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TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLY

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SouThERN AFRIcA’S TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLYSeptember 24 2014 I No. 2319

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Sell more...

10 hidden gemsPage 5

NEWSKenyA

Security, Ebola scare off tourists

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NEWSe-TouriSM SuMMiTIndustry urged ‘rethink travel’

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South East Asia

Blood-curdling fun! Dublin will once again go gothic for the Bram Stoker Festival in the run-up to Halloween this year. The Dublin-born author is celebrated for bringing one of literature’s most famous characters back from the dead. From October 24-27 expect to see the city come alive with Dracula-inspired events, from its streets and churches to castles, libraries, galleries, cinemas and squares. Tourism Ireland’s Jane Davidson (left) and Jackie Adami (right) are ready for a blood-curdling adventure! Photo: Shannon Van Zyl.

11th-hour postponement!‘Stakeholders alerted us’ – Gigaba. Tessa Reed reports.

THE requirement for children under the age of 18 travelling to, from and through SA to produce an

unabridged birth certificate has been postponed until June 1, 2015. Similarly, the additional requirement for written permission in instances where children travel unaccompanied or with only one parent has been postponed.

This was announced by Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, at a media briefing last week and follows sustained exposure of the unintended consequences by TNW and other trade press. Malusi stated: “For foreigners’ purposes, an unabridged birth certificate is merely a birth certificate from the responsible authority in their country, which lists the particulars of the child’s parents. In the instance where this information is contained on the child’s passport, this too shall be accepted.

“It is important to note that the implementation of the regulations should not affect SA children born from March 3, 2013 onwards as the department began issuing unabridged birth certificates on the spot for those children whose births were registered from that date,” said Malusi. “The postponement, as well as today’s statement, is aimed at encouraging citizens to apply well in advance and obtain the required unabridged birth certificates for the minors and children they intend travelling with.”

He added that parents applying for passports for minors would be

encouraged, when making their applications, to apply for unabridged birth certificates.

The immigration regulations are part of the new Immigration Amendment Act, which came into effect on May 26. Subsequent to industry lobbying, the requirements for children travelling under the age of 18 were postponed till October 1. Implementation of these regulations has now been further delayed.

Under the new regulations, people travelling to SA on a visa are required to apply for the visa in person. Parents travelling with children under the age of 18 are required to produce an unabridged birth certificate for each child. In the case where only one parent is travelling with the child(ren), consent in the form of an affidavit from the other parent registered is required. Alternatively, either a court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or a death certificate of the other parent must be produced.

Malusi said that, given the challenges identified by stakeholders and in light of the upcoming peak travel periods for families, a postponement of the regulations would assist travellers and the sectors as a whole. He added that during the period of the postponement, deputy director general for Immigration Services, Jackie Mckay, had been directed to work intensively with industry stakeholders to ensure accurate information was available

To page 2

More tour debacle victims surfaceDorine reinstein

VICTIMS of Ahmed Talaat, director and chairman of the allegedly fraudulent ATL Tours, keep surfacing as the case drags on at the Johannesburg Magistrates Court. Ahmed was arrested on January 8, after more than 40 customers came forward late last year to open cases of fraud against ATL Tours (see TNW January 22, 2014). The number of fraud cases against him is currently already standing at 83.

Delene Brown, owner of tour operator, Travel Zone, told TNW she had recently

been contacted by Andre van Wyk, senior investigator at Forensic Data Solutions (FDS). Andre told her that Ahmed had Travel Zone business cards and seemed to have regularly presented himself to the travel trade as owner and director of Travel Zone.

Meanwhile, Delene confirmed to TNW that Ahmed had never been employed by Travel Zone in any capacity, nor had he ever been the owner of Travel Zone. “Since its inception, Travel Zone has only had one owner, and it’s definitely not Ahmed Talaat,” said Delene.

To page 16

2 n Wednesday September 24 2014 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

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“Seriously the most enthusiastic waiter ever.”

11th-hour postponement!

to all prospective travellers accompanying children around the world.

According to Malusi, other regulations published as part of the Act would remain in effect. This includes the requirement that people apply for visas in person to enable the capturing of biometrics. He emphasised that this requirement was not unique to SA and was required from visitors to other countries. “Most elements of the regulations are working well.

“Since the announcement of the new regulations, we have consistently maintained that we welcome constructive engagement from stakeholders on the implementation of these regulations. We thank those stakeholders who have engaged us actively and constructively.” Malusi added that the information provided by stakeholders assisted the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to service nationals, visitors and various stakeholders more efficiently.

He said different stakeholders had drawn the department’s attention to challenges around the

requirements for child travellers. “Stakeholders have alerted us to two main challenges. Firstly, of ensuring accurate and timely communication to missions abroad, travel operators and prospective travellers around the world about the new requirements.”

He said the second challenge identified was that parents and people authorised to travel with children needed time to obtain the required documentation.

He added, furthermore, that subsequent to the meeting between the DHA and the Department of Tourism, as well as Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom, the department had met with various stakeholders and had announced the formation of a joint task team, which would enable ongoing engagement. “We are enormously pleased with the establishment of this task team and trust that its industry representatives will bring invaluable perspectives and information on the tourism and travel sector and help us improve communication with their clients and the sector as a whole.”

Malusi’s announcement follows a meeting with industry associations, including Iata, Asata and the TBCSA.

Industry associations – including SATSA, Barsa, Asata and Iata – have spent the past two months actively lobbying for a postponement of the new regulations to allow time for them to be effectively communicated and systematically implemented. The postponement has been welcomed by industry associations.

“We are grateful to have had the opportunity to address our concerns with Minister Gigaba regarding the impact of these new immigration regulations and pleased that these concerns have been heard and reacted to in this way,” said Asata ceo, Otto de Vries. “We look forward to engaging with the department over the next few months to find a suitable solution for all parties involved, including the appointment of a joint government industry task team that will work to fully understand the objectives, identify international best practice and how these should be implemented effectively for SA.”

From page 1

India looks at visa format for South Africans

Incredible East!

Wendy Wu Tours is offering Vietnam and Cambodia Private Tours from R18 320 per adult twin sharing for seven days. Packages include four-star accommodation, private touring, internal economy flights, rail as per the itinerary, private transfers, buffet breakfast, lunches and dinners as set out in the itinerary, overnight at Halong Bay and boat trips as per the itinerary. The offer is valid for travel until May 15. (From left) Wendy Wu’s Alet Steyn (business development manager) and Thuli Khumalo (tour consultant) enjoy the beautiful Eastern scenery. Photo: Shannon Van Zyl.

Michelle colMan

THE Acting High Commissioner for India in South Africa, T Armstrong

Changsan, said India was ready to introduce biometric visas for South African visitors but was stalling and adopting a wait-and-see approach as it weighed up the possibility of harming inbound tourism.

For the moment, it will hold back unless it receives strict instructions from Delhi.

He said visa process in South Africa would be simpler than the South African experience in India as South Africa was far smaller and already had three Indian consular services, in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town.

He added that there was a

possibility of visas on arrival for South Africans.

Referring to the needs of Indian visitors to SA, he said the South African government could ease the biometric application process if it added visa processing centres in Kolkata and Chennai. Currently South Africa operates consulates only in Delhi and Mumbai.

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NEWS

Advertise in TNW – call Kate 011 214 7334 [email protected]

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E-Tourism summit urges industry, ‘rethink travel’Chana BouCher

TO STAY relevant, travel companies must embrace digital technology and

rethink the way they do business. This was the message at the recent E-Tourism Africa Summit.

Opening the two-day event, Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom, said technology allowed tourists to interact with the destination they were visiting as well as each other. For the travel trade, he said it was a cost-effective route to market their business, adding that the industry should create enabling environments to allow tech-savvy travellers to share their experiences.

Damian Cook, ceo of E-Tourism Frontiers and creator of the E-Tourism Africa Summit, said travel had become a user-controlled environment. Up to 95% of travellers said they used the Internet to research their trip, however, he said web use had dropped by 70% as more people were using social media.

He said images were having less impact than they used to because of the volume of content available. Traditional, generic travel pics were no longer as effective as those conveying an experience to the audience. He said video was hard to ignore and that travel-specific searches on YouTube had doubled in the past year.

Social media was a major talking point at the summit and Damian said travel was the most popular shared experience. The line-up of speakers included representatives from Facebook, Twitter and Google who encouraged the industry to market themselves on their platforms with good content and interaction.

Billy Lousteau, client solutions manager sub-Saharan Africa for Facebook, said in SA mobile presented a huge opportunity and this was where most people accessed the Internet.

Brett St Clair, Google for Work country manager South Africa, said: “The world

seems to have been taken over by children with devices. We are forced to change but we still travel the same way.” However, he added that to be discovered online, travel businesses needed to immerse themselves in digital technology. He said that Google loved social media as it was often rich content that focused on experiences. Brett added that companies shouldn’t worry about the burden of technology by introducing and running expensive admin systems. Instead they should worry about their customers and how to inspire them.

Sonal Patel, Twitter exchange manager, said four in every ten Twitter users followed travel brands. She said every second someone tweeted about a hotel, while every two seconds there was a tweet about a flight. She gave five tips for using the platform effectively: know your audience; build a wider audience; tweet regularly; engage your followers and track your success.

No price war with FlySafair launchMiChelle ColMan

THE launch of FlySafair in a month’s time may result in a few weeks of competitive pricing but is unlikely to result in a long-term drop.

Mango’s head of communications, Hein Kaiser, said the introduction of competitive domestic airlines was always positive for consumers but “one cannot assume that the launch pricing of any airline would be maintained

throughout”. He said while Mango would still offer a ticket sale on Tuesdays, “we are confident our product offering, distribution and payment methods (on an Edgars account, for example) will stand the airline in good stead” once FlySafair took to the skies.

Hein said in recent years, aviation and GDP growth had de-coupled, with negative growth in passenger numbers. Additional capacity could negatively impact

the equilibrium between supply and demand, and thereby the aviation sector commercially.

CEO of Comair – which operates kulula.com – Erik Venter, was quoted in Business Day saying that, other than ensuring some competitive rates for a few weeks, FlySafair’s launch would not lead to significant changes in the airline’s ticket prices, as profits were too low to sustain lower fares.

QUICK READ FOR bUSIESt pEOplE Wednesday September 24 2014 n 5

NEWS

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Set to sail in 2015! Cruises International and Royal Caribbean Cruises hosted members of the travel industry at a 2015 brochure launch on September 9. Held at the Inanda Club in Johannesburg, it showcased RCI’s new ship, Quantum of the Seas. (From left) George Argyropoulos, md of Cruises International; Helen Beck, regional director of Royal Caribbean Cruises; and Doug Cairns, marketing director of Cruises International, show off their new offering for 2015. Photo: Shannon Van Zyl.

Kenya – security, Ebola scare off tourists

KENYA’S tourism industry has seen a decline in international arrivals compared with last year,

according to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).

Calvin Cottar, owner of Cottar’s 1920 Safaris Camp, says they have experienced a drop in occupancy as a result of travel advisories following tourist assaults, and more recently, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

According to KNBS, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport had a 12% decline in foreign arrivals in the six months to June, down to 358 977 compared with 409 130 in the same period last year.

Devan Jobanputra from Travel in Style, said inbound business had reduced significantly as a result of the security incidents earlier in the year. “Also, the cost of a safari/beach holiday has gone up due to the introduction of VAT last year.

“Foreign tour operators in the UK and US have removed Kenya from their brochures and product offering. We’re hoping that the general security situation improves and we’re able to market the destination better. We’re also hoping that we get a waiver on

VAT sooner rather than later.”Juan Nel from Africa Stay, said

there had been a slight decrease in interest from the South African market, probably because of the recent ‘visa scare’ and fluctuating exchange rates.

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) confirmed that the postponement of implementing visa requirements had been extended until further notice.

Calvin said prospective clients from the US, UK and Europe didn’t understand that terrorism was not exclusive to Kenya and that Europe was closer to Ebola-affected countries in West Africa.

Last month, tour operator Roy Davies, of UK-based World Discovery told TNW that demand for travel to Kenya had dropped considerably because of the negative media coverage and a warning from the FCO. He said tour operators in the UK had stopped selling the Kenyan coast because they weren’t prepared to take any risks.

The Kenya government is to make an announcement at the end of the month concerning the decrease in arrivals.

Peermont’s Limpopo hotel on track for 2015 opening PEERMONT’S Thaba Moshate Hotel Casino and Convention Resort in Burgersfort, Limpopo, is on track to open in 2015.

The resort will drive enterprise development, job creation and local development within the Greater Tubatse Municipality, while investing over R320m in Limpopo province.

The 6 295 sqm entertainment complex will comprise an 82-key three-star Peermont Metcourt hotel with a swimming pool and gym and a small

conference centre with main venue, breakaway room and tent platform. The 160-seat restaurant and bar will serve as a live entertainment venue. The casino will house 150 slots and eight tables, with a Salon Privé, deli, bar and promotions area. Additional facilities include a children’s playroom, video arcade and a retail shop.

The resort is between the R37 from Burgersfort to Polokwane and the R555 to Steelport, where the main access road will lie.

6 n Wednesday September 24 2014 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERSTNW6403SD

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Is Uber a threat in SA?Dorine reinstein

UBER has met strong resistance in Europe and the US, with Germany

becoming the first country to ban the service completely this week. Taxi drivers around the world have protested against the app company, as they fear this new ride-sharing trend could shatter the taxi industry.

In South Africa, the transport industry is less worried, however. According to Hans Manke, international sales manager for Hertz, South Africa is regarded as one of the three least expensive car-rental destinations in the world. “So, for many individuals – corporate and leisure, local and international – car rental provides absolute freedom of movement to any location or destination and is both cost and time efficient.”

Melissa Storey, executive head: strategy, development & marketing at First Car Rental, agrees and says the effect on the travel industry has been minimal as people need a car to get around when travelling in South Africa. “Currently, Uber mostly affects the point A to B market i.e. transfers and the general high-end taxi market.”

Taxi owners in South Africa however, have felt the impact of this new service.

Alec Mthebu, spokesperson for the TaxiClub, a free online platform assisting commuters to find transfers and transportation, says Uber “is killing our business”. “Uber requires car owners to have latest model cars while they charge very low prices. On top of that, they still claim royalties, regardless of the industry rates standard.”

In Germany, resistance has been much stronger. The country banned Uber this week after a court in Frankfurt issued an injunction against the company. The judgment came after German taxi lobby, Taxi Deutschland Servicegesellschaft, challenged Uber for non-compliance with existing transport regulations and unfair competition practices.

According to the judgment, Uber is not a legitimate service as the remuneration is not set in advance. The judgment further pointed to Uber’s lack of the correct permits and insurance. “The Passenger Transport Act regulates the protection of drivers and consumers. That can’t be easily overturned, no matter how neoliberal the company,” German taxi lobby chairman said in a statement.

Despite the ban and the threat of a €250 000 (R3,4m) fine per ride, Uber

has vowed to keep the app online and to keep operating in Germany. The company said in a statement: “You cannot put the brakes on progress. Germany is one of the fastest growing markets for Uber in Europe. Uber will continue its operations and will offer Uberpop ridesharing services via its app throughout Germany.”

The ban against Uber seems to have also worked in the company’s favour, as Uber saw demand increase by over 500% in Hamburg and Düsseldorf after the court had issued the injunction. Fabien Nestmann, Uber Germany spokesperson, said in a statement: “We've just seen one of the biggest single-day increases in sign-ups this year of Uber Germany, and this comes on top of five-fold growth since the start of the year. This kind of public support simply reinforces our commitment to Germany as we set to expand into more and more cities across the country.”

Earlier in August, Berlin banned the use of Uber on ‘safety grounds’ and London, Paris and Rome saw taxi drivers taking to the street to protest against Uber. The app is also being challenged by South Korean’s capital, Seoul.

Huge savings with the iVenture London CardEVAN Evans Tours introduced an exciting new value-adding product at Thompsons Holidays’ UK and Ireland workshops, the first the operator has held in 10 years. The iVenture London Card is a flexi pass that offers a selection of three, five, seven or 10 tickets, all valid for one month and all redeemable

at a number of venues, restaurants and shows.

For example, a three-ticket card for £69 (R1 237) could be used as follows: Madame Tussaud’s priority entrance, London Hop-on, Hop-off bus and an Evan Evans Shopping Express tour to Bicester Village. Total retail cost of the tours is £116

(R2 080) – a saving of £47 (R843).

Attractions to choose from include three-course lunches at restaurants including Planet Hollywood and tickets to a West End show. The SA market still accounts for 2% of tourism into the UK.

Look up Thompsons Holidays on Travelinfo.

Loyally waving the Union Jack at the recent Thompsons Holidays workshops are, from left, Akash Baijnath (Thompsons); Elaine Lumley (Evan Evans Tours); Adonis Farantouris (Angela Shanley Associates); Carol Maddison (VisitBritain) and Ashley Jones (Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum & Tour).


Thailanddiscovering new landscapes

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Lesley Simpson, South African Representative Office for Tourism Authority of Thailand • Tel: 011 463 8622 • Fax: 011 463 8196 Email: [email protected] • Twitter: @thailandsa • www.facebook.com/Amazingthailandinsouthafrica

South East AsiaSELL MORE ...

The Naked Agent

THIS month our mystery shopper contacted three travel agencies in East

London with a request for a holiday in Asia in early January. She had been to Malaysia before, enjoyed the sightseeing

and culture and would like to do something similar. She was not looking for a beach holiday. She would like to stop over in Bangkok for two nights and tour Vietnam for seven nights. The budget was R40 000.

WINNER

Melanie SizerHarvey World Travel, Devereux Avenue

This consultation ticked all the boxes and left me on tenterhooks waiting for quotes. Melanie Sizer got to know my needs in full and was brimming with advice, information, personality and passion. I learned so much, not just about Vietnam but also about Cambodia and the difference between a scheduled and a tailor-made tour. I agreed to opt for the scheduled tour to meet my budget. She brought to life the packages and tours, saying the Far East was her favourite destination and Asia was very close to

her heart. Her knowledge was outstanding. I was very excited to hear back from her, hoping that her sales pitch would be just as good as her consulting. I received a number of tour options from her over the following days but no phone calls. In each case I was provided with the quote but with very little selling of the holiday. However, these quotes exactly matched what I had asked for. I was encouraged to provide feedback and every email was answered promptly with a great sense of interest. Out of all of the

agents I consulted this time, Melanie hooked me the most because of her passion at the start of the conversation.

Sales tip of the monthAs an industry, we should be rightfully proud of the engaging agents we employ. However, is that enough to close a sale? Leisure travel is an impulsive purchase. It’s a want, a desire, not a necessity. A great sales person can create and generate the impulse

to book by making customers believe they absolutely must travel on the holiday they have been dreaming about. They can bring it to life, tell the customer how it ticks all their boxes and change the need to a ‘must have’. All it takes is a little more effort.

The purpose of the Naked Agent in this series of ‘Sell more…’ features is to assess the experience from only a sales skills perspective and not the effectiveness of the travel agency. TNW believes that sales skills are increasingly important to travel agents and, in many cases, improvement in selling skills is the easiest way to increase the prosperity of the agency and its consultants. The Naked Agent is designed to raise awareness of the opportunity and build awareness of the need.

Take note!

60%

Melanie Sizer


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Amalfi Coast8 day Self-guided Walking TourFrom R12,799 per person sharing

011 408 [email protected] www.exodus.co.uk

The Naked Agent

SELL MORE SOuth EaSt aSia

XL Aloe Travel, Frere Road

Sure Travel, Devereux Avenue

A lovely, friendly greeting from this agent made her approach very engaging. She advised me that Vietnam was becoming very popular. She asked about our travel dates and, as we were flexible to leave any time in January, she said she would look at the middle of the month, as the flights would be better. She offered to mail some tours to me but didn’t ask where we had been to before or what we wanted to see and do in Vietnam. I explained our

previous travels and asked for a Bangkok addition. Three options were received by email with a request for me to select one so that she could work out flights. It would have been nice to receive a call alongside the options. I nevertheless made a choice and advised her. The following day I received a flight quote and the agent advised that she had provisionally booked the tour to ensure I was guaranteed a place. This created a nice sense of urgency, together

with a deposit request, booking forms and visa information. However, the holiday wasn’t ‘sold’ to me and she didn’t phone me. I was left, unaided, to ensure it was the right tour for me. I told the agent that I was awaiting other quotes and would get back to her. The following day I received a further competitive quote but no real selling of the holiday. The itinerary was in the body of the email and I assume it was expected that this would do the selling on her behalf.

An extremely efficient-sounding agent greeted my request. She had some knowledge of the destination and when she wasn’t sure, she checked for me. She got to know my needs well and integrated into the conversation some tours that other customers had enjoyed. She also provided the temperatures for me when I asked if it was a good time to travel. When I mentioned Bangkok, she agreed that it

would be a good inclusion but said she would quote it separately so that I could decide if I wanted to include it or not. She explained about passports and visas and set the scene for what would happen next. I ended the call feeling that my holiday was in good hands. Next day the agent emailed, advising that she was awaiting quotes and the following day a quote arrived from her colleague with

a costing in the body of the email and a detailed itinerary attached. No reference was made to our original discussion and neither was a quote included for Bangkok as expected. I thanked the agent and told her that I was awaiting additional quotes and would revert to her.

52%

40%

Our selling-orientated criteria:10% Engage the customer by making an excellent first impression – be interested,

excited and enthusiastic.

20%Profile the customer, getting to know their needs in full, their likes, dislikes and prior travels. Use consultative sales techniques, not transactional questions only, and provide advice about the destination.

10% Hook the customer, preventing their further shopping around, by sounding like an expert.

10% Match the enquiry to the quote, providing two or three options, ideally within the same day of enquiry.

20% Sell the holiday ideas and bring them to life. Don’t just attach a quote. 5% Close the sale when you spot buying signals.15% Convert the sale by creating a sense of urgency and asking for the booking.

10% Persist if customers provide a reason why they can’t book – attempt to overcome objections.

100% TOTALAgents are scored up to the maximum of the weighted percentages above.

Fully inclusive from Wendy WuWENDY Wu Tours’ fully inclusive packages include return international economy-class airfares and airport taxes on Cathay Pacific, compulsory tipping, domestic flights, transportation by modern air-conditioned vehicles, accommodation, meals from day of arrival to departure, entrance fees, guides and daily tours, national tour guides for groups of 10 or more, local English-speaking guides, and visa fees.

Two special fully inclusive offers are the 11-day Vietnam Impressions package from R31 145pps and Around Cambodia, a 15-day trip from R29 660pps. The first highlights Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Saigon and the Mekong Delta. The second includes Phnom Penh, Kampot, Sihanoukville, Battambang, Beng Melea and Siem Reap. Prices are valid for travel until the end of November. Phnom Penh. Photo: Pixabay

Did

you

kno

w? On its current south-east Asia sailings, from December 2014

to April 2015, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is giving guests sailing in Concierge Suites and higher grades a three-night pre-cruise or post-cruise land programme. It is included in the cruise fare. Travellers flying Singapore Airlines or SilkAir and transiting

Changi Airport are entitled to SGD340 (R2 966) Changi Dollar Vouchers, to be used for shopping, dining or access to the transit lounge.

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Editor’s choice: 10 hidden gemsWith the increasing numbers of repeat travellers to Asia, we recently polled agents, asking for their best South East Asian secrets. Here are 10 of the most enticing.

1 Five kilometres northeast of Candidasa on the east coast of Bali is Pasir Putih. An isolated, beautiful,

white-sand beach fringed with coconut palms, it has green headlands at each end and a steep cliff behind. Claire Botha, Trendsetters Travel, Pretoria.

3 There is a beautiful private island close to Singapore called Nikoi Island. It is about two and a half hours by

ferry from Singapore. Availability is a problem as it is normally fully booked months in advance. They only accommodate about 50 guests at a time so it is quite exclusive.Riana Lourens, ICAN Holidays, Somerset West.

6 Luang Prabang in central Laos has waterfalls and caves, colonial houses and ancient temples. You can even ride

elephants. Don’t miss the hundreds of monks in bright robes walking through the streets every morning collecting alms. Jenny Jackwitch, Travel Rendezvous, Johannesburg.

9 Ko Lipe belongs to Thailand but is

close to Langkawi. You can book a ferry from Langkawi or a speedboat for the hour-long trip. It has amazing beaches, crystal-clear, calm waters, and is an excellent spot for snorkelling and diving. The three major beaches are Pattaya, Sunrise and Sunset.Charlene Muller, The Departure Lounge, Johannesburg.

10 Kawah Ijen volcano complex,

East Java. Turquoise-coloured acid streams out of one volcano. The nearby lake is known as the Blue Fire Crater. It is a two-hour hike to the rim then 45 minutes to the bank of the crater. Carly Scheepers, Pentravel, Clearwater.

8 If you like staying in bamboo huts on the beach while sipping from coconuts in your hammock, the Perhentian

Islands in Malaysia might be for you. The reefs offshore offer great snorkelling and even better diving. Monique Els, Harvey World Travel, Somerset West.

7 Mentawai Islands, near Padang, are famous for having some of the best waves in the world. One can book surf

charters or even a land camp. However, it is not cheap! Lorrin Jarvis, All Aboard Travel, Eastern Cape.

4 To call Phu Quoc in Vietnam picture perfect would be an understatement. The island's white sandy beaches

are encircled by a jungle, so you experience the very best of Mother Nature. Chantal Lopes, Harvey World Travel, Boksburg.

2 Whether you want to unwind or enjoy some adventure,

Palawan is the place. This Philippine island is known

as much for its diving and snorkelling as for its relaxing

atmosphere. Get your eco-tourism fix at the Puerto Princesa

Subterranean River National Park, home to one of the world's

longest underground rivers.

Steve Cooke, Topdeck Travel, Johannesburg.

5 Many tour operators offer cycling trips throughout the Mekong Delta. Even if you aren’t an experienced cyclist, the tour companies set a pace everyone can follow. If you are experienced, you can set your own pace.Didintle Modingoane, Sure Glenwood Travel, Pretoria.

Thailand

Indonesia

East Timor

Singapore

Philippines

Malaysia

Vietnam

Laos

Cambodia

Brunei

Myanmar


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Reference GuideTour operators

Destination information

Airlines

Cruise lines

Travel Vision: Has an extensive product

range including more than 100 000 hotels around the world, many based in south-east Asia.

Offers adventure tour options throughout south-east Asia, ranging from cultural discovery trips to active walking and cycling tours. Can also assist with cruise options in Asia.

Offers competitively priced, wide choice of products in popular destinations as well as Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos.

Wendy Wu Tours: Itineraries are fully

inclusive, so all expenses (airfares and departure taxes, transportation, accommodation, meals, entrance fees, daily tours, tipping and visa fees for SA passport holders) are included in the initial tour cost.

All tours are graded to assist clients to decide which itinerary best suits their ability and taste. There are comfortably paced, medium-paced and actively-paced tours. The

most successful group itineraries have been redesigned as deluxe holidays and cruising packages.

Can provide agents with detailed information on itineraries and advice on itinerary choice, or even design an experience to suit specific needs.

Has local city guides on all tours. A national, English-speaking guide will accompany the group throughout, including the destinations where language could be a barrier.

Tourism Authority of Thailand: ([email protected])Offers information on the diversity and variety in

culture, environment and nature and Bangkok. It is an ‘easy’ destination to explore and get around in and people are warm and welcoming. Its affordability

makes it a great holiday destination for South Africans, whether young adventurers, families, honeymoon couples or special-interest visitors.

Air Mauritius: Offers excellent fares

to destinations beyond Mauritius, with a stopover on the island to break travel time. Uses an A330 or

A340 on its long-haul routes, where business class features a flat-bed seat.

Singapore Airlines: Offers daily services

from Johannesburg to Singapore and four times weekly from Cape Town (via Johannesburg). Regional arm, SilkAir,

serves the south-east Asia region extensively, with regular services to more than 30

destinations. Most recently added are Mandalay in Myanmar and Kalibo in the Philippines. Offers value-for-money

stopover packages in Singapore starting from R530pppn in a twin room, with value-adds worth more than R2 500.

Cruises International: Cruises International has

an extensive collective of itineraries ranging from Beijing, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Hanoi to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia or Surabaya in Indonesia. There are also countless cruise experiences on offer, including contemporary family cruising, six-star all-inclusive luxury cruising, small-ship yachting or river cruising.

Almost all the cruise lines in Cruises International’s portfolio offer an array of shore excursions, longer stays/overnights in ports as well as complimentary and exclusive events to give guests the true essence of a destination.

Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship, Quantum of the Seas, will make its home port in

Shanghai, China. On board, guests can try simulated skydiving, ride bumper cars and attend circus school.

Encore Cruises: Regent Seven Seas

Cruises offers fleet-wide complimentary WiFi (up to 500 minutes or the equivalent data amount, depending on the length of voyage) for Concierge Suites and higher accommodation grades. A luxury hotel package is included in Concierge Suites and higher.

Regent’s prices include selected short excursions, a wide range of hard and soft beverages; in-suite mini-bar replenished daily; up to four gourmet restaurants; complimentary 24-hour room service and staff gratuities.

The award-winning ships

are the perfect size for exploring some of the world’s most legendary cities and boutique ports as they can sail in and out without restriction.

Amadeus by Lüftner Cruises (Austria Connection): Cruising the Irrawaddy or

Mekong provides a great way to experience the destination, especially when combined with the pre- and post-cruise programmes on offer.

The Irrawaddy Explorer is an elegant boutique ship with 28 spacious outside cabins that offer views of the Irrawaddy River.

The Mekong Navigator comprises 34 cabins featuring two twin-size beds that can be converted to one queen-size on request.

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Vietnam • Cambodia • Laos • myanmar

Experience Indochinadiscover the wonderful countries of indochina with Wendy Wu tour’s extensive range of fully inclusive group tours or independent departures.

Contact details:Tel: 011 394 1660Email: [email protected]


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Air Mauritius stopover packagesAIR Mauritius now offers value-added stopover packages for customers to enjoy more of the island at good rates. The Stopover Mauritius Plus packages are for passengers who hold a single ticket; hold tickets to destinations beyond Mauritius issued in the country of commencement; or when one portion of the passenger’s itinerary requires an STPC at Air Mauritius’s expense for a minimum of one night.

Passengers are given the option of the normal stopover at the time of

booking and thereafter at the time of ticketing passengers to confirm their choice of: Stopover 1 – Air Mauritius pays one

night and passenger(s) pays one night;

Stopover 2 – Air Mauritius pays one night and passenger(s) pays two nights;

Stopover 3 (selected number of hotels) – Air Mauritius pays one night, passenger(s) pays one night and the third night is free of charge.

Special offers from Travel VisionTRAVEL Vision is running a number of specials for the south-east Asia region, including Thailand and Bali, valid until October 31.

The Thailand All-Inclusive Offer is priced from R24 045pps. It includes return airfare from Johannesburg; approximate airport taxes; an eight-night stay in a deluxe pool access room or premium beachfront room; breakfast, lunch and dinner; unlimited drinks with meals between 11h00 and 23h00; private return airport

transfers and flowers or fruit basket in the room.

The Bali at its Best package is priced from R16 765pps. It includes return airfare from Johannesburg or Cape Town on Singapore Airlines; airport taxes; five nights’ accommodation at the five-star Nusa Dua Beach Resort and Spa; daily breakfast and return airport transfers. Travellers also receive a one-hour Balinese massage and one themed dinner.

Thailand’s opens first luxury tented campTHAILAND’S first luxury tented camp, Elephant Hills, is situated in Khao Sok National Park, the largest area of rainforest in southern Thailand.

It is easily accessible from Phuket or Krabi and travellers are picked up from their hotel in either destination. The Elephant Hills camp comprises luxury en-suite tents, a central area and the opportunity to interact with

(but not ride) Asian elephants. Guests can then move on to the

Rainforest Camp on the Cheow Larn Lake in the centre of Khao Sok National Park. With only 10 luxury safari tents floating on the water, it offers an incredible spot from which to explore or kayak on the waters, looking for families of gibbons and other monkey species.

Rainforest camp, Elephant Hills. Photo: Elephant Hills


It’s more about service than commission

Foreign exchange sales can present a lucrative opportunity for extra revenue. But is it worth the effort? asks Dorine Reinstein.

EVER-tightening commission structures and growing competition

from the online arena have left travel agencies seeking ways to earn more. Buying and selling foreign currency to travelling clients is an avenue of additional commission but all the more valuable as a service extra.

Jaco Brits, sales executive for Inter Africa Bureau De Change, says: “Obviously the travel agent gets commission, which means extra money for them at the end of the month.” But it’s not all about money, in his view.

He says on small orders the commission percentage is not that high – bigger transactions are more profitable. However, the value of offering forex solutions to the client should not be underestimated as a value-add. “The client can get all their travel needs at one place, tickets, accommodation vouchers,

insurance and their forex,” he says.

Lydia Norval, travel director for SA Reynolds Travel Centre, sees selling forex as advantageous from a service perspective, as the commission on forex is usually not more than 0,5%. Corporate clients, in particular, appreciate having their order delivered to their offices, doing away with queuing at the bank. Leisure clients usually collect their forex in the travel agency at the same time as their documentation.

Selling forex, however, can be tricky, and requires some expertise. Over the past few years, currencies have been on a rollercoaster ride with record-breaking highs and lows. The value of currencies goes up and down every day, making it hard to please customers with correct quotes. Jaco advises: “Forex changes the whole time, so don't give your client an exact quote

until you have the invoice.” Inter Africa recently launched an online system for travel agents, enabling them to order forex online, with quotes remaining valid for three hours.

Although formal training is not a prerequisite for selling forex, travel agents need to be clued up on the different options. Jaco recommends inviting a representative from a forex provider to come into agencies to familiarise travel agents with the products and the procedures. He says customers rely on travel agents to advise on the best products for different countries. He advises agents to know their products well and phone their forex providers if in doubt.

Lydia concurs that training on forex procedures will go a long way to help the travel agent offer this service. Travel agents need to know about currency cards and the procedures for taking cash in order to give the

client the best guidance. Points that need to be made to clients, for example, include that using a credit card to purchase currency attracts interest rates if the funds are not in that account; and that when selling currency back, the rate used will be different to that when the forex was bought.

Agencies also need to make sure they have the right documentation. Jaco says FICA rules dictate that agents must obtain the client’s e-ticket, the copy of passport and proof of address.

Safety can represent an issue when dealing with large amounts of forex. Jaco says: “If the travel agency wants the client’s money delivered to their offices and not to the client directly, they need to be very careful about who knows that they will be receiving forex. It’s always a safety risk when there is hard cash involved.”

Go shopping in NY with American ExpressAMERICAN Express has launched Madison Avenue Preferred, a service that will provide American Express GlobalTravel Card members access to exclusive offers in one of New York City's most renowned shopping districts.

Available to all

GlobalTravel Card customers in South Africa, Madison Avenue Preferred will offer card members access to valuable offers and special privileges at more than 40 boutiques, hotels and spas on Madison Avenue on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

Did you know?

Bitcoins are gaining ground in the travel worldTHE digital Bitcoin currency is steadily gaining ground in the travel industry worldwide, with an increasing number of travel agencies and airlines accepting the digital currency as payment.

The use of Bitcoins enables transactions without the need for a central bank or authority. The currency’s value

depends on people’s confidence; at the time of going to print, one Bitcoin was worth R5 044. From a user perspective, Bitcoins are pretty much like cash for the Internet.

Expedia has begun accepting Bitcoins for hotel reservations, becoming the first major travel company to accept payments in cryptocurrency. “Bitcoin is

a great example of how Expedia is investing early in an array of payment options to give our customers and partners more choice in the ways they interact with us,” the company said in a press release announcing the move.

Latvian airline airBaltic and Lithuanian airline Air Lituanica also now accept Bitcoin payments.

“Corporate clients, in particular, appreciate

having their order delivered to their

offices, doing away with queuing at the bank.

Leisure clients usually collect it in the agency.”

Lydia Norval

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NEWS


AmaWaterways adds Myanmar to portfolioAMAWATERWAYS has introduced a Myanmar river cruise itinerary to its portfolio this year. The new itinerary is part of the AmaVoyages Collection, which features itineraries that give clients extraordinary experiences in more remote and undiscovered destinations. The Golden Treasures of Myanmar is a 14-day cruise, while the Hidden Treasures of Myanmar is 16 days. The itineraries include life-enriching tours and shore excursions; fine dining with all meals; a welcome and farewell dinner; complimentary house wine, local beer and soft drinks meals on board and entertainment such as cultural shows, puppet shows and lectures on Burmese culture.

MSC ships get total revamp MSC Cruises, through its Renaissance programme, will renew and enlarge four of its 12-ship fleet, including the South African-based MSC Sinfonia, which is expected to cost around €2m (R284m). All facilities aboard MSC Sinfonia will undergo renovations and an extra 24 metres will be added to increase capacity and amenities. The ship will return to South Africa for the 2015/16 season and will also boast more on-board entertainment. On August 31, MSC Armonia entered the Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo, Sicily, where it will remain until resuming service on November 17 with an inaugural Mediterranean cruise from Genoa to the Canary Islands. In addition to new cabins, MSC Armonia will have new areas for the baby club, a new young club for kids, as well as a teens’ club. The ship will also feature a new lounge area, an extended restaurant, a library and the MSC Aurea Spa.

DreamBoatsSend your cruising news to [email protected] expands investment

in Mozambique

MINOR International (MINT) has acquired a 49% stake in

Rani Minor Holding, which owns a hotel and mixed-use development project in Maputo, Mozambique.

The project comprises a 154-room Radisson Blu Hotel, which is currently operational, a 187-room residential tower and 21-storey office tower, both of which are under construction.

The project is located five minutes from the Maputo CBD, facing the Maputo Bay.

The project is the

fifth property of MINT in collaboration with Rani Investment LLC in Mozambique, since the announcement of the 25% investment in Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort and Spa, and another three properties that will be rebranded into AVANI Pemba Beach Hotel and Spa, Anantara Medjumbe and Anantara Matemo Island.

William Heinecke, chairman and group ceo of MINT, said: “This strategic partnership with Rani Investment completes our expansion

in Mozambique. With our presence in Maputo, we now have investments from the north all the way to the south of Mozambique. The investment reiterates our confidence in the growth prospects of Africa, and the confidence in our partner, Rani Investment.”

MINT recently entered a partnership with Sun International that will see the group take stakes in eight of Sun International’s hotels in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland and Zambia, at a cost of US$63,9 (R699m).

SAA increases capacity to MumbaiSAA has introduced a bigger aircraft on the Johannesburg-Mumbai route.

A 253-seat A340-300 replaces the existing A330-

200, adding 31 seats. SAA flies daily, except

Tuesdays, to Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. SA284 departs JNB at

11h25 and arrives in Mumbai at 00h05. The return flight, SA285, departs Mumbai at 01h35 and arrives in JNB at 06h55.

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JOBSCOMMUNITYNEWSBirths, deaths, marriages, promotions – we want to know! Please fax or e-mail TNW’s Debbie Badham, at [email protected] or (011) 327 4094.


Appointment Death

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E mail: [email protected] | [email protected] | [email protected] Web: www.pcs-sa.co.za

NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER – JHB AreasMust have worked with tenders.Exp. in cold calling.Exp. in travel industry. Salary: Based on exp. Jean

SENIOR TRAVEL CONSULTANT – JHB NorthAbility to work shifts.Amadeus.Corporate Consulting essential. Salary: Based on exp. Jean

INTERMEDIATE CONSULTANT – Pretoria EastAmadeus, BSP Accredited.Corporate travel.Salary: R10 000 - R13 000 p/m. Nono

INTERMEDIATE CONSULTANT – GreenstoneGalileo/Quicktrav.Leisure travel.Salary: R10 000 + com. Nono INTERMEDIATE CONSULTANT – PTA NorthCorporate & Leisure. Amadeus.Salary: R8 000 - R12 000 p/m neg. Candice

KZN TRAVEL MANAGER (BEE) – Durban & PretoriaGovernment.Galileo/Quicktrav. Salary: Based on exp. Candice

Top jobs in Cape Town this week:TEAM LEADER WITH A DIFF! Manage dynamic in-house team for national corporate giant! Amadeus & Galileo ess! Sal R 25 000 + benefits

SOUTHERN AFRICA DEST EXPERT Noordhoek. Oceanic views; growing luxury brand! Work directly with intl clientele! Sal R 10 000 + com

SNR CORPORATE CONS International fare whizz will excel in this role for reputable TMC. Galileo ess! Sal R 18 000

PRODUCT MANAGER Relationship builder with flair for pkgng the “perfect” getaway into S. Africa. Knowl of contracting & rates ess! Sal R 20 000

Call Malika / Phillip: 021 418 1084 [email protected]

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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

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Wholesale Cons – Gauteng NorthLee Botti & AssociatesFar East & Middle East fundi? Top tour operator seeks Amadeus expertise & outbound knowledge! 3 years’ exp. Salary R15 000. Email: [email protected]

Online Technology Sales Executive – SandtonInfusion ConsultingSign up corporate clients on online technology platform. Understand & sell online technology. 2 years exp. MS Office/understand financials. Salary neg. Email: [email protected]

VIP Consultant – Sandton Equity Connections ccClient relationship management role to suit highly experienced senior leisure consultant looking for growth. Leadership experience plus Amadeus/Galileo essential. Email: [email protected]

Marketing Assistant – TygervalleyClub TravelAre you an articulate, dynamic and ambitious individual who is passionate about travel? We seeking someone with these exceptional qualities to join our marketing team! Email: [email protected]

Intermediate Corporate Consultant – Randburg – GautengWendy’s Travel PersonnelGalileo and regional experience essential to handle high volume corporate account for highly successful travelagency! Email: [email protected]

Intermediate Cons – Dbn NthLee Botti & AssociatesCompetently handle all aspects of domestic, regional & international travel. Galileo/Amadeus. 5+ years exp. Email: [email protected]

Senior Leisure Consultant – SandtonInfusion ConsultingGeographical genius. Online check in and boarding pass, restaurant reservations, recommendations on tourist attractions. 7 years’ exp. and sales. GDS Amadeus/Galileo. Salary R18K CTC. Email: [email protected]

New Business Development Executive – Gauteng North Equity Connections ccTarget potential new clients, handle proposals, presentation for travel programme. Must be on-line ‘techno savvy’ with sales experience. Email: [email protected]

Corporate Ticketing – TygervalleyClub TravelProfessional individual required to handle corporate account with excellent written and verbal communicationskills to deliver tickets timeously in the corporate environment. Amadeus essential. Email: [email protected]

Maximise your power!Our quick guide to airline info gives you access to: • A-Z guide to eTickets• Commissions• Online pre-seating & check-in

requirements• Change fee collections• Credit card authorisations and

much more...

Log on to www.travelinfo.co.za and click on TI Plus for more info. To subscribe to this service, contact Loulla Georgiades Lote on 011 214 7317 or email [email protected].

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Job Specification

Minimum Requirements

The successful candidate will lead Qatar Airways’ sales team in South Africa to achieve and exceed the company’s revenue targets. They will possess strong and proven skills of planning, analysis, negotiation, problem solving and a high degree of commercial acumen, and will thrive on working and delivering under pressure.

•10yearsofrelevantexperience,preferablyintheairline/travelindustry. •Experience/knowledgeoftheSouthernAfricantravelindustry. •Bachelor’sdegreepreferablyinSales&MarketingManagement. •Verystrongwritten&verbalcommunicationskills.

Should you meet the abovementioned criteria, please submit a 2 page resume to [email protected]

Availability of the position: Immediately

Application end date:1October2014

If you have not had a response to yourapplicationwithin14daysplease consider your application to be unsuccessful.

Qatar Airways is looking for a

to join its team in JohannesburgSales Manager

GABOR Von Moricz, 69, who was born in 1945 in Budapest, died on September 12, 2014, after fighting cancer for three years.

Gabor arrived in South Africa in 1965 and fast became a well-known and loved member of the travel and tourism industry. He held positions at Alitalia and Miller Weedon Travel in Johannesburg before founding the company Von Moricz Bon Voyage Travel in 1984. Gabor was also the founder and chairman of the German Speaking Travel Alliance (GSTA) in South Africa and served as a secretary at Asata.

He leaves his wife, Lisa, and two daughters, Jessica and Michelle.

TNW editor, Natasha Tippel, married Justin Schmidt on September 6 at Olives and Plates at the University of the Witwatersrand. TNW wishes the happy couple everything of the best!

Conrad Pezula Resort and Spa has appointed executive chef, Desmond Morgan. Desmond has more than 20 years of experience across several luxury hotels where he held various culinary positions.

Wedding


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]

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Service comes first!During a recent webinar, ‘Preparing your travel business to meet traveller trends in 2020’, organised by Tnooz, Mary Pat Sullivan, research analyst at PhoCusWright, said travel agents in the US had shifted their focus from commission to customer service.

Would you sell a non-preferred supplier’s product if your client demanded it?

Yes 93%

No 7%

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More tour debacle victims surface

She added that Travel Zone had dealt with ATL Tours in the past and, like many other tour operators, Travel Zone had also allegedly been defrauded by Ahmed. She said Ahmed made a large number of bookings for ATL Tours through Travel Zone for which he never paid. By the time it became clear he would never pay, it was too late and Travel Zone was liable for the airline and hotel bookings, leaving it out of pocket.

To date, Ahmed remains behind bars. Since his arrest in January this year, he was repeatedly denied bail. Although Ahmed’s attorney at

the time, Nadeem Mahomed, informed the court that arrangements had been made to transfer monies from Egypt to South Africa to reimburse clients, no money had surfaced as yet.

According to Detective Inspector Morton, since his incarceration, Ahmed has contacted some of the complainants, requesting them to visit him in jail. As a suspect in this matter he is not allowed, by law, to make contact with any of the complainants in the case. Andre warns: “If you do cut some sort of deal with him to withdraw your case and he fails to deliver, you will not be

able to reopen your case.”Ahmed appeared on several

occasions before the court with no lawyer to defend him, forcing the magistrate to postpone the case. According to Andre, this is likely due to non-payment. Ahmed was formally warned on August 12 that, if he appeared again without an attorney, the trial would no longer be delayed and he would either need to defend himself or take up legal aid.

In August, Ahmed brought a lawyer, but the case was postponed again for administrative reasons. His next hearing will take place on October 7.

From page 1

#MyDubai!

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing Southern Africa (DTCM SA) will host its annual road show from October 20-24. The show, which will provide the travel trade with helpful product information and networking opportunities, will take place in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and, for the first time, Harare. Henna painting and Arabic food will be on offer to set the scene, as will some exciting prize giveaways. (From left) Dubai Tourism’s Tyashnee Gounden (account executive) and Bailey Gorst (account manager) showcase the best of Dubai. Photo: Shannon Van Zyl.

BA hit with ‘price fixing’ fineChana BouCher

BRITISH Airways has been fined R21,7m by the South African

Competition Tribunal on charges of colluding with Virgin Atlantic to ‘fix’ the fuel surcharge on flights between South Africa and the UK.

According to a consent order, in 2008 the Competition Commission initiated an investigation into the airlines and found that between August 2004 and January 2006, BA and Virgin Atlantic “participated in an agreement and/or concerted practice by which they co-ordinated their pricing in relation to their respective fuel surcharge rates to passengers travelling on the United Kingdom to South Africa routes and vice versa, through the exchange of pricing and other commercially sensitive information” in contravention of the Competition Act.

In 2012 the Commission

referred the matter to the Competition Tribunal for adjudication, which saw the airline enter into settlement negotiation with the Commission. BA admitted to colluding with Virgin Atlantic to fix the fuel surcharges on the flights during the period. It also agreed to refrain from participating in this type of conduct in future and initiated a compliance programme designed to ensure that the relevant employees and directors were informed of and complied with their obligations under competition law and the provisions of the Competition Act.

These terms were over and above the R21 765 297 “administrative penalty” the airline agreed to pay. According to the consent order, this amount does not exceed 10% of BA’s annual turnover into or from SA in its 2011 financial year.

Spokesperson for BA, Stephen Forbes, told TNW:

“We are pleased that this matter, which concerned unauthorised unlawful conduct taking place more than eight years ago, is settled.”

Virgin Atlantic’s press office said it was aware of the hearing between BA and the South African authorities but suggested any further questions surrounding Virgin’s involvement be directed to the Commission.

Nazeera Mia, an associate in competition practice at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, BA reached a similar settlement agreement with the Commission in 2012. The complaint then was linked to British Airways World Cargo for exchanging commercially sensitive information with other air cargo carriers. “The exchange of information resulted in fixing the fuel surcharges in the international market for air freight and/or cargo services. This conduct attracted an administrative penalty of £871 116.50 (R15,5m),” she said.

Qatar Airways will launch direct flights to Phuket from October 26. The new non-stop service is expected to facilitate shorter travel times for the growing number of tourists to Phuket. Flights will depart Doha at 07h00 and arrive in Phuket at 17h40, daily. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays, the return flight will depart Phuket at 19h30 and arrive in Doha at 22h50. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the return flight will depart Phuket at 19h05 and arrive in Doha at 22h25.

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