SA told TNW that the current processing time was about 10 to 15 working days for business visas and 20 to 30 working days for tourist visas, but could not confirm how long the delays would continue.
Before delays began in early May, the processing time was about five to seven working days for business visas and 10 to 15 working days for tourist visas. Michelle Boshoff, gm of central services of Pentravel, says going through a visa company
can sometimes help speed up applications if the visa company has a good relationship with the embassy.
Jyothika Makan, senior corporate consultant of XL Nexus Travel, says agents could request a ‘golden ticket’ when using a visa company. A ‘golden ticket’ is a free request that marks the submission as urgent so that the embassy treats it as a priority if possible, however, it’s not a foolproof way to speed up the process.
Jaendre Terblanche, owner of Visas Zone, advises agents to apply for their clients’ visas – regardless of the country – at least two or three months prior to their date of departure to allow for potential processing delays.
From page 1
For the record
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering travel agents the opportunity to earn a free cruise. All you have to do is sell any two suites on the Seven Seas Voyager’s Mediterranean sailings by July 31 to get a free cruise for yourself and a guest on one of the same voyages. Sailings depart July through September. Pictured is Janine Pretorius, regional sales agent of Regent Seven Seas. Photo: Shannon Van Zyl
Earn a cruise!
Is SAX facing liquidation?
SA EXPRESS is facing an application for liquidation, which has
been brought to the Gauteng High Court by aircraft leasing company, Solenta Aviation.
According to widespread media reports, Solenta Aviation director of flight operations, Stephen Jolly, said in an affidavit submitted to the court that SAX owed the company R87,3m for the lease of aircraft and other services provided between October 2016 and June 2017.
SAX reportedly doesn’t deny that it owes Solenta Aviation money, but the
airline is intending to oppose the application because of a dispute over the amount owed. Ceo, Victor Xaba, stressed that SAX was not in distress and that the airline was able to pay its debts.
Although the airline was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press, aviation specialist, Joachim Vermooten, told TNW that SAX’s dispute on the quantum of the claim might stall matters for a while, but ultimately Government would have to decide to make the payment on behalf of SAX, otherwise Solenta might eventually obtain a
liquidation order. Says Joachim: “In these
circumstances, it is very difficult to see how the directors do not conclude that SAX is in financial distress, upon which they need to put SAX into business rescue in the absence of Government assistance.”
In March this year, Public Enterprises Minister, Lynne Brown, told Parliament the airline was unable to repay R150m to two banks. Government intervention was required to reach a settlement on a repayment plan.
TNW would like to clarify retail manager for the Cape region of Thompsons Travel, Chantal Kliche’s comments in the article, ‘Corporates shy away from Marriott’ (see TNW July 12). Although the new cancellation policy could negatively influence where travellers choose to book, other things, such as business requirements and preferential use of travel policy preferred suppliers, are more important determining factors for corporates when choosing where to stay, Chantal says.
Air Namibia hit with ‘predatory pricing’ complaintAIR NAMIBIA is facing complaints at the Competition Commissions of Namibia and South Africa for predatory pricing on some of its routes.
The airline is accused of undercutting prices and sacrificing short-term profit in a bid to curb competition and maintain the monopoly on certain routes.
Corporate communications manager of Air Namibia, Paul Nakawa, told TNW a complaint had been lodged with the Competition Commissions of both countries. “SA Airlink
contends that Air Namibia is engaging in predatory pricing on the Windhoek-Cape Town route.” Both Commissions were currently investigating whether this was the case, Paul said.
He said the airline was being assisted by lawyers to dispute the complaints. “We remain confident of successfully opposing the claim,” said Paul.
The loss-making Namibian state-owned carrier recently won approval to fly to the US.
Paul says the airline will use the traffic rights in conjunction with its
codeshare partners. “We are not immediately considering any direct operations,” he said.
More regional routes are also on the cards for Air Namibia, although Paul could not confirm which routes these were. “Air Namibia is constantly performing route analysis and looking for opportunities to expand our routes,” Paul told TNW. Several options were being considered, but the current economic situation would dictate when and which routes would be announced he added.
