October 11 2017 I No. 2466 SOUTHERN AFRICA’S TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLY

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NEWS NEWS FEATURE SENIOR CONSULTANTS LOYALTY PROGRAMMES CPT agencies struggle to replace staff Moz domestic flights on the cards LCCs are coming to the party

INSIDE Page 2 Page 4 Page 6 Agents fear festive mayhem on PLZ, ELS routes

Candice May be at its worst on December financial crisis. connections as a result of adding that initially the fares 16 as well as a few days “We are battling with cancellations. He suggests may be higher due to the HE trade is growing before and after Christmas domestic flights connecting that SAA should increase its festive season. Linden Birns, concerned about and New Year, the most international travellers to Port staff contingent in the call md of Plane Talking, agrees: Tundersupply and over- popular days for festive Elizabeth as lots of flights centres. “It’s been the most “Over the years, we have demand on the JNB-PLZ and season travel. As a result, have been cancelled,” says frustrating part, trying to get seen withdraw from JNB-ELS routes over the she expects other airlines Rachael. She says she has hold of an agent in the call domestic routes and the festive season following SAA’s that operate these routes will a few clients who are due to centre and holding on the market entirely. We have even announcement that it will charge higher fares. leave in the next week but phone for hours, literally to get seen some airlines temporarily reduce the number of flights Rachael Penaluna, business the return flight has been one ticket fixed. Remember, grounded during peak holiday from four to two a day on the manager of Sure Maritime cancelled. our time equals money.” seasons. Each time, other PLZ route and from three to Travel, says the PLZ hub is David van den Heever- In response to the trade’s airlines have stepped in to two a day to ELS, effective currently stranded, as most Liebenberg, travel director of concern, June Crawford, take advantage with their own October 29. of its schedules are operated Marmalade Toast Bespoke ceo of Barsa, says she is capacity and frequencies.” Debbie Joubert, md of by SAA and SA Express – Travel and Destination confident that other domestic FlySafair has already taken Sure Travel 24-7, says the another the trade is Management, has also carriers will step into the advantage by upping flights on undersupply will undoubtedly concerned about due to its experienced problems with breach if the market demands, To page 2

Fastjet gains SA foothold

Tessa Reed established presence in SA, while fastjet has a presence LOW-COST carrier fastjet’s in multiple geographical brand licensing agreement locations, distribution and with Federal Airlines has an interline agreement with given it a foothold in South Emirates. Africa, giving it access to a Nico did not go into details local network and the ability about any future flights, but to launch domestic flights comments: “Federal Airlines in , with the will be looking to expand possibility of further enhancing into additional routes in its regional network too. It is South Africa and regionally, a development expected to using the fastjet brand.” disrupt the aviation landscape He adds that new routes in South Africa. will be accessed on a case- The agreement includes an by-case basis, taking into 10 years to the Mother City! option to purchase, which account the, financial viability, fastjet has not exercised. competition landscape as well Celebrating Turkish Airlines’ 10th anniversary of servicing at a dinner in Nico Bezuidenhout, ceo, as passenger volumes on the the Mother City on September 27 are (from left): gm Cape Town, Kenan Ince; Turkey’s says the agreement brings route. Ambassador in SA, Elif Çomoglu Ülgen; and Deon Cloete, Acsa gm Cape Town opportunities to both parties: The deal will disrupt the International Airport. Photo: Hilka Birns Federal Airlines has an aviation landscape in existing network and an To page 2

TNW8383SD NEWS Staff shortages drive up Cape Town salaries

Sarah Robertson consultants became the growth in the ITC market apparent toward the end and confirms that all four of ECRUITMENT of 2016. “Companies are the Travelways offices have companies report a waiting four to five months been struggling to fill posts Rshortage of senior while they try to replace for the last three years. consultants in the Western staff. While a year ago an Sam van Gool, gm of Cape that has resulted in average salary for a top Peopleworks, the FCTG sharp increases in salary consultant was around HR division, says FCTG’s

TNW6154SD offerings, which are now on R20 000 plus commission Cape Town and surrounding a par with this figure has jumped up offices have been struggling remuneration packages. to over R25 000 this year. to fill vacancies this year. Rubes® By Leigh Rubin Canvassed Western Cape We recently placed a senior Sam says the shortage is agents report that it is taking consultant at a salary of particularly apparent for them months to replace R32 000, an unheard of seniors. Likewise, Brian consultants, putting severe figure!” Singer director of the Singer pressure on understaffed There is a definite shortage Group and of XL Travel, says reservations teams in this of qualified consultants there is an oversupply of region. in the Cape at junior, junior consultants at the Lee van Dyk, HR executive intermediate and senior bottom end of the market for Quantex HR Specialist level, says Cindy Dyamond, and an undersupply of Consultancy, says the gm of Sure Travelways. Cindy seniors at the top end of the shortage of Cape Town attributes the shortage to market.  Agents fear festive mayhem From page 1 Kirby Gordon, vice president feasible to announce them. its JNB-ELS route from five to of sales and marketing of When asked for the seven flights a week and on FlySafair, says the airline will reasoning behind reducing its JNB-PLZ route from six to likely add more flights to both flights right ahead of eight flights per week. Flights routes as it sees demand the festive season, SAA on the JNB-ELS route will spike. spokesperson, Tlali Tlali, said further increase to 14 flights Susan Van Der Ryst, the airline was not oblivious from December 14. With corporate communications to the spike in demand that these additional flights, the manager of , says plans might arise over the festive number of seats will rise from to increase flights on any season. “We have options that an average of 1 279 to 1 416 of or kulula. will enable us to respond to per week on the PLZ route and com’s routes are commercially this situation and the details an average of 934 to 1 213 sensitive and will therefore thereof could be announced in “Hmm, slighty earthy with a hint of worm.” per week on the ELS route. remain confidential until it is the near future.” 

Founding Editors: Fastjet gains SA foothold John H Marsh (1914-1996) Leona Marsh (1923-2003) From page 1 domestic flights, but that the GDS is a possibility. EDITORIAL South Africa. Barsa ceo, as shares Under Nico’s leadership, the TRAVEL NEWS WEEKLY Editor: Tessa Reed [email protected] www.etnw.co.za June Crawford, says the borders with all the countries airline has moved its head Features Editor: Michelle Colman [email protected] development gives fastjet, in which fastjet operates office from London to South Published by Publisher: Anton Marsh [email protected] through Federal Airlines, the (SA, , and Travel & Trade Publishing (Pty) Ltd Deputy Publisher: Natasha Schmidt [email protected] Africa, re-fleeted with Embraer Printed by Juka Printing (Pty) Ltd Journalists: ability to operate domestic ), it does make sense 145s and eJets, while a new Phone: (011) 327-4062 Dorine Reinstein Candice May flights. She points out that in time to link these countries management team in SA is Fax: (011) 327-4094 Sarah Robertson Hilka Birns foreign companies need to to each other. also in place with an average E-mail: [email protected] prove a 75% South African Nico says Federal Airlines of between 10 and 15 years Web: www.nowmedia.co.za Photographer: Shannon Van Zyl shareholding to operate flights, which service safari global and African aviation Address: Now Media Centre, Production Editor: Ann Braun 32 Fricker Road, Illovo Boulevard, domestic flights in SA, which lodges in South Africa, will experience per person. In Illovo, Johannesburg. GROUP PUBLISHER fastjet does not have. June continue to operate under the the first half of the airline’s PO Box 55251, Northlands, David Marsh [email protected] says this agreement is a existing brand. Rebranding financial year, which runs from 2116, South Africa. creative way for fastjet to these flights as fastjet flights January to December, absolute SALES enter the domestic aviation Sales Director: Kate Nathan [email protected] is an option but will depend costs were reduced by 46%, Ad Co-ordinator: Anthea Harris [email protected] market in SA. on engagement with the losses were reduced by 57% Referring to the brand trade. He adds that fastjet and unit revenue was up 30%. PRODUCTION licensing agreement with will seek to leverage its “Our objective is to reach a Design Head: Dirk Voorneveld Federal Airlines in SA distribution channels to make cashflow break even in quarter SUBSCRIPTIONS and in Federal Airlines’ seats more four of this year and we are Circulation: [email protected] Mozambique, Nico says accessible and that making currently on track to achieve initially fastjet will launch these seats available on that,” says Nico. 

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2 n Wednesday October 11 2017 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS TNW8172SD NEWS

Follow-home crime still a problem at OR Tambo AT THE end of last month, OR Tambo had reportedly a group of elderly Dutch been beefed up following tourists were robbed by an several robberies. armed gang posing as police Commenting on the incident, officers. Barsa ceo, June Crawford, The tour bus, taking 36 called for sustainable tourists from OR Tambo interventions to address International Airport to their safety and security. She said hotels, was pulled over by a these incidents must not marked police vehicle near simply be highlighted one Fourways. The tourists, all week and forgotten about aged over 70, were robbed of next. their valuables by the gang. “Needless to say, the Live it up with Globus! The Minister of Police, international airlines have Fikile Mbalula confirmed major concerns about the The Globus Family of Brands recently updated agents on its product offering at an intimate that robberies in and around safety and security of their lunch at The Maslow. The new tagline for Globus is ‘Go live it up’ and epitomising the new the airport were being passengers and crew, and tagline, guests on Globus tours will have everything taken care of – accommodation, a investigated, however police whilst some measures have guide, the majority of meals and sightseeing and VIP passes letting guests jump queues. could not confirm if the gang been taken by the security Pictured here are (from left): Shona Pittaway, md Perfect Destinations; Claudia Naudé, team had followed the tourists from role players, they are clearly leader: destination owners, Flight Centre Travel Group; Zephnie Viljoen, director of Perfect the airport. not enough to ensure the Destinations; Janine Pienaar, sales and marketing manager Globus Family of Brands; and The attack came after sustainability of the aviation Carlos Luis, supplier relationship leader, Flight Centre Travel Group. Photo: Tessa Reed security at and from and tourism industries.” 

SPONSORED Mozambique liberalises Turkish Airlines aims high skies, LCC enters the fray with trade support Tessa Reed Times, Ethiopian Airlines Mozambique is one of five WITH continued trade support, Turkish Airlines is and Malawi Airlines have Mozambican companies confident it will reach its “Vision 2023” target of OW-COST carrier fastjet successfully applied for authorised to operate becoming one of the largest airlines in the world, says has announced plans to authorisation to fly the domestic routes. Others Cape Town GM, Kenan Ince. Llaunch domestic flights in domestic routes, while include Mozambique Airlines Mozambique. Chief executive, (LAM) and its subsidiary Speaking at a gala dinner in Cape Town on Nico Bezuidenhout, said the Mocambique Expresso (MEX). September 27 to celebrate Turkish Airlines’ 10th development marked the “Fastjet will launch its Initially, fastjet plans to anniversary of servicing the Mother City, he said the carrier’s first expansion since flights in partnership serve some of the larger airline’s passenger growth worldwide had doubled in the implementation of its with Solenta Aviation commercial centres in the past two years, from 3% up in 2016 to 6% up so far ‘Stabilisation Plan’. Mozambique with Embraer in 2017. He said passenger numbers on its worldwide The development comes Mozambique.” E145 50-seat aircraft. network increased by 16% over the past 10 years. after Mozambique recently, The airline will be the first He told TNW that year-on-year passenger growth for the first time, authorised fastjet will launch its flights low-cost carrier to enter from 2016 to 2017 on its Cape Town route grew by foreign airlines to operate in partnership with Solenta the Mozambican market. 12% and by 16% over the past decade. The airline domestic routes within Aviation Mozambique, a According to Nico, sustained flies between 16 and 18 times a week to South Mozambique. division of shareholder, demand for both leisure and Africa, depending on the season. Flights to Cape According to a report in Solenta Aviation. business travel presents a Town will increase from five a week to daily for the local daily, The Southern Solenta Aviation positive business case.  summer season, starting from the end of October and running until the end of March. The carrier also serves Johannesburg daily year-round, with five extensions (via Johannesburg) to a week. Kenan says Turkish Airlines aims to operate a fleet of 500 aircraft, carrying 120m passengers to 350 Send your cruising news to [email protected] destinations by 2023. The airline’s ambitious expansion plans coincide with the country’s “Vision 2023” Azamara Club Cruises expands fleet programme to become one of the world’s top 10 AZAMARA Club Cruises is to purchase a sister ship to Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, with delivery economies by the republic’s centenary in 2023. With current passenger numbers at 70m, this means the in March 2018. The new ship, the Azamara Pursuit, is comparable in size, allowing access to ports that airline will have to fly 50m more passengers over the larger ships cannot visit. Information about itineraries for Azamara Pursuit will be available this month. next six years. “With your support, we can reach all our targets,” Kenan says. Crystal Cruises announces route for new river boat He says from October 29, 2018, Turkish Airlines will start CRYSTAL Cruises has inaugurated the second Rhine-class riverboat to its Crystal River Cruises brand. The to operate from Istanbul’s new airport. On completion Crystal Mahler will embark on seven-, 11- and 16-day sailings on the Rhine and Danube rivers and visit in 2023, the airport will have six runways and the ports in Austria, Germany, Slovakia, The Netherlands and Hungary. The ship will carry 106 guests in all- capacity to process 150m passengers a year, making suite, all-balcony accommodations. it the world’s largest airport. Istanbul currently has two airports: Ataturk (45m pax capacity) and Sabiha (15m CroisiEurope launches new ship for Mekong River cruises pax capacity). CROISIEUROPE has launched Indochine II, a new vessel that has been commissioned in response to increasing demand for cruises on the Mekong River in Southeast Asia. It will be inaugurated this month in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Indochine II has a 1,6-metre reduced draught that allows it to cruise further on Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake. The ship can accommodate 62 guests in 31 cabins with private balconies. Facilities include a restaurant and a lounge bar, an outside bar and lounge, a pool on the upper deck, and a treatment room on the main deck.

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4 n Wednesday October 11 2017 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS NEWS

KLM introduces Facebook FCM Connect launches

Sarah Robertson eight integrated new FCM- booking bot owned technology tools, FCM Travel Solutions, a including an automated Candice May and send the page a new When BB isn’t able to help division of Flight Centre travel approval suite and message saying ‘hello’. BB customers further, it refers Travel Group, has launched a powerful online booking LM has introduced will respond instantly asking them to one of its human a next-generation technology tool with a speed booking BlueBot (BB), an artificial where the customer would service colleagues. BB will suite, FCM Connect. function for recurring flight Kintelligence-powered like to travel to and on which soon be able to offer more The interface offers a and hotel bookings. service bot that allows dates. Once the customer services and be compatible single sign-on connection There is also a travel risk customers to book a ticket via confirms these details, with different digital channels, point allowing users to management system, an KLM’s Facebook Messenger in BB will bring up different including voice. access multiple tools expense claim tool and a conversational way with the itineraries with different “With BB, we are taking the and resources from pre- analytics and reporting help of artificial intelligence. prices. When the customer next step in our social media trip approvals to online tools. Other elements The aim of BB is to allow has decided on one, they strategy, offering personal booking, traveller tracking include a customised profile customers to book a ticket click ‘choose this flight’ and service through technology and reporting. It can be tool and a mobile tool without the intervention of a are redirected to the KLM supported by human agents accessed via PC, tablet that gives travellers quick KLM agent. website to complete and pay when needed,” says Pieter or mobile device and access to their booking To use BB, customers for the booking. Groeneveld, senior vice can be personalised with status, online check-in and access the KLM Royal Dutch BB is supported by 250 president of digital air of Air information for use by trip tools such as maps, Airlines Facebook page human service colleagues. France KLM. travel bookers, managers or weather and destination travellers. guides. The interface was Euan McNeil, gm of FCM previewed earlier this year Travel Solutions South KLM BlueBot road test at the London Business Africa, says the system Travel Show and Global supports the company’s Highlights:  Confirms where you  When redirected to KLM’s Business Travel Association clients across the spectrum  Easy to use in would like to travel to/ website to complete the Conference in Sydney before of travel programme Facebook Messenger from and on which dates booking, all you need to being launched globally in priorities, from cost (www.facebook.com/ before bringing up flight do is fill in your personal September. reduction strategies and messages/t/KLM). options. and payment details. HUB, the central portal data compliance to duty-of-  Prompt artificial   Brings up all flight Feels as if you are that agents log in to for care responsibilities and intelligence-powered options with a total price conversing with a real the FCM Connect system, global, regional or national  responses. for each. agent. connects the user to fulfilment. 

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QUICK READ FOR BUSIEST PEOPLE Wednesday October 11 2017 n 5 LLoyaltyoyalty PROGRAMMES

Michelle Colman finds local LCCs are amenable to rewarding customers. The question is how. LCCs and loyalty – no longer oil and water YBRIDISATION between and American scenarios. looking at alternative ways Marketing, Customer airline business TNW asked stakeholders we can reward frequent Experience and Loyalty, Hmodels is a dynamic of whether it made business flyers, like including said there was no ‘one the aviation industry, blurring sense for LCCs, operating complimentary services that size fits all’ approach to boundaries between legacy on narrow margins, to offer they would normally pay for,” formulate a non-traditional and low-cost carriers (LCCs). loyalty programmes. he said. loyalty programme for an To name an example, Currently, FlySafair does FlySafair focuses on LCC. “The airline would charging for ancillary not have a customer reward achieving loyalty through need to be willing to invest services, once the custom programme in place. Ceo, competitive fares, its time, money and resources of LCCs, is now practised Elmar Conradie, said the route network, on-time to ensure that the model widely across all airlines. question wasn’t really performance and by running was set correctly and that LCCs, for their part, are whether to implement a regular specials. As a first it would be beneficial to its increasingly rewarding loyalty programme, but how step toward offering frequent customers, as well as the frequent flyers, if not to implement one that would passengers free services, business,” he said. through their own not only benefit customers, it recently launched a client A partnership approach, programmes, by affiliating but make business sense. login portal on its website, where the airline linked with with partner airlines or “We won’t compromise where customers can track other loyalty models that consumer loyalty plans. our low-cost offering to all flights, customise their user were already successful, did This is perhaps recognition for the sake of a loyalty profiles, and save personal “We won’t compromise make sense, said Shaun. of the importance of a programme that will only details to make the booking our low-cost offering This was the reasoning loyalty programme in an benefit the frequent flyers. process easier with behind kulula.com’s recent airline’s customer offering, We have always taken the autofilled information. to all for the sake of a association with Avios. a lure customers have come approach to rather give our By comparison, kulula.com loyalty programme that “Avios is a successful global to expect, despite the well- low fares to all the travellers is associated with a number loyalty programme and, by publicised difficulties in instead of subsidising of loyalty programmes will only benefit the doing this, kulula.com can ticket redemption. frequent flyers with higher such as Discovery Health, frequent flyers.” focus on our core business, South Africa’s LCC prices throughout. We are Avios and eBucks, and has Elmar Conradie which is flights, Avios can environment is, to date, already providing discounted its own gold credit card. focus on its core business confined to the domestic fares and a loyalty scheme It operates alongside a large legacy airline, British which is loyalty, and this market and distinctly is another discount on these traditional carrier, Comair, Airways. creates a win/win for kulula, different from the European fares. We are, however, and is associated with the Shaun Pozyn, head of Avios and our customers.”

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6 n Wednesday October 11 2017 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS LOYALTY PROGRAMMES Processing reward tickets: drudgery or delight? FOR many travel travel agent. He points cover the full costs.” consultants, assisting out too, that Flying Blue Asked if the airline’s clients with a frequent won the ‘best redemption recent tie-up with Air flyer redemption is an ability’ category at the France KLM would entitle onerous task. Depending 2016 Freddie awards, a Virgin Atlantic passengers on the airline, it can entail poll conducted among to share in the benefits of lengthy telephone queues, frequent travellers. In the new partner’s loyalty the frustration of dealing addition, earlier this year programme, along with with a different voice with the airline added seven Virgin’s own Flying Club, each call, and lack of seat award booking classes Darrin said: “As we are availability. Making changes in economy. “Lastly, we still under talks, we cannot to the booking is just as find that sourcing local comment.” exasperating. partners for members to However, Virgin Atlantic Sarah Thom, a Club be able to burn smaller ceo, Craig Kreeger, Travel-branded ITC, says amounts of miles is also recently told the news she only undertakes a advantageous,” he says. service Skift.com: “I think frequent flyer booking Virgin Atlantic constantly for our British customers “once in a blue moon”, and the biggest upside is a only for regular corporate much better frequent flyer clients. The online process “Additional capacity “Avios can be redeemed proposition. If you’re in is pretty simple, she says. has also improved on any flight, at any fare the UK, you’ll be able to When it comes to making earn and use Flying Club changes, she crosses that the availability of so there are very limited miles not just on Delta bridge when she comes redemption seats.” and Virgin Atlantic flights, to it. “It doesn’t happen restrictions.” Kenan Ince but on Air France and often, maybe twice a year,” Shaun Pozyn KLM – giving access to a she says, “but then again The additional capacity reviews seat allocations full range of places where I don’t have a massive our customers might want corporate client base. For has also improved the for frequent flyers, says availability of redemption manager, Marketing and to go on holiday but they leisure clients, I would typically wouldn’t have advise them to arrange the seats. Communications South been able to use their ticket themselves.” Ethiopian Airlines’ Africa, Darrin Thomas: miles to do that.” An option to book seats regional manager, Abel “We also offer many other Hopefully the South via a GDS to avoid call Alemu, says travel bookers ways for our frequent flyers African market will benefit centre calls would be are always given the to use their miles, such similarly. welcome, says Sarah. information on how to as hotel partners, lounge Craig pointed out that In her aim to be a one- process frequent flyer access and upgrades. We “You can redeem or when a good loyalty stop shop, Caron Crocker, requests and the airline also offer something called also a Club Travel ITC, does will always assist. upgrade with miles up ‘Miles plus Money’ where proposition was coupled assist with frequent flyer “On Ethiopian Airlines, until 24 hours prior to our frequent flyers are able with a preferred service, you can redeem or upgrade to use miles for a discount they combined to create tickets but admits it can be departure.” a hassle, particularly if she with miles up until 24 on a ticket, sometimes more loyalty than just a hasn’t issued a specific hours prior to departure. Abel Alemu using enough miles to loyalty programme alone. airline for a while and has In economy class there to re-acquaint herself with is sufficient allocation for procedure. She points reward bookings, however, out that the travel agent in business class there is has to be nominated on a perception that there is a the client’s frequent flyer limitation on seats.” account to make bookings. This, says Abel, is “Making changes is because of varying not so straightforward seat capacities on as it’s often difficult to different aircraft, and two get availability. Recently, redemption options – a I had a client wanting to business-class award ticket change a BA Comair ticket and a business-class but there were no seats upgrade. The two options available, so he just kept have different booking his original booking as is.” class allocations. Sarah’s service fee for “With kulula, Avios can be frequent flyer bookings redeemed and earned on is 10% of the available any flight and at any fare economy-class airfare; so there are very limited Caron charges R285 restrictions. The only for domestic flights restrictions in the model and R500-R750 for are having enough Avios international flights. on the customer’s part, For their part, suppliers and seat availability on we spoke to did not the aircraft,” says Shaun experience reluctance Pozyn. on the part of travel Air France KLM gm consultants to book loyalty Southern Africa, Domingo tickets. De Cola, says the airline According to Turkish has not encountered Airlines gm Cape Town, consultant reluctance, as Kenan Ince, since the all requests related to the airline has increased Flying Blue programme capacity, consultants don’t must be made directly to mind the task, as long the Flying Blue contact as the process is easy. centre by the programme member and not the TNW8388SD

QUICK READ FOR BUSIEST PEOPLE Wednesday October 11 2017 n 7 LOYALTY PROGRAMMES Rewarding the booker is a win for all SUPPLIERS who reward the Avis Budget Rent a Car Club Claude is the name travel, promotional booker in addition to the offers travel consultants of Club Med’s agency campaigns and incentives customer, have found the rewards through ClubRed loyalty programme, which such as vouchers. tactic to be beneficial to membership, where South comes with benefits Virgin Atlantic, for business. African travel agents such as the chance to example, has an agency First Car Rental has an earn ClubRed Roses for experience a Club Med site called VS Flying incentive scheme for the resort, based on booking Hub. “Not only does trade, subject to the rate “Agents can be support. this site keep the booked per agent or agency André Dafel, national agents updated with depending on their desired rewarded in the sales manager, says the everything and anything structure. form of a guaranteed opportunity can be in in Virgin Atlantic, we also “It rewards agents the form of a guaranteed frequently run incentives for their loyalty by spot on a spot on the operator’s and competitions. At the accumulating a booking familiarisation trip, much-talked-about ski moment, we are running fee and the pay-out or on an agent’s own familiarisation trips, or on an incentive to win a a occurs monthly on an agent’s own discounted trip to Cancun, Mexico,” to their CashCard, a discounted trip.” trip, with or without a says Darrin Thomas, system First Car Rental partner, to, for example, manager, Marketing and uses to facilitate bulk every qualifying Avis or Club Med Kani in the Darrin Thomas Communications South payments to process Budget rental reservation. Maldives. Africa. incentives seamlessly According to Lance Smith Few airlines operate and travel agent portals Air France KLM offers a and automatically,” of Executive Sales, those local rewards schemes for for ease of booking, while frequent booker programme says Melissa Nortje, on loyalty programmes are agents on the frequent other support comes in for travel agents abroad, executive head: Strategy, more active and loyal than flyer model. Much effort is the form of commissions but has yet to introduce it Development & Marketing. those who are not. put into booking platforms and overrides, educational in South Africa.

Airside transfer prevents missed flights BRITISH Airways is domestic flight, who are missing their connection, introducing a new service connecting on to either a will provide an ‘airside’ car called Premium Transfer short-haul flight in Club transfer between one flight Drive at Heathrow to Europe, a long-haul service and the next. ensure that customers in Club World (long-haul They will also send a who are at risk of missing business class) or First, message to the inbound their connection are able or who are Silver or Gold aircraft, so the cabin to catch their onward Executive Club members. crew can inform the flight. British Airways’ team at customer that a car will The new scheme Heathrow will track these be waiting to transfer applies to customers customers, and where them, thereby alleviating travelling on a UK there’s a risk of their any stress or worry.

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8 n Wednesday October 11 2017 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS LOYALTY PROGRAMMES

What’s new… FlySafair FlySafair has been ranked the the next 2017 OTP announcement, City Lodge Hotel Group (CLHG) world’s most on-time airline expected this month. City Lodge rebranded its frequent remains an online incentive up to March 2017 by air travel At the end of November, FlySafair guest programme earlier this programme. intelligence specialist, OAG, with starts two new routes, Port year, replacing the Lodger Club New members receive 100 free an on-time performance (OTP) of Elizabeth-Durban and East London- with CLHG Rewards. The group CLHG rewards points on signing up, 95,94%. It is one of just three Durban, and increases frequencies has added the benefit of points there are no block-out or availability airlines to receive a five-star rating. on existing routes. Total aircraft redemption for bed and breakfast – restrictions and points are valid for The airline is eagerly anticipating fleet will reach 12 by year-end. previously redemptions were based three years. City Lodge is also a on room only. The programme Clicks ClubCard partner. Ethiopian Airlines Club Med Ethiopian Airlines introduced a calendar year, within the validity Platinum tier level in its frequent period of two years, in addition Club Med’s Great Members on tier, are many and include flyer programme, ShebaMiles, to the remaining months in the loyalty programme has four tiers customised offers, discounts, earlier this year. This tier offers qualification year. The airline also – Turquoise, Silver, Gold and partner deals, private transfers, extra benefits to frequent flyers recently redesigned its ShebaMiles Platinum – and points are earned room upgrades, private dinners, who accrue 75 000 status miles or web page to improve customers’ on rand spend, referrals and discounted excursions and 60 qualifying segments within one online experience. frequency. Benefits, dependent boutique purchases. Avis Budget First Car Rental The Avis Budget loyalty programme and redeem earned benefits. For First Car Rental offers two loyalty The Show&Go Card is a facility is now available via an app where payment, the car-rental firm offers programmes. First Club Card, for corporate frequent flyers. When customers can see their status both virtual card and plastic options. for the consumer, offers vehicle collecting a car, holders of this pre- upgrades, discounts and free days, approved company card need not with the most popular redemption go into a branch at all; they can choice being vehicle upgrades. go straight to their vehicle after Turkish Airlines Quick checkout is made easy by landing and are checked within a Turkish Airlines has introduced a Missing Star Alliance miles can now retention of renter information, minute by an agent on the ground frequent flyer Miles & Smiles help be claimed online in passengers’ retrieved by 2D barcode scan. with a mobile device. desk at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Miles & Smiles accounts.

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QUICK READ FOR BUSIEST PEOPLE Wednesday October 11 2017 n 9 LOYALTY PROGRAMMES

Airlines Programme Mileage expiry Airline partners Non-related points accrual Top selling features

Air Austral Three years. EWA Air, Air , (codeshare SNCF, Chronopost, Rentalcars.com, A subscription loyalty card can be purchased, entitling Capricorne flights to Perth only). LUX* St. Gilles. holder to fare discounts of 5%-10% in addition to normal level-two benefits. Cash top-up can be used in conjunction with points. Bonus points earned on joining and through promotions. Points can be transferred to third parties.

Air Botswana Three years. – Cresta Marakanelo Group and Use of Pula Lounge at Gaborone and Shongololo and Teemane Club Peermont Hotels in Botswana. Mashonja Lounges at OR Tambo for Gold and Diamond Status is evaluated at end of members. Diamond members can invite one guest. For year for downgrade/ upgrade 1000 miles, Gold and Diamond members can invite or maintenance. Diamond card travel companions to Pula Lounge. miles do not expire.

Air France KLM Award Miles do not expire if SkyTeam member airlines. Hyatt, Best Western, Hilton, Accor, Business class lounge access for Elite levels and free or Flying Blue passengers take a qualifying Starwood, Radisson Avis, Hertz, discounted seats for all tier levels. Discounts vary per flight once every two years. Budget, Europcar. PointsHound tier. Access to Sky Priority for Elite tier levels. Flying Blue Airways website for miles at hotels in SA store for online shopping. and abroad.

Air Mauritius Three years. Air France, Emirates. Car rental, hotels, duty-free outlets. Free tickets and upgrades to business class. Kestrel Flyer

Air Five years. Awards requested – – Free flights and upgrades. Reward$ before expiry must be used within 12 months.

Air Zimbabwe Miles expire after two years – – Miles can be redeemed for travel or upgrades to Rainbow Club if member has not used Air business class. Zimbabwe services.

British Airways/BA Comair Avios points valid as long as Aer Lingus, Alaska Airlines, Open Hotels, car rental, foreign currency, Avios points collected are valid for life. Executive Club customer collects, spends or Skies, oneworld alliance members. credit card companies, BA and purchases at least one Avios other retail outlets, airport and point every 36 months. valet parking, household accounts, petrol and supermarket purchases.

Cathay Pacific Three years. Oneworld alliance members. Travel, leisure, hotel, dining, retail, Guaranteed seat reservations across all cabins, up to 24 The Marco Polo Club telecoms, finance and insurance. hours prior to departure.

Delta Air Lines No expiry. SkyTeam alliance partners, Alaska Car rental, home entertainment, Miles never expire in the SkyMiles programme. SkyMiles Airlines, GOL, Great Lakes, Hawaiian wireless financial partners, cruises Airlines, and vacations, dining and retail, shopping, hotels, convert partner Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia. points to miles.

EgyptAir Three years. Star Alliance members. Hotels, car rental, restaurants, Redeem miles for free tickets, upgrades and excess EgyptAir Plus financial, health and mobile baggage. services.

El Al Three years. AeroMexico, Qantas, Air Serbia, ​ Hotels, car rental, restaurants and Bonus tickets, purchase tickets with points and money, Matmid jetBlue, American Airlines, Iberia, shopping. upgrade to economy class plus and premium classes, SWISS, Siberia Airlines, Ethiopian​ purchase extra baggage and order duty-free products. Airlines, Air China.

Emirates Three years. Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qantas, Hotel partners, car rental, financial, Cash+Miles instantly brings down the cost of tickets. Skywards SAA, Alaska Airlines, easyJet, Jet retail, leisure and lifestyle. Airways, jetBlue, Jetstar, S7 Airlines, TAP Portugal, Virgin America, Air Mauritius, Malaysia Airlines.

Ethiopian Airlines Members must re-qualify for Star Alliance members, ASKY Airlines, Shopping, lifestyle, car rental, Redeem miles for class upgrades and award tickets, Sheba Miles their tier status annually. TACA Airlines. hotels. lounge access and extra baggage allowance.

Etihad Airways Mileage expiry depends on Brussels Airlines, Oman Air, Jet Car rental, hotels, Redeem miles on flights, upgrades, products and Etihad Guest tier level: Airways, Sri Lankan Airlines, Virgin telecommunications, shopping, services using the exclusive Reward Shop. Australia, American Airlines, airberlin, financial partners, leisure and Air Seychelles Etihad Guest – two years; Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air New lifestyle. Silver – two and a half years; Zealand, Alitalia, ANA, Asiana Airways, Gold and Platinum – three Bangkok Airways, Czech Airlines, years. Garuda Indonesia, Hainan Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Ukraine International Airlines, GOL, Philippine Airlines, SAA, codeshare partners.

10 n Wednesday October 11 2017 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS LOYALTY PROGRAMMES

Airlines Programme Mileage expiry Airline partners Non-related points accrual Top selling features

Iberia Points expire after three years Oneworld member airlines, Iberia Hotels, car rental, financial, Avios can be used to book flights or upgrades to Iberia Plus of no activity. Regional Air Nostrum, Iberia Express, shopping, wellness, leisure, rail, business class. Members can also pay for flights by LEVEL, Vueling, Avianca, Binter, ferries, educational courses, taxis, combining Avios with cash. Meridiana, Royal Air Maroc, TACA fuel and cruises. Airlines and Interjet.

LAM Three years. – Hotels, car rental, fuel products, Executive desk check-in. Flamingo Club telecommunications.

LATAM Three years. Oneworld alliance members. PointsHound, Starwood, Marriott, LATAM Pass KMS (KMS is the currency in LATAM Pass) LATAM Pass Hilton, InterContinental, Carlson used to book flights on other oneworld partners. Rezidor, Hyatt and Hertz.

Lufthansa SWISS Three years or no expiry if Star Alliance member airlines, Over 270 non-aviation affiliated Redeem miles for flights, upgrades, awards from the Miles & More member has Frequent Traveller, Eurowings. companies. Hotel bookings, car Lufthansa WorldShop, hotel and car-rental awards and Senator or HON Circle member rental, shopping, subscriptions, more. Miles can also be donated to the Lufthansa help status. books, banks and insurance, or by alliance programme. Miles & More credit cards.

Partner Plus Benefit Three years. Star Alliance members, All Nippon – Redeem points for cashback. BenefitPoints (bonus programme for Airways and Eurowings. exchangeable for flight upgrades, airport parking, hotel medium-sized businesses) e-Gift cards, FlyNet vouchers for on-board connectivity, lounge vouchers, free flights, chauffeur-driven transfers, or carbon offsetting.

Qantas No expiry if member earns/ Jetstar and more than 50 partner Credit cards, hotels, car rental, Qantas Classic flight and upgrade Rewards. Qantas Frequent Flyer uses points once every 18 airlines and their affiliates, including travel, shopping, financial, months (excludes family Emirates and oneworld alliance. entertainment, dining and business transfers). services. (Some point accruals do not apply to non-Australian members.)

Qatar Airways Qmiles expire at the end of Oneworld alliance airlines and US Hotels, car rental. Redeem Qmiles or Qcredits at airports for an upgrade Privilege Club three calendar years. Airways. when flying out of Doha and other airports. Redeem Qmiles for an upgrade for a companion travelling on the same flight.

RwandAir Silver, Gold and Diamond – – Priority for free upgrades to business class for members DreamMiles tiers: two years. Emerald tier, with confirmed economy seats when economy class is no expiry. full and business class is available.

Singapore Airlines Three years. Star Alliance members, SilkAir. Over 120 global non-airline Premium economy class – 110% of miles flown is KrisFlyer partners. earned.

South African Airways Miles valid for a min. of 36 Star Alliance member airlines, SA Car rental, financial, hospitality, Revenue-based accrual and reward structures. SAA Voyager months from date they are Express, *, , Swaziland property, fuel, retail and lifestyle. JourneyBlitz Award redemption seat sales at 70-85% earned. Expiring miles can Airlink, El Al, Emirates, Etihad, Jet less miles. Earning and redemption of miles is based on be extended by one year Airways, Jet Blue, LATAM, Virgin a conversion from/to the monetary value of the fare and (repeatable), by flying 6 000 Atlantic, Virgin Australia. fuel levy on the ticket. tier miles in the calendar year *Mango is a redemption partner. preceding expiry date.

TAAG 36 months from flight date. – Hertz, Altis Hotels, Vila Gale Hotels. Silver and gold members check in at business and Umbi Umbi Club Discounts are dependent on Umbi first-class counters. 5kg of additional baggage for silver Umbi status. members and 10kg for gold members.

Turkish Airlines Three years. Star Alliance members, Spanair and Hotels, car rental, financial, Free tickets or upgrades for traveller and companion. Miles & Smiles Jet Airways. telecommunications, technology, vehicle purchases, fuel products.

Virgin Atlantic Airways Miles do not expire on active Delta, Singapore Airlines, Air New American Express points. Hilton, Upgrades and lounge access. Flying Club accounts on which members Zealand, Virgin Australia, SAA, All Marriott, Virgin Trains, Hertz, Avis, spend miles. Nippon Airways, Jet Airways, Air China, Visa Central, Eurostar, Ulusaba, The Hawaiian Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Roof Gardens. Scandinavian Airlines.

Key yyOneworld alliance partners: airberlin, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LATAM, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines. yyStar Alliance partners: Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, , SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Thai and United. yySkyTeam partners: Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, AeroMexico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Delta, Garuda Indonesia, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, Tarom, Vietnam Airlines, Xiamen Air.

QUICK READ FOR BUSIEST PEOPLE Wednesday October 11 2017 n 11 LOYALTY PROGRAMMES

Hotels Programme How to earn points Participating partners Top selling features

Accor Stay at 2 800 hotels (budget to luxury). Club Med, HuaZhu, partner hotels, Transfer points to participating partners. No expiry on Le Club Finnair, Hertz, Europcar, Bagllerina, points as long as guests stay once a year in any Accor Multiplus, Smiles, Orange Holiday Shell, hotel. Essential LATAM, HSBC.

Connected

Upgraded

Even More VIP

aha Earn rands on accommodation spend. Europcar. Accommodation and meal vouchers. Real Rewards

Classic

Plus

Premium

BON Hotels For every stay members earn a BONami – Purchase one-year membership at R600 for access to BONami bonus crown. benefits, instantly available.

Carlson Rezidor 20 Gold Points per US$ spent on hotel Budget and Avis. Free award nights starting from 9 000 gold points with no Club CarlsonSM nights, plus all meals and beverages blackout dates on standard rooms. charged to the customer’s room.

Club CarlsonSM for Planners 1 000 participating hotels, including (meetings and events planners) Quorvus Collection, Radisson brands, Park Plaza, Park Inn, Country Inns and Suites.

City Lodge Book online. City Lodge, Town Lodge, Courtyard Hotels. Can now earn bed and breakfast rather than just bed. CLHG Rewards

Hilton Points accrued at more than 4 700 hotels, Airline, rail, car rental, cruise, shopping, Redeem points for free nights, premium merchandise, HHonors resorts and timeshare properties across dining and entertainment. charitable contributions, or unique events through 104 countries and territories. the Hilton HHonors auction platform.

InterContinental Hotels Group Members can earn points at more than Over 200 airlines, and online portals, Redeem points for flights on over 200 airlines with IHG Rewards Club 5 000 hotels worldwide with opportunity Flights Anywhere, Cars Anywhere and Flights Anywhere, car rentals with Cars Anywhere, hotel to earn points through regular promotions Hotels Anywhere. stays, even competitor hotels, with Hotels Anywhere, and IHG Business Rewards and partners. a variety of merchandise, through the IHG Rewards Club (meetings and events planners) catalogue.

Legacy Hotels and Resorts Earn a percentage of spend when shopping Over 200 brand partners across an array Legacy Lifestyle offers up to 20% off and Lifestyle Rands Legacy Lifestyle at a Lifestyle partner. R1 equals 1 Lifestyle of categories, including fashion, dining, at over 257 hotels, across 37 countries worldwide. Rand. Rands can be spent with any other adventure and travel. Lifestyle Brand Partner.

Peermont Hotels and Resorts Points are added to members’ account Mango Airlines, Wine Club and Official Members receive instant Mango Plus status. When Crown Key when booking through Central Reservations Protea Supporters Club. booking Mango flights on peermontrewards.co.za they using a qualified room rate. Guests also are entitled to special offers, flexibility to change flight earn points on qualified room charges, time or dates, free name change, access to business-class room service, laundry services and lounge, on-board meal voucher and 10kg extra checked telephone usage. For every R10 spent, in baggage. members earn 1 point.

Preferred Hotels and Resorts Receive points for every US$ spent on More than 600 independent hotels and Use a combination of reward certificates and cash to iPrefer nett room reservations at participating resorts worldwide. purchase room nights or any other hotel services. hotels booked through eligible channels, redeemable for cash-value reward certificates usable against room nights or hotel services at more than 600 hotels. Reward certificates never expire and are transferable.

Premier Hotels and Resorts Earn 10% back on Royalty profile. This will First Car Rental. Discount on best available rate at properties across SA Royalty Club be converted into Royalty Rands (1 Royalty ranging from two- to four-star. Welcome platter in room. Rand equals R1). Includes accommodation, Best available room in chosen room category. Early check- dining and hotel services charged against in/late check-out. Redeem points against full night stays. room during stay.

12 n Wednesday October 11 2017 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS LOYALTY PROGRAMMES

Hotels Programme How to earn points Participating partners Top selling features

Protea Hotels Earn up to 10% of accommodation spend Bidvest Car Rental, kulula.com. Up to 10% discount on best available rate of the day in Prokard in Prokard Rands at Protea and African SA and 20% in Africa; 5% off online special offers and Pride Hotels. complimentary room upgrades. Note: Marriott Rewards available across Protea Hotels. Prokard also remains as a local benefits card offering.

Starwood Earn points at over 1 200 hotels. Airlines and Uber. Free nights, free flights, room upgrades and instant Preferred Guest Starpoints do not expire as long as there is rewards. activity once every 12 months.

Sun International Earn Casino and Leisure Points when Discover Digital offers variable discounts Discounts vary at Sun International-owned food and MVG Programme playing slots, table games, staying in based on card status. Group-wide beverage outlets and accommodation. our hotel rooms and dining at selected recognition at partners based at restaurants and bars. Points are valid Sun International properties. Green for 365 rolling days. MVG points are fees, accommodation, events and equivalent to a rand value. entertainment early-bird and ticket offers.

Tsogo Sun Earn SunRands on accommodation and American Express, Nedbank Greenbacks 7,5%-20% food and beverage discounts at hotel-owned Tsogo Hotel Rewards hotel owned services (valid for two years). and SunSwops. restaurants and bars. 1 SunRand = R1.

Car Rental Programme How to earn points Participating partners Top selling features

Avis Rent a Car Vehicle rental including car, van, luxury, British Airways, Avios Rewards and Preferred priority service (show your licence and go); Preferred Loyalty Programme truck and safari, and chauffeur-drive selected partners globally. global recognition, earn tier status, upgrades and free services. weekend vouchers.

Preferred Service Membership Preferred priority service, global recognition.

President’s Club Membership Preferred priority service, global recognition, free additional driver and vehicle upgrade.

Club Red Programme Earn ClubRed Roses on qualifying rates, redeem for (travel agents) eBucks or cash on the new ClubRed VISA card.

Europcar Vehicle rental. Kulula.com, SAA, SAA Voyager, Tsogo ‘Ready Service’ customers can use the Ready Service Platinum Programme Sun. counter to avoid queues. ID only is needed to collect keys.

Drive Card (Leisure)

Drive Club (Leisure)

Business Connect (SMEs)

First Car Rental Vehicle rental. Premier Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Express, First Club Card FlySafair, Anytime Holidays.

Corporate Show & Go Card All Show&Go: direct from plane to car, mobile checkout in one minute. Complimentary access to Acsa Bidvest Premier Lounges for Platinum card holders.

Hertz Vehicle rental. Complimentary access to Acsa Bidvest Premier Lounges Hertz Gold Plus Rewards with car rental reservation of three consecutive days or more, one vehicle upgrade subject to fleet availability, free additional driver and global programme.

Honey Money Travel Booker Vehicle rental. Vouchers from leading SA retailer based on rental Rewards Incentive bookings completed.

Thrifty Car Rental Book a vehicle from Group P to an E-Class Members receive Moolla Rewards on an FNB gift card, Moolla Rewards (travel agents) Mercedes for one day or more and earn which they can use at any retailer. Moolla Rewards.

Woodford Vehicle rental. Book rentals using points, upgrades of vehicles, free GPS Woodford Advance and extra driver inclusions on specific tiers. No queueing.

*Disclaimer: The table contains a selection of the benefits offered by those loyalty programmes that supplied information.

QUICK READ FOR BUSIEST PEOPLE Wednesday October 11 2017 n 13 LOYALTY PROGRAMMES Avis, BA renew partnership AVIS Rent a Car has once points and claim all benefits electronic delivery. more been selected the via one customer number Members move up the global rental partner for that holds a full customer three tiers based on British Airways Executive profile and is internationally rentals and spend, starting Club, a partnership that will recognised at 3 500 rental with Avis Preferred, to be in force over the next stations around the world. Avis Preferred Plus and five years. The affiliation Furthermore, points are ultimately Avis President’s has also been extended to earned across all products, Club. include the Budget brand. including the car and luxury Preferred members no The partnership gives car fleet, van, truck and longer receive plastic loyalty frequent travellers the safari fleet, as well as cards. These have been opportunity to earn points chauffeur-drive services. replaced by virtual loyalty in two loyalty programmes, Benefits come in the form cards delivered via the app. doubling up on possible of fast-track service and “Travel consultants’ lives rewards. Notable benefits, pre-prepared paperwork, the are made significantly among others, include Avios most convenient parking easier by the Avis Preferred and a free additional driver spots, free upgrades and Loyalty Programme,” says on every rental. Lance Smith free weekend rentals. Avis’s customer-friendly app. Lance Smith. “Simply Executive Club members The company offers three inserting the Avis customer can join the Avis Perhaps the most types of reward vouchers again are redeemable with number in the booking programme with ease, significant benefit of the – Money Off, Upgrade and Avis Rent a Car worldwide. process will ensure our linking their BA membership now well-established Weekend Vouchers (T&Cs Avis has made available mutual customers get to the car-hire company Avis Preferred Loyalty apply). These are issued all these benefits on a exactly the same service through a simple online Programme is its global as early as the completion customer friendly mobile and benefits that they have process. stretch. Members earn of the second rental, and app that ensures an requested,” Experiential travel enters loyalty AN INCREASING number Rewards and Starwood that loyalty went beyond of hotel groups around Preferred Guest recently spending nights in hotels the globe now offer announced the launch of and had expanded to extraordinary experiences Master Classes, special offer once-in-a-lifetime for elite loyalty programme learning experiences that experiences. members, indicating members can take part in, “Travel, more broadly, has their desire to be more under the wing of celebrities always been about enriching involved in the whole travel and leaders in sport, food the soul, meeting new experience of their guests, and entertainment. people, seeing new places, and not just the on-site David Flueck, senior vice and learning on your travels. portion of the trip. president of global loyalty To tie into their experiences According to industry news for Marriott International, has always been core to our service, Skift.com, Marriott was quoted as saying programme,” he said. 

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14 n Wednesday October 11 2017 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS COMMUNITYNEWS JOBS Births, deaths, marriages, promotions – we want to know! Please fax or e-mail TNW’s Tessa Reed, at [email protected] or (011) 327 4094. Pick of the week We’re on safari brought to you by

Senior Groups Consultant – CPT Quantex Recruitment Group 5+ years’ inbound & groups consulting experience, as well as outstanding Southern & East Africa knowledge required by company offering bespoke travel options. Email: [email protected]

Groups Consultant – CPT Quantex Recruitment Group Join a leading travel organization & show off your fantastic groups experience! Be rewarded with a top salary & a professional working environment! Email: [email protected]

Senior Inbound FIT Consultant (Italian speaking) – JNB North Professional Career Services Min 3 years’ experience handling FIT bookings for inbound tour operator. Knowledge of Southern & East Africa. Thompsons Holidays recently sent agents on an educational to Namibia, where they Email: [email protected] visited , Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. Pictured with their safari guide are (from left): Derek Ledward (Thompsons Holidays), Donè Ehlers (Did Travel & Tours), Jolene Cawthorn (eTravel – Skybound Destinations). Senior Tour Consultant (German speaking) – KZN Westville Professional Career Services 5+ years’ travel industry sales management exp. Good African geographical knowledge and personal travel exp. FIT’s & groups. R25000ctc. Email: [email protected]

Senior Business Development Manager – JNB FCM Travel Solutions Prospect for new clients by networking, cold calling, advertising or other means of generating interest from potential clients. Qatar turns 20! Apply now! Email: [email protected] Travel consultant – CPT Flight Centre Travel Group Sell 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]

Events Co-ordinator – Gauteng Lee Botti & Associates North. 3 month contract for passionate events coordinator. Own transport and 4 years’ experience essential. Salary negotiable. Email: [email protected]

BEE Group Accountant – Gauteng The Royal Air Force’s top display team flew in formation over Qatar, alongside a Qatar Lee Botti & Associates Airways Airbus A350 aircraft, in celebration of the airline’s 20th anniversary. North. Take charge of producing group management accounts under IFRS management. Varied role with market leading inbound Airlink sheds light on education operator. Competitive offer. Email: [email protected] Junior Management Accountant – JNB North AIRLINK, in conjunction with children left without electricity households to aid the Equity Connections cc Open Range Solar, has come in the Polokwane municipal children with their studies. Finance graduate needed! Handle full functions of management up with a cost-effective and area. From September The airline will be distributing accounting for leading organisation. Relevant tertiary education, environmentally friendly way 28, they began providing 2 500 solar charging kits to 4 years’ accounting experience. Email: [email protected] to support thousands of solar charging kits to these targeted rural communities. Leisure/Corporate Consultant – JNB North Appointments Equity Connections cc Great corporate/leisure mix makes for varied day. Handle high-end  Chris Ministry of Defence, where president of operations. corporate bookings with exciting leisure spin-off. Sound fares/fare McCormick has he has served as ceo of Alejandro joined Avani in construction skills essential. Email: [email protected] been appointed a the Defence Equipment January as group director. corporate sales and Support department, Top Junior Corporate Consultant – CPT consultant at responsible for procuring  Bashni Birchwood Hotel. and supporting all the Muthaya has Wendy’s Travel Personnel Galileo and working with corporate accounts essential to enjoy the Chris spent the last six equipment and services for been appointed years in sales development the British Armed Forces. chief strategy benefits of working for this major retail agency! and coaching. officer of South Email: [email protected] TNW7839  Avani Hotels African Tourism,  Tony Douglas has been and Resorts effective October 1. These adverts were selected from the vacancy has promoted Bashni will join the executive appointed ceo of Etihad section of www.travelinfo.co.za Aviation Group. Tony Alejandro committee team in this For more details contact [email protected] joins Etihad from the UK Bernabé to vice new role.

QUICK READ FOR BUSIEST PEOPLE Wednesday October 11 2017 n 15 EU could reintroduce border controls FOLLOWING a spate of on travellers. “Border controls terror attacks across the will be implemented only in continent, the European Union exceptional situations when could update its freedom of countries are confronted with movement rules for the coming serious security threats, and three years to allow member the use of border controls will states to reintroduce border be subject to strict conditions.” controls for security reasons. “The exceptional A proposal from the European circumstances that we see Commission is on the table, now, such as the increased although it is still to be debated terrorist threat, have led us to and amended by the Council propose a Schengen Border and the European Parliament. Code more fit for purpose in Spokesperson for the EU, this new day and age,” said Eduardo Santander, told TNW first vp of the EU Commission that there would be no impact Frans Timmermans.  Singapore and beyond!

Singapore Airlines, Changi Airport and Singapore Tourism Board will host a ‘Destination G Adventures expands Singapore and Beyond’ workshop for agents at the Protea Fire & Ice Melrose Arch in Johannesburg on October 24 and at the Newlands Sun Hotel in Cape Town on October 25. Agents will be updated on the product offering and there will be prize draws. Pictured here destination offering are Sally George (left) market development manager; and Brenda Mitchell, district sales NATIONAL Geographic southern Tanzania. manager, of Singapore Airlines. Photo: Shannon Van Zyl Expeditions and G The programme, which Adventures have added launched in January 2016, new destinations and offers hands-on exploration itineraries to their joint with an emphasis on Asata board expansion travel programme, National storytelling, local immersion Geographic Journeys. and social good. The new From 2018, the National and updated tours for 2018 on the cards Geographic Journeys include a 10-day Botswana collection of 83 tours will and Zimbabwe Safari; a Sarah Robertson unanimously voted for the where Jackie Turnbull, include destinations such as six-day Southern Tanzania board expansion. The new managing director of The Botswana and Mongolia, and Safari and a 14-day Discover OUR motions were proposed structure is likely to Holiday Factory and Lance less-travelled wildlife parks in Mongolia tour.  passed at the Asata board mirror the Tourism Business Smith, executive director for F meeting in September Council’s board member set-up sales at Avis were respectively that will allow for changes to where the larger board would appointed. be made to the organisation’s be divided into subcommittees Other motions passed constitution. with individual chairmen driving included a three-term limit The motions related to a certain initiatives for Asata. for board members to serve, proposed expansion of the The new expanded board will which Asata hoped would Asata board of directors to be voted for and appointed help to introduce new blood brought to you by eTNW and TRAVELINFO include representatives from in November, with existing and transformation to the all major consortiums, which members serving in their organisation. Performance should more fully represent current positions until then. appraisals for board members the industry and the players Only the tour operator and are also likely to be introduced that fund the association. partner board positions were to drive these unpaid volunteer Existing board members filled at the recent meeting, positions.  Social media not always a help Is social media a useful channel for converting sales? No disruption to Bali travel  No  Yes TOUR operators are advising the advice of the local something does happen,” travel agents that there authorities and stay outside says Giles Clinton, director has been no disruption to the exclusion zone, which of Checkout Tours. services to Bali, despite extends between nine and Simmy Micheli, manager the imminent threat of a 12km from the crater. sales and marketing volcanic eruption by Bali’s The main challenge, for TIC, explains that if 43% Mount Agung. The Bali according to John, is that a client’s transport is Government Tourist Office airlines have warned that if cancelled or the pre-paid 57% also maintains Bali is still the volcano erupts, volcanic accommodation is damaged “safe for tourism”. ash clouds could result in to an uninhabitable extent Thompsons Holidays has airport closures and flight as a direct result of not seen any cancellations disruption in the region. weather conditions, TIC so far and has also not “However, so far there will reimburse the non- seen a dip in bookings has been no disruption to refundable portions of for the destination, says flights,” he says. travel and accommodation John Ridler, PR and media The volcanic alert level arrangements for which eTravel is the ITC market leader in South Africa and assists senior Travel manager. “Meteorologists for Mount Agung has travellers are liable, as Consultants and Travel business owners to realise their dreams. If you have have estimated the volcano been raised to level 4, the well as any reasonable ever dreamt of owning your own travel business or would like to cut costs won’t erupt further than highest level possible, which additional travel and 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 a 12km radius of Mount indicates that an eruption is accommodation expenses 200 Independent Travel Companies and specialise Agung, so most holiday ‘possible within 24 hours’. they might incur. in making your travel business a success by offering destinations and beach Over 100 000 people have Simmy warns that the the best commissions, overrides & a comprehensive resorts are quite safe,” he so far been evacuated from cover kicks in if flights are support structure. If you have a client base, 5 years says. the region in Indonesia. cancelled by the airline travel consultant experience or already own your own business but want to make more, then contact The UK Foreign and “I would advise that as a result of the weather us! You’ll be amazed at how easy it is! Commonwealth Office has travellers make sure they conditions. “Disinclination Contact Tammy on 0861eTrave1 advised travellers to monitor have adequate travel to travel is not covered on a or [email protected] local media reports, follow insurance in the event that travel insurance policy.” 

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16 n Wednesday October 11 2017 QUICK READ FOR DECISION-MAKERS