TRAVEL agents can expect
an influx of creative and costeffective
packages to Victoria
Falls once Kenya Airways
launches its new flight from
Nairobi to Cape Town via
Victoria Falls on May 18.
Although industry players
predict the route will mainly
be a hit with international
travellers wanting to combine
Cape Town and Victoria Falls,
it provides new opportunities
for both the SA corporate and
leisure traveller.
“Victoria Falls and Cape Town
have opposite high and low
seasons so the opportunity
to create innovative and costeffective
packages is now
ready and waiting,” says Ross
Kennedy, ce Africa Albida
Tourism.
Ross says, since the recent
announcement, he has liaised
with several South African
outbound operators. “I can
confidently say that we will see
some new packages being
published and marketed very
soon.”
Vicky Steinhardt, product
manager of Pentravel, says
although Vic Falls is already
well represented by tour
operators in South Africa, the
increased service will hopefully
further increase the demand
and appeal for locals and
foreign tourists.
The additional flights are also
likely to produce competitive
fares, which will, in turn,
stimulate the market, says
John Ridler, PR and media
manager of Thompsons
Holidays. “Vic Falls is a
popular destination and lower
prices will also encourage
repeat visits.”
Craig Parvess, senior
product manager of kulula
holidays, says the company
uses KQ’s Livingstone route
as “a low-cost entry point” to
stimulate demand for both
Zambia and Zimbabwe. He
adds that, over the coming
months, kulula holidays will
be working with suppliers to
stimulate traffic to Victoria
Falls from Cape Town and
make the destination as costattractive
as routes operating
from other destinations.
For South Africa’s MICE and
bleisure business, the flight
is a welcome addition as it
will take the time, cost and
inconvenience of an OR Tambo
connection out of the equation
for travellers departing from
Cape Town, says Sharon
Leong, national sales manager
of Thompsons Travel.
Kenya Airways launched
its Nairobi to Cape Town
via Livingstone route in July
2016. As is this case with
Livingstone, the airline has
fifth freedom rights on the new
route, meaning passengers
can embark and disembark at
each stop.
Tour operators say each
route will be successful as
the two destinations appeal
to different demographics.
Jacqui Carr, product manager
of The Holiday Factory, says
Livingstone offers the quiet
and serenity of the Zambian
riverfront, whereas Victoria
Falls offers a livelier vibe.
Operated by Embraer E190s
with 12 business- class seats
and 84 economy-class seats,
the new flight will operate three
times a week on Mondays,
Thursdays and Saturdays. It
will depart Nairobi at 07h20,
arriving in Victoria Falls at
09h30, departing at 10h20 to
arrive in Cape Town at 13h25.
The return flight will take off
from Cape Town International
Airport at 14h15 to arrive
Victoria Falls at 17h10 and
depart at 18h00 to arrive in
Nairobi at 22h00.although Vic Falls is already
well represented by tour
operators in South Africa, the
increased service will hopefully
further increase the demand
and appeal for locals and
foreign tourists.
The additional flights are also
likely to produce competitive
fares, which will, in turn,
stimulate the market, says
John Ridler, PR and media
manager of Thompsons
Holidays. “Vic Falls is a
popular destination and lower
prices will also encourage
repeat visits.”
Craig Parvess, senior
product manager of kulula
holidays, says the company
uses KQ’s Livingstone route
as “a low-cost entry point” to
stimulate demand for both
Zambia and Zimbabwe. He
adds that, over the coming
months, kulula holidays will
be working with suppliers to
stimulate traffic to Victoria
Falls from Cape Town and
make the destination as costattractive
as routes operating
from other destinations.
For South Africa’s MICE and
bleisure business, the flight
is a welcome addition as it
will take the time, cost and
inconvenience of an OR Tambo
connection out of the equation
for travellers departing from
Cape Town, says Sharon
Leong, national sales manager
of Thompsons Travel.
Kenya Airways launched
its Nairobi to Cape Town
via Livingstone route in July
2016. As is this case with
Livingstone, the airline has
fifth freedom rights on the new
route, meaning passengers
can embark and disembark at
each stop.
Tour operators say each
route will be successful as
the two destinations appeal
to different demographics.
Jacqui Carr, product manager
of The Holiday Factory, says
Livingstone offers the quiet
and serenity of the Zambian
riverfront, whereas Victoria
Falls offers a livelier vibe.
Operated by Embraer E190s
with 12 business- class seats
and 84 economy-class seats,
the new flight will operate three
times a week on Mondays,
Thursdays and Saturdays. It
will depart Nairobi at 07h20,
arriving in Victoria Falls at
09h30, departing at 10h20 to
arrive in Cape Town at 13h25.
The return flight will take off
from Cape Town International
Airport at 14h15 to arrive
Victoria Falls at 17h10 and
depart at 18h00 to arrive in
Nairobi at 22h00.
