New hurdles for SA travellers
WHILE most tour
operators agree that
the general threat
of terrorism is not deterring
South African travellers from
visiting Europe, the aftermath
of the recent spate of terrorist
attacks has created a number
of issues for travellers to the
region.
General processes, such as
visa applications and transport
between countries, have also
become tedious for many
travellers as a result of the
ongoing threat of terrorism. In
September, Germany opened
its borders to Syrian refugees,
causing chaos within Europe.
At the beginning of this
year, Sweden and Denmark
extended their temporary
border checks and increased
spot passport checks at
specific border posts. Many
reports predict that other
European countries will follow
Sweden and Denmark by
closing their borders.
Currently, the Schengen
visa system still applies
to South African travellers
who wish to travel to more
than one country in Europe.
However, many European
countries, as well as the UK,
are considering closing their
borders which would mean the
fall of Schengen. As a result,
South African travellers may
soon find themselves having
to produce documentation that
is specific to every country’s
border in Europe.
For the time being, travellers
should be aware that, due to
checks for illegal immigrants
conducted at borders,
particularly at airports and on
roads (not as much on trains),
there might be some delays
while travelling, says Austria
Connection md, Inge Dobihal.
“Changing visa requirements
are always an issue for
South African travellers, and
these do put a damper on
the pre-holiday experience,”
agrees Trafalgar md, Theresa
Szejwallo. To curb these
issues, Trafalgar says it tries
to stay informed on travel
trends or hindrances, and
notify travellers accordingly.
However, when it comes to
the visa process specifically
and the possible added
complication that the fall
of Schengen may present,
Ilse Heymans, senior travel
consultant at Pentravel says
that South Africans have
always needed to apply for
visas to visit Europe anyway.
“South African travellers are
used to having to apply for
visas, so if more paperwork
is required for Europe in the
future, South Africans are likely
to still travel as normal.”
In particular, the threat of
terrorism has caused some
operators to cancel itineraries
in certain destinations. “In
light of the most recent
terrorist events in Turkey, many
cruise lines have cancelled
calls to Istanbul for 2016,
which have been replaced
by calls to Athens and the
Greek islands,” says George
Argyropoulos, md of Cruises
International.
What to advise clients
Guided tours are a
safe option to travel to
and explore Europe.
Theresa Szejwallo says
Trafalgar employs local
travel directors who are
familiar with Europe as part
of its strategy to ensure
traveller safety. “Guests
are never alone and we
keep them informed of
any incidents happening in
destinations we travel to,”
says Theresa.
For safety reasons, agents
should also advise travellers
to purchase the excursions
offered by the cruise line
rather than sourcing these
separately, warns Cruises
International’s George
Argyropoulos. He points
out that being on a cruise
ship offers a higher level
of safety on board than
on land since the level of
security for the organised
excursions offered are
scrutinised by the cruise
line, the port agent and the
local authorities.
George also highlights
the importance of taking
precautionary measures,
and says that if an
excursion or a destination
is deemed unsafe, the
excursion or the visit to
that particular port will be
cancelled by the cruise line.
Travellers can also follow
a few easy steps to ensure
that they make the most
of their trip to Europe, says
Ilse Heymans of Pentravel.
“To avoid confusion and
frustration, travellers
need to keep themselves
informed of where they are
going and where they are
staying,” she says, adding
that although it is a good
idea to be informed and to
keep up to date with current
news, travellers should
not be preoccupied with
worrying. “Worrying will take
away from the enjoyment of
the trip. Travellers should
not obsess over terrorist
events, as these can
happen anywhere in the
world.” Ilse does however,
recommend that travellers
take advantage of social
media to communicate with
family and friends and to
stay up to date with relevant
travel alerts and updates in
real-time.
Communication is of
the upmost importance,
especially where safety
is a concern, agrees
TravelVision sales and
marketing manager,
Annemarie Lexow, adding
that it is important to find
ways to always be in touch.
“International roaming
is expensive but agents
should advise travellers to
look for alternatives and
always have access to the
Internet.” Digital news apps
with information specifically
about the destination are
also a great way to be
aware of what is happening,
she says. Annemarie
also recommends using
Whatsapp as a platform to
keep in touch with family
and friends.
News flash
Virgin Atlantic has added the Boeing 787 to its fleet. It will
fly from London Heathrow to New York, Newark, Boston, Los
Angeles, Delhi, Hong Kong and Shanghai. The airline says the
Dreamliner offers customers Virgin’s best ever experience of
inflight service and comfort. All Virgin Atlantic flights have
WiFi throughout and include Smoother Ride Technology which
senses turbulence and makes small adjustments to flight
systems to reduce it – thus reducing the chance of motion
sickness.
The weak rand effect
WHILE recent terrorist
events have caused
TravelVision to see a drop
in requests for Europe as
travellers have shifted to
alternative destinations, the
weak rand has had a bigger
impact on the numbers than
the terrorist attacks in Paris,
says Annemarie Lexow.
Pentravel’s Ilse Heymans
has also noticed a decline in
traveller interest in Europe
as a result of the rate of
exchange. “South Africans
are looking less at places
like Europe because of the
poor rand exchange rate. Of
all the concerns that Europe
may be presenting currently,
the weakened rand is by
far the issue that is most
affecting South Africans,”
she says.
Analysts have said the
rand is not likely to gain
ground on a sustainable
basis and is at the mercy
of general emerging market
risk aversion as investors
worry about the impact of
slowing economic growth in
China. Just one month into
2016, the rand had already
weakened nearly 6% against
the dollar, and had been
dragged down by concerns
over sluggish domestic
growth and a slowdown in
the world’s second biggest
economy, China.
“Aside from domestic
factors, the rand will
continue to be vulnerable
until markets in China calm
down,” according to NKC
African Economics.
The good news for South
African travellers is that
new routes connecting
South Africa and Europe
may encourage competition
between carriers and
lower fares for travellers.
From August, Iberia will
reinstate flights to South
Africa. The airline will fly
from Johannesburg to
Madrid three times a week
on Tuesdays, Fridays and
Saturdays, and will return
on Mondays, Thursdays and
Fridays. It will use Airbus
A330-300s with 36 seats
in business class and 242
in economy. Flight IB6050
departs Johannesburg at
20h15 and arrives in Madrid
at 06h35. Flight IB6051
departs Madrid at 23h45
and arrives in Johannesburg
at 10h10 the next day.
“This will provide South
Africans with a very good
proposition into Europe.
Executive Club and On
Business members will
also be able to earn and
redeem Avios rewards
on both airlines – British
Airways and Iberia,”
says Luis Gallego, Iberia
chairman and ceo.
Europe remains an all-time favourite
DESPITE recent events
in Europe, many tour
operators say Europe
remains a popular leisure
and business destination
for South Africans, with
some operators seeing an
increase in sales to the
region.
“Europe, and in particular
the Mediterranean, is our
most popular destination.
We experienced an
increase of 15% in
2015,” says Cruises
International’s George
Argyropoulos.
“We noticed a marked
increase in our sales
and enquiries for travel,
particularly to Great
Britain, and noticed a
12% passenger increase
in these sales,” agrees
Trafalgar’s Theresa
Szejwallo.
She says sales across
Europe superseded targets
for Trafalgar, and saw 2015
end with a 7% increase
in passenger numbers
compared with 2014. “Our
turnover was 18% higher in
2015 from 2014, and this
was also due to a shift in
sales between Trafalgar’s
traditional products to its
more affordable Cost Saver
ones,” she says.
Meanwhile, Thompsons
Holidays pr and media
relations manager, John
Ridler says the unwavering
popularity of Europe
is largely due to the
European colonial make-up
of South Africa.
“Europe will always be
popular with South Africans
because of the variety it
offers,” adds Annemarie.
News flash
Bath in the UK is set to receive its own version of the London Eye offering “unrivalled aerial views” across
the Unesco World Heritage city. AquEye is a revolving glass observation pod suspended between two slim,
carbon-fibre masts rising to a height of 65m, just under half the size of the London Eye. Bath’s version will
be built on Pulteney Weir Island, just below the famous 18th century Pulteney Bridge that crosses the River
Avon. The glass capsule will carry up to 25 passengers from Parade Gardens’ riverside lawn and take just
20 seconds to reach its full height. The full ride will last 20 minutes. AquaEye is set to open in the spring
or summer of 2017.
Popular spots
ITALY is a top destination
for South Africans according
to Trafalgar. “We have a
selection of 24 guided
holidays to Italy to choose
from. From culture, art,
history, food and beautiful
landscapes, Italy has
captured the hearts of
many South Africans,” says
Theresa Szejwallo.
Specialising only in specific
areas, primarily Austria and
Eastern Europe, Inge Dobihal
says for Austria Connection,
Prague, Vienna, Budapest
and Croatia are currently the
most popular destinations for
South African travellers.
When it comes to cruising,
Cruises International’s
George Argyropoulos says
southern Europe, from Lisbon
to Istanbul, is popular with
South Africans. “The culture,
history, food, shopping, and
the warm sunny weather are
the main reasons for this.”
After these, the Baltic Sea
and the countries surrounding
it, including Sweden, Norway,
Finland, Estonia, Latvia and
Russia – St Petersburg in
particular – are of interest to
South African travellers.
The UK is always popular,
as it offers easy access to
other European countries,
highlights TravelVision’s
Annemarie Lexow, adding
that public transport is easy
to use in the UK. Meanwhile,
Thompsons Holidays ranks
France and Italy tops.
Hidden gems
While many destinations
in Europe already have a
place in the hearts of South
African travellers, other lessobvious
countries are also
growing in popularity.
“Trafalgar’s Eastern
European trips are gaining
in popularity, and cities such
as Prague, Vienna, and
Budapest are sparking the
interest of the young and
the young at heart,” says
Theresa Szejwallo, who
adds that the diverse culture
offered by the former Eastern
Bloc countries paired with
their affordable currencies
make the region appealing
for South Africans.
Austria Connection says
hidden gems are Slovenia
and Romania. “Slovenia is
a very small country, but
has diverse scenery. From
the Alps and rolling hills
to vineyards, this region
is gaining the attention of
South African travellers,”
says Inge Dobihal.
She says the capital of
Slovenia, Ljubljana, is a
charming and vibrant town.
“Lake Bled, which is a small
lake in the Julian Alps in
north-western Slovenia also
has places of interest to
travellers.” At Lake Bled,
there is a small island
with a church, an imposing
castle on a cliff, and the
Julian Alps, which form the
backdrop of one of the most
photographed places for
travellers in the area. “One
of the other highlights is the
Postojna Caves, which are
the world’s second largest.”
Inge also notes that
Romania is a historically
rich country with beautiful
scenery. “The mostvisited
area in Romania is
Transylvania, where travellers
can find the well-known
Dracula castle, and the
neo-Renaissance Pele’s
Castle.” Another highlight
in this region is the painted
monasteries in Bucovina.
Thompsons Holidays’
John Ridler says Greece is
regaining popularity after the
economic unrest, and Croatia
is popular for cruising as the
prices are affordable.
According to Cruises
International’s George
Argyropoulos, the Dalmatian
coast is gaining in popularity
and more ports are being
visited there. “We are also
noticing similar trends along
the Italian, French and
Spanish Rivieras.”
TravelVision’s Annemarie
Lexow agrees that Croatia
is gaining interest, adding
that the Czech Republic is
another one of Europe’s
hidden gems.
“We find that cruise
travellers are not only looking
for ports like Mykonos,
Santorini, and Monte Carlo,
but also want to explore
quainter, lesser-known and
more authentic destinations
where they can experience
the local life and culture
in its original form,” says
George.
Help your clients get more for less
WHEN it comes to making
the most out of a trip
to Europe, Thompsons
Holidays’ John Ridler
advises agents to plan
their clients’ holidays
around low seasons for
cheaper airfares and lower
accommodation costs.
“Agents should also
incorporate rail tickets into
their clients’ itineraries.
Eurail Passes are the most
cost-effective way to get
around in Europe, and at
the same time travellers
can enjoy the breath-taking
scenery,” says John, who
highlights that travellers
can save money on costly
airport transfers as the train
stations are all centrally
located.
On the other hand,
Cruises International’s
George Argyropoulos says
there is no better way to
sell Europe in the current
economic climate than by
selling cruises. “Cruising
is more economical and
hassle-free, while it still
remains an enjoyable
way to explore Europe.
Clients unpack once,
enjoy excellent standards
of accommodation,
entertainment, activities
and dining on board, while
the ship is doing all the
travelling for them.”
George says a cruise
in Europe is still very
affordable, and starts at
about R1 500 per person
per day. “There is no way
travellers can find on land
what a cruise offers and still
come near this price. At the
same time, travellers on a
cruise enjoy more holiday
than actual travelling.”
He further highlights the
earning potential for agents.
“Selling a cruise is a great
commission earner for
consultants. When it comes
to which European cruises
to sell, the best thing
agents can do is let clients
dictate their preferences.
Depending on their
aspirations and previous
experiences, a consultant
can choose an itinerary that
will suit their needs,” says
George, adding that Cruises
International covers Europe
extensively.
The best way agents can
acquire the experience they
need to more effectively sell
European destinations is to
experience it themselves,
says Trafalgar’s Theresa
Szejwallo.
Trafalgar is planning an
agents’ fam trip for 2016
for 32 travel agents, who
will receive a personal
invitation once they have
reached 10 passenger
sales, and once they have
completed the eLearning
training. “We are taking
agents to experience the
beautiful Christmas markets
of Strasbourg and Freiburg
between November 23 and
30, where we will cover
the land and air cost of
the trip.” Trafalgar is also
offering extensive training
and webinar sessions to
support the trade and
to help them better sell
destinations and Trafalgar
guided holidays.
Annemarie Lexow of Travel
Vision agrees that agents
can better sell European
destinations by attending
workshops, as well as
keeping up to date with
websites such as Lonely
Planet and Word Travels.
8 top Travelinfo specials
DESPITE the weak rand,
operators are still offering
some great specials to
Europe. Here are our pick of
the top 10 specials listed
on Travelinfo.
➊ F1 Grand Prix Tours
is running a special for
motorsport fanatics hoping
to visit the 2016 Le Mans
24-hour race in France.
Packages include four
nights’ accommodation in a
two-star bed and breakfast,
three-day circuit transfers,
economy-class return flights
from Johannesburg, airport
taxes, return train transfers
between Paris and Le Mans
and a South African on-site
tour director. The offer
excludes race tickets of
choice although these are
supplied by F1 Grand Prix
Tours. The event will be held
on June 18 with departures
between June 13 and 15
depending on whether
travellers are staying for
four, five or six nights. The
package costs R20 500.
➋ Thompsons Holidays
is offering a special
promotion for travellers
visiting Germany. Stay at
the three-star Leonardo
Hotel in Frankfurt for six
nights for R22 229pps
departing Johannesburg,
R22 534pps ex-Durban
and R22 658pps ex-Cape
Town. The offer is valid
until April 13 and includes
return flights to Frankfurt
from Johannesburg,
airline levies, return
airport-hotel transfers, six
nights’ accommodation at
the three-star Leonardo
Frankfurt City, a city tour
and breakfast daily.
➌ Kulula holidays is
offering travellers the
chance to go ‘island
hopping’ in Greece.
From R14 175pps, the
package includes hotel
accommodation with three
nights in Athens, two nights
in Mykonos, two nights in
Paros and two nights in
Santorini. Also included
are nine breakfasts, two
dinners, transfers between
ports and hotels and ferries
between the islands. Guided
tours in Athens, Mykonos,
Paros and Santorini are
also included and feature
a trip leader. The package
excludes flights as well as
visa and travel insurance.
The offer is valid for specific
set departures from May
19-June 9.
➍ Ponant Yacht Cruises
and Expeditions is offering
travellers the opportunity to
explore Portugal and Ireland
in five-star luxury. Sail Le
Boreal from Lisbon to Dublin
for seven nights and pay
€2 620pps (R46 387). The
offer includes all meals and
on-board entertainment,
and an open bar. The cruise
starts on May 9.
➎ Travel Vision is offering
the chance to experience
Italy by train. From
R28 535pps, travellers
can visit Rome, Florence
and Venice between July 7
and August 31. The offer
includes return airfare and
taxes ex-Johannesburg,
two nights each in Florence
and Venice in three-star
hotels, breakfast daily, all
private transfers between
airports, hotels and stations
and second-class Eurostar
tickets between cities.
City sightseeing tours and
excursions are also included
and come complete with an
English-speaking guide. City
taxes apply.
➏ Discover the World is
offering special rates for
cruises on the British cruise
line, Swan Hellenic. The
R60 999pps offer includes
flights from Johannesburg
to London and Kirkenes,
Norway, on Emirates and
Scandinavian Airlines
and 14 nights on board
the Minerva. Travellers
sail from London to
Kirkenes and visit Bergen,
Flan, Maloy, Geiranger,
Kristiansund, Svolvaie,
Tromso, Hammerfest
and Honningsvaag. Also
included are talks by expert
guest speakers, short
excursions to the value of
£650 (R15 086), all meals,
entertainment, taxes and
gratuities. The offer is valid
for June 10 departure.
➐ Club Med is running a
special for Italy. The offer
includes seven nights in
Cervinia on an all-inclusive
basis for R25 400pp
departing Johannesburg
when travelling before
April 1. The offer
includes airfares, taxes,
transfers, seven nights’
accommodation, full board –
breakfast, lunch and dinner
including wine, beer and
soft drinks – open bar day
and light snacking, a sixday
ski pass and five days’
ski lessons for kids under
the age of 17. Unique Club
Med entertainment and
comprehensive insurance
cover are also included.
➑ Austria Connection is
running a family special to
Vienna’s Easter Markets.
From March 21 to April 6,
the cost is €625
(R11 124) per family (two
adults and two children)
for three nights in a family
room with breakfast daily in
a three-star hotel, a 72-hour
Vienna Card, entrance to
the zoo, one lunch as well
as entrance to Madame
Tussaud’s Wax Museum
Did you know?
Qatar Airways has expanded
its services across Eastern
Europe. Flights from Doha to
Zagreb and Doha to Budapest
increase to 10 flights a
week from the current daily
service from April 3 and July
3 respectively, while the DohaBaku
service increases from
daily to 11 flights a week from
March 27. The airline is also
launching new direct flights
from Doha to Belgrade from
March 16.
AF rolls out
Tiger Web.
AIR France has rolled out
its group booking tool, Tiger
Web, throughout South Africa
and has also launched an
incentive for all new bookings
made on the new portal.
With the tool, agents can
request groups online,
obtain price and availability
information and make a
booking subject to availability
or forward it to the Air France
Group Desk. It also allows
agents to insert names, APIS
remarks and deposit details
to secure the group. The tool
will also allow travel agents to
manage their own group files.
Agents can access Tiger
Web via Air France’s dedicated
agent tool agentconnect.
biz/za. Agents who are not
registered will need to do so,
then send an e-mail to mail.
groups.zaafkl@airfrance.fr to
be granted access.
All bookings made on Tiger
Web will be put into into a
lucky draw and the consultant
who made the most bookings
will win vouchers to the value
of R1 000. The incentive will
end on March 31.
At the end of the incentive
period, the consultant who
made the most bookings
on Tiger Web will win two
economy-class tickets on Air
France (taxes and surcharges
are included in the prize).
4 tips when applying for a Schengen visa
EUROPE was the most
visited region in 2015 with
609 million arrivals – at
least 29 million more than
2014, according to the
World Tourism Organisation
(UNWTO). The Schengen
visa, which allows for easy
access into 26 of Europe’s
51 countries, continues to
prove a popular option for
travellers looking to explore
the region – and, in some
cases, is their only option.
Sure Maritime Travel
business manager, Rachael
Penaluna, gave TNW her
top four recommendations
for agents to advise their
clients when applying for a
Schengen visa.
1 If the traveller is called
for a follow-up interview,
do not panic because
it is usually to clear
something up.
2 Make sure you know
how the Schengen
system works and which
countries a Schengen
visa covers. For instance,
you may enter Romania
although it is not part
of the Schengen area
with a Schengen visa
but you cannot enter any
Schengen state with a
Romanian visa.
3 Remember that some
embassies have a
dress code. Make sure
the applicant looks
presentable when going
for the interview.
4 Where the embassy only
requires an itinerary and
not a ticket, do not issue
your ticket before the
visa is granted as it could
prove costly if the visa is
denied.
Book it!
Avalon Waterways is offering a two-for-one limited-time special. For travellers booking selected 2016
Avalon Waterways European river cruise departures, two passengers can cruise and only pay for one.
These include cruises from Amsterdam to Budapest, from Paris to Cote d’Azur, from Prague to Budapest
or from Brussels to Amsterdam. Agents can also earn 20% commission with Avalon Waterways.
An ideal way to explore
EUROPE has over 5 000km of
navigable waterways and many
of the major capital cities in
Europe are on the banks of
these rivers. Consequently,
travellers could cruise through
Europe on the river system
and pass by all of these major
cities along the way, says
Gateway Travel and Tours md,
Keith Gow.
“A traveller could literally
jump on a boat in Budapest
and cruise on through to
Amsterdam,” Keith says.
Travellers who choose this
option also escape Europe’s
congested traffic and will
not suffer from seasickness,
he adds. “Also, Avalon
Waterways’ cruises only take
160 passengers – which
saves the traveller from being
overwhelmed by thousands of
passengers on bigger cruise
ships.” There are also no
queues in river cruising, adds
Keith.
The luxury river cruise line
offers customers a fleet that is
as modern as possible, Keith
says. “They launch about 10
ships every year, keep them for
four years then trade them off
so they always offer a state-ofthe-art
product.
“Ultimately, the benefit of
river cruising is that travellers
who want a good overview of
Europe can float by the major
cities from the comfort of their
luxury cabins.”
Spotlight on Poland
VISITS to more unusual
destinations like Poland
are becoming more
popular as businesses
seek out new markets,
says Sure Maritime Travel
business manager, Rachael
Penaluna. TNW provides
some valuable tips from
TravelInfo on the Polish
capital of Warsaw.
When to visit
The best time to visit
Poland is between May and
October. The peak tourist
time (between July and
August) can be crowded
and more expensive so the
best off-season times are
between May and June or
between September and
October. The skiing season
is from December to March.
Summer (June to August) is
warm. Winter (November to
March) is cold and dark.
Navigating the airport
The international airport
is Warsaw Frederic Chopin
Airport.
Travellers should only
use taxi services
recommended by the
airport.
There is one hotel within
the grounds of the airport.
Airport facilities include a
bank, bureaux de change
and ATMs, and there
is also a post office in
the departures hall. A
number of travel agencies
are also represented
and car hire desks are
spread throughout the
international terminal.
Wireless Internet access
is available within the
airport.
In the city
All the major international
hotel chains are found in
the city.
A taxi costs approximately
PLN50 (R203) from the
airport to town.
Advise travellers not to
take pictures of military
sites or border crossings.
Advise travellers to
exercise standard safety
measures against street
crime, especially in busy
areas and transport
services.
Travellers should drive
with headlights on during
the day as well. Drink
driving laws are strict
and there are fines for
jaywalking.
