TOUR operators in
South Africa have seen
shopping emerge as a
growing component of the
travel experience for South
African travellers, either as
a prime motivation or as
one of the major activities
undertaken by tourists at
their destinations. But, as
South Africans travel the
globe to find that perfect
bargain, one problem
persists: what about the
extra luggage?
1Thailand has gained an
excellent reputation in the
South African market for its
shopping opportunities, says
Lesley Simpson, spokesperson
for Thailand Tourist Authority in
South Africa.
She explains: “Thai shopping
offers quality, cheaper prices,
skilled artisans and the
opportunity to bargain in a
friendly manner.
“Bangkok shopping runs the
gamut from ultra-chic malls
to energetic street markets
hawking everything imaginable.
“With low prices and a vast
selection of clothing, textiles,
housewares, and knock-off
computer and electronic
products, one could easily
spend several days in
Bangkok immersed in retail
therapy.”
Places to shop in Bangkok
include the shops in and
around Siam Centre and
Siam Paragon on Sukhumvit
Road, as well as the malls on
Petchburi Road, such as the
Platinum Fashion Mall.
But Lesley says the ultimate
shopping experience is the
weekend market at Chatuchak,
the largest in Thailand – and
the world – with a staggering
15 000 stalls covering
14 hectares.
Extra luggage
Thai Airways International
has temporarily increased the
baggage allowance by 10kg
on domestic and international
flights, except on flights to and
from the US.
Royal First Class passengers
may now check in 50kg of
baggage, up from the previous
40kg. Royal Silk class
passengers are now allowed
40kg, while economy class
passengers are allowed 30kg.
Royal Orchid Plus members
are also entitled to additional
baggage allowances based
on their respective member
status.
2 Delhi – India
India, with its amazing
number of markets and
bazaars, is a fantastic
shopping destination. The
markets offer everything
from brassware to leather,
silver and textiles – India's
trademark handicrafts.
Undoubtedly one of the
most popular destinations
for shopping is Delhi,
where Connaught Place,
Karol Bagh, Sarojini Market
and Chandni Chowk are
the main shopping areas.
Baba Kharak Singh Marg
is another interesting
shopping stop, as the
market offers famous
handicraft artifacts from all
the different states of India.
The distinct feature of
Delhi shopping is that every
shopping hub has its own
ambience and speciality.
To really experience the
culture and traditions of the
city, visitors should stroll
in its market places, for it
is here that contemporary
society is most visible.
Extra luggage
There are no direct flights
to Delhi from South Africa.
Here are some of the best
options:
SAA – via Mumbai
Business-class
passengers are allowed
two bags of 32kg each,
economy class passengers
are restricted to two bags
at 23kg each.
The price to bring extra
luggage from Delhi to
Johannesburg is R960 per
bag for business class
passengers and R610 per
bag for economy class
passengers.
Etihad – via Abu Dhabi:
First-class passengers
are allowed to carry 50kg,
business-class passengers
40kg and economy-class
passengers 30kg.
Baggage that exceeds
the weight limits and
dimensions will be
processed through Etihad
Cargo and will cost US$35
(R395) per bag
3 Istanbul – Turkey
Istanbul is a shopper’s
paradise with no shortage of
tempting goods on offer all
over the city.
From ancient bazaars
to backstreet markets,
alternative designer boutiques
and state-of-the-art shopping
malls, the city offers immense
variety. Some streets, such as
Istiklal Street, are particularly
renowned for a large
concentration of shops.
However, the absolute
highlight for any shopping
tourist to Turkey is the yearly
Istanbul Shopping Fest, where
for a few weeks in summer
over 90 shopping centres
open their doors until 02h00
and many outlets offer big
discounts.
There are also street
carnival groups, concerts,
games for children, parties,
contests, fashion shows and
performances.
Extra luggage
Turkish Airlines will only
allow one bag up to 30kg
for business-class travellers
and 20kg for economy-class
travellers.
For every additional bag,
Turkish Airlines charges €15
(R208) to Johannesburg.
However, check with the
airline for specials during the
Istanbul Shopping Fest, when
specials include free baggage
allowances in economy and
business class over the
period. During the 2014
festival, baggage allowance
was 40kg for economy-class
and 50kg for business-class
passengers.
4 Dubai
shopaholic's haven, the
Dubai Shopping Festival 2015
(January 1-February 1) will
offer a month-long shopping
extravaganza with discounted
shopping opportunities,
sometimes close on 75%.
The festival also features
other activities for the whole
family such as raffle draws,
music concerts, fashion
shows, children’s events and
lots more.
The Dubai Shopping Festival
allows big spenders to shop
to their heart’s content at
highly discounted prices at
labels such as Gucci, Prada,
Versace or Armani. The souks,
too, are a hub of activity over
the period.
The Gold Souk, with its
necklaces, bracelets and
bangles, remains a popular
attraction, as is the Spice
Souk, with its flavours and
colours.
Extra luggage
When flying with Emirates,
travellers can take luggage
of up to 30kg in economy
class, 40kg in business
class and 50kg in first class.
However, if travellers exceed
the weight limitations, they
are charged R370 per kg plus
taxes. Better rates for excess
luggage are available online
prior to departure.
During the shopping
festival, the airline often has
special baggage allowance
regulations.
Last year Emirates increased
its usual 30kg economy-class
baggage allowance to 40kg
and introduced a US$8 (R90)
per kg special rate on excess
baggage up to 500kg.
5 Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a great
shopping destination,
although not many South
African travelers regard it
as such.
There are a great number
of open-air street markets
throughout the city. Among
the best are the historic
Waterlooplein Flea Market,
the huge Albert Cuyp
Market and the organic
Boerenmarkt farmers’
market.
The vibrant and colourful
Albert Cuyp Market is
one of the largest openair
markets in Europe
and provides numerous
shopping and food-tasting
opportunities.
But the city is also home
to fashionable shopping
streets, such as Pieter
Cornelisz Hooftstraat, the
most expensive shopping
street in The Netherlands,
where visitors will find top
brands such as Lacoste,
Mulberry, Gucci, Chanel,
Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton,
Ralph Lauren, Hermes and
Tiffany & Co.
For antique fanatics, a
visit to Spiegelkwartier
is a must. The area is
home to more than 70
speciality shops that
feature everything from
furniture and chandeliers to
Oriental art, old scientific
instruments, music boxes
and Delftware.
Extra luggage
KLM will allow economyclass
travellers one piece of
luggage weighing 23kg, and
two suitcases of 32kg each
when travelling in business
class. Passengers can
order extra luggage capacity
online at a discount –
€80 (R1 110) for an extra
bag as opposed to €100
(R1 388) when purchased
at the airport.
Did you know
Shopping is the order of the day in India, be it in medieval streets or modern malls. Traveller’s cheques
can be easily converted and Visa and MasterCard are accepted in most shops. Some outlets also accept
American Express. Street vendors, however, and some smaller shops do not take credit cards. Bargaining
at local bazaars and roadside shops is the norm.
