Page 12 Select agents shielded Thirsty for Thirsty’s from GDS...

TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLY

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SOUTHERN AFRICA’S TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLYNovember 8 2017 I No. 2470

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A look at both sidesThirsty Thursdays on the East Rand

NEWSETRAVEL

New md appointed

Thirsty for Thirsty’s

Mary Reynolds of Reynolds Travel, Kevin Clarence of Birchwood, Ricky Reynolds of Reynolds Travel, Irene Ferreira of Reynolds Travel and Chris McCormick of Birchwood. Photo: Sarah Roberston

Banks clamp down on offline paymentssaRah RobeRTson

BANKS are clamping down on offline speed point transactions.

Neither MasterCard nor Visa will any longer accept an imprint of a card as protection against chargebacks for manually entered transactions with effect from the end of October, Standard Bank notified its clients last week.

In future, credit card transactions will only be approved if a credit card holder is present at the time that the transaction is processed while the card is either tapped, inserted or swiped.

However, Standard Bank did say that merchants would be able to maintain the manual key entry if they reapplied

to the bank for approval. In this case, Standard Bank would retain the right to suspend payment of any manually entered transaction for a period of up to 180 days while the transaction’s risk was evaluated. Merchants would also remain fully liable for the full debt should a transaction be disputed by a client.

Kevin Lomax, head of corporate cards for Diner’s Club says Standard Bank’s decision to withdraw the offline speed point transactions was applicable for Visa and MasterCard transactions specifically. He advised that speed point machines would continue to operate in the same way but that the manual processing functionality for

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Tash takes the reinsNATASHA Schmidt has been promoted Divisional head: Travel publications at Now Media.

TNW, eTNW and TAM will fall into her sphere of responsibility. She takes over the role from ceo Anton Marsh.

Raised in Nigel, a University of Johannesburg journalism and honours English graduate, Tash has been with Now Media since 2007, having been hired as a researcher for Travelinfo. She then wrote for the inbound magazine Tourism Update for 18 months, before starting in the retail

and corporate travel division.

Natasha was made editor of TNW in 2012. She was in this role for three and a half years during which time she took on post-graduate studies in management at the Gordon Institute of Business Sciences, achieving her PMD in 2015. She was made

deputy publisher at the beginning of the year.

Married to Justin she has a little daughter and lives in Illovo, Johannesburg, a block away from the office.

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Natasha Schmidt

Select agents shielded from GDS surchargeTessa Reed

FLIGHT Centre Travel Group, Amex and HRG have entered into an agreement with IAG

(International Airlines Group), which owns British Airways and Iberia, that exempts them from the airline’s surcharge for bookings made on the GDS, TNW understands.

TNW also understands that this means that the agencies, all of whom use Amadeus, will be able to book tickets on the GDS without paying the new £8 (R150) surcharge per sector on bookings.

The agreements take effect from November 1, which is also when the surcharge will be implemented on other agents booking on the GDS.

Amadeus Southern Africa GM Andy Hedley, says that Amadeus is currently working with BA and Iberia to facilitate the technology needed for Travel Agents to book through the NDC. This technology will allow selected travel agents and TMCs who have bilateral agreements with airlines in place to access non-surcharge fares through Amadeus. Andy emphasises that travel agents

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FEATUREVICTORIA FALLS

2 n Wednesday November 8 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: Tessa Reed [email protected] Features Editor: Michelle Colman [email protected] Publisher: Natasha Schmidt [email protected] Journalists: Dorine Reinstein Candice May Sarah Robertson Hilka Birns

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]

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Tammy Hunt has been appointed managing director of the eTravel Group. Tammy joined eTravel as an ITC (Time to Travel), in 2001. She later moved to Cape Town and was appointed to run the Cape Town office in 2003, becoming travel manager: eTravel Coastal in October 2004. In 2013 she was promoted to operations director: eTravel group. “I am extremely proud of Tammy and all her achievements, which trust me have not been a walk in the park, over the past 16 years,” says Garth Wolff, ceo of the group. Garth says he will take a breather but stresses he is not selling any part of the business.

CPT pax to St Helena re-routed via Joburg

AIRLINK passengers wishing to travel from Cape Town to St Helena

will temporarily need to be re-routed via Johannesburg.

An SA Airlink aircraft on its way to St Helena was temporarily grounded by the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority at Hosea Kutako International Airport on October 21.

SA Airlink ceo Rodger Foster explains the Embraer EJet 190 aircraft was delayed by Air Traffic Control at Windhoek during a stopover. He says: “The Namibian Authorities scrutinised the flight paperwork, and in particular queried whether Airlink

holds the traffic rights for transferring its own “online” passengers in transit off its Cape Town flight on which Airlink passengers were ticketed from Cape Town to St Helena.” Online passengers refers to passengers carried by Airlink.

Once the authorities were satisfied that the transferring Airlink passengers remained in transit, Rodger explains the flight was allowed to continue. But Rodger says the Namibian Authority was not happy about the practice of transferring “online” passengers in transit, noting that this amounts to traffic rights that Airlink does

not have. Says Rodger: “Airlink had not

been aware that the modus operandi was not compliant with Namibian regulations, and has engaged both the South African and Namibian Authorities in order to resolve the situation.”

In the interim, Rodger says Airlink’s stopover in Windhoek will not entail transferring online Transit customers travelling between Cape Town and St Helena. Airlink’s customers travelling between Cape Town and St Helena will instead be re-routed via Johannesburg for the short term.

Select agents shielded from GDS surcharge

will only be able to avoid British Airways’ and Iberia’s surcharge per ‘fare component’ on GDS bookings, which will be implemented from November 1, if they have an agreement with the airlines in place.

However, it appears the relationship could lie elsewhere. HRG coo Bill Brindle is quoted in The Beat saying: “Effectively, that’s British Airways reaching a relationship with Amadeus.” He added that HRG “worked with Amadeus on that, as well, and so I have a relationship with British Airways; British Airways has a relationship with Amadeus; I have a

relationship with Amadeus; and we have a different structure.”

Amadeus is currently the only GDS where agreements are in place to allow agents to avoid the surcharge. The agencies that have signed the agreement will not earn the per segment incentive on the GDS.

BA global head of sales Stephen Humphreys said of the Amex agreement: “We are pleased to have agreed [to] a model for bookings to be made through existing platforms without any additional charge.”

When TNW approached British Airways for clarity on the agreements, BA said it would not comment on

commercial agreements. It said: “Both airlines will apply a charge of £8 per fare component to any bookings which are not made using an NDC based connection, or through other low-cost channels, such as their websites, airline sales offices and call centres.”

Amadeus has been granted IATA NDC level 3 certification as an IT Provider (the highest certification for an IT provider) with both the Altea (a new NDC solution) and the New Skies PSS. Amadeus has a level 1 certification in its GDS business and expects to become level 3 certified as an aggregator next year.

From page 1

Top web stories

Christie leaves Travelport More money, strategic partner for SAA TMCs, corporates: Beware the latestscam! TNW pick: PCI DSS compliance - Trade chases its tail as clock ticks Madagascar Plague: WHO issues Black Death warning

Tammy takes the wheel

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NEWS

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Ahoy!

Cruiseabout has opened a new store in Hyde Park, Johannesburg. The opening was celebrated with members of the trade and some bubbly. Pictured here are(from left): Mike Pentz (Cruiseabout consultant); Tracey Krog (sales manager, Cruises International); and Darren Wessels and Angelique Cronje (Cruiseabout consultants). Photo: Tessa Reed

Avis rewards good drivers CandiCe May

AVIS Rent a Car has introduced SafeDrive, an initiative that offers drivers safety features and rewards them for driving safely.

SafeDrive is available to all Avis customers at R45 per day. Those who opt for it must download the Avis SafeDrive app on their Apple or Android smartphone and collect their SafeDrive sensor at the Avis counter when collecting their rental vehicle. After following instructions on the app to link the sensor to the vehicle and activate it, the customer secures the sensor on to the Velcro on the vehicle’s windscreen to enable all the features.

SafeDrive offers four safety features: A panic button; severe weather alerts; access to a 24-hour emergency call centre; and ImpactAlert, immediate emergency assistance if the vehicle

is in a severe accident. It also rewards them with points for great driving behaviour based on things like watching their speed, turning corners gently, not braking suddenly, not accelerating harshly and not texting while driving.

A daily score of 80 rewards or more unlock benefits such as a free coffee, smoothie or meal

at Kauai, Nando’s, Mugg & Bean or Vida e Caffè.

South Africa is the first country to welcome SafeDrive, says Mokgadi Mashaphu, brand manager of Avis Rent a Car Southern Africa. Mokgadi is upbeat about the new initiative and expects it to be a hit with both local and foreign travellers.

New look for Nairobi Serena Hotel THE Nairobi Serena Hotel – which has won accolades, including being voted one of Nairobi’s leading business hotels – is currently undergoing an expansion and refurbishment programme.

Rosemary Mugambi, Serena Hotels’ regional sales and marketing director, says room inventory will increase from 183 to 199 with the addition of a new floor, and existing rooms are being upgraded.

Other facilities include a new ballroom, a parking silo for 120 cars, a new executive lounge, a new speciality restaurant, redesigned front-of-house areas and refitted back-of-house areas.

According to Rosemary, the first phase commenced in December 2016 and was on track for completion by December this year. The second phase is scheduled for completion in June 2018.

Regent adds Cuba to 2018-19 sailingsREGENT Seven Seas Cruises has added Cuba calls to six itineraries in the line’s 2018-19 Caribbean season. Travellers can visit Havana on selected itineraries aboard Seven Seas Mariner, Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Navigator, which depart Miami from October 2018 through to March 2019. Guests on these voyages can choose from a variety of free and unlimited shore excursions.

New Uniworld ship makes maiden voyageU BY Uniworld debuted its first ship, The B, in France on October 7 and has announced expansion plans. The B was renamed following extensive renovations and design changes of Uniworld’s River Baroness. It can hold 120 passengers, with four suites, 26 balcony bedrooms, 29 studio bedrooms, and two studio bedrooms with triple occupancy – all with waterfront views and equipped with built-in Bluetooth speakers.

New itinerary for MSC LiricaMSC Lirica will operate a new itinerary in the east Mediterranean for Northern hemisphere summer 2018. The ship, which will homeport in Venice, will depart for its first cruise on April 6. The new itinerary starts at Venice or Bari and will call in Greece at Mykonos (for a full day), Heraklion/Crete, and Corfu (for an extended stay); Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Bari, Italy. MSC Lirica will offer the seven-night eastern Mediterranean itinerary until October 26. Sales are now open. MSC Cruises has also launched a new world cruise. MSC Magnifica will set sail on its second world cruise in 2020. Sales have opened for MSC Voyagers Club members and will open for other guests on November 23.

Send your cruising news to [email protected]

Warn US pax to arrive early !

THE enhanced security measures that were announced by the US

Department of Homeland Security in June this year have come into effect after a 120-day grace period.

Travel agents should urge travellers to be prepared for enhanced passenger screening by airlines. This could include short interviews or questionnaires, as well as heightened inspection of

electronic devices. Airlines are advising

customers to arrive at the airport at least three hours ahead of departure time and to proceed to their departure gate promptly.

The new measures were introduced to replace the laptop ban that was eventually abandoned by the US government earlier this year. Airlines that fail to comply with the new requirements

could ‘run the risk of additional security restrictions being imposed’, according to the US Department of Homeland Security.

Spokesperson for SAA, Tlali Tlali, told TNW US-bound passengers would only be able to check in for US flights at designated check-in counters, as the airline would start to implement the required interview process at check-in.

Building consumer awareness at OR Tambo.

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TRAVEL industry members gathered at F.L.A.G Café at the Peermont

Metcourt in Kempton Park for TNW’s Thirsty’s on the East Rand. The lively crowd

were treated to drinks and canapés. This was the last leg of Thirsty’s in Johannesburg for this year. Look out for an invitation at the beginning of next year.

1. Justine Choveaux of Globus, Liane Venter of Africa Stay and Puleng Putu of TTC.

2. Glam girls. Nhlanhla Ntombela of Club Travel and Refilwe Kgaphola of American Express Global Business Travel.

3. Big smiles! Yolanda Katsi from TNW and Violetta Ellapen of Peermont.

4. Birds of a feather Shivani Pillay and Michelle Du Toit of Pentravel.

5. Vladi Wessels of Beachcomber, Grace Ruivo of XL Millennium Travel, Ilse Labuschagne of XL Millennium Travel and Nikki Briant of Beachcomber.

6. Robyn Christie of Travelport, Tessa Reed of TNW, Wendie White of Lloyd Orr and Chantal Nieuwenhuizen of Lloyd Orr.

7. Carla Campbell of Reynolds Conferences, Robert Ngcobo of Accor Hotels, Mandy Waugh of Reynolds Conferences, and Sukentha Govender of Peermont. Photos: Tessa Reed and Sarah Robertson

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NEWS

The biggest inter-provincial travel industry golf event was hosted by KZN recently.It was the first triangular event involving all three provinces that have a travel industry golf club. Thirty six golfers played for the honour of winning the first triangular event at Mount Edgecombe and the following day at Zimbali. As has been the case with previous tournaments between Gauteng and Western Cape, the event was as social as it was competitive. For the record, after leading at the end of the first day, Western Cape lost their way on the final day with Gauteng winning with 106 points, KZN on 90 and the Cape on 55. Pictured (from left) are the captains, Terry Munro (Western Cape); Pippa Coote (KZN) and Marco Cristofoli (Gauteng). The travel industry golf clubs are open to all members of the travel and tourism sector. New members are welcome at all the clubs. Direct enquires to [email protected] who will pass them on the relevant club.

Travel rivals go head-to-head

POPI Act: What happens when there is a breach?Daniella Potter

THE Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act puts the onus on

businesses to ensure personal data, be it of clients or employees, is protected.

Hogan Lovells partner, Leishen Pillay told a recent Global Business Travel Association workshop: “The obligations are to ensure that you put steps in place, and these are not reasonable steps, these are the steps required to prevent unauthorised access to, loss of or damage to personal information. Now that is three different steps that need to be taken in terms of personal information.”

As an example, he said the hard-drive of a laptop should be encrypted so that no one could gain access to the information stored on the device in the event it was stolen. “You can be fined for a flash-drive going missing; you can be fined for a cellphone going missing or lost and, or stolen.” He said any device that stored personal information applied.

Other Hogan Lovells partner, Gareth Cremen, added: “In terms of the workplace, POPI very much applies to anything. It applies to whether or not you have an unsuccessful

applicant, or someone who sends their CVs on a day-to-day basis. The question is, how should you store that information?

“Gone are the days when you keep information indefinitely. We do it now because the law does not require you to delete that information. Once POPI comes through, every single record that you keep, every single record that you are required to collect, you must understand what the lawful requirements are.”

Gareth said it would be a breach of POPI if a business kept an employee’s IRP5 form one day over the five-year required period.

In 2018, when the Act is due to be implemented, companies will be required to disclose lost personal information. “The law

requires you to do two things. The first is that you have to report any loss, and I am talking about a flash-drive, a mobile phone, a laptop or anything else that has personal information to the regulator,” said Leishen.

The information officer and ceo who are responsible for compliance and operations would be looked at first. “The second thing is that you are going to have to notify every consumer whose information has been lost.”

Leishen explained that the Act applied to everyone in the chain dealing with personal information. “But at the very top of the chain is you as the person who collected that information.”

The consequences are onerous, ranging from fines of up to R10 million, prison sentences and civil claims.

Qatar Airways to launch Penang service QATAR Airways will launch direct flights to Penang on February 6. It will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner with 22 seats in business class and 232 in economy. QR850 will depart Doha at 02h30 and arrive in Penang at 14h30. QR851 will depart Penang at 20h30 and arrive in Doha at 23h20.

Ethiopian Airlines extends codeshares ETHIOPIAN Airlines has extended its codeshare with SAA to include Cape Town, Durban and Toronto. Ethiopian will operate a direct service between Addis Ababa and Cape Town and Addis Ababa and Durban, with SAA as the marketing carrier. In return, ET codeshares on SAA-operated services between Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban and Windhoek. Ethiopian has also signed a codeshare with Azul Brazilian Airlines, effective October 1. The ET flight code is added to Azul’s operations, allowing passengers to purchase tickets directly from Ethiopian Airlines sales channels to seven destinations in Brazil operated by Azul. Azul can now market Ethiopian’s network throughout Africa and beyond. Initially, Ethiopian Airlines can place its code on Azul’s flights from São Paulo (Guarulhos) to Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Goiania, Porto Alegre, Cuiabá, Foz do Iguaçu and Florianopolis.

Fastjet launches refreshed fare products FASTJET has launched new fare structures. When purchasing a flight, customers now have two options: Big Saver: A basic airfare that includes 7kg of hand baggage but excludes all checked baggage (which will be charged for); and Achiever: A new product that includes the airfare, 7kg hand baggage, one piece of checked baggage (23kg between Johannesburg and Victoria Falls and 30kg between Johannesburg and Harare) and one free route, or date and time change.

FlySafair acquires two new aircraftFLYSAFAIR’S newest aircraft, a Boeing 737-400, entered service on September 29, and a second will join the fleet during the course of this month. The new aircraft will help fulfil the airline’s additional capacity requirements as it extends its network through the launch of flights between Durban and Port Elizabeth, and Durban and East London. The carrier is to increase frequencies on some of its routes over the festive season, due to higher demand over this period. The HLA-GRJ and JNB-ELS routes, which normally do not operate every day, will operate daily. There will also be additional flights on the JNB-GRJ, JNB-CPT, JNB-PLZ, CPT-ELS, CPT-PLZ and CPT-DUR routes.

Thailand aviation no longer red-flaggedTHE UNITED Nations’ aviation regulator has removed Thailand from its list of countries red-flagged for safety concerns more than two years after it was first put on the list. Thailand’s Prime Minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, said: “The fact that ICAO has lifted the red flag it once issued Thailand shows their trust in us and the international community’s faith in Thailand’s aviation industry.”

MD and UU sign strategic partnershipA NEW agreement between Air Madagascar and Air Austral is the beginning of an interim phase in a strategic partnership implementation process between the airlines. This phase will run until the planned signature of the shareholder closing agreement at the end of the month. The equal partnership is the forerunner to a potential sharp increase in traffic and a return to a leading regional position.

A snapshot of the week's airline news

For the record

In last week’s TNW, we incorrectly associated Volkswagen Polo winner Oriana Neto Caldeira with Flight Centre. Oriana works at XL Flight Specials Centurion. TNW apologises for the error.

QUICK READ FOR BUSIEST PEOPLE Wednesday November 8 2017 n 9

NEWS

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Visit www.travelinfo.co.za for details

Topdeck

The Blue Train

The Maslow

Globus Family Of Brands

Ethiopian Airlines

Tsogo SunEl Al Israel Airlines

NEW WORKSHOPS COMING SOON

Complete a workshop to be entered into the prize draws.

Check out the Gallery of Winners!See who won a trip to Seychelles, Mozambique, vouchers, cash or the Avis Budget Roses.

You too could be a winner…

PLUS another R20 000 in cash!Over R200 000 worth of prizes to be won!

Singapore Airlines, Changi Airport and the Singapore Tourism Board recently hosted agents at an educational workshop at the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Melrose Arch. Pictured here are (from left): G B Srithar, regional director South Asia, Middle East & Africa, Singapore Tourism Board; Peh Ke-Wei, vp Passenger Development, Changi Airport Group; and Chua Kian Hwa, gm Central and Southern Africa, Singapore Airlines. Photo: Shannon Van Zyl

Singapore and beyond!

Bidorbuy’s travel sales pick upSarah robertSon

LOCAL website bidorbuy.co.za reports that its travel sales category has

shown strong growth recently and has become a new focus of its marketing efforts to promote the website.

Johan du Toit, operations manager for the web-based company, reports that the travel sales category on bidorbuy has been in existence for a number of years. “This section was traditionally

populated by consumers selling local timeshare or holiday packages but recently we have seen more and more travel companies populating the site.”

Bidorbuy boasts a product range of more than R3 million postings and attracts over 30 million site visitors per month. Travel products are classified according to the following categories on the website: accommodation in SA, car hire, flights, game lodges and safaris, holiday packages, cruises, timeshare, weekend getaways and other travel.

However, when TNW checked the site, there were no cruise offerings or packages inclusive of flights advertised. Products were limited to accommodation and charter flights.

Bidorbuy charges a commission, calculated on a sliding scale from 5% to 1%, depending on the cost of the sale.

Apply for French visas onlineFRANCE has introduced a new online visa application service that is currently being tested in South Africa, Senegal and Tunisia.

To register for visa application documents, log on to France-Visas, the official website for visas for France. You can submit and track application

forms via the new page.France-Visas is the sole

portal providing all necessary information to assist with each stage of the visa application process, including file preparation, submission and follow-up of the application.

After you have completed the registration process on

France-Visas online, you will be redirected to the Capago website to make an appointment for the submission of the visa application and collection of biometric data.

Passports must still be dropped off and collected at the Capago offices.

“This section was traditionally populated by consumers selling

local timeshare or holiday packages but recently we have seen more and more travel companies populating

the site.”

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See both sides for the full experience

Vantage point and timing can make or break a Victoria Falls trip. Debbie Badham consults the experts on best viewing.

WHILE viewing the Victoria Falls has been hailed by

many as a life-changing experience, for others it ends up a disappointment because they lack the knowledge as to when and from where to get the best view of the natural wonder.

Most Vic Falls experts will agree that the Falls are best seen from the Zimbabwean side. “The Zimbabwean side is more spectacular because it always has more water,” says Hara Jackson, group sales manager of Legacy Hotels.

Up to 70% of the active Falls are best viewed from Zimbabwe, confirms John Ridler, PR and media manager of Thompsons Holidays. But he recommends that if travellers have time, they should view the Falls from Zambia as well.

“Both sides offer a unique experience,” says Liane Venter, sales and marketing manager of AfricaStay. She points out that when the waters are low travellers

are able to experience the infamous Devil’s Pool from the Zambian side.

Zambia allows visitors to appreciate the Falls from an entirely different angle, agrees Glenn Stutchbury,

ceo of Cresta Hotels. “We always recommend that guests see both sides of the Falls to fully appreciate the World Heritage Site.”

It’s easy to see the Falls from all sides. Glenn says if travellers are staying on the Zim side, the Falls are within walking distance of most hotels and lodges.

Cresta Sprayview for example, is 1,4km from the entrance to the Falls and provides a free shuttle for guests who might want a lift instead of walking.

When crossing the bridge, all visitors need is their passport. Thompsons Holidays offers trips that cover both sides of the Falls, but it is recommended that guests book in advance, says John.

Travellers can be significantly inconvenienced at the border controls if they don’t have a tour operator to fast track the experience, notes Colin Fryer, owner of Centre Stage Travel. He says there are often big trucks passing through the border and

travellers have been known to be delayed for up to three hours.

In terms of timing, Ross Kennedy, ceo of Africa Albida Tourism, says between the drier, low-water months of late September to mid-December, there is usually little to no flow over the Zambian side of the Falls. “It’s essential visitors know this and make time to cross from Zambia to Zimbabwe even for just a half day.”

He says the best time to see the Falls is between late March and July.

“We always recommend that guests see both sides of the Falls to fully appreciate the

World Heritage Site.” Glenn Stutchbury

Both sides of the Falls as seen from the air.

Did you know?

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The Victoria Falls Hotel and Bushtracks Africa have introduced The Victoria, a luxury jetboat cruise on the Zambezi that holds a small group of 20 passengers. Able to get close to the edge of the Falls thanks to its jet propulsion, it carries a hotel chef on board who prepares gourmet canapés. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included and children are welcome.


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Victoria Falls

Navigating the ‘Activity Capital of Africa’DUBBED the ‘Activity Capital of Africa’, Victoria Falls has countless activities on offer for travellers from all walks of life. From helicopter flights over the Falls to game safaris, bungee jumping and boma dinners

with African delicacies such as warthog and crocodile, deciding what to do can be challenging.

To help navigate the area’s long list of activities we have asked the experts to pick out a few of their favourites.

White-water rafting The Victoria Falls is arguably home to some of the best white-water rafting in the world and is an adrenalin rush not to be missed, says Liane Venter from AfricaStay. While low-water rafting takes place between August and December, high-water rafting happens between December and August.

Liane warns that a reasonable

level of fitness is required for the activity.

“Fitness is needed not only for the rafting, but also for the walk into and out of the Batoka Gorge which is quite steep,” she says.

“The gorge is over 100m deep at the Falls and increases to over 200m by the end of a full-day raft trip.”

Canopy toursWhile each activity offers something unique, Cresta Hotels’ Glenn Stutchbury recommends the canopy tour because it can be done by the whole family. With nine slides and one cable

bridge it offers amazing views of the canyon, rapids and the Falls, he says, adding that agents can book these tours through various reputable ground operators, most of which have sales agents in hotel foyers.

Dinner Steam SafarisFor special occasions, travellers should try the Dinner Steam Safari, which can be experienced from either side of the Falls, says Thompsons Holidays’ John Ridler.

The steam train experience offers luxury fine dining with all

the romantic ambience one might expect. It includes a journey on to the bridge and can be easily booked through Thompsons, though John says this should be done before departure to avoid disappointment.

Cultural village toursTo experience the culinary delights of Vic Falls, Hara Jackson of Legacy Hotels recommends a cultural village tour. The tour allows travellers to

venture back in time and experience the day-to-day routine of life in an authentic African village. Hara says the tour can be booked through most operators.

The steam train crossing the Victoria Falls Bridge.


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Victoria Falls

New airport brings increased numbers of SA travellersVICTORIA Falls is set to become a regional tourism hub as a result of the newly completed Victoria Falls International Airport – a development that is prompting an increase in South African travellers to the region.

“Tourism in Zimbabwe is definitely on the rise as is evidenced by the numbers we are seeing,” says Airlink ceo, Rodger Foster, who attributes the increase to Vic Falls’ growing hub status.

Ongoing research shows that Victoria Falls is growing in popularity with the South African market, agrees Hein Kaiser, gm of marketing and communications for fastjet. He says anecdotal evidence from recent consumer and trade fairs indicates that the destination is growing in popularity as both a weekend and longer-term vacation destination.

“The upgraded Vic Falls Airport is a game changer,” says Centre Stage Travel’s Colin Fryer.

He says it is already starting to establish itself as the central point connecting major tourist hotspots in the region. The airport is well positioned to continue this trend as African airlines look to link destinations across Africa, such as those in the northern parts of Botswana and the

southern parts of Zambia, he adds.

Airlines such as Kenya Airways are already taking advantage of this, having launched flights from Nairobi to Vic Falls and linking them with existing services to Cape Town.

Colin explains that Vic Falls’ development as a regional hub has resulted in a drive to develop new tourism products.

“From hotel groups to distribution and warehousing at the VFA, to housing developers, we are aware of a number of international investors that are seriously looking at Victoria Falls as a key investment location in the coming one to four years,” says Ross Kennedy, ceo of Africa Albida Tourism (AAT).

Colin reveals that AAT itself is investing a further US$600 000 (R8,5m) on a major upgrade to its Victoria Falls Safari Club product.

“Legacy Hotels has also recently signed an agreement with African Sun to upgrade and manage five of its properties,” he says.

The increase in high-end hospitality brands investing in upmarket properties is a sure sign that business confidence in the destination is on the rise, agrees Rodger.

Airlines are also investing in the development of the region

with the likes of fastjet actively working to help promote tourism to Vic Falls. Hein reveals that the airline has been busy with destination-specific campaigns as well as media and trade familiarisation trips.

Greater air capacity into Vic Falls is also already providing travellers with increased access, says Ross.

“For example, the route departing Cape Town has certainly seen added choice and fare competition.”

Rodger reveals that Airlink’s Cape Town-Vic Falls service is performing beyond the airline’s expectations. “We will be increasing capacity on this route in the near term.”

Should demand increase over time, fastjet would also look to increase its Vic Falls-Johannesburg service, says Hein.

More accommodation options, including new lodges, camps and hotels across the budget spectrum, are also driving competitive rates and offerings, all to the customer’s advantage, says Ross.

Ultimately, all these developments, in conjunction with special deals and packages specifically for the South African market, are assisting the potential growth of South African arrivals, he concludes.

To the point

The Skydive Tandem Co (STC), known for skydiving in Mauritius, recently launched an operation at Victoria Falls, operating out of the Zambezi National Park, 7km from the Falls. Prior to the jump, the aircraft offers a 30-minute scenic flight, affording an ‘angel’s view’ of the Falls. Premium slots for the experience are at sunrise and sunset. Jumps from Kazangula airfield take place at 10 000ft and, depending on body weight, speeds of up to 200kph are reached.

The new Victoria Falls International Airport. Photo: FastJet

JOBSCOMMUNITYNEWS


Births, deaths, marriages, promotions – we want to know! Please fax or e-mail TNW’s Candice May, at [email protected] or (011) 214 7330.

Resignations

Pick of the week

These adverts were selected from the vacancy section of www.travelinfo.co.za For more details contact [email protected]

brought to you by

TNW

7852

Groups Consultant – JNB NorthProfessional Career ServicesMinimum 3 years’ experience dealing with groups for inbound tour operator. Good product knowledge. Ability tocompile itineraries. Email: [email protected]

Travel Consultant – CPTFlight Centre Travel GroupSell travel experiences. From adventures to Thailand to city breaks in London. Provide outstanding customer service while managing every aspect of their trip. Email: [email protected]

Debtors Supervisor – GautengLee Botti & AssociatesNorth. Progressive TMC wants you! Minimum 3 years’ debtors supervisory experience to make your mark with innovative agent. Salary negotiable. Email: [email protected]

In-Bound Expert – JNB NorthEquity Connections ccPlan, design creative itineraries into Africa. Manage full functions from initial enquiry to completion. Sound Africa knowledge plus Tourplan essential. Email: [email protected]

Intermediate /Senior Leisure Consultant – RosebankProfessional Career ServicesAt least 3 years’ experience in the travel industry or 3 years’ proven sales. Galileo certificate. Handle all aspects of travel. Email: [email protected]

Cruise Consultant – GautengFlight Centre Travel GroupFrom planning itineraries and booking flights and everything in between, it’s your job to provide a seamless, one-stop travel experience. Email: [email protected]

Leisure Fundi – GautengLee Botti & AssociatesNorth. Make dream holidays a reality! Minimum 3 years’ experience + Amadeus to join successful team. Basic + lucrative commission. Email: [email protected]

Travel Trainer – JNB NorthEquity Connections ccDesign, collate, implement destinations training modules for new and existing staff. Prepare post-training assessments. Extensive in-bound consulting essential plus Tourplan. Email: [email protected]

Cresta Marakanelo has appointed Mokwena Morulane as its new md. Mokwena will be responsible for driving and overseeing the implementation of Cresta Marakanelo’s growth strategy and reinforcing the company’s position as a reputable and leading provider of hospitality services.

Annelie Barkema has been appointed as the gm of The Cradle Tourism Company. Annelie has a background in management and organisational support. She has done a variety of work in tourism, including working as a tourism specialist banker, and working in tourism safety initiatives.

Ntlotleng Manale, marketing manager of Fair Trade Tourism will leave the company on October 26, as she is starting a new journey of self-employment. Shona Macdonald will step in for Ntlotleng, with whom she has been working for the past couple of months in membership sales.

The marketing team at Club Travel dressed up in their spookiest costumes to celebrate Halloween this year. Pictured (from left): Luana Visage, marketing manager; Talene Deetlefs, graphic designer; Gerschen Thys, marketing coordinator; Tatum Vermaak, marketing coordinator; Minette Fourie, marketing team leader and graphic designer

Trick or Treat?

Travelport was one of the sponsors of the XL Travolution Conference that took place at Birchwood on October 22-23. Travelport sponsored the recognition and awards gala dinner and also had a stand in the ‘Fun Zone’, serving ice-cold blue and green slush to all the attendees during the breaks. Pictured here (from left): Cezanne Klinghardt and Mmakgating Matseke, travel consultants of XL Traveleaders and Tamara Burnett, business development manager of XL Travel Group Gauteng.

In the ‘Fun Zone’

Delightful DurbsProtea Hotels recently hosted agents from Thompsons on an educational trip to Durban. “It was a fun-filled, informative trip and I really enjoyed that each hotel has its own unique feel and style,” says Stacy Chilewitz (Thompsons consultant). Pictured (from left): Jacky Maulgue, Protea Hotels by Marriott regional sales manager, Gauteng and Christi De la Porte, Protea Hotels by Marriott sales executive.

Appointments

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Book your message in our last issue of the year!Booking deadline: 20 November 2017

Contact: [email protected] | Tel: +27 11 214 7356

Show your appreciation to SA’s Travel Trade

TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLY


TNW NEWS

brought to you by eTNW and TRAVELINFO

eTravel is the ITC market leader in South Africa and assists senior Travel Consultants and Travel business owners to realise their dreams. If you have ever dreamt of owning your own travel business or would like to cut costs by doing away with your IATA license and improve your current business efficiencies then you should call eTravel. We run the back office for over 200 Independent Travel Companies and specialise in making your travel business a success by offering the best commissions, overrides & a comprehensive support structure. If you have a client base, 5 years travel consultant experience or already own your own business but want to make more, then contact us! You’ll be amazed at how easy it is!

Contact Tammy on 0861eTrave1 or [email protected]

TNW7136

brought to you by eTNW and TRAVELINFO

eTravel is the ITC market leader in South Africa and assists senior Travel Consultants and Travel business owners to realise their dreams. If you have ever dreamt of owning your own travel business or would like to cut costs by doing away with your IATA license and improve your current business efficiencies then you should call eTravel. We run the back office for over 200 Independent Travel Companies and specialise in making your travel business a success by offering the best commissions, overrides & a comprehensive support structure. If you have a client base, 5 years travel consultant experience or already own your own business but want to make more, then contact us! You’ll be amazed at how easy it is!

Contact Tammy on 0861eTrave1 or [email protected]

TNW7136

Do you get requests to book pets on flights?

Jet setting pets

I get these requests regularly I get these requests every now and again I have never had such requests

Banks clamp down on offline payments

these credit card types would be disabled.

“Diner’s Card will continue to allow manual transactions as we are aware of the travel industry’s need for this functionality. The continuation of these services also forms part of our roll out strategy for virtual cards,” said Kevin.

FNB and Bidvest told TNW that manual speed point facilities were still being offered in the market place, but that the application process was very lengthy involving bank manager motivational letters and risk indemnity forms for merchants to sign off on. If a client queries the transaction, the bank can immediately reverse

the transaction. Both banks recommended online payment solutions such as Paygate as safer and less costly alternatives.

Edrei Allan, account manager for Wappoint, another payment solutions company, told TNW that their company was currently phasing out manual credit card transactions. “Clients are offered an online 3D secure payment link as the alternative for credit card processing which is a safer and more secure option due to its one time password functionality,” said Edrei.

The alternatives suggested by Standard Bank offer client’s the option to process their credit card payments using an online 3D secure payment link,

which is PCI DSS compliant.Tracey Kojetin, owner of

The Travel Set said about 90% of their transactions are processed offline without the card holder present. After chatting to Standard Bank, she decided to cancel her speed point and to sign up with Paygate instead.

In the instance that a lodge card with an enabled one time pin functionality is used for a travel credit card transaction, the processing of the function would be exactly the same as the procedure for an individual client’s credit card. The agent would need to send the client the virtual payment link for them to process the transaction directly using the unique one time password.

From page 1

Tessa Reed

TRAVEL agents will be able to earn commission on the flight section

of MSC Cruise’s new fly & cruise package out of Dubai.

The package on board the MSC Splendida, between the period of 23rd December 2017 and 24th March 2018, has a starting price of R15 849pp, including all port service and insurance

and subject to terms and conditions.

The package includes flights on Emirates, airport taxes, a 7 night cruise and transfers to and from the departure and return port.

Earn more on cruisesLinda Van Beek, sales executive, Ross Volk, MSC Cruises SA md and Mitzalyn Cruz, sales executive, MSC Cruises. Photo by: Shannon Van Zyl

Christie starts new chapterTessa Reed

ROBYN Christie has resigned from Travelport effective the end of the year to pursue other interests. Christie will be handing the reins to Claudette Thorne, who has been appointed acting country manager of Southern Africa from December, 1 2017.

Claudette has been with Travelport for over a year as senior commercial manager.

“It is very rewarding for me to see the new generation of women leaders emerging and

in particular I wish Claudette continued success.”

Christie didn’t give details on her future plans, but said it’s unlikely she would leave the travel industry and planned on using all

the experience gleaned during her 37 years in the industry to define the road ahead. “The plan is both terrifying and very exciting.”

Guido Verweij, is currently global head of strategy within agency commerce at Travelport, has been appointed regional md, Africa, based in Johannesburg. Nigeria visas: expect biometric

bottlenecksCandiCe May

THE Nigerian Consulate’s rollout of biometric visa requirements for South Africans last week (October 30) is likely to result in bottlenecks.

Jaendre Terblanche, owner of Visas Zone, says the introduction of biometrics may disrupt processing as the Consulate only has two biometric devices in operation. “I understand that the goal is to see 10 applicants per hour. This

means the bottleneck at the actual submission stations and payment stations will be frustrating to say the least,” he says. “But my biggest concern is that these machines go offline.”

Still Jaendre says it is a step in the right direction. Other agents have also welcomed the move in terms of security. Rachael Penaluna, business manager of Sure Maritime Travel, expects all embassies to introduce biometrics at some stage

as it gives them credibility.Agents have long been

concerned about the efficiency and reliability of the Nigerian Consulate. “We have a lot of travel to Nigeria and the visa process is inconsistent – sometimes they are quick and sometimes it takes ages,” says Rachael. Debbie Joubert, md of Sure Travel 24-7, adds that the fact that the Consulate runs out of visa stickers and as a result has to suspend visa highlights how disorganised they are.

Robyn Christie

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