Maldives gets more affordable
WITH its pristine
beaches and
turquoise ocean, the
Maldives was one of those
destinations that travellers
aspired to visit, but which
few could afford to travel to.
But, more attractive pricing
has opened the Maldives up
to more travellers, and can
be attributed to a drop in
traditional key global source
markets as well as increased
competition between resorts.
Sue Howells, sales and
marketing manager of African
Synergy, which represents
Constance Hotels and
Resorts in South Africa,
says that the Maldives is
definitely becoming a more
affordable option for South
Africans. “The top supporting
market to the Maldives,
the Chinese, has seen a
significant decrease in travel
to the destination. Europe has
also seen a slight decline.
Combined with the growing
popularity of live-aboards in
the Maldives, particularly
amongst the diving fraternity,
the number of bednights in
hotels has been negatively
impacted and many resorts
are releasing more tactical
offers to encourage sales.”
Luane Lavery, brand
communications manager
for British Airways agrees
and says kulula holidays
has been contacted by hotel
groups and resorts in the
Maldives to explore business
opportunities. “Some of
these hotels and resorts have
never dealt with the South
African market before. It is
clear from our discussions
that the European market has
dropped off quite considerably
for several reasons, and this
is creating opportunities for
more affordable packages
to lure the South African
market. However, the base of
travellers from South Africa is
still extremely small,”
she adds.
Access woes
The lack of a direct flight
service between South Africa
and Malé in the Maldives has
contributed to the low number
of South Africans travelling to
the destination, says Alexis
Bekker, head of sales and
marketing: Africa for LUX*
Resorts and Hotels.
“What has made the
Maldives difficult to sell
is almost less to do with
price and more to do with
not having a direct flight,”
she says. “The destination
has always been on the
pricey side, but there are
destinations that sell for a lot
more that still attract South
African travellers.”
Luane agrees and says:
“Obviously, with no direct
flights from South Africa and
a longer travel time, the stay
is usually longer than some
of the other destinations
available and this has an
impact. We are still excited
about the potential growth
of the Maldives though and
see it as a great destination,
provided the current
opportunities prove to be
sustainable.”
Fierce competition amongst hotels
The competition between
high-end, five-star deluxe
resorts coupled with the
difficult global economic
situation has seen resorts
looking to other markets,
like South Africa, to regain
sales.
Alexis says while
competition between
resorts is fierce, LUX*
South Ari Atoll underwent
an extensive refurbishment
last year, re-opening in
September 2016. The
group also plans to open
its second resort in the
Maldives – LUX* North
Male Atoll, later this year.
She says LUX* is
confident its product
offering meets the needs
of its high-end target
market. “Our financial
investments in the
Maldives are extensive
and we believe will
generate the required ROI
and market share despite
the price dropping that the
destination has seen.”
World Leisure Holidays
markets a select group
of four- and five-star
resorts in the Maldives.
Cathie Bester, marketing
manager of World Leisure
Holidays, says, “The
Maldives is an exclusive
product, not a mainstream
one. People who are
looking for an island
holiday in paradise opt
to travel to the Maldives.
Our numbers into the
destination have
remained static.”
The reduction in pricing
certainly makes the
Maldives an increasingly
attractive option for South
African travellers, but
Sue warns that agents
should spend a bit of time
researching entry-level
package inclusions before
offering them to clients.
The quality and variety
of all-inclusive packages
varies greatly, she says.
“Constance Moofushi,
for example, offers 130
bottles of wine from
around the world in its
Cristal Package, versus
some of the entry-level
packages which limit the
inclusions to one or two
house wine options.
More South Africans consider Seychelles
SEYCHELLES has seen
incredible growth in the
number of South Africans
visiting the island, with
consistent increases dating
back from 2010 onwards.
This is according to
David Germain, Seychelles
Tourism Board director:
Africa and the Americas,
who says: “We tap into the
market that has previously
travelled to Mauritius and
is looking for a new
experience.
“We have seen positive
increases in passenger
numbers from Africa for the
past six years. South Africa
is a main source market
out of Africa, and 13 000
passengers travelled to the
islands from South Africa last
year. This is compared to only
5 500 in 2010,” he adds.
Targeted marketing
campaigns have played
an important role in this
growth, says David. Two
years ago, Seychelles
Tourism launched the
‘Affordable Seychelles’
campaign with the aim
of educating South
Africans about the varied
accommodation options
available in the archipelago.
Air Seychelles works with the
Seychelles Tourism Board to
educate the trade through
workshops.
“We have proven that
Seychelles can satisfy
all budgets,” says David.
“We believe the number of
South Africans visiting the
Seychelles will continue to
Air Mauritius, which celebrates
its 50th birthday this year, has
also played an integral role in
the growth of the destination
in South Africa. Carla da
Silva, Air Mauritius regional
manager: Southern Africa and
Latin America, says “Mauritius
remains the number one
leisure destination to many
South Africans and a second
home to many.”
Constant promotion
The operator and airline
have both spent a significant
amount of time and effort
promoting the destination
to the travelling public.
“Beachcomber has created
huge public awareness
through various media,
promotions and our website,”
says Terry. “However, the key
contributing factor in growing
our market is the high-quality
product that Beachcomber
has created, offering quality
accommodation and excellent
restaurants with various
cuisine choices, plus water
sports in the magical setting
that Mauritius offers.
In 2010, Air Mauritius
launched its Travel Smart
Program, a leisure value
proposition that “enables
and encourages more South
Africans to travel to Mauritius
because there is more value
for money all year round on
this programme,” says Carla.
Two kids under 12 years fly
free, business class lounge
access is included and
excess baggage is permitted
along with a free golf bag.
Beachcomber’s Mauritius
product includes free
accommodation and meals
for children under the age
of six throughout the year
(subject to maximum capacity
per room category), as well
as for children under 18
for a specified period when
sharing with parents in double
accommodation.
Additional benefits for
repeat guests and long-stay
specials as well as wedding,
honeymoon and anniversary
specials have all contributed
to making Beachcomber’s
Mauritius product a popular
one. On top of all of that,
any guests who are also
celebrating a 65th birthday
this year, will be able to take
advantage of a 35% discount
on the land package portion
of their stay during the
anniversary period.
increase. Year on year, we are
already seeing an increase of
17% over 2016.”
Uncommercial appeal
Tour operators and
accommodation suppliers are
reporting the same positive
growth. Cathie Bester of
World Leisure Holidays says
Seychelles Tourism and
Air Seychelles are doing a
great job of promoting the
destination. “The Seychelles
is not as commercial as
Mauritius and more unspoilt.
It’s still a relatively new
destination for us as we’ve
only been selling it for 18 to
24 months.”
Joanne Visagie, sales
and marketing manager of
Beachcomber Tours, also
believes the uncommercial
appeal of Seychelles is
behind the positive travel
trend. “Seychelles appeals
to clients who are willing to
pay a supplement for an ‘off
the beaten track’
type of holiday. It
also appeals to
those who like
to explore their
chosen holiday
destination as well
as those who seek
peace and privacy
for rejuvenation
purposes.
“Our clients
are split between
those who prefer
to remain on
Sainte Anne island
and those who
want to venture
out and explore
other islands each
day,” she says,
adding “The fact
that Sainte Anne is on its own
island has super barefoot
luxury appeal and ticks the
‘staying on your
own island’ box on
bucket lists.”
New markets
David says that it’s
mainly the leisure
market travelling
to the Seychelles.
“We only started
talking to the
business and
MICE markets
last year. Up to
two years ago
there were no
professional
business facilities
available, but
since groups
like Savoy and
Kempinski
opened properties in the
Seychelles, these facilities
have been introduced.
Did you know?
In February, Air Seychelles and South African Airways announced a
new codeshare on the Durban-Mahé route, with the first direct flight
out of Durban landing on the island on March 30.
Active travellers flock to Réunion
SHOWING impressive
growth, Réunion has already
recorded a 72% increase in
the number of South African
tourists this year compared
to 2016.
Hélène Bezuidenhoudt,
director of Atout France
in South Africa, which
also coordinates Réunion
Tourism’s initiatives in
South Africa, attributes the
popularity of the island to
the island’s visa-free status
for South Africans and close
proximity, with it being just
a four-hour flight away from
Johannesburg.
“Réunion is France, islandstyle,”
says Hélène. “Its
nature, culture and friendly
people are the main assets,”
she says, adding that the
island is family friendly and a
destination for adventurous
and curious travellers.
World Leisure Holidays’
Cathie Bester says,
“Réunion Tourism is doing
incredible work promoting the
destination,” adding that the
island appeals mostly to a
specific audience looking for
an adventurous holiday.
The island offers an
excellent nature-focused
experience, with 42% of its
surface area being declared
part of a national park. The
range of outdoor activities
available includes paragliding,
kite surfing, mountain
biking, hiking and canyoning,
amongst others.
“Réunion hosts the World
Competition of Paragliding
(PWCA), a mountain
ultramarathon (The Grand
Raid) and mountain
bike downhill marathon
(Megavalanche)” says
Hélène.
“South African travellers
often seek out adventure,
looking for something new
and exciting. This is where
Réunion Island comes in as
a great option” says LUX*
Resorts’ Alexis Bekker. LUX*
Resorts currently has two
hotels on the island and is
due to open a third in 2018.
“The destination was largely
unexplored by the South
African market until about
three years ago, partly due
to the difficulties in getting a
visa, but it has so much to
offer. Where else in the world,
apart from Hawaii, can you
snorkel in a lagoon, kayak
in a glass bottom boat, take
a helicopter flip around the
island, go for a walk on an
active volcano, explore the
lava tubes and be back at
your hotel for sundowners in
the evening,” says Alexis.
An Air Austral representative
says that the loads out of
South Africa have picked up
nicely since last year, with
primarily leisure travellers
visiting the island. The airline
works closely with the travel
industry, conducting training
sessions and workshops to
educate the trade about the
destination and routes to
get there.
Mauritius still a mainstay destination
TOUR operators specialising
in Indian Ocean travel agree;
Mauritius remains the most
popular island destination for
South Africans.
Joanne Visagie of
Beachcomber says, “Mauritius
is still a great destination and
extremely popular with great
value for money, amazing
inclusions, regular short flights
daily, temperate weather
conditions and a coral reef
protecting the coastal waters.”
Alexis Bekker of LUX*
agrees. “It really does take
a lot to beat the value that
Mauritius offers. It’s only
four hours away, has no
visa requirements or health
restrictions and enjoys daily
air access from two major
airlines.”
Kulula holidays also
continues to see consistent
growth in passenger numbers
into Mauritius. Luane Lavery
of British Airways says, “It
will always be a mainstay
destination for us.”
World Leisure Holidays
also regards Mauritius as
a mainstay market. Cathie
Bester says the company
is always looking for ways
to give customers what she
refers to as “more island”.
To this end, World Leisure
Holidays recently introduced
the new value-add of a driver/
guide for the day at some
of its properties. “Exploring
the island has always been
popular,” she says, “we
want to make it as easy as
possible for our guests to
see the rest of Mauritius,”
she adds.
Photocap: Send your cllients on an Awaycation!
World Leisure Holidays is
offering guests staying at Ambre,
Long Beach and Sugar Beach
the chance to explore the island
of Mauritius by providing them
with complimentary access
to a driver/guide for the day.
Ramesh Jeenarain, md of World
Leisure Holidays (pictured), says
this will provide guests with
the opportunity to plan their
excursions and create their own
itineraries. The service will be
available until September 28,
2017.
Collaborative efforts pay off
Since its launch in South
Africa, Beachcomber Tours
has been a key contributor
to Mauritius’s popularity.
Together with Air Mauritius,
the two companies have
invested substantial
resources to make Mauritius
the idyllic dream holiday
destination that it has
become.
Beachcomber Hotels &
Resorts opened its first hotel
in Mauritius in 1952, and
celebrates 65 successful
years next month. From that
first hotel, which was opened
to accommodate stopover
passengers en-route to
Australia from South Africa,
the group now owns eight
resorts in Mauritius - a
leap of faith at a time when
Mauritius only received
about 1 800 visitors a year
certainly paid off.
Beachcomber attributes
much of its success to its
staff, regarding them as
pillars who have helped to
shape Beachcomber’s spirit
and who have supported
its key role in the economic
development of the country.
The group is proud of
its Mauritian identity.
Beachcomber’s new logo will
carry the signature '65 years
crafting the Art of Beautiful'.
Terry Munro, Beachcomber
Tours md, says, “Our hotels
are of such a high standard
and are loved by the South
African traveller. We have
spent many years training
the travel industry in our
products. Our sales team is
constantly on the road and
we have hosted many agents
in our hotels.
Air Mauritius, which celebrates
its 50th birthday this year, has
also played an integral role in
the growth of the destination
in South Africa. Carla da
Silva, Air Mauritius regional
manager: Southern Africa and
Latin America, says “Mauritius
remains the number one
leisure destination to many
South Africans and a second
home to many.”
Constant promotion
The operator and airline
have both spent a significant
amount of time and effort
promoting the destination
to the travelling public.
“Beachcomber has created
huge public awareness
through various media,
promotions and our website,”
says Terry. “However, the key
contributing factor in growing
our market is the high-quality
product that Beachcomber
has created, offering quality
accommodation and excellent
restaurants with various
cuisine choices, plus water
sports in the magical setting
that Mauritius offers.
In 2010, Air Mauritius
launched its Travel Smart
Program, a leisure value
proposition that “enables
and encourages more South
Africans to travel to Mauritius
because there is more value
for money all year round on
this programme,” says Carla.
Two kids under 12 years fly
free, business class lounge
access is included and
excess baggage is permitted
along with a free golf bag.
Beachcomber’s Mauritius
product includes free
accommodation and meals
for children under the age
of six throughout the year
(subject to maximum capacity
per room category), as well
as for children under 18
for a specified period when
sharing with parents in double
accommodation.
Additional benefits for
repeat guests and long-stay
specials as well as wedding,
honeymoon and anniversary
specials have all contributed
to making Beachcomber’s
Mauritius product a popular
one. On top of all of that,
any guests who are also
celebrating a 65th birthday
this year, will be able to take
advantage of a 35% discount
on the land package portion
of their stay during the
anniversary period.
Emerging coastal destinations gain ground
WHILE not as mainstream
as some of the other Indian
Ocean destinations, Africa’s
coastal areas and islands
still rely heavily on South
African business.
According to Constance
Hotels and Resorts, the
group’s biggest growth has
been to its Madagascar
property, Constance
Tsarabanjina, a private
island an hour’s boat ride
away from Nosy Be. Most of
the interest has come from
honeymooners, attracted
by the resort’s all-inclusive
rates.
With Airlink operating a
weekly direct flight between
Johannesburg and Nosy Be,
access to the destination is
easy, says Sue Howells of
African Synergy, who says
in high season, the airline
adds a second weekly flight.
“Travellers are learning more
about Madagascar every
day, and are being reassured
that it is safe to travel there
and that it is an exciting and
fresh destination.”
East African appeal
Thompsons Holidays says
it is seeing increased
interest in both Mozambique
and the Kenyan coast.
“Mozambique is gaining
popularity as a high-end
destination with unspoilt
beaches and crystal clear
waters, says John Ridler, pr
and media manager, who
adds that it is sought after
by sun worshippers, divers,
snorkellers and anglers.
“The destination is also
a perfect foil for those who
have already visited the
traditional Indian Ocean
islands like Mauritius
and Zanzibar.” Popular
resorts include Diamonds
Mequfi Beach Resort on
the northern coast at
Pemba, Castelo Do Mar
at Inhambane and White
Pearl Resort at Ponta
Mamoli on the south coast,
which is easily accessible
from KwaZulu Natal. The
improvement in road
conditions has resulted in
road trips to Mozambique
regaining their popularity.
“We have also seen an
upswing in demand for
resorts in Mombasa, Kenya”
says John. “The coast
from Mombasa to Malindi
is known for its pristine
beaches and the warm water
is popular with divers and
snorkellers.”
FAM Trip Experience
Expectations
I had been on an educational
with World Leisure Holidays
previously, but jumped at the
chance to visit Réunion as it is
an up-and-coming destination
and I’ve always wanted to visit
the island. Air Austral was
great and while the itinerary
was jam-packed, I was excited
that we would see Piton de la
Fournaise, one of the world’s
most active volcanoes, Cirque
de Cilaos, the viewpoint at Le
Piton Maido and the Saint Paul
Market.
Trip highlights
Now that I have seen the
island, I can’t understand why
Réunion is not a best seller in
our market. It’s a gem of an
island waiting to be discovered
and is totally different to
Mauritius.
A definite highlight was the
visit to Piton de la Fournaise,
which erupted as recently as
February this year. The terrain
on the way was quite unsual;
at first it’s desert-like with
only a few plants, then it’s like
travelling through a Martian
landscape with red sand and
the crater in the middle.
A sunrise swim in Saint
Pierre with the locals at 05h00
was an unexpected delight and
a totally refreshing way to start
the day. The three Cirques
(Cilaos, Salazie and Mafate) on
Réunion Island were formed by
centuries of erosion and are a
must-see. Each one is slightly
different and we did a tummyturning
drive through 420
bends into Cirque de Cilaos.
The view was spectacular and
the visit to the quaint village of
Cilaos is highly recommended.
The viewpoint at Le Piton
Maido was a treat for the
eyes; you feel as though you
can touch the clouds and the
scenery is breathtaking. We
were fortunate to be able to
visit the Saint Paul Market
where over 300 vendors
gather every Friday and
Saturday. Staying in St Gilles
was great for some R&R at
the end of the trip and meant
we got to see the white sand
beach section of the island.
Top tips
The flight from South Africa
is just four hours on Air
Austral, and the whole group
loved the airline’s offering.
Travelling time around the
island varies and it can
take up to an hour or more
to get most places, but
it’s definitely a self-drive
destination and roads are
in a good condition although
some can be hair-raising
with all the sharp bends.
Réunion is for the
adventurous and active
traveller as well as those
who want to travel at a more
leisurely pace.
The local cuisine is a mix of
French and Creole and really
tasty. Although priced in euro,
there is a wide selection of
little restaurants and even
cabanas on the beach as well
as local options to eat at to
suit each individual budget.
Visitors can be
accommodated in all of the
Cirques, just research which
one is best for your client as
they have different levels of
accessibility.
It’s worth taking a guided
tour to the volcano and to visit
a Cirque. Start a trip to the
volcano early in the morning
so that you can see it before
the cloud cover moves over
the island.
Adventure seekers are spoilt
for choice with canyoning,
mountain biking, snorkelling,
diving and windsurfing. And,
of course, Réunion is a top
choice for kite-surfers.
The Saint Paul Market is a
must if your clients are on the
island on a Friday or Saturday
morning.
A helicopter excursion will
provide a wonderful bird’s eye
view of the island. I’d suggest
starting a trip in the north,
then visiting the volcano and
Cirques and staying a few
nights in the vicinity before
ending the trip in St Gilles or
St Leu on the West coast.
