What’s next for Brexit?
AS THE UK formally
leaves the European
Union and enters an
11-month transition period
until December 31, its
trading relationship with
the EU remains as is while
negotiations get under way
for new trade deals. Local
travel industry professionals
say while it is not yet clear
what changes lie ahead,
many things will stay the
same for now.
Business as usual
Frank Palapies, coo of
Wings Travel Management,
believes the situation
remains business as
usual but, if anything,
travel by corporates
with trade interests in
Europe could increase to
cement relationships with
customers and ensure
business continuity.
“Our focus is on
monitoring the situation
and being ready to provide
concise information to our
clients on the potential
impact on travel,” he
says. “As and when the
implications of Brexit
are clearer, we will work
closely with our clients’
travel managers and
buyers to review their travel
programmes accordingly.”
It’s unlikely, says Frank,
that airlines, travel and
visas will be the main
issues for corporates.
“Uncertainty and status
quo around trade deals
means some companies
have been holding back on
investment.”
The impact of Brexit on
the cost of travel is also
not yet discernible. “As
always, we will continue to
work closely with our clients
to manage their business
travel programme as cost
effectively as possible,
without compromising on
traveller safety or duty of
care.”
‘Wait and see’ is the
approach of Mladen Lukic,
gm of Travel Counsellors SA.
He does expect changes
in the visa regime but, as
South Africans have needed
visas for entry to both
the UK and Europe for a
long time, the requirement
represents nothing new.
However, entry requirements
may eventually change for
UK passport holders visiting
the EU and likewise for EU
passport holders visiting
the UK.
Mladen feels it’s too
early to gauge the impact
of Brexit on London as a
business and travel hub.
“It’s hard to know if there
will be a significant change
away from Heathrow and
Gatwick. Bilaterals cannot
be changed overnight. Some
financial concerns have,
however, already moved
out of London to Frankfurt
so there could be some
migration of business
travel.”
Third runway crucial
Frank does not foresee
the UK’s hub status
diminishing, although a
third runway is crucial to
London maintaining its
significance in this sphere.
“London Heathrow is the
busiest airport in Europe by
passenger traffic and the
second busiest airport in
the world.
“However, because
Heathrow’s runways are full,
Britain has not been able
to add as many new routes
to growing economies in
Asia and the Americas.
Meanwhile, countries like
Germany and France, which
have expanded their hub
airports, have added those
connections,” says Frank.
He points out that last
year the UK government
voted in favour of building
a third runway and the
masterplans that would lead
to construction of the first
phase by 2026 have been
published.
Kananelo Makhetha, ceo
of Club Travel Corporate,
also predicts status quo
for the time being with any
impact to be felt largely by
non-South African passport
holders.
The UK’s hub status,
he says, may be affected
if there are negative
changes in the emigration
rules affecting EU citizens
travelling in and out of
the UK.
For the most part, he
expects little change for
local corporate travellers,
but anticipates more travel
to the UK as companies
move on to cement deals
following the Department of
Trade and Industry initiative
of signing preferential
trading agreements directly
with the UK.
Frank does not expect
administrative workloads for
corporate travel consultants
to increase as a result of
Brexit.
EU rules and regulations
will continue to apply during
the transition phase and,
as issues regarding travel
and visas become clear,
consultants can plan the
best means of support to
clients.
Travel Insurance
Consultants’ sales and
marketing manager, Simmy
Micheli, says TIC’s advice
on possible Brexit-triggered
travel disruptions issued
last year still holds.
Such instances would fall
under ‘unspecified events’
cover applicable to policies
purchased within 48 hours
of travel arrangements.
Non-refundable portions
of travel, accommodation
and booked events will
be covered as well as
reasonable additional
expenses (three-star
accommodation and
economy-class travel) for
any other cause outside
the traveller’s control
not specified or insured
anywhere else in the policy.
Did you know?
Back-Roads Touring is Development Promotions’ newest
product in Europe, offering small group touring using the
back-roads (no motorways or highways). Clients get to
experience an authentic local way of life and boutique
accommodation at a relaxed pace.
Schengen visas – best to temper client expectations
TRAVEL consultants are
encouraged to exercise
caution and temper the
expectations of clients
who may be under the
impression that the changes
to Schengen visa rules in
February mean that they
are automatically eligible for
multiple-entry visas valid for
five years.
This is the advice
of Robert Ramsden,
marketing director of Visas
International, who spoke to
TNW just before the new
changes were due to take
effect.
He emphasises that, as
there are still unanswered
questions about the new
rules that will only be
resolved once the new visas
start getting processed, he
bases his comments on
assumption and 25 years of
experience in the business.
The Schengen states have
different visa-processing
times, periods of validity
and requirements, which
complicate the issue, he
says.
The extended application
period of six months – while
welcomed by many (TNW
February 5, 2020) – can also
bring its own challenges.
Take, for example, an
average leisure traveller
who – expecting a five-year
validity period after paying
the higher fee of €80
(R1 324) – applies for the
visa four months before his
travel date.
“Assume the validity kicks
in from the date of issue,
not the date of arrival, and
he is issued with a visa
valid for a year because he
doesn’t travel frequently.
He will lose out on so
much time.
“The traveller has not
received what he requested
and he blames the travel
agency and visa company for
not doing their jobs.”
Travel consultants,
therefore, need to
emphasise to clients that
travellers who frequently visit
the Schengen area and who
have a positive visa history,
will be eligible to receive the
five-year validity, but that it
also depends on the country
issuing the visa.
Another interesting
development worth noting is
that several embassies and
administrators have started
contacting Travel Insurance
Consultants to verify that the
travel insurance documents
supplied by visa applicants
are authentic.
According to TIC’s Simmy
Micheli, some travellers
are conjuring up fraudulent
insurance documents and
submitting these as proof of
insurance.
“This is a silly thing to do
because it goes on record
and that is the end of trying
to visit Europe,” she says.
Turkish brings Dreamliner to Cape Town
TURKISH Airlines will launch
its new Dreamliner on the
Cape Town route from
March 9.
“The new aircraft will bring
with it a next-level flying
experience, including the
latest in-flight entertainment
system and a new businessclass product,” says Kenan
Ince, Cape Town gm.
“This plane is a game
changer in passenger
service levels in all classes
in terms of comfort, noise
reduction, access, ambience
and entertainment.”
Turkey is experiencing
something of a boom in
travellers from SA. Statistics
from the country’s tourist
board received via Turkish
Airlines reveal that the
country welcomed 65 000
South African visitors
between January and
September last year.
Much of the interest is a
result of a proactive national
carrier promoting good fares
and onward connections
while making the most of
the country’s favourable
location between Europe and
the Middle East.
Though still confirming
numbers, Kenan advises
that growth of ticket sales in
SA was 30% from January to
November 2019.
Although some 90% of
passengers on the SA route
are transferring to or from
other international cities,
Turkey’s many pluses as
a tourist destination are
influencing growth, says
Kenan.
These include great value
for the rand, free visas
obtained easily online,
a direct flight and no
significant time difference.
For those using Istanbul as
a connection, Turkish Airlines
provides complimentary
inducements for an
extended stopover. “We’re
promoting our popular
added-value offerings
of Free Stopover (free
hotel accommodation
for passengers travelling
via Istanbul to an
international destination)
and TourIstanbul, a free
guided tour of Istanbul for
passengers connecting
through Istanbul to an
international destination.”
Princess adds to Europe experiences
WITH the addition of two
new ships this European
season – Sky Princess and
Enchanted Princess – and
the 670-passenger Pacific
Princess next year (smallship experience), Princess
Cruises will have six ships
cruising the seas in and
around Europe.
Voyages to the Med,
British Isles, Scandinavia
and Russia will be on offer,
says Sabrina Allcock,
director of Discover the
World SA, which represents
Princess Cruises in SA.
Some European highlights
in the 2020 and 2021
seasons include Island
Princess sailing the length
and breadth of Europe,
incorporating two sailings to
the Holy Land of Israel. New
for 2021 is a 16-day Iceland
and Greenland sailing with
port visits to Reykjavik and
Akureyri in Iceland, and
Nanortalik and Qaqortoq in
Greenland.
Multiple ships visiting
popular cities during festival
times is another highlight.
Island Princess and Crown
Princess both visit Scotland
during the Edinburgh Military
Tattoo. New for 2021 are
visits to Hamburg during
Oktoberfest by Island
Princess.
Grand Princess will sail
roundtrip from London
(Southampton) to Norway,
Scandinavia and Russia, as
well as the Mediterranean.
Grand Princess and Island
Princess each sail to the
top of the world during
the summer solstice on
June 21, 2021 on 14- or
16-day ‘Land of the Midnight
Sun & Summer Solstice’
cruises.
Remember too that the
cruise line offers overnight
stays and More Ashore latenight calls so passengers
can immerse themselves
in a destination’s nightlife
more fully. St Petersburg,
Cork and Alta are examples
of overnight ports.
Additionally, several
Mediterranean and northern
Europe cruises can be
combined with multi-night
land tours to create a
‘Cruisetour’.
Examples are ‘Classic
Italy’, ‘Imperial Treasures’,
‘Highlights of Spain’ and
‘Ring of Kerry’.
Princess Cruises also
has a kids-sail-free offer on
selected European voyages.
In brief
In terms of which European countries Development
Promotions expects to appeal to South Africans this year,
director Jane Davidson believes that Croatia and Italy will
continue to top the popularity charts. Spain also has a lot
of appeal due to its diversity and affordability, in particular
Barcelona. “All of these beautiful dynamic places offer what
South Africans love – food, culture, affordability and history.
Consumers are also showing interest in the UK, Scotland,
Ireland and Eastern Europe.”
The most popular destinations are...
TRAVEL
Insurance
Consultants’
2019 sales
statistics
reveal some
interesting
information
on Europe’s
most popular
destinations
for South
Africans.
Featuring in
the top ten are
Italy, France, Germany,
Spain, The Netherlands,
Portugal, Greece,
Switzerland, Austria and
the Republic of Ireland.
Ireland shows the highest
increase in policies sold,
with a 29% hike over
last year’s figures, while
Portugal’s growth is 15%.
Claims lodged by
Europe-bound travellers
last year centred on
Europe-specific incidents,
which highlights the
need for the widest cover
against the unexpected.
Weather, says TIC’s
Simmy Micheli, was
one of the culprits.
The flooding in Venice
in November was one
such instance. “If prepaid accommodation is
damaged to an extent
that it is uninhabitable
as a result of weather
conditions, we
reimburse the nonrefundable portions
of accommodation
arrangements for which
the traveller is liable and
reasonable
additional
expenses to
find alternative
accommodation.
If luggage
sinks, we cover
that too,” says
Simmy.
She points
out that Europe
is a continent
exposed
to terror
attacks, thus
recommends full cover
for medical or death as a
result of a terror incident.
Cancellation cover may
also apply if an incident
occurs within 14 days
prior to departing a city.
More recently, civil
commotion, such as the
pension protests in Paris,
has come into play in
European countries.
“An important benefit
on TIC policies is the
‘visa denied’ cover for
South African passport
holders,” says Simmy.
“When all the
documentation is
submitted in perfect
order and in time, and
the visa is denied, policy
holders have cover to
claim irrecoverable
costs.”
A European holiday
activity that is
accompanied by many a
medical claim is skiing,
and TIC’s phones over
the December and
January period ring off
the hook at this time.
Favourites with Saffers
THE European favourites of
Italy, Switzerland, France and
the UK should do well out
of South Africa this year for
Europamundo Vacations, says
Serendipity Tours marketing
manager, Karen Donkin.
Europamundo Vacations
appointed Serendipity Tours
as its official GSA in February
last year.
Karen says it is a different
coach travel product in
this market as the traveller
can start and end a trip at
any point on the tour due
to the flexibility of options
and circular nature of trips.
“Passengers select the most
convenient dates, begin at
the most suitable airport and
continue on their travels for as
long as they wish. They can
extend a stay in a particular
city, even if it is mid-tour, to
return at a later time.
The product operates threeand four-star coach tours
worldwide and every departure
is 100% guaranteed.
A basic travel insurance
policy with Europ Assistance
is included on all packages,
providing cover from the time
Europamundo Vacations
services commence until their
completion, but does not
include public transportation to
join the tour, such as airfares.
Europamundo Vacations,
however, recommends
purchasing optional additional
insurance.
Travel consultants can
become a Europamundo
Vacations specialist by
completing easy, quick, online
training modules in their own
time. The training is available
on the company website.
New E Europe tours
THIS year Austria
Connection will sell a new
range of escorted tour
programmes in Eastern
Europe offered by the
Slovenian-based tour
company, Kompas.
On the tour programmes
are Bulgaria, Serbia,
Romania, Albania,
Montenegro, Croatia,
Slovenia, Poland and the
Baltic states of Lithuania,
Latvia and Estonia.
There are three 11-day
programmes from which to
choose, utilising centrally
located four-star hotels, airconditioned motor coaches,
an English-speaking tour
director and licensed local
guides.
According to Austria
Connection md, Inge
Dobihal, Romania and
Slovenia are gaining in
popularity as they are
interesting, scenic and do
not suffer from over-tourism.
Inge appeals to the
trade to use the company
website. “The website is
specifically designed to help
travel agents with general
information and all specific
products are updated to the
latest situation with dates
and prices.”
Seamless connectivity to LHR and CDG
AIR Mauritius’s London
and Paris routes are
finding favour with South
Africans flying via the
island on to Europe.
Regional manager Africa
and Latin America, Carla
da Silva, says the newgeneration A350-900 and
A330-900neo operate
on the Paris and London
routes respectively.
Increasing popularity of
the routes is due to the
good fares in business
and economy class,
the Airbus product and
the four-star Skytrax
experience with WiFienabled aircraft. London
and Paris have seamless
connectivity from SA via
Mauritius, adds Carla.
Also popular is the
airline’s seasonal Geneva
flight, which operates
from January 27 until
March 2. The flights
depart Mauritius on
Mondays and Fridays at
09h10 to arrive at 17h45
in Geneva. The A330-
900neo operates this
route.
NCL’s Masterclass coming soon
THIS year Norwegian Cruise
Line (NCL) will introduce its
Masterclass qualification to
the trade, so keep an eye out
for further notifications.
The concept will be
introduced to consultants
by means of PowerPoint
presentations around the
country, says NCL business
development manager SA,
Nirosha Sidat.
The presentations aim to
boost cruise business and
agents can expect insights
into best practices and
tools to support day-to-day
promotional activities.
Attendees will be granted
‘certified NCL seller’ status
and be able to display a
sticker in their offices to this
effect.
They will also get first
preference on ship visits and
educationals.
Nirosha expects Venice,
Barcelona and the Greek Isles
to be top sellers in 2020.
Cruises out of Copenhagen
to the Baltic Sea are also
punted for success.
