Fam trips - few and far between
THERE’S no denying that
one of the most valuable
ways for agents to
enhance their knowledge of
a destination is by visiting it.
First-hand experience of places
and packages allows them to
relay valuable information to
prospective clients.
However, despite their
value, these trips present
considerable challenges and
opportunities for agents have
decreased over the years.
Trafalgar md, Theresa
Szejwallo, says a big challenge
is choosing the right people.
She says while airlines usually
want to send big sellers or
seniors, Trafalgar prefers to
send people with potential
and likes to consider everyone
who shows passion and
commitment to their work.
However Theresa says
Trafalgar still wants to know
that they don’t plan to leave
their company any time soon.
“The valuable knowledge they
gain on an educational would
then be wasted,” she says.
Thompsons Holidays’ media
and public relations officer,
John Ridler, agrees.
“It’s an expensive exercise.
Agents move around a lot
these days and, therefore,
proper research has to be
done so that the people you
send on educationals will be
around to implement their
knowledge,” he says.
As a result of the planning
involved and the dollar-rand
exchange rate, Theresa says
Trafalgar has not hosted a
North American educational
for a few years. “Europe tends
to be more popular, offering
cheaper airfares and a smaller
land area to cover.”
Fewer educationals are held
in America compared with
Europe, agrees John. He says,
as a result of rising costs,
educationals to North America
seem to becoming less
frequent in general.
“Airline participation in
educationals is hugely
dependent on the availability
of seats. This, paired with
America being one the
busiest destinations all year
round, presents challenges to
organising educationals to the
continent.”
In light of this, Thompsons
has adapted by bringing more
agent educationals to SA in
recent years. “For a popular
American product such as
Disney, we try to organise
an educational in SA every
year,” says John. He adds that
Thompsons includes expert,
experienced speakers at these
day events. “The Thompsons
Disney educational in Durban
last year was oversubscribed.
The will for educationals is
there, but the cost involved is
high and many factors need to
be considered first.”
Still a viable option
In spite of the existing
challenges, Theresa believes
the Americas are still a
viable option for educationals
because of the vast offering.
“We are seeing more interest
in the Americas.” She reveals
that Trafalgar boasts a 57%
repeat rate on educational
packages worldwide.
Meanwhile, Trafalgar has
noticed that many travel
agents are embarking on
educationals during their
personal holidays (with large
agent discounts), usually with
a partner, friend or family
member.
“This allows agents to be
‘normal’ paying passengers,
meaning they see things how
they really are,” says Theresa,
who adds that providing agents
with “the real experience”
means they can sell the real
experience.
Top spots up north
NORTH America is about
six times bigger than South
Africa, making it difficult
for travellers to decide
on specific destinations,
meaning they need to rely
on the expertise of their
travel agent.
“Agents can recommend
fully inclusive US Trafalgar
packages to customers
with confidence because
the most important places
have been highlighted
and included,” says
Theresa Szejwallo. She
adds that South Africans
are looking for value and
hassle-free experiences,
which Trafalgar offers. “We
provide a product that is
hassle-free for both the
agent and the client.”
Some of the most
popular destinations in
North America for South
Africans are New York,
Orlando, Washington DC,
Arizona, New Orleans, Los
Angeles, Las Vegas, and
San Francisco.
With its rich history and
diversity, New Orleans
in Louisiana is a great
option for South Africans.
Visitors can learn about
a culturally diverse part
of America, taste unique
cuisine and experience
live entertainment and
music at almost every
corner. Known for its roundthe-
clock night life, New
Orleans hosts some of the
best live entertainment
in the US. Agents should
promote the famous
southern food, as well as
Bourbon Street for pubs
and restaurants,” says
John Ridler, adding that
Mardi Gras is a popular
festival for tourists, which
could assist agents in
selling more packages.
Thompsons is offering a
‘Flavours of New Orleans’
two-night stay, which
includes two nights’
accommodation at the
downtown Holiday Inn
New Orleans for R3 190.
Las Vegas is also a
popular choice, with
approximately 41m visitors
last year. The average stay
in downtown Vegas costs
about R1 688 a night.
Thompsons is offering a
four-night stay at the threestar
Circus Circus Hotel in
Las Vegas. The package
includes return transfers,
accommodation and a
Grand Canyon South Rim
bus tour for R2 892pps.
Theresa and John agree
that South Africans are
drawn to destinations
that offer natural beauty,
making the Grand Canyon
in Arizona a good option.
An estimated five million
people visit it every year.
As destinations go,
California also ranks
highly with South Africans
because of its famous
beaches and celebrity
appeal. San Francisco,
Silicon Valley and the
Yosemite National Park are
popular stops in California.
The ‘Big Apple’ is another
hot spot for SA tourists.
Boasting sky-rise buildings,
Times Square and Central
Park, New York is a bustling
hub for travellers seeking
to experience the American
dream.
Despite its appeal and
overwhelming popularity,
New York comes with one
of the highest price tags
for South Africans visiting
the US.
“New York boasts a
list of great gastronomic
experiences for South
African foodies,” says John.
He highlights unique New
York experiences on offer,
such as the 911 memorial,
Brooklyn Bridge and the
Chrysler Building.
Thompsons is offering
a four-night stay at the
four-star Excelsior Hotel
in New York that includes
accommodation, return
transfers, All Loops Double
Decker Tour and the Statue
of Liberty for R12 686pps.
Popular down south
SOUTH America is a fairly
new destination for South
Africans, compared with
Europe, for example.
However, Theresa Szejwallo
says the continent has
grown in popularity over the
past few years because of
its unique offering. The most
popular places for South
Africans are Brazil, Peru, and
Argentina.
“Often agents shy
away from selling South
American trips because
the internal and domestic
flight sectors are expensive
and difficult to book,” says
Theresa. Because of this,
agents should investigate
affordable, value-for-money
package options to sell to
their clients.
Trafalgar has negotiated
good fares, which form part
of their packages. “In all
our offerings the basic rule
of thumb is that the travel
agent just needs to get their
client to our pick-up point on
day one. Thereafter, we take
care of the entire holiday,
with all the arrangements,
until we drop them off on
their very last day.”
Peru, in particular, has
fallen under the spotlight.
Natural wonders such as
Machu Picchu host around
one million visitors a year,
making it Peru’s most-visited
location.
Other popular attractions
are the Amazon rainforest,
the Andes and the lively city
of Cusco.
Trafalgar has four guided
holidays to Peru, ranging
from eight to 12 days, with
all internal flights included
and an optional extension to
the Galapagos Islands. The
‘Highlights of Peru’ is priced
from R30 600pp twin share
and includes a lunch at the
estate of Dr Diez Canseco,
where guests will experience
a home-cooked Peruvian
meal with him. Guests will
also visit a local chicheria,
where they will learn how
Peruvian corn beer is made,
as well as visiting Andean
weavers.
Argentina is another
favourite in South America.
Agents should note that the
Argentinian peso is about
one to one with the South
African rand, so travellers
can expect to get value
for their money. Points of
interest include the Iguazu
Falls and the colourful
capital city, Buenos Aires.
Besides a tango show,
Thompsons recommends
that agents include a visit to
the tomb of Eva Peron in the
Recoleta Cemetery in their
packages.
Brazil is the biggest
country in South America.
Famous landmarks in the
massive country include the
Christ the Redeemer statue,
Copacabana Beach, as well
as the annual Carnival.
According to the World Bank,
around 5,8 million people
visited last year.
Thompsons is offering a
Buzios and Rio de Janeiro
six-night stay, which includes
breakfast daily, for
R8 550pps.
News flash
Delta Air Lines has recently introduced a bag guarantee on
domestic US flights. “If passengers from Johannesburg who
connect via Atlanta do not receive their bag on the carousel at
their final destination within 20 minutes, they are eligible to
receive 2 500 bonus SkyMiles,” says Delta
