south africa
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operators are scrambling to expand their South Africa product range. At around 17.5 rand to the pound, visitors can
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enjoy the Rainbow Republic in a style befi tting royalty or rock stars. They can also upgrade to fi ve-star accommodation and eat at top-notch restaurants without worrying about breaking either the bank or their holiday budget. Louise Stanion, Africa Product Manager for Cox & Kings Africa, says: “Passenger numbers to South Africa are growing year on year. The weakened rand means that luxury travel to South Africa is more affordable than ever.” Will Scott, Africa Product Manager for Audley
Travel concurs: “South Africa is really popular at the moment, partly due to the exchange rate, but mostly due to the incredible time clients have when they’re in the country. The product is of excellent quality.” South Africa is also selling “exceptionally well” for Premier Holidays, says Debbie Goffi n, Head of Sales and Marketing. “Of course, we are benefi ting from a strong pound but we launched a dedicated South Africa programme last year with a fl urry of agent activity that included launch events and an agent fam trip and we are attributing some of the success down to this.” Caron Streeter, Senior Product Executive at Virgin Holidays, says Cape Town and the game reserves of the north are selling well this year along with escorted touring. “South Africa has so much to offer all ages, which is why our Family Adventure tour is proving so popular.” With traditional staples like Cape Town, the Garden Route and the Kruger are a shoe-in on many itineraries, operators are now looking to add more adventurous options. Leila Grochowski, Product and Commercial Manager for Cosmos Tours & Cruises, says: “We have introduced new tours designed to provide a more personalised and authentic experience and to enjoy the spectacular scenery, activities and culture of South Africa.” However, with Cape Town tempting visitors back time and time again, operators face a challenge when introducing the country’s lesser-known
ith consumer interest fuelled by the most advantageous exchange rate for years it is little wonder that tour
regions, admits Cox & Kings’ Stanion. “We try to push places like Tswalu in the
Kalahari and Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, but generally people stick with the tried and trusted main areas. However in Cape Town clients are now more willing to stay in areas away from the V&A Waterfront.” Another of the country’s ‘lesser known’ provinces will be the focus of a South African Tourism (SAT) operator fam this summer. Key product managers will be introduced
“I would recommend that clients starting or ending a tour in Durban stay on in the city for a night or two. There’s a lot to see and they shouldn’t miss the spice markets or
having a hearty curry!” MICHAEL CREIGHTON
PRODUCT MANAGER, TRAVEL 2
to the Northern Cape, the largest of South Africa’s provinces but the one with the smallest population. It is known for the riotous blooming of wildfl owers each August in Namaqualand, ancient bushmen art and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which it shares with Botswana. SAT will also run a VIP agents’ fam in October, to tie in with its new SA Specialist training programme (see ‘T
ourism talk’ page 34). The tourism body is again running its SATurday Kitchen promotion in 2015, highlighting the quality of the country’s cuisine, wine and local produce. It will culminate in an agents’ fam.
Perfect ten
All-rounder: South Africa’s diversity is such that it can satisfy several holidays:
think mountain and coastal scenery, safaris, whale watching, wine-tasting, historical and cultural attractions, adventure activities and more. Getting around: It’s easy to explore South Africa, either via internal fl ights or
driving (on the left). Petrol is very inexpensive. All for one: Nightly rates at fi ve-star lodges may seem expensive but stress the
all-inclusive nature that includes accommodation, game drives, food, drinks and often entertainment. Live like a king: A three-course meal including wine at a top restaurant costs
around £30 per head. Times of sand: South Africa is not usually seen as a ‘beach destination’ but
ocean swimming is possible year round in tropical KwaZulu-Natal Battle born: History buffs will love listening to guides telling battle stories at
evocative sites like Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. Once bitten: South Africa has several wildlife reserves and sanctuaries in
malaria-free areas. These include the 75,000- hectare Madikwe Game Reserve, close to the Botswana border and home to the ‘Big Five’, and
sellingtravel.co.uk
Main image: Table Mountain looks down on Cape Town; above: Satyagraha House in Johannesburg, a former home of Ghandi and featured on South African Tourism’s new Ghandi- themed website
Addo Elephant Park and several private lodges in the Eastern Cape. Boutique: South Africa has a superb range of guesthouses and boutique hotels. Flowering beauty: South Africa is one of the most biologically diverse countries
in the world and is home to nearly 10% of the world’s plant species. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town, which last year attracted over one million visitors, will be exhibiting at the Chelsea Flower Show in London in May for the 40th successive year. Shoulder seasons: Suggest a visit in April and October, or the fi rst week of
December, for some off-peak bargains.
What’s new Airlines: South African Airways (
flysaa.com) offers double-daily fl ights to Johannesburg from Heathrow’s sparkling new Terminal 2, with connections to Durban from £926pp return. Flying to South Africa via the Gulf is a popular
and often cheaper option and passengers will soon have more route options after Qatar Airways (
qatarairways.com) announced it is to begin four new weekly fl ights to Durban from December 17. The Doha-based carrier will also operate daily fl ights to Cape Town from October 1 2015. Virgin Atlantic (
virgin-atlantic.com) is to put its new
787-9 Dreamliners on the London-Johannesburg route. The airline has taken delivery of three of the
aircraft with six more due this year. Operators: Cox and Kings’ 2015 Africa brochure includes several new South Africa tours. The operator has introduced a range of options including self-drive itineraries departing from Johannesburg, a selection of small-group
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