Establish yourself as an expert
ROMANTIC getaways are
lucrative and agents can
benefit by carving a niche
for themselves in this area of
travel.
Consumers have access
to an overwhelming amount
of travel information via the
Internet and, as a result, have
become “generalist travel
agents”, says Lesley Simpson,
spokesperson for the Tourism
Authority of Thailand (TAT).
“When travellers seek
help, they’re seeking a true
specialist.”
In order to develop their
expertise, she suggests that
agents should try to sample
the products they sell, taking
part in FAM trips where
possible, so that they are able
to speak knowledgeably when
advising on packages.
“Do your homework on the
applicable destinations,”
agrees Travel Counsellor, Lize
Roodt, adding that agents
need to understand the
products they are selling, for
example which resorts are for
adults only.
The key is to understand
what the client is looking for
by asking a range of questions
that can help define the
experience they seek, advises
md of Trafalgar, Theresa
Szejwallo. “For example,
are the couple celebrating a
milestone anniversary and
looking for a bucket list-type
of destination in which to
commemorate their love?”
In this case, agents could
suggest Trafalgar’s newest
destination, Iceland. “Iceland
is anything but ordinary with
its glaciers, lava flows, hot
springs and the gorgeous Blue
Lagoon – perfect for creating
new memories and reliving old
ones,” says Theresa.
Similarly if the couple are
looking for a trendy city
escape, they can try Trafalgar’s
City Explorers or if they want
to escape off the beaten track
in a smaller more intimate
setting, Theresa recommends
Trafalgar’s Hidden Journeys.
Specifically, agents must
understand what their
clients regard as a romantic
getaway, what their budget
is and if they have any
common interests they want
to pursue, comments Inge
Dobihal, co-owner of Austria
Connection.
“For some it might be a
romantic city. For others
it is a beach holiday or a
small remote place in the
mountains, or in a nature
reserve. Others may want to
enjoy the winter scenery and
a cosy fireplace. For some the
most important factor is the
hotel, for others it is rather the
experience of the destination.
Some are just looking for a
relaxing stay with not much
to do; others are looking for
places with lots of activities,
whether it is nightlife or
sport.”
Inge says no ready-made
package suits all, therefore
everything Austria Connection
does is tailor-made.
“We suggest that travel
agents consult closely with
tour operators to get the best
advice. We can book certain
hotels that have honeymoon
suites, we can book lower
categories of hotels and
arrange a special welcome
arrangement with flowers and
a bottle of wine. We can also
advise about special places
they should visit – restaurants,
bars, horse-drawn carriage
rides, special spots in nature.
The more we understand
about the travellers, the more
easily we can come up with a
tailor-made package.”
Something that would
also help agents establish
themselves as experts would
be to dedicate a certain area
of their website to romantic
travel, alerting clients to their
offerings and value-adds,
suggests Rina Cilliers, gm
of sales, marketing and
reservations for the Legend
Hospitality Group.
“They could also consider
offering value-adds for
romantic travellers to show
their dedication to this sector,
such as offering the chance
to win a prize of a second
honeymoon if they book their
honeymoon with them.”
Important for agents, says
Joanne Visagie, tours sales
and marketing manager for
Beachcomber Tours, is to
familiarise themselves with
the different honeymoon
package inclusions as well
as the available discounts,
added perks, special offers
and gifts. “Ask a Beachcomber
consultant specifically for one
‘romantic’ aspect per property
or must-do activity when they
are quoting so they can make
these recommendations to the
groom or the couple.
Make sure you get the right training
TRAINING is a must
for agents who want to
specialise in romantic
travel, the experts agree.
With so many products
and destinations available
on the market, training
is key and resorts need
to provide as much
information to the trade
as possible, says Alexis
Bekker, head of sales
and marketing – South
Africa and Africa for LUX*
Resorts and Hotels.
Travel Counsellor, Lize
Roodt agrees, and says
agents should identify the
brands they want to know
more about and then take
part in training webinars
that can help them.
“At LUX* we provide
training through our
dedicated sales team on
the road, with extensive
brochure and marketing
material. However, what
sets us apart in training
is our online training
through our extranet
platform, EXCHANGE,
which offers a full online
training section, EXPERT.
“EXPERT provides
in-depth detailed training
on each of our resorts
with a section on romantic
travel. This training is
done online, in your own
time, and you are always
able to refer back to the
site at any time for more
information or a refresh,”
comments Alexis.
Similarly, Trafalgar
offers Wanderlust Training
throughout the year
and Theresa Szejwallo
conducts on-site training
sessions with many of
the consortiums. “If an
agent wishes to learn
more about Trafalgar and
how our various travel
styles suit their clients,
we are more than happy
to arrange a webinar,
on-site training, or they’re
welcome to join our
Wanderlust sessions,”
she says.
TAT runs workshops on
Travelinfo and is often
invited by tour operators
to offer training. The
authority also organises
group trips to Thailand for
agents to gain first-hand
experience.
To help agents learn
more about Seychelles as
a ‘romantic’ destination,
Air Seychelles and the
Seychelles Tourism Board
also undertake travel
agent familiarisation
trips, showcasing the
product and destination.
Other training platforms
available to agents are
product workshops;
Travelinfo online
training; agent breakfast
presentations and the
Seychelles annual road
show held in four cities
across South Africa.
World Leisure Holidays
hosts an annual road
show that gives agents
the opportunity to meet
with hotel managers face
to face and learn about all
the little special touches
they can offer to the
traveller. “We also have
a very comprehensive
website with information
on all of our products,”
says national sales
manager, Cathie Bester.
“What’s more, our
fantastic team are ready
and willing to assist travel
agents in offering advice
and information on all the
destinations and products
that we sell.
Book it!
Trafalgar offers special preview savings on a range of its best-selling
Europe & Britain guided holidays that will see travellers receive 10%
off 2016 prices for travel in 2017. Trafalgar guests will also receive
an early payment discount of 10%. Also, with Trafalgar’s Rand Price
Guarantee, no matter what the currency does, the price is guaranteed.
Beachcomber is offering five nights in Mauritius from R13 400pps. The
package is available at a selection of Beachcomber’s four- and five-star
resorts and includes airfare departing Johannesburg (incl taxes), return
transfers and full board. Special touches include a romantic candlelit
dinner, 15-20% saving on spa treatments and a Beachcomber boutique
gift. The offer is valid for travel until September 29.”
Romance on the ‘Seven Seas’
REGENT Seven Seas recently
unveiled its newest addition,
the Seven Seas Explorer.
Dubbed by Regent the ‘most
luxurious ship ever built’,
the ship is a good option
for couples in search of
something truly exclusive.
Regent budgeted US$450m
(R6,17bn) to build the Seven
Seas Explorer, making it the
most expensive luxury ship
ever built. The ship features
extravagantly designed
theatres and lounges, opulent
and spacious suites and five
gourmet restaurants.
At 55 254 gross registered
tonnes and carrying only 750
guests, the ship has one of
the highest space ratios and
highest crew to guest ratios
in the cruise industry.
It also features a new
category of luxury suite, the
nearly 418-sqm Regent Suite.
The luxury liner will spend its
inaugural season in Europe
before heading to Miami for a
series of Caribbean voyages.
The cruise line is currently
offering a special on a sailing
from Monte Carlo to Athens
from October 4-18.
Fares start from
US$3 590pp (R50 957).
Ports of call include: La
Spezia (Cinque Terre),
Florence/Pisa (Livorno),
Rome (Civitavecchia),
Sorrento/Capri and Nauplion,
Mykonos.
Romance on a budget
DESPITE the bucket-list
nature of romantic travel like
honeymoons or weddings,
budgets remain important for
travellers.
To assist travellers with a
more affordable option, Edwin
Swan, sales and marketing
manager for Dream Hotels
and Resorts, suggests that
agents investigate alternative
destinations. “Romantic isn’t
necessarily five-star, but a
unique experience.”
To this end, the Legend
Hospitality Group’s Rina
Cilliers says travellers should
consider more cost-effective
options in South Africa
such as a beach getaway in
Plettenberg Bay at the Group’s
Whalesong Hotel & Hydro or a
Limpopo safari getaway at the
Entabeni Safari Conservancy
or Legend Golf & Safari
Resort, both of which offer
honeymoon packages and
inclusions.
“People forget there are a
lot of beautiful places in South
Africa,” says Travel Counsellor,
Lize Roodt. She says many
couples are travelling locally
for romantic getaways, doing
road trips around the country.”
However, Maja Gedosev,
head of Corporate Affairs for
Air Seychelles, says South
African honeymoons aren’t
necessarily cheaper than
travelling to an overseas
destination. “Agents need to
negotiate the best rates with
hotels and make sure they sell
well in advance.”
Agents should suggest that
the couple remain as flexible
as possible in terms of travel
dates, advises Beachcomber’s
Joanne Visagie. “Travelling in
a more affordable season can
mean that package rates are
more cost-effective.”
Many South African couples
get married between February
and April and our Autumn,
Winter and Spring (AWS)
itineraries run from November
through to April and fit nicely
in this window period, says
Trafalgar’s Theresa Szejwallo.
“It’s important for agents to
be aware of this as our AWS
product is up to 30% cheaper
than travelling in the high
season.”
Thailand is still regarded
as one of the most popular
and affordable honeymoon
destinations – Phuket in
particular, points out TAT’s
Lesley Simpson. “Agents
should not think of Phuket as
just a ‘party island’ as there
are so many other beaches
for consideration that will
appeal to the more discerning
traveller.”
Couples want adventure!
COUPLES are increasingly
seeking unique experiences
for romantic escapes.
Travel Counsellor, Lize
Roodt, says agents should
investigate destinations
where people wouldn’t
normally think of going.
“Couples could tailor-make
a road trip round South
Africa or head off the
beaten track in Namibia.
They could even include
places like Vietnam with
its incredible culture
and beautiful beaches.
Indonesia also has beautiful
islands people wouldn’t
necessarily think of visiting.”
LUX*’s Alexis Bekker
says the group has seen
an increase in requests
and bookings for Réunion,
which is an ideal adventurestyle
island. When staying
at LUX* Saint Gilles, says
Alexis, guests enjoy the
best of both worlds as it’s
the only five-star resort on
the beach.
Hélène Bezuidenhout,
regional manager of Atout
France, says there is much
for the adventure traveller
to enjoy in Réunion.
“Whether hiking through the
Unesco heritage regions
that cover 42% of the
island, canyoning down
waterfalls, gliding along
in a glass-bottom boat or
having a go at stand-up
paddling, there are non-stop
activities to keep couples
entertained. Add to that the
culture and the plethora of
restaurants offering local
and international cuisine,
and travellers are in for a
treat.”
Combining relaxation with
adventure is a good option
agrees, WLH’s Cathie
Bester. “We are now selling
a Réunion and Mauritius
combination package,
whereby you can experience
some of the exciting
activities in Réunion and
then end your holiday with
a relaxing few days at one
of the stunning Mauritian
resorts.”
Couples looking for
something a little more off
the beaten track are wellsuited
to Trafalgar’s Hidden
Journeys travel style, says
Theresa Szejwallo. “All
Hidden Journeys cater for
no more than 26 guests,
which makes for an intimate
group setting.”
She recommends the
Secrets of Ireland tour,
where guests enjoy a
holiday that includes stays
in fairytale castles such
as Ballynahinch Castle
in Galway. Another great
option, suggests Theresa,
is Secrets of Italy, on which
guests get to stay in King
Carlo Alberto of Savoy’s
beautifully restored country
estate and enjoy a Be My
Guest lunch with a local
family on their wine estate.
Other European options
perfect for a romantic
getaway with a difference,
says Austria Connection’s
Inge Dobihal, include
Vienna, which, apart from
its historical and cultural
importance, is famous
for its cosy wine taverns
and coffee houses.
“Alternatively, Salzburg
is a small city with many
baroque buildings and
narrow cobblestone
streets, surrounded by the
lovely ‘Sound of Music’
countryside.”
Inge also recommends
Croatia. “Dubrovnik is a
beautiful medieval town
and is famous for its many
picturesque bays and
beaches.”
When it comes to
Thailand, TAT’s Lesley
Simpson recommends the
less commercialised area
of Khao Lak. “Another
relatively new area
worthwhile suggesting,
especially for the more
adventurous at heart, is
Khao Sok National Park
where guests are given
the opportunity to interact
with elephants – not ride
them – kayak down rivers,
explore gentle rapids and
enjoy traditional Thai food.
Couples can then retire
to bed in romantic tents
floating on crystal-clear blue
waters and receive an earlymorning
wake-up to the
sound of gibbons as they
swing between the trees.”
On the local front, Dream
Hotels and Resorts’ Edwin
Swan says the group has
found that destinations
outside the main cities
are becoming popular for
shorter stays. “Northern
KZN and the West Coast
are becoming popular
for wellness or uniquely
intimate experiences.
Lapland offers a truly unforgettable experience!
HONEYMOON travel is a
once-in-a-lifetime experience
and presents agents with
the challenge of suggesting
an itinerary that is truly
special.
Penny Bannerman,
owner of Curious Traveller,
specialises in putting
together unusual, bucket-list
adventures for travellers.
She spoke to TNW about an
option for agents to sell to
honeymoon couples that will
truly blow their minds.
Lapland, in the north of
Finland, is a fairytale winter
land. “When people think of
‘snow romance’ they think
of ski holidays,” says Penny,
“but Lapland, the Antarctic
and the poles offer highly
romantic adventures.”
It’s easy to see what
Penny means when she
describes the couple
arriving to light snow at the
airport and heading to have
lunch at Santa’s workshop,
where the young at heart
could even help the elves
make gifts.
“From there they could
settle into their Igloo Hotel
for the evening,” suggests
Penny, explaining that the
igloos are made of special
glass that won’t mist over
and include technology that
wakes guests to see the
Aurora lights.
Just 15 minutes from the
Igloo Hotel is the Ice Hotel,
which travellers can visit for
dinner. “Everything from the
tables to the plates is made
of ice,” comments Penny.
“The venue even has a
chapel where travellers can
marry if they wish to.”
The list of unusual but
highly romantic activities
that couples can experience
is endless. Whether it’s
walking through the Lappish
forest at night or heading
out on a snowmobile to
hunt the Aurora, the magic
this destination offers would
be difficult to beat.
“While out on their
adventure, travellers can
listen to the fairytales of the
forest and proceed to an
open campfire where they
are given hot chocolate and
biscuits,” says Penny. “The
more adventurous travellers
could even try reindeer
soup!”
Ice fishing and husky dog
safaris are also on the list
of unusual excursions for
travellers to experience.
Reaching the destination
can provide a romantic
experience in itself. Penny
says travellers generally
either stop over in Helsinki
to reach Lapland or
alternatively they can travel
to the destination overnight
by train, adding the romance
of train travel to the
adventure.
Her recommendation
for travellers wanting to
experience Lapland is to
spend six days to a week
exploring the destination.
This will cost them roughly
R31 000 per person,
excluding their flight,
but including breakfast.
Surprisingly, this is more
or less the same that a ski
package would cost.
“Iceland does offer a
slightly more affordable
option and while travellers
are not as snowbound in
Iceland, it does have the
thermal geysers for couples
to experience.
“They could also end up
spending the evening in the
beautiful geothermal spa,
the Blue Lagoon.”
Not surprisingly Penny
recommends Lapland
or Iceland for the more
adventurous traveller. She
adds that agents need
to book travel to this
destination quite far in
advance as it books up
quickly.
Travellers also have a
small window of opportunity
to book these adventures
as these activities can only
really be experienced during
the months of January,
February and March
Tying the knot in Réunion
JUST four hours from
Johannesburg and with no
visas required, Réunion is
a good choice of wedding
venue for South Africans.
Although they cannot
legally marry in Réunion,
South Africans can still
enjoy a special ceremony
with close family and
friends, making it a great
option for those on a
budget, says the Réunion
Tourism Board’s Hélène
Bezuidenhout. “Couples
who choose to celebrate
their marriage in Réunion
can hire a large home for
a group of friends and
family or can mark their
special occasion with a
reception at one of the
island’s hotels.” The
tourism board can assist
in finding a venue for this
special holiday.
Island-hopping in the Seychelles
IT CAN be tricky for agents
to deliver a romantic
breakaway that falls within
a couple’s budget and time
constraints. Discover the
World suggests islandhopping
in the Seychelles
as a good solution.
Variety Cruises offer
‘Sey-magique with a touch
of Greek’ on its exclusive
motor yacht Pegasus, which
accommodates only 42
people in 21 cabins, says
Sabrina Allcock, director of
Discover the World South
Africa, which represents
Variety Cruises in this
market.
“They’ll be welcomed
aboard the Pegasus with
a cocktail and the keys
to their secluded little
honeymoon sanctuary on
the sun deck. After a quick
safety drill and introduction
to the ship, they’ll set sail
for St Anne where they can
swim or snorkel in pristine
waters among tropical fish
and the occasional green
turtles,” she says.
Sundowners on the deck
are followed by traditional
Mediterranean and local
Seychellois Creole dinners
as well as Greek or Sega
dancing on deck. “Or simply
star-gazing alone under the
magnificent island skies,”
comments Sabrina.
Variety Cruises offers a
different, secluded island
paradise excursion every
day, including mangrove
forest walks, meeting giant
tortoises and endangered
bird life, beach barbecues
and snorkelling, swimming
or simply soaking up the
sun on the beach.
“The cruise line offers
three-, four- and seven-night
cruises, after which the
couple may want to spend
a night or two on Praslin,
where they’ll discover the
legend of the Coco de
Mer – the male and female
palm trees that are said to
uproot themselves at night
to consummate their love by
moonlight,” says Sabrina.
Discover the World will
package the romantic
breakaway and include
a bottle of bubbly in the
honeymoon suite on the
Pegasus.
How to add that special touch
WHEN dealing with couples
seeking romance, additional
extras and that special touch
are essential to an agent’s
success in sealing the deal.
Everything must be taken
care of, says Travel Counsellor,
Lize Roodt. “It’s all about the
little extras like making sure
the hotel gives a romantic
turndown.” She warns agents
to check that the hotel room
has a double bed as this is not
always a given.
Lize also points out there
are a number of suppliers who
offer a wide range of valueadds.
“Special occasions are
always a cause for celebration,”
says Cathie Bester. As such,
World Leisure Holidays offers
a variety of packages that are
available at various resorts.
“Our exclusive Sun Resorts
properties offer fantastic
honeymoon specials with great
benefits, including sparkling
wine in the guests’ room and
a romantic candlelit dinner.
The hotel also always gives an
exclusive gift to the couple as
a memento of their stay.”
Similarly, the Beachcomber
honeymoon and wedding
anniversary packages include
various gifts and perks that
are included at no additional
charge, for example savings on
spa treatments and excursions
as well romantic candlelit
dinners.
For the honeymoon market,
LUX* offers a 70% discount
on the accommodation for the
bride. “Added to this is our
honeymoon package. We offer
a romantic dinner for two –
usually on the beach, weather
depending – sparkling wine
and a few special gifts for the
guests. If we are advised of
special occasions for romantic
travel, we always go the extra
mile and offer a few surprises
along the way. For example,
the guests could find a
beautiful picture frame in their
room as a gift with a picture
we snapped during their stay,”
says Alexis Bekker.
Dream Hotels and Resorts
offers fully inclusive packages
including spa treatments and
other activities, wine tastings,
dinner and more.
Airlines often also offer
special deals for romantic
travellers. Air Seychelles
has honeymoon fares for
couples getting married in
the Seychelles or travelling
to Seychelles for a
honeymoon.
