Agents need to learn more about leisure!
WHILE agents have a
firm grip on certain
African destinations,
they require training on what
the rest of the continent has
to offer.
The majority of leisure
travellers travelling into
Africa are visiting famous
attractions such as Victoria
Falls and the Indian Ocean
islands, travel agents
revealed in a survey
recently run on TNW’s sister
publication, eTNW.
Of the 313 respondents,
88 (28%) said their clients
frequently travelled into
Africa for leisure, 25 (8%)
said they had never booked
leisure travel for Africa, and
a significant 205 (66%) said
their clients only visited wellknown
tourist destinations.
But Africa has so much
more to offer for leisure,
argues Gill Dewar, md of
GCD Consulting. “South
Africans do not need to
look far to have an amazing
experience or ensure they
get good value for money –
Africa is safe and ready for
leisure travel.”
One survey respondent
pointed out that agents
needed more training on
Africa’s leisure offering to be
able to talk confidently about
it with their clients. “Africa
has so much to offer, but
due to a lack of knowledge
on our side and the fact
that it is quite pricey, it is a
difficult destination to sell.”
Another agent said the
reason Africa was an
unknown destination for
many consultants was
because educationals and
familiarisation trips were
often hosted in European
and Asian destinations but
not in Africa.
“Companies often
arrange training for staff
to familiarise them with
destinations and products
in Southern Africa, however
I do think we need more
training for East Africa as
it is a complex destination
and is not cost-effective
for companies to arrange
staff educationals,” one
respondent said and
suggested that agents
use social media to
keep up to date with new
developments.
Tour ops up the ante
To assist agents in selling
Africa, Thompsons Holidays
recently launched its
2016 Africa Beach and
Bush brochure, which is
currently being delivered to
agencies. The brochures
cover Zimbabwe, Zambia,
Botswana, African
river cruises, Namibia,
Mozambique, Kenya and
Tanzania.
“The brochure contains
information on the most
popular destinations in subSaharan
Africa,” explains
Thompsons Holidays PR and
media manager, John Ridler.
It also includes maps
and general information,
including language, visas,
health information, currency,
weather and what things
cost, he says.
A list of “memorable
must-do excursions” to
assist clients in planning
their itineraries can also be
found in the brochure, adds
John. “Lastly, there is a
directory of three-, four- and
five-star hotels with a short
description and the hotel’s
wow factor,” he says.
TravelVision is also
beginning to place greater
focus on the African leisure
market, according to sales
and marketing manager,
Annemarie Lexow. “Africa
leisure was not one of our
portfolio destinations, nor
were the Indian Ocean
Islands, however through our
joint venture with Access to
Africa – which has dealt with
incentive groups and leisure
groups in the past – we are
learning more and becoming
confident enough to offer
leisure products to the rest
of the market,” she says.
Through the joint venture
with Access to Africa, Travel
Vision will train their
sales executives who
will then go out and train
travel agents during their
monthly agency visits. “So
where there is a lack of
knowledge or confidence in
selling a particular product,
they will set up training or
agree on a time to sit and
discuss that destination
with that specific agency,”
Annemarie comments.
TravelVision’s own
consultants will also become
more confident in selling
leisure as a result, she says.
“In as much as the travel
agencies will be learning
about these products, so will
our own consultants. So we
will be going on this learning
curve of selling these leisure
destinations as well.
Photocap: River Cruises in Africa
Thompsons Holidays’ recently launched brochure
contains information on the most popular destinations
in Sub-Saharan Africa, including African river cruises.
Where to send travellers
SELLING Southern Africa is
probably easier than selling
North, East or West Africa,
says Gill Dewar, md of GCD
Consulting.
“Southern Africa has much
better infrastructure than
the rest of Africa, and also
offers greater air connectivity
options.”
For instance, hotels in
Nigeria are situated at least
20km out of town, says Gill.
“It’s the same in places like
Ghana – and that is obviously
very inconvenient for leisure
travellers.”
She points out that Kenya’s
leisure offering is great,
but that it might be a bit
expensive. “Tanzania is the
same. Agents can easily sell
these destinations to clients,
but they are likely for travellers
at the top end of the market,”
she says.
For travellers looking to visit
Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda,
there are a number of great
adventure activities on offer.
However, agents must become
familiar with the abilities,
requirements and personal
preferences of their clients
to ensure they send them
on the right adventure, says
Climbing Kilimanjaro senior
tour consultant, Annalé van
Rensburg.
“From climbing the
highest mountain in Africa
– Kilimanjaro – in Tanzania,
to tracking Dian Fossey’s
endangered Mountain gorillas
in the Volcanoes National Park
in Rwanda – an absolutely
life-changing experience – to
tracking chimpanzees in
the Kibale National Park in
Uganda, these destinations
have so much to offer leisure
travellers,” she says.
Close and convenient
Namibia is an easy destination
for agents to sell because it
is just a two-hour flight from
South Africa, says Michell
Fourie, sales and marketing
manager, Air Namibia
commercial services South
Africa.
“In addition to that,
Namibia’s currency is one-toone
with the South African
rand and SA rands can be
used in Namibia – so there is
no need for forex.”
Namibia is a popular selfdrive,
car-rental destination,
according to Rebone Motsatsi,
commercial and licences
executive at Avis Car Rental.
“Both foreign and local
markets enjoy driving to
Namibia, with in excess of
50% of our rental volumes
being leisure related for this
destination.”
Lusaka is also a great option
for South African travellers,
says Michell. “People seem to
overlook Lusaka as a possible
leisure option because it is
well-known for corporate travel,
but Lake Kariba, the Lower
Zambezi National Park and the
town of Siavonga are a mere
two-hour drive from Lusaka,”
Michell says. “They offer
countless lodges across all
price categories.”
Gill recommends Malawi as
a good destination for South
Africans. “It’s close to South
Africa, there are great things
to do, it’s good value for
money and the people are very
friendly.”
Salad Nthenda, vice consul
of tourism at the Malawi
Consulate, says while Malawi
is relatively small, it offers
a variety of experiences for
travellers.
According to Salad, 25% to
30% of South Africans who
visit Malawi do so for leisure.
“South Africans are attracted
to Malawi’s rare combination
of bush, beach and highlands
together with warm, friendly
people who exude heritage
largely untouched by
civilisation.”
Lake Malawi offers excellent
snorkelling and diving
opportunities, Salad adds.
“There is also untouched
beauty, such as the over 400
species of orchid and other
wildflowers which Malawi
boasts.”
A trip to Malawi also offers
convenient travelling time as
there are daily two-hour flights
out of Johannesburg operated
by SAA and Malawian Airlines,
says Salad. “Additionally,
South Africans do not require
a visa to visit Malawi and a
yellow fever certificate is not
required either.”
Travel agents should sell
Malawi as an ideal and safe
destination for clients looking
for relaxation, sightseeing,
fascinating history and
authentic cultural experiences,
says Salad. “The destination
is perfect for those who are
environmentally conscious
and are looking to experience
something different from their
normal day-to-day life and are
looking to learn about other
lifestyles and cultures.”
Up and coming
According to Abel Alemu,
Ethiopian Airlines’ regional
manager for Southern Africa,
Ethiopia is also growing
in popularity with leisure
travellers because of the
airline’s status as the leading
African carrier on the continent
in terms of cities covered. “We
are encouraging travellers to
spend a day or two in Ethiopia
when they are connecting on
to other flights and we are
seeing a lot of tourists coming
into Ethiopia as a result.”
While the majority of
travellers visiting Ethiopia
are elderly, young people will
enjoy it too, says Abel. “Older
travellers enjoy the culture and
heritage of the destination
while the nightlife appeals
to the youngsters,” he says.
“Ethiopia treats foreigners
well, and there is something
on offer for everyone.”
Botswana and Mozambique
are also good options for
leisure travellers, according
to Rebone. “Chobe National
Park, the Okavango Delta and
the Tuli Block attract leisure
travellers to Botswana, while
visitors to Mozambique enjoy
the Niassa Game Reserve and
the Cahora Bassa Dam.”
More connectivity is a must
THE experts argue that
some of Africa’s great
leisure destinations suffer
from lack of appropriate air
connectivity.
“The problem with
leisure travel into Africa
is that some of the best
destinations are difficult
for South Africans to get
to,” says Gill Dewar of GCD
Consulting.
Mombasa, for instance,
used to be perfect for
leisure, Gill notes. “But
then the direct flights were
cancelled and people are
unwilling to get there via
Nairobi, plus travellers are
now scared of the terrorism
in East Africa.”
Morocco is another
destination that South
Africans find intriguing but
lacks air connectivity, Gill
says. “There are no direct
flights to Morocco.” Travellers
are frightened of terrorism
in the eastern part of Africa,
which affects Egypt. So
South Africans are missing
out on those beautiful, exotic
destinations, says Gill.
For other destinations there
are a lot more convenient
connections.
Air Namibia offers
connections for South
Africans through Namibia
to Zambia, Botswana,
Zimbabwe and Angola.
“Through our codeshare with
Kenya Airways, we also offer
connections from Windhoek
to Nairobi via Lusaka,” says
Air Namibia’s Michell Fourie.
Ethiopian Airlines flies
to 54 destinations on the
African continent from its
hub in Addis Ababa, says
the airline’s Abel Alemu.
These include Accra, Abuja,
Bahir-Dar (Ethiopia), Bamako
(Mali), Brazzaville (Congo),
Bujumbura (Burundi), Cape
Town, Cairo, Dakar, Dar
es Salaam, Dire Dawa
(Ethiopia), Djibouti, Douala,
Durban, Entebbe, Harare,
Johannesburg, Kigali,
Kilimanjaro, Kinshasha,
Lagos, Libreville, Lusaka,
Malabo, Maputo, Melelle
(Ethiopia), Mombasa,
Nairobi, N’Djamena (Chad),
Pointe-Noire (Congo),
Seychelles, Zanzibar and
many more.
“We fly to almost every
country below the Saharan
region and in some places,
like Nigeria and South Africa,
we fly to multiple cities,”
says Abel. “Our attention
has always been Africa.”
Botswana – worth the
extra spend
destinations do not afford in
such a big way, namely waterbased
game viewing. “Unlike
other safari destinations
in Africa,” says Rob Dixon,
senior marketing and digital
manager for Sanctuary
Retreats, “Botswana offers
a combination of land
and water safaris. Mokoro
[dugout canoes] excursions
provide a unique adventure
along the waterways of the
Okavango Delta and are a
special feature of safaris in
Botswana.”
Chris believes that
Botswana’s high price tag
does not always hold true
and that some shopping
around does uncover
competitive rates. “Over the
last few years there has
been a dramatic increase
of lodges in certain areas,
which has resulted in prices
actually coming down, or
more affordable options
entering the market. An
example of this is the
Chobe region, where there
is a multitude of lodges,
hotels, bed and breakfasts,
backpacker and camping
accommodation. This has
resulted in different price
options,” he remarks.
Catering to the experiential tourist
MUCH has been written
about millennials and
their leaning towards the
experiential – their desire to
learn languages or culinary
and other skills, to volunteer
in conservation, cultural
and social situations, to be
involved rather than simply to
observe.
Tourism stakeholders the
continent over are answering
the ever-growing demand for
experiential travel, resulting
in some extraordinary
experiences for the tourist
wanting educational
encounters, insightful
interactions and adventurous
escapades that leave life-long
impressions.
1 Rhino tracking
Conservation activities bound
to attract the experiential
traveller include rhino tracking
on foot in the Mosi-oa-Tunya
National Park, an activity
offered to guests staying at
Wilderness Safaris’ Toka Leya
Camp in Zambia. Here guests
can also avail themselves of
a back-of-house tour, viewing
the successful waste water
management plant and
greenhouse.
Rhino tracking is possible
too at Wilderness Safaris’
Desert Rhino Camp in
Namibia, where guests
can also learn about the
conservation work done in
conjunction with Save the
Rhino Trust Namibia.
2 Cultural immersion
In an effort to showcase
the rich culture of Tanzania,
Serena’s lodges are offering
guests a range of activities
that include cooking, Swahili
and traditional music
lessons.
The cooking lessons are
interactive and conducted by
a chef who demonstrates
local dishes. The language
lessons cover basic Swahili
words that are useful during
the guests’ safari.
Jogging and stretch exercise
sessions are also conducted,
giving guests the chance to
enjoy fresh air in the natural
environment. Lake Manyara
Serena Safari Lodge has a
350m jogging track suitable
for all ages. Mineral water is
supplied and a certified firstaid
guide is on hand.
The new activities are also
available at Zanzibar Serena
Hotel and Lake Duluti Hotel.
3 Conservation courses
Based in Nelspruit,
EcoTraining specialises
in training about nature.
Courses are run in simple
unfenced bush camps in the
middle of wilderness areas
in South Africa, Botswana,
Kenya and Zimbabwe. The
company’s mission is to
educate people on the
importance of wilderness
and the processes that
drive the world’s natural
ecosystems.
“We offer sleep-outs that
involve driving from camp to
a spot far off in the bush,”
says Katherine Greathead,
marketing manager. It’s
sleeping rough, without
the benefit of tents and
ablutions. Participant take
turns on night vigil, keeping a
watch for nocturnal animals.
They also learn about ecofriendly
fire-making, camping
and cooking with the bare
minimum.
The company’s one-week
EcoQuest course will involve
participants in activities such
as a breeding project for
rare and endangered Sable
antelope, or witnessing a
collaring, or the notching
and capture of a large
game species, such as lion,
elephant or rhino.
4 Desert-adapted lions
Guests who spend three
nights at Wilderness
Safaris’ Hoanib Skeleton
Coast Camp in Namibia
can take advantage of an
informative day’s excursion
to the Skeleton Coast. Dr
Philip Stander, a desert lion
researcher, is also based
here and, when possible,
guests can listen to his
research presentations.
