Cyril drives cheerful sentiment

CYRIL Ramaphosa’s
appointment as
President of South
Africa has seen travel
agents experiencing a flurry
of enquiries, with consumers
showing a renewed appetite
for travel.
The change in the
atmosphere of the country
is palpable, says Mary
Shilleto, ceo of Thompsons
Travel. “Everyone is feeling
thrilled and optimistic,” she
says, adding that February
got off to a busy start.
Mary expects corporate and
leisure travel to be boosted
by the development.
Thompsons Holidays has
seen an influx of enquiries
since Ramaphosa’s
appointment, says John
Ridler, PR and media
manager, and has even
extended its opening hours
until March 9 to cope with
the extra workload. John
says that while it is a bit
premature to comment
on whether or not there
has been an increase in
bookings, the large number
of quotes are likely to turn
into additional bookings.
“The first positive indication
is the stronger rand – a very
positive sign for outbound
leisure travel,” he says.
Likewise, Jonathan Gerber,
director of TAG, says while
it’s too soon to see an
increase in bookings, the
sentiment is better.
Andrew Stark, md for
MEA of Flight Centre Travel
Group, has observed
widespread consumer
confidence following the
election. “Overall confidence
among South Africans
seems to be at an all-time
high. This certainly bodes
well for the future of both
leisure and corporate
travel,” he says. Andrew
adds that if Ramaphosa can
achieve what he has put
forward, consumers can look
to a great decade ahead.
“Growing GDP by 3% and
getting inflation to below
4% will result in consumers
getting more bang for their
buck – a position that they
have not been in for 45
years.