AUGUST 2016 Brexit What does it mean for your travellers?

Mining slump hits travel budgets Menlyn set to become SA’s next MICE hub

TB2082SD HOW TO take the sting out of travel savings

T-System’s Richard Whitfield takes the time to earn travellers’ trust TB2004SD COVER Editor's note Richard Whitfield tells Travel Buyer about why he believes hile the tightening number of nights spent travelling, of purse strings, through to allowing travellers to relationships are more important than ever when it comes to particularly when it stay with friends and family and corporate travel. Cover photograph by Shannon Van Zyl. comes to corporate the company paying over the host Wtravel, is nothing new, it does feel a fee instead of paying for hotel as if the topic is being tackled accommodation. News 2 with renewed vigour, perhaps due Of course, there are also some • What does Brexit mean for SA travellers? to the ever-looming threat of a things travel buyers should never downgrade and the volatility of skimp on, particularly when it • Govt calls for TMC bids our currency. comes to duty of care. Read the • What you missed at the Saaci Congress 2016 What I’ve found particularly travel budgets feature for a list of interesting though, is how all the non-negotiables when it innovative travel buyers are comes to duty-of-care inclusions. Profile 10 being in terms of finding ways to Also in this issue, we’re taking a cut down travel spend without closer look at travel management • Taking the time to earn travellers’ trust travellers having to feel that for the mining industry. This highly they’re sacrificing their comfort specialised industry is littered with to improve the company’s complexities and the potential to bottomline. incur exorbitant costs, so we’ve Meetings 12 This month, we spoke to spoken to some of the TMCs • Menlyn on track to become Gauteng’s next hub Richard Whitfield, travel buyer with expertise in navigating this for ITC company, T-Systems. ‘minefield’. • 48 hours in Gauteng Incredibly, he’s managed to Then, we’re putting the cut travel costs by 50%, simply spotlight on Gauteng, looking by introducing better systems at the fast-developing hub of On the radar - Travel Budgets 16 (including an online booking Menlyn, which is set to become tool) and whittling down vendors one of the province’s main centres • Budgets may be lean but not necessarily mean and channelling business to a for MICE. There’s also no shortage preferred list, putting him in a of activities to add on to your position to negotiate great rates conference, and we provide a On the radar - Travel Management for and value adds. 48-hour guide of suggestions to We are delving into the subject fill up the free slots in your event the Mining Industry 22 of travel budgets in even more programme. • Mining slump hits travel budgets depth, with a dedicated feature that looks more closely at some of Keep reading! the ways travel buyers can take the sting out of savings for travellers – Sue van Winsen Deal Detective 24 ranging from cutting down on the ([email protected]) • Travelinfo’s latest top travel deals

PUBLISHER Kate Nathan GROUP PUBLISHER David Marsh DEPUTY PUBLISHER Brought to you by Now Media, Travel Buyer + Meet is a Natasha Schmidt CONSULTING Editor Sue van Winsen Editorial professional travel publication aimed at South African CONTRIBUTORS Linda van der Pol, Liesl Venter, Michelle Colman, Darise Foster, travel procurement decision-makers in travel-buying Taryn Nightingale DESIGN & LAYOUT Tanya Lowery PHOTOGRAPHER Shannon companies. This publication aims to reflect an unbiased Van Zyl SALES [email protected] ADVERTISING CO-ORDINATOR Anthea perspective of the corporate travel industry offering Lucas circulations [email protected] PRINTED BY Juka Printing (Pty) Ltd insight and tools encouraging readers to manage their PUBLISHED BY Travel & Trade Publishing (Pty) Ltd, Now Media Centre, 32 Fricker Rd, Illovo travel spend better. Travel Buyer is the media partner of Boulevard, Illovo, Johannesburg, PO Box 55251, Northlands, 2116, South Africa. Tel: +27 11 327 4062, ABTA, ACTE and the GBTA Fax: +27 11 327 4094, e-mail: [email protected], web: www.travelbuyer.co.za IS THE CORPORATE EVENT PLANNER IMPORTANT TO YOU? Over 1 000 a day can be reached online when you advertise in

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TB1959 August 2016 • TRAVEL BUYER 1 News

What does Brexit mean SAA enhances African network for SA travellers? AA has enhanced its Central African route HE rapid depreciation of the UK currency is expected to remain What happens in practice in network. With effect British pound in the days in the region of 10-15% weaker the longer term would depend from July 31, flights will following the UK’s vote to exit than would have been on the approach taken by the UK operateS from Johannesburg the European Union is good the case under a no-Brexit scenario, government and the 27 Member to Brazzaville and Pointe newsT for South African travellers although it is expected to recover States during the UK’s withdrawal Noire on the same flight to the UK because they will get somewhat over the medium to long negotiations, the report said. number. more rands for their pounds, says term. These currency fluctuations It added that, while it was This operation to the economist, Roelof Botha. during Britain’s exit from the EU possible to argue that Brexit could Republic of Congo does not “While the rand weakened will make long-term planning lead to enhanced visa options utilise any domestic rights, against the dollar in the aftermath a bit tricky, says Susan Thesan, for Commonwealth nationals meaning SAA does not carry of the referendum, the pound operations director of British T.I.P.S. (including South Africans), it was any passengers between took a dip to levels last seen three The free movement and working not possible to state with any Brazzaville and Pointe Noire, decades ago, making it cheaper rights of EU citizens will remain certainty what a post-Brexit UK or vice versa. for travellers to visit the UK at the unchanged for the time being, immigration policy might look like. Flight SA084 will depart moment because the pound is so according to a White Paper released It is also possible that Brexit could Johannesburg at 17h20 on weak,” Botha says. by the UK House of Commons, titled have different implications for Mondays, Wednesdays and Studies done by Iata reveal the Brexit – What Happens Next? different visa categories. Saturdays to arrive in Pointe Noire at 20h30. The flight will then depart Pointe Noire at Ethiopian 21h30 to arrive in Brazzaville at 22h30. It then departs launches Brazzaville at 23h30 to arrive in Johannesburg at 04h20 newest aircraft the following day. SAA will continue to serve THIOPIAN Airlines, Cotonou in Benin utilising its which will be the service to Libreville, Gabon, first African airline to thus introducing a new operate the Airbus sector between Libreville EA350 XWB, will eventually and Cotonou. The airline deploy the aircraft on its has secured traffic rights Johannesburg route. enabling it to pick up and The airline will initially l drop off passengers between zy

use the aircraft on its Lagos an Libreville and Cotonou in v and Dubai routes. With an both directions. expected delivery of another Flight SA090 departs 13 A350 XWBs over the next shannon : Johannesburg at 15h00

three years, Ethiopian Airlines photo on Tuesdays, Fridays and will soon be flying the aircraft Sundays to arrive in Libreville into OR Tambo International Pack your bags at 18h55, before departing at Airport. 19h45 to arrive in Cotonou The aircraft offers 313 seats Air Mauritius has changed its business-class travellers two pieces at 21h55. Return flight SA091 in economy class (in a 3-3-3 baggage policy to two pieces of 32kg each. Pictured here are Air departs Cotonou at 22h45 to configuration) and 30 seats for travellers to Mauritius and Mauritius’s Wouter Nel, sales and arrive in Libreville at 00h55 in business class (in 2-2-2 all worldwide destinations with marketing manager Southern the following day. It then configuration). immediate effect. Economy-class Africa, and Carla da Silva, regional departs Libreville at 01h45 Abel Alemu, Ethiopian travellers are allowed two pieces manager for Southern Africa and to arrive in Johannesburg at Airlines regional manager of luggage of 23kg each and Latin America. 07h20. for Southern Africa, said the aircraft would mainly be deployed on long-range intercontinental flights. “This Ghana delays visas on arrival includes flights to North and HANA’s visa-on-arrival Commission in their country of travellers ask for a visa on arrival, South America as well the Far policy for African residence for a visa prior to travel. according to the GIS spokesperson. East,” he said. citizens has not yet been “We haven’t received any official However, a request for this ‘entry “These aircraft will operate implemented. documentation as yet, which is permit’ has to be filed by the to destinations with huge GA spokesperson for the Ghana why we haven’t implemented the Ghanaian host on behalf of the passenger traffic, including Immigration Service (GIS) at Kotoko new measures. People who arrive traveller with the Director of Johannesburg, Lagos and International Airport in Accra, said without a visa do so at their own Immigration in Ghana. If granted, Dubai,” said Alemu. that travellers still needed to apply risk,” he said. the ‘emergency entry permit’ is at the Ghana Embassy or High Only in cases of emergency, can valid for only 14 days.

2 August 2016 • TRAVEL BUYER Govt calls for TMC bids HE Treasury has published with departments overspending considered. two-phased approach could its long-awaited tender on their budgets as well as high In a second phase, the take a considerable amount of for the appointment of incidences of unauthorised, individual government time. TMCs to provide travel irregular and fruitless and organisations may issue their One travel agent, who spoke managementT services to wasteful expenditure,” Treasury own tenders inviting the on condition of anonymity, government. said in the tender document. qualified TMCs on the respective explained that it could take In the tender document, In a first phase, the Treasury panels to bid once their existing several months before the Treasury stipulates that it expects will select and appoint TMCs to contracts with their current TMCs provincial departments to appoint an undisclosed panels on national have expired. appointed TMCs under the number of TMCs from October 1 and provincial Other new tender. In the meantime, for a period of three years. levels. TMCs will Government has requirements for non-commissionable rates are A management fee – be evaluated and been receiving poor TMCs applying for being applied by government determined by the TMC during scored on criteria the tender include departments while TMCs the bidding process – will be including TMC value for money a commitment to have not been able to adjust paid to the TMC for services experience and with departments paying suppliers their service fees, leading to rendered. However, the TMCs will structure; quality on time; an Iata unsustainable practices. need to adhere to the negotiated management overspending on licence; and, if However, the travel non-commissionable fares and systems, HR their budgets. ticketing through agent mentioned that rates and will not be allowed to management; a third party, government had finally started earn override commissions. They account management; service agents would need to provide communicating with the trade will be required to maintain an delivery; risk management; proof that the third party was after months of silence. “I’m open-book policy whereby any cost management; technology; Iata accredited. TMCs could be cautiously optimistic, as it seems commissions earned through the management information; asked to change GDS providers that government has opened government’s volumes will need financial management and and would be expected to work the lines of communication. to be reimbursed to government. customer satisfaction. overtime and during weekends However, I will only believe it “Government has been Only TMCs that reach a total and public holidays. when I see that actual steps are receiving poor value for money score of 70% or above will be Travel agents worry that the being taken.” What you missed at Saaci Congress 2016 HE Southern African Industry Council, Certified Association for the Meetings Professional and Conference Industry (Saaci) Continuing Education Unit hosted its 30th annual international standards. Leibetrau congressT at The President Hotel says this was the aspect of the in Mangaung from June 5 – 7. The congress that took up most of his event saw professional conference time during the preparation stage. organisers, event organisers, venue “In the past, we aligned our representatives and stakeholders programme to international from across the country gather standards but not to the extent to discuss industry issues, while that we did this year,” he says. “I also enjoying some networking am glad it paid off and we have time and information-sharing received great feedback from opportunities. delegates in attendance and via Saaci ceo Adriaan Leibetrau said the web.” that initially Mangaung was a hard New to this year’s congress destination to sell to delegates, were the sales and leadership with many admitting that their masterclasses, which Leibetrau says attendance at the conference was really made the difference. their first time in Bloemfontein. Other hot topics discussed “I think there is a misperception at the congress included ‘the that if a town was small a few years delegate of the future’, ‘the ABCs of ago, it will still be small today. But government events’, ‘outthinking this is the sixth biggest city in the the competitor’, ‘whether the country and the suppliers here are sharing economy will revolutionise extremely willing and capable to our industry for the better’, provide conference organisers with ‘exploring the changes in the expo everything they need,” he said. industry that can serve to enhance The programme content was conferencing and vice versa’ and aligned to that of Convention many more. TB2093SD August 2016 • TRAVEL BUYER 3 News

FlySafair Oneworld change complicates launches multi-sector travel Lanseria flights N August 1, FlySafari ASSENGERS travelling on by one ticket may change remind travellers opting to travel will launch flights a multi-sector oneworld the schedule for that flight, on two tickets that additional out of Lanseria itinerary will need to making the planned connection connecting time at their transfer International Airport leave additional time impossible. If the connecting point is required as they will need inO Johannesburg to Cape Pbetween connecting flights if flight was covered by that same to check in again, either after they are travelling on separate booking, the airline making landing or at the transfer point, Town and George. Bookings bookings as they may need to the schedule change would be depending on the airport’s set-up are open on the airline’s re-check luggage and obtain aware of the implications for the and facilities. A landing visa for website. new boarding passes when connection. The appropriate the transfer point might also be Cape Town flights will be connecting between alliance action to maintain the customer’s required, the airline said. double daily and flights to member airlines. itinerary could be taken well in What’s more, while customers George will be on Fridays This follows oneworld's advance, not dealt with at the that are ‘through checked’ and Sundays. announcement that member last minute when the customer should be looked after in times “We’ve listened closely to airlines were no longer required checks in and it is often too late of disruption, Cathay warns that what the market has been to check passengers and their to put workable alternatives in the airline is not responsible for asking for and there is a baggage through to their final place,” he says. any missed connections other distinct demand and call for destination where the itinerary Blunt adds that member than the flight it operates or us to fly from Lanseria,” said includes multiple flights and airlines are free to offer service connecting flights booked in the Kirby Gordon, FlySafair vp of multiple booking references. above and beyond the alliance same PNR as the flight it operates. sales and distribution. Vp of corporate minimum standard if they so Qantas will implement the FlySafair will acquire two communications, Michael Blunt, choose, so some may continue new policy from September 1 new 165-seat Boeing 737- says this is to avoid the service to offer through check-in for when travellers will need to book 400s to operate the Lanseria delivery problems that come customers who choose to travel connections as part of a single routes. with using separate tickets for on multi-sector journeys on booking in order to be eligible Launch fares to Cape different sectors. “An airline separate bookings. for through check-in to their final Town are from R599 one way operating a sector covered Cathay Pacific advises agents to destination. (including taxes) and fares to George are likely to be the same. Checked-in baggage Protea enters costs R150 per bag. Botswana Air Mauritius ROTEA Hotels’ first hotel in Botswana is set to open in grows network early 2018. IR Mauritius has taken The hotel will be in another step in its strategy PGaborone, close to recently to expand its network with developed corporate head and the launch of weekly flights government offices and retail Ato Tanzania. facilities. Dar es Salaam is served every Comprising 160 rooms, it will Friday by an A319 on a triangular feature conference, meeting and flight operating Mauritius-Dar es event facilities. The large ballroom Salaam-Nairobi-Mauritius. can be converted into four meeting At the recent launch of the Dar rooms, giving the hotel the ability es Salaam flights, Air Mauritius to host up to eight meetings at any chairman, Arjoon Suddho, said time – four in the ballroom and four

nathan the airline had 26 weekly flights to in the other meeting venues. ate the African continent following the Other facilities include a business k : addition of the new destination. centre, bar, restaurant, fitness centre photo “We have launched weekly and outdoor pool. flight to Dar es Salaam in a bid “This hotel represents a Flying high! to address the need for more significant investment in the connectivity to give travellers local economy and, in addition to Singapore Airlines’ brand-new, three times a week, increasing from Mauritius easy access to East offering new hospitality facilities, it spick and span Airbus A350 made gradually to seven. Africa,” he said. will be appreciated because of the its debut in Africa and in South Pictured here is Alvin Seah, Air Mauritius ceo, Megh Pillay, new employment opportunities to Africa on Monday, June 27, when it Singapore Airlines’ gm Central and said the new flights would be created for local citizens,” said landed at OR Tambo on its maiden Southern Africa, photographed contribute to feeding the air Alex Kyriakidis, president and md, flight. The airline will be using the in one of the aircraft’s 42 ‘biggest corridor that linked Africa and Middle East and Africa of Marriott aircraft on the SA route, initially business-class seats in the sky’. Asia via the hubs of Mauritius and International. Singapore.

4 August 2016 • TRAVEL BUYER TB2095SD News

Interair SA quietly closes down LCC to launch Cape Town – Vic NTERAIR South Africa has Air Austral, stopped receiving suspended in Amadeus. closed down after ending its passenger name lists from the Meanwhile, Visagee said all Falls flights? last remaining operation – a airline at the end of April. It had Interair’s passenger payments codeshare with Air Austral received no official notification had been processed through FRICAN carrier, Ibetween Johannesburg and that the airline had closed down BSP and Hahn Air would fastjet, is looking at Réunion – at the end of April, and Interair was not responding be notified to terminate its launching flights confirms ceo, Gary Tokoph. to queries from its codeshare eticketing partnership with between Cape Town This follows the termination partner. Interair. He said the airline’s Aand Victoria Falls. of the airline’s last remaining However, Interair’s assets, including a B737, were in Richard Bodin, fastjet coo, scheduled operation to Ndola, commercial manager, Deon the process of being sold. said the route was still in Zambia, in May last year and Visagee, said all D6 flight Jeweller, Robbie Schwartz, the early phases and flights the death of its chairman and data would be removed from started Interair in 1994 as part of would be launched in the director, David Tokoph, in a the GDSs after he received the Interjet group of companies. fourth quarter of this year at plane crash in New Mexico, US in notification on June 28 from It initially operated domestic the earliest, although a later August last year. Airline Tariff Publishing services, expanding to regional date was foreseeable. Tokoph confirmed that Company (ATPC) – the data services in April 1995. In 1997, According to Bodin, all Interair flights had been supplier of all major pricing it was saved from insolvency the airline’s routes from cancelled and that all Interair engines – that all Interair by David Tokoph, a US citizen Johannesburg to Zimbabwe flight data (airline code D6) on flight data had been removed, from El Paso, Texas, who was continue to see growth, the GDSs had been blocked. He effective June 24. Travel Buyer previously md of Aero Zambia especially its flights to said the airline handed back its is in possession of an email and who was repeatedly linked Victoria Falls. The airlines licences to the International Air confirming this from ATPC senior by the media to arms dealing flies a double-daily service to Service Licensing Council. He business analyst, Kelly Garrison. in Africa. As an Iata member, Harare and to Victoria Falls was not prepared to comment Amadeus senior manager Interair operated scheduled three times a week. It also on the reasons for the airline’s marketing & communications, regional services and charters services Dar es Salaam and demise, nor on his future plans. Jannine Adams, also confirmed from Johannesburg to West Zanzibar in Tanzania. Interair’s codeshare partner, all D6 flights had been Africa and Zambia. Australia changes visa process OUTH African travellers are the new requirements, with a now required to provide tourist or business visitor visa base biometric data when application charge of AU$135 applying for an Australian (R1 480). Svisa. Nicholson adds that, since the Previously, agents could make system was launched, the visa the application on the client’s company has not experienced behalf by completing an any delays with the application online. process and that all “The application is applications have still submitted and been successfully loaded online, after completed. which a request to set “Everything has up an appointment been smooth sailing l

z y is immediately made on our side,” says van available,” says Debbie Carla Douglas, Nicholson, managing national business member of Visas and manager for visas of : shannon : Passports Unlimited. MDS Visapak, adding

photo Applicants can submit that every time their fingerprints and the visa company Earn some, spend some facial photographs at has submitted an one of the four Australian application it has ClubRed, the rewards programme bookings. The points can then Visa Application centres in Cape been able to book an appointment for travel agents who book with be converted either into cash on Town, Durban, Johannesburg and for biometric data collection Avis or Budget, has upgraded the card or eBucks, which can Pretoria. Travellers will need to immediately. its webs