INSI

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SOutHERN AFRiCA’S tRAvEL NEWS WEEKLyAugust 26 2009 I No. 2072

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NEWSSAA RecOVeRy?

Report predicts R1,4bn profit

NEWSeARn And buRn

More opportunities to redeem miles

tRAvEL NEWS WEEKLy

fEaTurESkiinG

SA skiers hit slopes despite downturn

Page 8

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Melody Brandon

ASATA hopes to remedy the lack of statistics in the outbound travel

industry as it finalises its ‘Project X’, which will use booking information from travel agents to generate travel statistics.

“It’s crazy that there are accurate statistics for other industries but not for ours. Statistics South Africa has the number of persons entering and exiting the country, but not the specifics that we as an industry need,” says Robyn Christie, Asata ceo.

“Project X will basically be a one-stop shop for travel agents and tour operators alike. We need to know who is buying tickets and where they are going, what the demographics are, where they live, whether they are black or white, if they booked corporate or leisure.”

The Department of Home Affairs’ exit cards are no

longer disseminated at points of departure but, says Robyn, the quality of information received is not always accurate anyway and may not be relevant to the industry.

“With the industry generating its own statistics we will be able to pinpoint, among other trends, how many British Airways tickets were sold in the Eastern Cape over a certain period of time, versus the same period for another part of the country. If an agency in one part of the Eastern Cape knows that they have sold 100 tickets for the month, while the regional total is 1 000, they will know where they stand in the market and can act proactively rather than reactively to market trends,” said Robyn.

The statistics collected will be available to Asata members only on the organisation’s website.

“We are planning how the information will be collected

and are in the process of choosing a third party that will collect and analyse the information. We hope to launch in January next year,” she said.

Government involvement?While the newly established

Department of Tourism winds up its countrywide road shows, the issue of tourism statistics has repeatedly been raised.

There does, however, seem to be confusion over how information is collected and which department is responsible for collecting it.

The Department of Tourism said outbound travellers were expected to fill out departure forms, but Home Affairs denies this, saying while they collect generic information about where inbound visitors coming to the country are staying, they do not collect information from South Africans travelling overseas.

Melody Brandon

AIR France’s inaugural A380 flight from Paris to New York in November will have a charitable spin as the airline plans to auction 380 seats to raise funds for global charities, including a project in South Africa.

In addition, South African bidders departing from SA will be offered two nights’ free accommodation at the five-star Méridien Hotel in Paris, or similar.

Profits from the auction

will be used to fund three humanitarian projects, supported by the Air France Foundation for Children in Distress, including, theFrançois-Xavier Bagnound Association (FXB) in South Africa.

FXB is an after-school programme based in Witbank, Mpumalanga, and Alexandra and Soweto in Gauteng, dedicated to providing assistance to orphans affected by HIV/Aids and vulnerable children

Give us stats!

Clea Spann, Air France KLM sales director for South Africa and Angola, is excited about Air France’s October A380 seat auction. The auction is open to bidders in South Africa and the proceeds will go to charity, says Clea

Air France helps children’s dreams take off!

While Asata members will benefit from the information Project X is expected to provide, a few industry leaders suggest the information would only be helpful to a certain extent.

“The last bunch of tourism

figures that I saw was in 2003. We have been trying to keep tabs on what is going on ourselves, but our information is irrelevant if we don’t have a broader perspective,” said Jacqui Carr, Holiday Tours senior product manager.

Jacqui said market trends would be beneficial for tour operators, especially when embarking on new destinations. “It would also help to know when the peak seasons are, so that we can

Mixed reactions for Project X

to page 12 to page 2

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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.zaNatasha Tippel natashat@nowmedia.co.zaMelody Brandon melodyb@nowmedia.co.za Photo Journalist: Tijana Huysamen tijanah@nowmedia.co.zaFounding Editors: John H Marsh (1914-1996) Leona Marsh (1923-2003)

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2 n Wednesday August 26 2009 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

TNW NEWS

The last cilium on a smoker’s lung

‘

Natalia thomsoN

SOUTH African Airways says its 2009 financial results will see a

complete turnaround from the R1,37bn loss last year to a profit of R1,44bn, excluding hedging losses.

Outlining the airline’s vision to be an airline with global reach, Nomvula Nkabinde, acting gm: commercial, told parliament this week that SAA had performed almost R100m better than its original budget for the first quarter, achieving R51m nett profit for the month of June 2009.

Nomvula claimed that the airline was operationally profitable and that Africa would remain the airline’s

key area for expansion with a focus on the Johannesburg hub. Secondary hubs, she said, would be established in north-west Africa.

“We will weather the storm by a continued strict cost containment culture, efficiency improvements, strategic and effective procurement, a focus on proactive revenue management, capacity redeployment, improved distribution channels and targeted sales efforts.”

She added that SAA’s guarantee of R1,6bn provided by government had expired on March 31. The guarantee is in place to cover passengers, who have bought tickets but have not yet travelled, against the collapse of the airline.

“The Department of Public Enterprises has supplied a letter of undertaking for the value of R2,2bn and this has been accepted. But if SAA is unable to secure a long-term solution within the next 12 months, the airline will again be at risk that the Air Service Council may not renew its operating licence with effect from April 1, 2010 and new routes will not be approved from that date on.”

Lack of external funding, she explained, continued to pose “significant challenges” for SAA, which is now asking for a further R1,6bn state bail out. The negotiations with Airbus continue regarding its outstanding pre-delivery payments for 15 new aircraft ordered in 2002. n

JeaNette PhilliPs

PASSENGERS are set to get more compensation when their baggage is lost by airlines under plans that are being drawn up by the UN Civil Aviation Organization.

The new plan will see passenger compensation increase by 13,1%; the first increase since the Montreal Convention 2004, which first linked passenger

compensation to the value of lost luggage. Passengers will be able to claim up to £1 060 (R14 100) – the limit now is £972 (R12 922).

According to Benchmark’s Advocate Louis Nel, as a signatory to the Montreal Convention, SA will be bound by it. Louis said the passing of the law would be complementary to the new Consumer Protection Act.

The drawing-up of a new

compensation plan comes as recent figures show that around 32m bags were ‘mishandled’ by airlines globally last year. In South Africa’s airports, about 12 out of 20 000 bags are tampered with every day, reports Acsa.

This, says the company’s head of security Jason Tshabalala, is “well below” the world average, which is one bag per 1 000. n

● Thebe Tourism Group (TTG) has increased its share in Club Travel from 25,5% to 51%, effective August 16. TTG said there would be no change in the day-to-day management of the company and that TTG’s investment would place Club Travel in a strong position as a black-owned business to take advantage of numerous opportunities for growth. Prior to this, Club Travel was an AAA Level 2 contributor, but is now also black owned.

Light at the end of the SAA tunnel?

More cash for ‘mishandled’ bags

Air France helps children’s dreams take off!

to the point ☞

From page 1in the community.The programme helps 240 youths, aged 12 to 18, and aims to minimise the impact of HIV/Aids. It includes life skills training and creates an environment where they can pursue their studies.

“We are excited about the Air France initiative and encourage as many people as possible to bid

on the flights to give our children’s dreams wings,” said Stevie Megens, project director of FXB South Africa.

This exclusive auction, the terms of which will be presented at a later date, will take place on the Air France website in October and will be available to all markets, including South Africa, France and the United States, among others. n

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NEWS

● Air Mauritius is offering special fares ex-JNB, DUR or CPT to Mauritius from R3 100. No minimum stay applies and the maximum stay is one month. The fare excludes taxes and is valid from October 5 to December 3 (all travel must be completed by December 11).

● Freeway Holidays – ‘Mauritius Mega Deals’ from R3 245 per person sharing. The rate includes six nights’ accommodation in a three-star hotel with breakfast and dinner,

three full-day tours with transfers and return airport transfers. Valid until September. Excludes flights.

● KDR Travel and Tours is offering a special rate at the Victoria Falls Hotel from R2 711 pps. The rate includes return flights ex-JNB, return transfers, accommodation for two nights with breakfast and one traditional high tea. Valid until December 31. Excludes taxes.● Holiday Inn Sandton is

running a leisure promotion until November 30. The rate of R1 000

includes accommodation in a double room (maximum two persons per room) with breakfast and is

valid Friday to Sunday with a minimum two-night stay.

4 n Wednesday August 26 2009 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

johennesburg ilan 7/30/09 12:28 PM Page 2

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C M Y CM MY CY CMY K

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THE silver lining for SA travellers on the back of airlines’ problems filling

seats during the economic downturn is that there are now more opportunities than ever for your frequent flyer customers to take these up.

In good times airlines keep their redemption levels low as they balance the need to reward loyal supporters with displacing a paying customer to give away a seat.

In the past few months, says Ralf Karsenbarg, commercial director Southern Africa and Angola, Air France KLM, there has been less demand for revenue tickets in the market. “This means the amount of award seats available to our Flying Blue frequent flyers has actually been higher than usual, especially since Air

France KLM has not reduced capacity severely on the routes to South Africa.”

Ralf says there’s plenty of demand for award tickets to the airlines’ Amsterdam and Paris hubs, as well as to Nairobi. “New York, as it is a popular destination with good connections, has the largest demand in the US.”

Members of Lufthansa’s awards programme actually have better access to award tickets than previously, adds Gabriel Leupold, md Southern & Eastern Africa Lufthansa and Swiss International Air Lines. “Members have better access to award tickets due to reduced loads, particularly when looking for business-class seats.

“Swiss reduced its frequency from daily to six a week since

May this year and is coping well with the demand for award tickets. Both airlines have noted that as a result of the global crisis a change in travel habits has occurred, amongst others a sharp increase in the redemption of miles.”

British Airways spokesperson Stephen Forbes says the airline has sufficient frequent flyer seats. “We have made some tactical cancellations to the third Johannesburg flight, but this has not had a material impact (on the programme)

as the flight only started operating in June.”

SAA head group corporate affairs, Robyn Chalmers, says: “SAA does not expect capacity reduction to have an influence on demand for Voyager seats as we can still get members to their final destination as miles can be used on flights of other Star Alliance members.

“A Voyager member wishing to fly to London has the option of flying via Zurich on Swiss if there are no seats available on SAA. This also applies to other markets where we have Star Alliance member airlines operating. “Where the Voyager allocation has been taken up, but the flight is open for selling, members can use the Any-day Award option, where they will have to use slightly more miles than for the

Mileage-keeper and Star Award options.”

London and Frankfurt, says Robyn, are the most popular routes where Voyager members wish to redeem their miles.

“These have presented us with challenges even before capacity reduction, especially when it comes to using miles for Voyager upgrades.”

Meanwhile, Delta has announced an easing of rules to its frequent flyer programme as a result of overall participation being down by as much as a third. The airline has announced it is removing restrictions toward accruing and redeeming miles, introducing an opportunity for travellers to roll over miles earned above the level attained to the next year. n

Melody Brandon

THE first bilateral agreement between Canada and SA allows scheduled direct air services between the two countries, giving airlines the right to operate passenger and cargo flights with routing and pricing flexibility. Airlines may also offer air services on a codeshare basis with other airlines.

Department of Transport air transport director, Vuwani Ndwamato, said while no airlines had yet taken up the frequencies, he was sure they would in the future. “Although the agreement has been concluded, it will

take airlines some time to plan around it. In terms of a codeshare, both parties would need to think about how they would work together,” he said.

Vuwani said a codeshare agreement would be the most beneficial to the two parties.

The DoT said the agreement was one of the many they were planning on signing before 2010. “We are in consultation with a few countries and plan to expand where necessary. We are trying to facilitate these agreements within the SADC region and other countries,” said Vuwani . n

Earn and burnFrequent flyers can now redeem miles for when and where they want to go, reports Natalia Thomson...

Canada and SA sign bilateral agreement

Travelinfo ,s Shanaaz Khan selects the top specials from Travelinfo

Specials Spot

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NEWS

Melody Brandon

IT’S no surprise that Durban-born Lorrin is into surf travel. One of a family of surfers, she represented KwaZulu Natal in the long and short board categories when she was younger. When she took her first job as a consultant at Flight Centre more than 12 years ago, she discovered another passion and has combined the two.

“I did six months of a beauty course at tech, I have no idea why because it just wasn’t me!” she laughs.

After three years at Flight Centre Lorrin moved on to become the director of a surf travel company.

This year she decided to go it alone and is not only catering for leisure travel clients as an ITC, but corporate surfing giants, Billabong, Oakly and Fox Africa. Staff and team riders are on her books too.

“I enjoy travel. I think because I am an organised person by nature, I enjoy organising trips for others. Every day is exciting and there is nothing better than hearing back from a client who had super good waves on holiday,” she says.

Her husband, Craig, is also a surfer and their nine-month-old baby, Rylan, has just enjoyed his first taste of riding waves on a recent trip to Bali.

6 n Wednesday August 26 2009 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

NEWS

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Melody Brandon

REPORTS that South Africans will soon be able to apply for

passports and identity documents online have been debunked by the Department of Home Affairs as misinformation given by mainstream media.

“Online refers to live capture at the Home Affairs department. Instead of filling out forms, the applicant’s details will be taken from them and fed directly into a computer system,” said acting deputy director general civic services, Vusi Mkhize.

The confusion occurred

during a meeting with Home Affairs Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, and the media when she recently visited a government printing works in Pretoria.

“There seems to be a lot of confusion. In terms of government Acts, the applicant must be present when they are applying for a passport. You can’t sit at home and apply,” said Vusi.

The department will be rolling out new equipment in the coming months, including new printers and the equipment needed to capture data online.

The minister said in a statement that the department wanted to

have a modern operation for all processes and documentation.

“The equipment is old and it creates a problem in terms of speed, quality and even price because of the increased costs of production.”

Vusi said it was hoped the new equipment would speed up turnaround time for passports and identity documents.

“We are hoping that with this new initiative we will be able to issue passports within three to four days of the application. These measures will ensure that our databases are up to date,” he said. n

Passport applicants must still apply in person

For Lorrin Jarvis from All Aboard Travel in St Francis, being organised is vital to making sure her clients have a whale of a time on their surfing holidays...

Q&A with LorrinBest travel memory? Going to Bali with my friend Olivia in 2001. We spent the whole 12 days getting up at 6am to go surfing. We were so dedicated! Oh, and going to Mauritius with my husband on honeymoon.Scariest travel moment? Being stranded at Heathrow Airport, bumped off my flight and with no money! I was getting ready to sleep on the floor when someone from Virgin Atlantic bumped me up to premium class and I got to go home!Guaranteed pick me up? A glass of wine.Favourite movie? Marley and Me, I am a dog fanatic.Where will we find you on a Sunday afternoon? At the beach if it is a nice day, or at home with my family.Where are you travelling to next? Long-haul travel with a baby is not the easiest, so probably somewhere on the South African coast.Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years? Still in travel doing what I do now and being able to travel when I like.

Lorrin has successfully combined her passion for surf with her passion for travel

to the point ☞● Relais & Châteaux has launched a tailor-made local ‘Route du Bonheur’ (road to happiness), which encourages guests to vacation between its various member properties. Md, Annie-Claude Bergonzoli, says guests are encouraged to create their own Route du Bonheur from the 27 properties within a particular region and experience the region’s unique diversity. Areas guests can experience in Southern Africa/East Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands are: the Western Cape, Garden Route, Limpopo province and the Kalahari Desert, Mpumalanga and the Kruger National Park, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania and the Indian Ocean Islands.

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QUICK READ FOR bUSIESt pEOplE Wednesday August 26 2009 n 7

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Melody Brandon

TRAVEL agents may not be aware that some of their clients in South Africa do not need to apply for an Australian visa if they qualify for the country’s Electronic Travel Authority System (ETAS).

An ETA is designed for people who want to visit Australia for holidays or informal study.

It allows a visitor to stay in Australia for up to three months on each visit and is valid for 12 months from the date of granting, or for the life of the passport if the passport expires less

than 12 months from the date the ETA was granted.

Passengers do not need to visit a consulate to submit an application and do not receive a stamp or label in their passport. There is no visa application fee, only a service fee of A$20 (R136).

Passengers with the following passports can apply directly online: Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong (SAR), Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and United States of America.

The following passport holders need to apply for an ETA through a travel agent, airline, specialist service provider or an Australian

visa office outside Australia: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong , Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Republic of San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom – British Citizen and British National.

ETAs do not apply to South African passport holders, who must apply for a visa.For more information log on to www.eta.immi.gov.za n

Rwandair amends JNB/KGL scheduleRWANDAIR has announced that, effective August 17, the Johannesburg/Kigali service will operate via Bujumbura. Flights will depart Johannesburg at 18h30 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, arriving in Bujumbura at 22h20. Flights then depart Bujumbura at 22h50, arriving in Kigali at 23h15. The return service will depart Kigali at 12h00 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 12h00, arriving in Bujumbura at 12h25. Flights will depart Bujumbura at 12h55, arriving in Johannesburg at 14h45.

BA reduces London/Cape Town flightsBRITISH Airways is to reduce its frequency between London and Cape Town from 14 to 13 flights per week, effective October 27. Flights BA34/42 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays will be cancelled as a result of the airline’s decision to introduce an additional Luanda service. Passengers booked on these flights will be re-accommodated. The airline will increase flights between Heathrow and Luanda, Angola, from one a week to two, from October 6. All Luanda flights will operate out of Heathrow Terminal 5, using a B777 aircraft in a four-class configuration. During BA’s summer schedule flights will depart Heathrow on Tuesdays at 19h50, arriving in Luanda at 04h25. The return service will depart Luanda on Wednesdays at 23h55, arriving at Heathrow at 08h35. During the winter schedule flights will depart Heathrow on Tuesdays at 18h35, arriving in Luanda at 04h25. The return service will depart Luanda at 23h55, arriving at Heathrow at 07h35.

Extra baggage allowance for Jet Airways paxJET Airways passengers will be granted extra baggage allowance on domestic Jet Airways, JetLite and JetKonnect services within India, when arriving in India on interline partners South African Airways and Kenya Airways. Passengers arriving in India on SAA will be given a 40kg allowance in J-class and 30kg in Y-class. Passengers arriving on Kenya Airways flights will be given a 50kg allowance in J-class and 40kg in Y-class.

Continental to launch Nadi flightsCONTINENTAL Airlines has announced a new service from Guam and Honolulu to Nadi, Fiji, starting December 18. The services will be operated by Continental Micronesia using a B777-800 aircraft with 155 seats in a two-class configuration. The service will offer convenient connections from the US mainland, Japan and Continental’s Micronesian network to Nadi.

Jeanette PhilliPs

ETHIOPIAN Airlines has announced that its nett profit for the past financial year has more than doubled to US$118,6m (R965m).

“This is truly an extraordinary achievement given the state of the global economy and the mounting losses currently

being incurred by most other international airlines,” said Gavin Simpson, ceo Holiday Aviation, local GSA for the airline.

Gavin says the airline’s achievement can mainly be attributed to a “very aggressive” marketing campaign, the successful launch of new routes and a concerted effort to reduce

operating costs across the board.

Ethiopian Airlines also made headlines recently when it announced orders for five new B777-200LR aircraft, 12 A350-900s and eight Q400 turbo-props from Bombardier. The airline currently operates a fleet of 34 modern aircraft. n

Ethiopian Airlines doubles profits

Your pax might not need an Australian visa

Jeanette PhilliPs

HURTIGRUTEN, represented by Development

Promotions, has extended its ‘two for the price of one’ on its Norwegian Coastal Voyages until the end of 2009, for bookings made and deposits paid before September 30, 2009.

The offer is valid for selected departures on all three Classic voyages, including the one-way Classic Northbound and Southbound trips and the Classic

Roundtrip, which sails from Bergen to Kirkenes then returns to Bergen.

Prices are available from R6 314pps on the Classic Northbound voyage, from R4 956pps on the Classic Southbound voyage and from R9 016pps on the Classic Roundtrip voyage. Prices are on a full-board basis.

Hurtigruten also announced that it is offering a 50% discount on the Classic Norwegian Coastal Voyages to single travellers.

Single travellers who are travelling with a friend but

do not wish to share a cabin can now not only benefit from Hurtigruten’s ‘two for the price of one’ special, but can also avoid paying the single supplement on October-December 2009 departures.

Prices are available from R9 016pp on the Classic Roundtrip voyage; R6 314pp on the northbound voyage and R4 956pp on the southbound voyage.

Prices are on a full-board basis and are subject to exchange rate fluctuation and availability. n

Hurtigruten extends ‘two for one’ offer

hilka Birns

THE Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga is reopening on October 1 after an extensive two-year-long renovation and refurbishment programme.

There are 90 rooms and suites, eight garden villas, each with a private pool, and a 450 sqm presidential suite with its own pool. Facilities include several bars,

including a new Lighthouse Bar on the rooftop. A sunken wine cellar caters for small private functions. There are four individually decorated banqueting rooms: The Pearl room and the adjoining Shell room together accommodate 170 people and the Durban July and Union Castle rooms house original memorabilia. There is also a new 24-seater movie theatre and a business

centre with complimentary high-speed Internet.

There is a new spa and gym; a second pool; and a Victorian-style gazebo with a small amphitheatre for weddings. Thirty staff have been retained from the old hotel and have undergone extensive training in Europe and at local sister hotels.

Previous gm, Wayne Coetzer, remains at the helm. n

New-look Oyster Box reopens

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8 n Wednesday August 26 2009 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

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SkiingMax Marx

THE ski industry has been less impacted by the global economic crisis

than other segments of the travel industry, although it is experiencing the same challenges, says md of Ski Leading Tours, Neal McAlpine.

“Skiing has never been a budget holiday although clients are downgrading accommodation to make it more affordable,” says Neal.

Club Med’s sales and marketing manager for SA, David Randall, reports that while regular skiers have not been deterred, there is a definite drop in ski sales figures as travellers opt to

stick with destinations and experiences they know.

Travellers are seeking best value for money in the downturn, says reservations manager at 360° Ski, Jacqui Coupland. “Many travellers looking for the least expensive option are increasingly booking online, which can be risky. Travellers can be led astray with pretty pictures and fancy words. The correct location of properties can make or break a ski holiday.”

David adds that those South Africans who are skiing, are choosing all-inclusive ski holidays with enquiries for seven-night packages rather than the usual 14-night stays.

Ski Leading Tours has also

opted to move back to its traditional seven and 14-night options as its 10-night options over Christmas and New Year are seen as expensive in the current environment.

Gm of Contiki Holidays, Kelly Jackson, notes the youth are still travelling despite the economic crisis. “They’re taking advantage of our great special offers including our excellent ski package to Hopfgarten in Austria, which is very affordable.”

According to David, larger families are extending their Club Med experience to a ski holiday. Jacqui agrees: “Skiing has become a favourite holiday option for groups and families travelling together."

SA skiers hit the slopes despite downturn

TNW’s picks

Hit the snowSnow walkingTourists can explore the more remote (and often most beautiful) forested areas of the ski slopes by hiring snowshoes and taking guided tours.

Dog-sleigh ridesDog-sledding tours through beautiful snowy hills are popular with families. A racing guide leads a team of huskies and guests ride in a four-person sled that speeds along scenic routes.

Thermal spas and poolsNot a fan of the cold? Many ski resorts have thermal spas and pools where guests can relax in saunas and steam rooms or book massages and spa treatments.

Snowy hills, hamlets and the thrill of plummeting down a mountain on nothing but a wooden board or planks draws SA travellers to ski resorts year after year...

A good guide for skiers is to check the altitude of a resort and the amount of skiing (km length) as this determines the cost of everything. The higher the resort and the more skiing, the more skiers will have to pay. However, over December and January, skiers can expect temperatures of -20°C in the higher altitude resorts so perhaps not the best choice for first-time skiers.Source: Ski Leading Tours

Rand stretchers

● Club Med’s 3-Trident resort, Wengen in Switzerland, because it’s a quaint family resort and well priced.● Contiki’s Gasthof Schöneck chalet in Hopfgarten, Austria is very popular with the youth market. Adventure on the mountain is equalled by the off-piste entertainment. One can enjoy tandem paragliding, a sleigh ride and ice-skating. After dark there’s après ski

‘Contiki-style’, Gasthof theme parties and ‘Schnappy hour’.● St Johann (Austria) and Livigno (Italy) are popular due to price. Zell am See and Saalbach offer excellent skiing.● At exclusive Verbier, 360° Ski offers a good-value inclusive hosted package. Competitively priced Chamonix caters for skiers of all levels.

● For skiers visiting the popular ski resorts of Saalbach, Kitzbühel, Westendorf, St Johann and Zell am See, the All Star Card gives access to these resorts and their surrounding ski areas plus the Kaprun glacier – a total of 1 018km of pistes. ● The Super Ski Card gives access to 2 200km of skiing in 23 ski regions in the SalzburgerLand area.● In France, the 3 Vallées Ski Pass links eight resorts and 600km of marked piste

including Meribel, Courchevel and Val Thorens.● In the US, the Colorado Ticket is interchangeable between the resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly and Arapahoe. US resorts offer more flexibility, with arrival not restricted to Saturdays only.● Avoid peak periods for better value. Christmas is much cheaper than New Year and the slopes are not as busy – a great time for families. Source: 360° Ski

Book it!● Book skiing lessons before they set off on their ski holiday! At the Ski Deck, skiers from beginner level to advanced can learn how to perfect their technique before heading down snowy slopes on their ski vacation. Pay R1 950 for full-course skiing and snowboarding lessons until November 15, which includes six sessions.

Did you

know?

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F● Saalbach is investing €13,4m (R155m) in three new ski lifts for 2009/2010.● Zell am See is opening its own full-sized snow park, built by riders for riders. The altimeter diagram enables skiers to monitor their ski day.● Livigno is offering a free ski pass for packages of four days or more until December 25.● A new all-in-one ski pass, the AllStarCard, allows one access to beautiful ski resorts – Kitzbühel, Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, Schneewinkel, Hochtal, Wildschönau, Alpachtal, Zell am See-Kaprun, Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm Leogang – more than 1 000 kilometres of pistes and more than 350 lifts.● The New Skier Bridge to the River Run Gondola in Colorado’s Keystone resort has reached the final phase of the project operating a new state-of-the-art eight-passenger gondola in River Run Village. It connects the mountain back to the gondola giving guests a shorter walk from the slopes and making access easier from the mountain.

QUICK READ FOR bUSIESt pEOplE Wednesday August 26 2009 n 9

For more information contact Contiki Holidays on (011) 280 8400 or visit www.contiki.com

7 nights from R4 145*pp bed & breakfast14 nights from R7 480*pp bed & breakfast

HIT THE SLOPES WITH CONTIKI

*Conditions: Prices are per person quad sharing and exclude all airfares. Conditions apply. E&OE.

Ask us about our optional extras which include dinners, ski pass,

ski lessons, ski hire or upgrade to a twin room.

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Tel: +27 (0) 11 502 3500 • Email: ski@360travel.co.za • Web: www.360ski.co.za

16 – 26 December 2009€1 165.00 pp sharing

Kids u/6 yrs stay free & Kids 6 - 11 yrs pay €549.00*

Includes:Return transfers – Munich airport

Welcome dinner10 nights stay with breakfast dailyChristmas Eve dinner with Santa

Resort hosts with kids & teens ski programme

9 days ski hire & ski pass

& get 3 days FREE ski hire

PLUSkids get 3 days FREE ski lessons***

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*terms & conditions apply

EXPERIENCE A WHITE CHRISTMAS… SKI SAALBACH FOR 10 NIGHTS

CHRISTMAS SPECIALS

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Neal McAlpine, MD, has been with SLT since 1996.

With a great depth of experience in the skiing industry, Neal is a veteran

of 13 winter seasons in Austria.

www.skileadingtours.co.za

Tel: 0861 123 SKIemail: ski@leadingtours.co.za

We Will share our invaluable knoWledge & give you the best all round ski experience

TNW

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In the news...

Product news

Has your client skied before?Yes● What is their level of skiing? ● Which resorts have they been to?● Where would they like to go?● What type of accommodation do they like?● Dates of travel?● Number of passengers and how would they like to share?No● What type of accommodation would they like?● Dates of travel?● Number of passengers and how would they like to share?Source: Ski Leading Tours

● 360° Ski has introduced independent traveller packages as an alternative to its hosted packages for clients seeking essentials like transfers, selected accommodation, ski hire and ski pass. It’s also added a host of new ski resorts to its portfolio in the US, Canada, Europe and South America. ● Club Med’s ski domains have been reclassified to suit each resort’s Trident level. For example, 4-Trident guests have maximum choice of ski domain.● Club Med’s Tignes Val Claret, its 4-Trident resort in France, has undergone a refurbishment with the renovation of the communal areas, bar, lounge, Grand Motte restaurant, Val Claret and Petit Claret Hotels.

Book it!● Contiki Holidays is offering a great seven-night B&B ski package to Hopfgarten, Austria, from R4 615pp quad share from December 18 to 25. A deposit guarantees the tour price. A two-week option from R8 285 is also available. Half-board options, ski pass, equipment hire and ski lessons are all optional extras. ● With Club Med’s early-booking bonus, valid for travel between October 24, 2009 and May 10, 2010, travellers can save up to R2 000 per adult and R1 000 a child. Children under four stay free. The package must be a minimum duration of seven nights and booked and paid for by September 30. ● 360° Ski’s Saalbach opening special from December 9 to 16 is hard to beat at €526pps (R6 074). The package includes return transfers, seven nights’ four-star B&B accommodation, welcome dinner, six days’ ski hire and ski pass, plus kids’ ski programme.

Book it!● Ski Leading Tours is offering a seven-night B&B Saalbach ski package from December 19 to 26, from R20 340, excluding R2 100 taxes. The package includes return flights between Johannesburg and Munich, return resort transfers and B&B accommodation in a de-luxe pension, travel insurance, six days’ ski hire and ski pass.

Manager of Pentravel Cresta, Emma Leiburne (pictured here with ski instructor, Toby Meier), was awarded a place on a Ski Leading Tours educational to St Johann in Austria. “Absolutely nothing can beat the Alps/European après-ski experience,” she says. “An absolute must when going skiing is the entertainment package. This includes evening activities such as tobogganing, bum boarding and group dinners, which make the trip all the more exciting and enable you to mix with new people. The ski trip goes down as probably my best holiday ever and has made me completely passionate about the product, making it so easy to sell!”

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Melody Brandon

VIRTUAL airline, Hahn Air, has recently launched its simpler online ticketing website, helping

travel agents book tickets in the most obscure destinations in the world.

“We offer e-ticketing options for 200 carriers in 131 BSP countries. Travel agents can now book under the section ‘ticketing’, formerly www.hr-ticketing.com. The website is far simpler for travel agents,” says Candy Kasonkomona, regional director Southern Africa.

Airline profiles offer additional information and the new quick check tool tells agents what tickets are available and the combination of particular carriers on HR-169 documents in their markets.

The ticketing assistant offers directions on how a Hahn Air e-ticket gets issued in any available GDS.

What does Hahn Air do?Founded as a regional airline

in 1994, Hahn Air specialises in providing sales, marketing and revenue accounting services to other airlines.

The South-African based operation worked under the auspices of Holiday Aviation until the beginning of July, when Hahn Air opened its own helpdesk and sales office in Sunninghill, Johannesburg.

“Agents can plate on Hahn Air

for any airlines it represents. This means if an agent has to plate for 10 different destinations and is not sure how to find the routing or contact details for airlines in these destinations, we will be able to assist and provide them with an e-ticket,” explained Candy.

This means, if a client wanted to travel from Johannesburg to Addis Ababa via Kenya, for example, Hahn Air would be able to provide the agent with an e-ticket for all connections, without the agent having to give the client different tickets for each airline they are travelling on.

“Agents can go direct with smaller airlines they may not be familiar with, with guidance on our website or call centre,” said Candy. ■

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.

RELAXING STAYS. EXCITING TIMES.

CENTRAL RESERVATIONS:T: 0860 777 900 (within South Africa)

T: +27 11 557 0777 (International)F: +27 (0) 11 557 0888

E-Mail: reservations@peermont.com

FOR BOOKINGS AND DETAILS ON ANY PEERMONT HOTEL CONTACT YOUR LOCAL ASATA TRAVEL AGENT OR:

Website: www.peermont.comYOU CAN ALSO FIND US ON GDS SYSTEMS

PEERMONT GROUP SALES:T: +27 (0)11 557 0557F: +27 (0)11 463 6185E-Mail: sales@peermont.com

From Johannesburg to Gaborone, from Mafikeng to Klerksdorp,

from Secunda to Southbroom and more, Peermont has

a range of hotel brands ideally suited for the discerning

business traveller. From the luxury and ideal airport

location of the 5-star D’oreale Grande at Emperors Palace to

the chic and affordable new Metcourt hotels all over South

Africa and Botswana, we offer you a welcome alternative to chains.

At Peermont resorts, you get an amazing array of dining,

entertainment and meeting options that no city hotel can offer. At

a Peermont resort you can have it all fine dining, live shows, great

casino action or just a productive retreat in our wifi business

centres. With convenient shuttle services, flight-time displays, and

multi-lingual hosts, doing business need never be difficult again.

And the best news of all - discounted corporate rate agreements are

available to reward loyalty and all customers get an additional 5%

discount when booking on line. We look forward to welcoming you!38

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10 ■ Wednesday August 26 2009 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

NEWS

Candy Kasonkomona says the website will make booking far easier for travel agents

There is no doubt in my mind that the smartest airline operating in this market is in fact a paper airline i.e. Hahn Air. Why?● They don’t pay commission to travel agents in contravention of the passenger sales

agency agreement that agents sign with Iata● They don’t accept credit cards so no credit card commission● Their partner carriers bill them less 9% so they earn 9% out of every ticket sold by

travel agents in this country. Makes you wonder why we don’t have more paper airlines like a Sure Air, Bidvest Aviation or an Air Tourvest. For the record, I do understand that Hahn Air has a flight somewhere in Germany but I am yet to find out where to. David Pegg, md Sure Viva Travels Pretoria

Candy replies:We are the industry’s number one interline e-ticketing platform. Hahn Air has implemented over 200 airline agreements worldwide. Our HR-ticketing platform is designed for travel agents and suppliers to issue airlines worldwide that are not in a particular BSP market on published fares. We are looking into the use of credit cards. It is not just the policy for South Africa but worldwide. If any agent has any queries they can contact me on 082 724 8526.

Hahn Air launches new website

letter to the editor ☞

Jeanette PhilliPs

ETHIOPIAN Airlines has announced that it has placed orders for five B777-200LR and 12 A350-900 aircraft. The airline said the purchase of the aircraft had been made in line with its fast growth strategy and it would begin taking

delivery of the B777s in October 2010 and the A350s in 2017.

The airline currently has 35 new aircraft on order from the manufacturers.

Besides the latest order, Ethiopian Airlines also has ten B787s and eight Bombardier aircraft on order. ■

Ethiopian orders more new aircraft

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QUICK READ FOR bUSIESt pEOplE Wednesday August 26 2009 ■ 11

SpecialiZed Travel perSonnel

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Office Hrs (011) 884-9113Website: www.specialized.co.za

e-mail: kati@sgroup.co.zatracey@sgroup.co.za

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

Inbound Manager - NorthManage the Africa Department for well established travel company focusing on both sales and operations. Will involve travelling into Africa concluding sales agreements as well as liaising with major corporate clients both in South Africa and Africa. Must have held a supervisory/managerial position in the travel industry; have excellent organisational & communication skills and able to meet sales targets. Galileo and Inbound travel experience is essential. R18000/R20000. Kati

Snr Wholesale Cons – N/suburbsR12000/R14000. Will liaise with travel agents handling quotes and reservations for numerous international products. Be part of a well established, solid wholesale company with excellent reputation. Must have a wholesale travel background; be well travelled and proficient on Amadeus. Kati

Inbound Consultant - SandtonLarge, highly respected inbound operation requires a consultant for their European Division. Job description includes developing relationships with agents; designing, developing and planning itineraries; putting together quotes; processing the bookings and handling the related admin. Excellent infrastructure and supportive environment. Must speak Italian. Highly negotiable salary. Tracey

Incentives Consultant - SandtonR21000/R23000 ctc. As a Senior Account Manager you will be responsible for the full function incorporating designing the programmes, preparing detailed proposals and travelling with the group. Be part of an established company. Indepth knowledge of Southern Africa is required. Kati

Marketing/PR - SandtonR12000/R15000. Join highly respected company and be involved with promotions, workshops and exhibitions. Candidates must have previous experience handling these functions within the travel industry and also have some experience in working with the media. An exceptionally pleasant working environment. Kati

Sales ExecutiveR20000/R25000 ctc. A 5 star Cape Town hotel is looking for a Johannesburg based Sales Executive, to focus mainly on the corporate market. The successful applicant must be able to work independently from home. An excellent opportunity for a results driven sales person. Tracey

Amadeus Int/Snr Consultant – Hyde ParkAn initial six month contract with a view to permanent employment. Handle predominantly corporate travel, with off-spin leisure bookings with lots of international and Africa bookings. Kati

Junior Travel Consultant - SandtonSmall established agency affiliated to a large travel group requires a junior with minimum 1 years experience. Will be exposed to international travel, training and guidance will be given. 70% corporate, 30% leisure travel. Drivers license and own car essential. Tracey

Inbound Consulting with a difference!Play an important role within the marketing department of highly successful inbound travel company. Put together educationals for agents and media familiarisation trips. Based in Sandton. Tracey

New Business Sales ExecutiveEmphasis is on establishing new business and candidates must have a proven track record. Will be calling on corporate companies. Will be employed on an initial 6 month contract with a view to a permanent position. Will be working for a highly regarded Managing Director with a solid reputation. R12000/R14000 plus lucrative commission, plus petrol and cell allowance. Kati

Pricing & Yield ManagerTake responsibility for developing, maintaining and controlling dynamic pricing for top car rental company. Candidates must have pricing, fleet and yield management experience, strong analytical skills, good business acumen, and strong IT systems knowledge. Kati

Bookkeeper – Cape Town.Large, established travel agency based in the Southern Suburbs. Handle the full spectrum of accounting functions including BSP and play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth running of financial matters. Highly negotiable salary. Quicktrav essential. Tracey

Snr Creditors Clerk – E/SuburbsHighly reputable operation requires your strong creditors expertise. Be part of this very successful agency handling the full creditors function, based within a busy and dynamic accounts department. Your expertise will be well rewarded! Tracey

Debtors Clerk – Cape TownVery successful tourism company requires a debtors clerk with 1 – 2 years experience and good MS Office skills. A junior role, with scope to develop further! Kati

Snr Credit Controller – Cape TownPlan and coordinate daily activities of the Credit Control Team for large, highly successful travel company. Job description also includes executing debt collection processes; conducting age analysis; reconciling accounts and maintaining customer relationships. A minimum of 3 years supervisory experience within credit control will be appreciated. Tracey

General Accounts – BedfordviewA varied job description. Min 2 years general accounts experience is what you need to join well known company. R8000/R10000. Tracey

THIS WEEK’S TOP JObS

JOHANNESbURG CAPE TOWN

JOHANNESbURG CAPE TOWN dURbAN

CAPE TOWN

lee botti & associates

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

TNW4530

INdEPENdENT CONSULTANT – NORTHThe opportunity you have been waiting for! Consult

to your very own client base but enjoy the sound infrastructure of this well established, successful

agent! Work from home or their offices – your choice! Gobsmacking Commission only structure!

MAGIC AFRICA – SOUTHRiveting inbound specialist. Luxury lodges that most people

dream of visiting! Exclusive splash pools overlooking the plains. WOW product. Top end luxury market travellers. Senior inbound specialist to service UK Market. Solid

Southern Africa expertise essential. Basic plus commission with benefits.

KUNdENdIENST – AGENTEN – CbdElite international airline company with amazing benefits.

Utilize your professional business German speaking ability to thrive in this amazing hive of activity. Shift work required. Stating salary R6100 plus 6 weeks paid training provided.

Work permits can be arranged for German Nationals.

ACCOUNTS FUNdI - NORTHIf figures are your fancy, then this one is for you!

Personalised inbound operator requires your debtors, creditors and general accounts experience to

compliment their team. Knowledge of Pastel essential. R10 000 neg.

ALPHA MEMbER – NORTHSuper established city destination marketing company

with Inbound division, seeks Senior Reservations Manager to lead, develop and run the show in Directors

absence. Previous management experience essential in working with figures and leading a team. Salary

negotiable.

bRANCH SUPERVISOR (PMb)!Assume responsibility for busy car rental branch in Pietermaritzburg area! Proven experience in fleet

planning, management of small staff compliment & previous car rental exp ess. Financial acumen to oversee

budgets / targets, and a sales flair are a must! Salary negotiable on exp!

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

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

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

TN

W2048

Personnelwith the

personal touch

Contact Wendy/Kim(011) 704 4909 or e-mail: wtp@icon.co.za TN

W2048

Personnelwith the

personal touchFINANCIAL MANAGER/ISANDO

Highly negotiable pacakage offered by Market Leader for your B.Comm/equivalent and ability to lead

department of 45 people!

NATIONAL SALES MANAGER/

NORTHERN SUBURBSHands on position with total responsibility for

Key Account Managers and Business

Development Managers!

BRAND MANAGER/

NORTHERN SUBURBSPerson strong in Marketing invited to join

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SENIOR CONSULTANT/BOKSBURGJoin well established, friendly company and work

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Please Take Note of Our New Telephone

No.: 011 704 4909CONTACT WENDY/KIM

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SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER/SANDTON

Indepth Southern African Incentive Experience qualifies you tojoin Innovative Operator!!

SENIOR INBOUND CONSUlTANT/

SANDTONFluency in Italian essential for European

Department of Market Leader!!

WHOlESAlE CONSUlTANT/NORTHERN SUBURBS

Hands on person to handle Europe/Americas/Cruising for Leading Concern!!

SENIOR CONSUlTANT/KYAlAMI

Handle exciting destinations and work closer to home!!

To advertise on this page contact Lana on 011 214 7313

or email lanas@nowmedia.co.za

CoMMUNITYNEWS

Appointments

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.

Call NadiNe (011) 803 0056or e-mail equitycon@mweb.co.za

for these and many others!

eQUiTYCONNeCTiONS cc

TNW1997

IN-BOUND POSITIONS:MANAGER • Exceptional opening for top in-bound expert with superb Management experience and ability to work under pressure.PORTUGUESE SENIOR • Portuguese fluency needed for F.I.T expert.ITALIAN SENIOR • Handle European market into SA – Italian essential. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER • Deal with one VIP client and grow and develop business – Afrikaans a must! RETAIL POSITIONS:INTERMEDIATE • Fun corporate office with leisure spin-off.

Melody Brandon

FLIGHT Centre last week celebrated the graduation of its 2006,

2007 and 2008 learnership graduates. Now in its fifth year, the learnership provides students with training as well as in-house work experience at Flight

Centre stores.“We are very excited to

see how far our learners have come and it is great to recognise what they have achieved,” said Prashanta Papia, trainer for the Flight Centre Learnership.

Some of the successful graduates will be working for the company soon. ■

Flight Centre recognises learnership graduates

Flight Centre South Africa md, Janine Salame, with graduates, Busiwe Radebe, from the 2008 class, Kagiso Radinne from the 2007 class and Emma Seepe from the 2006 class with Flight Centre trainer Prashanta Papia

Congratulations!■ Quarters Hotels has expanded its portfolio with the recent opening of Quarters on Avondale Road. This hotel has become the ‘sister’ hotel to the renowned Quarters on Florida Road and has introduced its all-woman management team consisting of (from left) Bianca Mudaly, hotel manager, Quarters Hotel on Avondale Road Nicole Munro, group brand manager; Faranha Bhayat, gm, Quarters Hotels; and Christine Mulder, assistant gm Quarters Hotels

■ Leon Maartens, well known aviation lawyer and a regular performer on behalf of airlines and charter operators at the Air Services Licensing Council, died recently. Leon was an active CAASA Board member and a member of the steering committee that organised the Aerospace Africa Exhibition, now called Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition. He obtained his pilot’s licence in 1984 and was rated on both single-engine and multi-engine aircraft.

■ One of the industry’s well-known personalities, Des Sheridan, has died at the age of 67. Des’s travel career spanned many years at Holt Bosman & Gennrich, Protea Airways (Air Botswana and Swazi Air), and Safair. He retired some years ago through ill health, and is survived by his wife Glenda and son Ruari. Des left Ireland at the age of 21 and joined BEA in London staying there for a few years before arriving in South Africa.

Obituaries

From page 1market accordingly.”

John Ridler, pr manager of Thompsons Holidays, agrees: “Knowing what is popular means that we can get on to the bandwagon and offer products that are popular and what the client is looking for.”

Garth Wolff, ceo of eTravel, said for an ITC or smaller agency, statistics would satisfy curiosity but would not influence how the company operated. “At the end of the day, ITC owners need to be able to sell any product to their clients. Changing your strategy to suit trends

could lead to an increase in competition. If everyone starts selling ski trips because the trend is going that way, no one is going to make money.”

“I think that what Project X will do for the industry is indicate, not only to travel agents but to hotels and airlines, what they should spend on advertising and where they should be advertising,” said Laurie Wilkinson, md of Sure Travel Studio, who agreed with Garth that the statistics would be interesting, but for smaller agencies, would not influence every aspect of

TNW NEWS

12 n Wednesday August 26 2009 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS

eTravel assists senior Travel Consultants to realise their own potential and dreams. If you have ever dreamt of owning your own travel business then you should be calling eTravel. We run the back office for over 180 Independent Travel Companies and specialise in making your travel business a success. If you have a client base, 5 years retail experience, want to double your salary and run your own business then contact us, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is!

brought to you by eTNW and TRAVELINFO

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

TNW

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Hard work pays offWhat percentage of your salary is dependent upon the revenue you book?

n 0-20% – 44%n 20-40% – 9%n 40-60% – 8%n 60-80% – 10%n 80-100% – 29%

“There is a downturn – no doubt about that – but since joining Travel Counsellors I am earning more money than I ever have in all my years of travel. I determine my salary. Hard work, but it pays off and I'm not slaving away to make somebody else very rich.” Rochelle Weinreich, Travel Counsellors“The recent downturn has affected me very, very badly indeed.” Janice Levitan, R & M Global Travel.

Give us stats! Mixed reactions for Project X

What travel statistics do you think would be useful for your business?

Max Marx

V AUSTRALIA’S scheduled launch of its twice-weekly Johannesburg-Melbourne

service on March 13, 2010, will not necessarily mean increased interest in the Australian destination, say agents.

Said Kosie Nagel, air and land contractor for Flight Centre South Africa: “New product will become available with this new routing but I don’t think it will necessarily increase business to Australia. The impact on sales will probably show on the SAA/Qantas side.”

Kosie added that the new routing could lead to competition on the route with favourable fares for travellers. “But SAA and Qantas will probably wait to see what the fare levels are when the new routing is operational.”

He said brand loyal travellers would in all likelihood stay with either SAA or Qantas, especially Voyager members.

Briggs Miller, owner/manager of Harvey World Travel Parktown North, said increased competition on the route would be good for the market if the price was right.

But Wilco van Eeden, owner of Club Travel Honeydew, says demand for travel to Melbourne is limited with Perth, Sydney and Brisbane being the top destinations for South Africans.

“V Australia is going to have to offer very good prices if they are to succeed in drawing passengers away from Qantas and SAA. Malaysia Airlines and Qatar Airways also have very good fares, which will be competition for the new airline.”

Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin brand, said he was proud to be bringing Virgin’s fresh new Aussie airline to SA. “I can’t wait for it to touch down for the first time on South African soil. I know V Australia will offer true value for money while at the same time providing a brilliant service. “I am especially pleased that it will mean lower fares to Australia and will also bring more Aussie visitors to South Africa.”

Amanda Bolger, Virgin Blue group of airlines’ manager public and media relations told TNW the airline would like to grow the number of frequencies it operated on the route but would adopt a wait and see approach.

Said Amanda: “It’s no wonder Melbourne isn’t as popular as Sydney and Perth given there are currently no direct flights there. There is a significant South African population in Melbourne (in fact larger than the population in Brisbane) and we are targeting the VFR market.

“We’ll be working with Tourism Victoria to showcase the delights of Victoria to SA

visitors and given it is one of Australia's premier tourist destinations for international tourists, we’re confident V Australia's new direct flights will provide the catalyst for growth in this uncontested and exciting market.”

She also said it was too early to say whether V Australia would launch a Cape Town service during the busy summer season.

The carrier will operate a new B777-300ER on the route configured in business, premium economy and economy class.

Flight VA015 will depart Melbourne on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 11h00 arriving in JNB at 17h15. Flight VA016 will depart JNB at 19h25 on Tuesdays and Saturdays, arriving at 18h00 next day.

On board will be a sit-down in-flight bar, fully lie-flat beds and ‘privacy suite’ seating options in business class, and a ladies-only toilet.

The start of V Australia flights to JNB will mean South African travellers will be able to fly around the world with Virgin – to Australia and Los Angeles on V Australia, to New York on Virgin America, and on to London and South Africa on Virgin Atlantic.

The airline is to launch specials in the SA market shortly. The carrier is currently offering sale fares in Australia starting from AUD$1 899 (R12 580)) return. n

Absolute Skiing won this year’s Kenya Airways Amazing Chase Top Award in an extremely physical yet fun race through Sun City. From tennis to clue hunts, puzzles to swimming and tubing, Kenya Airways’ Amazing Chase left all seven competing teams exhausted running from clue to clue. Pictured here looking fierce are (from left) Seekers manager Floris Olivier; Gordon Rankin, Absolute Ski ops manager; Emma Fraser, resort manager Livigno and Craig Hounson, resort manager Saalbach. Watch out for more coverage on this fun event on eTNW and in an upcoming issue of TNW Photo: Tijana Huysamen

Lower fares to Oz with VA?A sprint to the finish...

their business. Project X will only be successful if there’s 100% commitment from the industry. Said Charmaine van Niekerk, Club Travel operations manager: “What you put into something, is what you will get out. If only 20% of the industry commits, then we will not have accurate statistics.” n