It’s size that matters
DESPITE the difficult
economic climate,
corporates in SA seem
committed to the use of
incentive travel as a powerful
motivator of business results.
This is the view of Uwin
Iwin ceo, David Sand, who
says growth is coming
from businesses that have
expanded into Africa and
have qualifiers from panAfrican destinations.
He says budgets have
stayed constant so the
weaker rand is putting
pressure on the number
of participants that can be
accommodated with a similar
budget to the previous year.
“Destination selection is
still largely influenced by
the company’s past track
record of travel and the level
of experience previously
achieved. Safe, exciting, visafree destinations are certainly
winning more business.”
2019 has been close to a
record year for Beachcomber
Tours with regard to group
and incentive bookings,
confirms group sales
executive, Enid Maullin.
“This coming year, however,
we anticipate that some
companies will look at cutting
costs, budgets and incentive
travel due to the economic
climate. We are seeing a
number of smaller group
enquiries coming through.”
Thompsons Holidays PR
and media manager, John
Ridler, says they have noted
an increase in group travel
this year with regard to small
company incentives, family
and friends travelling together
as well as sports groups.
Incentivising staff
“Many companies arrange
events in tough trading
periods to incentivise and
stimulate staff. We have
noticed, however, that group
sizes and the number of
days away have reduced, as
budgets have decreased.
Destinations are completely
varied, with local still taking a
big slice of the pie.”
Development Promotions
has seen a huge increase
in groups, especially for
multi-generational family
celebrations and friends
travelling together,
confirms marketing
manager, Roland Müller.
“Cost and pricing have been
an issue this year in particular
due to a weaker rand, so sizes
of some groups are smaller.”
Sabrina Allcock, director of
Discover the World SA, has
seen with Princess Cruises
that some incentive groups are
opting to travel every second
year instead of annually as
a result of the economic
downturn.
“Targets for achievement
have also become more
stringent, which means groups
with smaller numbers.” She
says groups are also opting
to cruise earlier or later in the
season when prices are more
attractive.
“Full drinks packages
have been replaced by beer
and wine packages and
generally there is a cost-cutting
approach.”
There has been an increase
in big families travelling
together to benefit from group
rates and additional perks,
but groups are moving away
from weddings, anniversaries
or big birthday bashes at
sea due to cost implications,
Sabrina adds.
World Leisure Holidays
reports a positive growth in
MICE groups, but budgets are
much tighter, agrees group
sales manager, Martine
Sanderson.
Smaller groups
“Group size has definitely
changed to smaller groups
as opposed to the industry
norm of sending large 200- to
300-delegate groups in one
go.” Martine says corporates
and travel agents watching
costs are increasingly going
directly to hotels for rates.
“This does not mean the
client gets the best rate offer.
As a tour operator, we have
guaranteed rates due to
volume-based business that
are often lower than the rate
the hotel charges directly to
the end client.”
On the other hand, Cruises
International has noticed an
uptake in family, group and
incentive travel as well as a
slight increase in the group
sizes for incentives, says
Lizaan Schnettler, groups and
incentives manager.
“Clients and companies
alike are recognising the value
proposition a cruise holiday
offers. Most planning an
incentive are only looking at
balcony cabins, as they want
to maximise on their incentive.
There is also an increase in
luxury cruise enquiries, which
is fantastic.”
Similarly, Constance Hotels
& Resorts MICE sales
manager, Juan Nel, is
finding that corporates are
increasingly looking for more
luxurious properties, but for
smaller groups.
“The number of nights
has stayed the same the
last few years, with most
corporates considering threeto four-night stays.”
MICE business to Southern Africa takes upward turn
WHILE Walthers
Destination Business
Solutions (DBS) Africa
has recorded significant
growth in incentives as
well as association and
corporate meetings, much
of its new business is
from expansion beyond
southern and South
Africa.
Md and ceo, Daryl
Keywood, who currently
sits on the SITE
International board
of directors as the
Africa and Middle East
representative, says
the past year has seen
the company arranging
events for its international
inbound client base to
several African countries
outside its traditional
stomping grounds.
“These include
meetings in Accra, Addis
Ababa, Lagos, Arusha
and Nairobi, as well as
incentives to East Africa
and a SITE Crystal Awardwinning incentive in
Madagascar.”
He says the company’s
traditional markets of
Europe and North America
are steady, however Brazil
is strong and there is
growth from the UAE,
Russia and Egypt (coming
back) as well as some
southeast Asian countries.
“Asia is an interesting
market because although
the traditional 30- to
50-person incentive
programmes do exist,
there is also potential
for mega-incentives of
over 1 000 participants,
especially from multi-level
marketing organisations.”
He says within Southern
Africa, Cape Town remains
strong for meetings
and incentives, as does
a bush experience
and Victoria Falls for
incentives.
“The number of new
hotels in Cape Town has
resulted in increased
competition and rate
pressure, which,
together with the rand’s
depreciation, continues to
make the city an attractive
destination,” says Daryl.
The one handbrake
on future growth is the
perception of safety and
security in SA, he says.
“Most clients have been
resilient, but the past few
months have seen several
clients question us about
safety.”
Incentive clients
continue to challenge and
look for new experiences,
often requesting novel
or exclusive ideas as
participants compete to
share these on social
media, he says.
“Sustainability and
CSR are increasing
in importance, as
organisations want to
ensure the optics of
their incentive
programmes tick the
box in terms of the
organisation and
participants wishing to
leave some sort of legacy.
When offering optional
excursions, up to 30% of
attendees select a CSR
option.”
According to Daryl,
Walthers is also seeing
greater flexibility in
corporate meetings with
more time allowed for
participants to experience
the destination.
“Often these meetings
end early at about 14h00
to enable participants
to explore. The younger
generation will likely
sneak off anyway and so
by offering free time or
optional excursions, our
corporate meeting clients
see better participation
during the meeting.”
Walthers is slowly
starting to win in terms
of eliminating dubious
animal interactions from
incentive programmes, he
says.
“We, along with many
industry partners,
have taken a strong
stand against animal
interactions, especially
when it comes to predator
walks and cub petting.
For a recent client we
refused to arrange a
predator encounter for
an incentive group from
Thailand travelling to Vic
Falls. It almost cost us
the business, but in the
end after educating the
client, they understood
our position and arranged
that element directly
themselves.”
Daryl adds: “We
understand that there are
organisations doing good
work that rely on tourism
to fund their projects,
however cub petting and
walking with predators is
not the answer.”
Fastjet is seeing a
growth in groups and
incentive business within
Zimbabwe, particularly
on the Harare-Victoria
Falls route, says chief
commercial officer, Julian
Edmunds.
Part of the airline’s
value-add for groups is
airport efficiency, says
Julian.
“As our groups can only
be up to 50 passengers
per flight, we can move
through the airports
faster, saving more time
for participants to enjoy
their activities.”
Fastjet, he says, is
currently developing
incentive schemes for
boarding schools to
accommodate student
travel for holidays, exeats
and half-term breaks.
Book it!
The aha Alpine Heath Resort is currently offering a day
conference package of R385pp, which includes three
tea/coffee breaks, lunch, standard equipment, venue
hire and two mineral waters. The resort’s 24-hour
package includes accommodation, breakfast, light
lunch, dinner, two tea/coffee breaks, venue hire and
standard equipment at a rate of R950pp for six guests
per chalet ranging to R2 065pp (one guest per chalet).
Rates are valid until December 15.
News Flash!
Approval has been granted to rebrand SITE (Society for Incentive Travel
Excellence) Southern Africa to SITE Africa to reflect the many new
members, particularly in East Africa, as well as Ghana and Ethiopia,
says SITE’s Daryl Keywood. “We’ll be doing a relaunch of the chapter
shortly as soon as we have the new logos from SITE HQ in the US.”
Matchmaker, matchmaker
EVERY group is unique,
with special needs and
considerations, so tailoring
a trip to suit the client’s
needs is essential.
While a cruise in itself is
already a wow experience,
the experience still has to
align with the client, says
Cruises International’s
Lizaan Schnettler.
“Budget is always a key
factor, but corporates
should match the choice
of cruise line to what they
think their winners would
enjoy.”
The Med remains the
most popular destination,
although there has been
an increase in bookings
to Asia and small ship
cruising, she says. Allure of
the Seas, operated by Royal
Caribbean, will be doing its
first and only Med season
in 2020 after refurbishment,
says Lizaan.
“Celebrity Edge and
Celebrity Apex, new ships
from Celebrity Cruises’ Edge
class, will be in the Med
in 2020 as well.”
Lizaan also recommends
consultants to take
advantage of Royal
Caribbean’s exclusive MICE
promotion where 5% master
account credit is given with
all cruises applicable to
contracted groups of eight
or more staterooms.
Big savings
“This translates to 5% of
the programme’s total base
fare. Say you have ten
double staterooms with a
base fare of US$1 000pp
(R14 970), this is a total
base fare of $2 000
(R29 940) per stateroom,
which is $20 000
(R299 490) total for all ten
rooms – 5% of this is
$1 000 (R14 970).”
Use this for bonus
commission or a reduction
of the final payment, she
says. Clients can also
put it toward payment for
selected on-board amenities
such as speciality dining/
buyouts, cocktail receptions,
team-building events,
shore excursions, beverage
packages or high-speed
Internet access.
The value of experienced
partners to assist with
every aspect before and
during the client’s group
or incentive trip cannot be
underestimated, believes
Thompsons Holidays’
John Ridler.
He says since all groups
and incentives have specific
needs, the team first
establishes the parameters
and then applies any
current promotion that is
applicable. “Our destination
agents are also hands-on
throughout the event.”
A word of advice is always
to throw in surprises that
the group is not aware of,
such as small personalised
gifts or unusual teambuilding exercises.
“The most important thing
is to include all delegates.
Do not arrange a pool event
if some of the participants
cannot swim, or better
still make sure the nonswimmers are part of the
on-land referee team.”
Book it!
The aha Kopanong Hotel & Conference Centre offers
a day conference package of R395pp, including three
tea/coffee breaks, lunch, standard equipment and
venue hire. The 24-hour package is selling at
R1 659pp single or R1 259pps, including
accommodation, dinner, breakfast, two tea/coffee
breaks, lunch, standard equipment and two mineral
waters. The other alternative is R955pp single or
R595pps on a bed-and-breakfast basis. Rates are valid
until December 15.
‘Agents, we count on you’
THE ability of travel
professionals
to communicate
and consult with
clients to establish
exactly what they
require in a group
travel experience is
essential to ensure
the success of these
events, says Ross
Volk, md of MSC
Cruises SA.
He recommends
that consultants
regularly research
available options
and keep up to date
with market changes,
promotions and
trends to ensure they
propose suitable alternatives.
World Leisure Holidays’ Martine
Sanderson agrees. “Do your
homework and offer something
unique that everyone else is not
offering. Use reliable suppliers.”
John Ridler of Thompsons
Holidays, suggests that agents
think out of the box and encourage
clients to do the same. “It boils
down to the information we receive
from agents. Complete disclosure
on budget and expectations helps
create a successful
event.”
Teresa Richardson,
md of The Travel
Corporation, agrees
that every little
detail counts when
putting together an
exceptional group
experience. Agents
must take a thorough
brief from clients
and have a real
understanding of all
the elements that will
make up the group.
“This could be
from expected hotel
standards to the
age of people in
the group, personal
interests and more.”
Development Promotions’ Roland
Müller believes the most important
thing is to pick the right product or
supplier for the group.
“Don’t assume things like, for
example, that the whole group can
eat together at a specific restaurant
at a certain time. Find out all the
details, no matter how small.”
He says costing also needs to be
as inclusive as possible so there
are no hidden extra bills.
Cruise conferencing – a different experience every time
MSC Cruises has
seen a steady
year-on-year
increase in the SA
cruising market,
even though the
economy has
weakened.
“More companies
and agents are
becoming aware of
what great value
and convenience
cruising offers,”
says MSC’s, Ross
Volk.
One of the
most attractive
aspects of cruises
is the variety,
as companies can choose to
conference on a cruise annually
and the experience will be
different every year, says Ross.
“Companies can customise
packages to meet business
objectives within their tightening
budgets.”
He says corporates also have
the option of booking activities for
delegates while on shore, which
they are increasingly choosing
to do. “The activities depend on
individual preferences within the
group.
Take your pick
“For example,
some prefer sport
activities such
as snorkelling or
kayaking, while
others want
something more
laidback like our
cultural tour.”
Last season, the
exclusive beach
lounge on the threenight Portuguese
Island cruises
was a hit with
corporates. “We are
expecting to see
the same again this
season.”
Cabin drops for delegates are
also becoming more popular, as
companies like to make delegates
feel special by having surprise gifts
waiting for them in their cabin after
a long day, he adds.
“MSC Cruises has a special
conference rate on all its cruises.
If a group books more than 12
cabins, they qualify for a reduced
rate. Groups also get one free
cruise fare for every 23 guests
booked. This is limited to a
maximum of ten free cruise fares
per booking.”
Aha Hotels and Lodges invests in conferencing
AFTER the election period in
April and the winter school
holidays, aha Hotels and
Lodges is seeing a pick-up
in its conferencing business.
National sales manager,
Celeste Schröder, says big
conferencing groups are
being booked close to the
client’s head office where
most staff members are
based to avoid extensive
transport costs. Corporates
are also opting for fully
inclusive packages.
“In the past, for smaller
groups or EXCO group
enquiries, they would invite
spouses to join in, whereas
now, most companies
are booking single
accommodation and then
giving spouses the option to
join after the conference on
their own account.”
News from the group
includes completion of the
WiFi installation project
at the aha Alpine Heath
Resort, which means
all guests have access
to high-speed Internet
facilities from the 100 newly
refurbished self-catering
chalets.
“Aha Alpine Heath Resort
is the first establishment of
its size in the Drakensberg
region to offer this service
in both accommodation
and business facilities.
Modern event hosting and
conference facilities are
available, as well as two
restaurants on-site, the
Gruyères Restaurant and
the Pizza Inferno.”
The aha Kopanong Hotel
& Conference Centre’s
conference facilities
recently underwent a R1,6m
upgrade, she adds.
Renovations include a
complete internal and
external overhaul of the
hotel’s conference centres,
elevating the Benoni
venue further as a premier
conferencing destination.
Flexible places for informal
meetings are a priority,
which has resulted in the
creation of more breakout
spaces outside the meeting
rooms where delegates
can continue discussions.
Wireless connectivity has
been improved, with ample
bandwidth in all areas.
Organisers can use the
new lobby space for intimate
cocktail receptions and
informal business meetings.
Become a Trafalgar ‘groupie’
TRAFALGAR is seeing an
increase in the number
of groups it is booking.
“We offer a turnkey
service with great
itineraries that can be
fully customised with
included sightseeing,
dining, accommodation,
porterage and all
transport,” says The
Travel Corporation md,
Teresa Richardson,
“as well as exclusive
experiences that are
best enjoyed as a
group.”
She says one of the
trends this year is
an increased interest
in wellness travel.
“We have a yoga and
wellness trip in north
or south India as an
example.”
Religious interest
and pilgrimage trips
are on the rise and the
Trafalgar and CostSaver
brands have an entire
brochure dedicated to
faith travel, she says.
“We also have
something for gardeners,
school groups,
culinary aficionados,
battleground hunters,
artists, historians and
more.”
The operator offers
special group rates.
The first option is a
5% discount on the
land portion for all
group guests and this
is combinable with
promotional offers and
regular discounts (based
on availability).
“We also offer a sliding
scale for the number of
guests in a group. For
example, for groups of
nine to 15 guests, one
guest receives a 50%
discount on their land
portion and it escalates
to 45+ guests where
three guests get their
land portion free.”
NCL relaunches affinity group programme
A BIG benefit when booking
groups with Norwegian
Cruise Line (NCL) is lead
time and the further the
client books in advance,
the bigger the discount will
be, says Roland Müller of
Development Promotions.
“NCL has relaunched its
affinity group programme,
which offers group
discounts ranging from 5%
to 15%, depending on the
category of stateroom and
sailing date.”
Group amenities can be
selected at stateroom level
and vary according to cabin
type selected.
“Groups booking inside
staterooms can choose
two amenities from either
group A or B, plus one
bonus amenity. If booking
ocean-view, balcony and
mini suites, the client has
access to all four amenities
from either group A or B as
well as one bonus amenity,”
says Roland.
Group A amenities include
unlimited open bar or soda
package (to the value of
US$1 400 (R21 218), shore
excursion credit valued at
$200 (R3 030), speciality
dining valued at $160
(R2 425) and 250 minutes
of WiFi valued at $130
(R1 970).
Group B amenities include
shore excursion credit, WiFi
(250 minutes), ten-photo
package and $100 (R1 515)
on-board credit.
Bonus amenities include,
for example, a $100 bonus
commission (requires a
booking of five cabins
minimum) or a cocktail party
(requires a booking of seven
cabins minimum), among
others.
The cruise line also
offers one free berth (one
passenger, not one cabin)
for every ten booked and
the deposit to secure
a group booking is $50
(R758) per cabin.
Corporates capitalise on change of scenery
MORE corporates are
looking to change their
incentive and group
destinations every year
rather than sticking to
the traditional choices,
says Constance Hotels
and Resorts MICE sales
manager, Juan Nel.
“We’ve definitely seen
an increase especially
for Constance Ephelia
in Seychelles, which
we attribute to the
destination’s developing
group offerings, but also
to the interest in seeking
alternative destinations.
We’re also finding that
more corporates are
looking into reputable
luxury properties.”
That said, popular
destinations such as
Mauritius are still doing
very well, he adds.
Constance Hotels &
Resorts has a dedicated
groups and incentives
department that assists
clients from the quoting
stage up to booking and
travelling.
“We provide added
benefits to clients,
depending on seasonality
and destination, such as
free room nights for every
certain number of rooms
booked. We also have
various food outlets at our
properties where groups
can experience a different
venue every night. We
offer two championship
golf courses in Mauritius
and the only 18-hole
championship golf course
in Seychelles.”
Juan says the venue,
Le Chassé, the group’s
private hunting lodge
between its two Mauritius
properties, was recently
upgraded to a bigger
venue with more space.
“This private venue is
at an exclusive location
between two championship
golf courses for those offsite group functions.”
He says for a comfortably
seated dinner, the venue
can take up to 150
people, with an extended
floor and marquee set-up.
There is also a bar and
another covered veranda,
which can be converted to
a covered dance floor.
Five new ships in five years
THERE is a definite draw to
brand-new ships, especially
for well-cruised travellers,
says Sabrina Allcock,
director of Discover the
World SA.
“It’s therefore important
to remain relevant and
with new ships come
innovations, ship after ship.
Princess Cruises has the
distinct advantage in that
in October we launch Sky
Princess and six months
later, our new Enchanted
Princess.”
This means that in just
over five years, the cruise
line will have five new ships,
also incorporating Royal
Princess, Regal Princess and
Majestic Princess, she says.
On-board innovations
that would appeal to
groups include the fact
that Princess Cruises has
secured rights to ‘The
Voice of the Ocean’, where
guests have access to the
excitement and spectacle
of television’s popular
international singing
competition.
The show comes to life
throughout the cruise with
auditions, mentor rehearsal
sessions, the iconic ‘I Want
You’ chairs, three team
coaches and a live finale
performance where guests
choose the winner.
“It’s so much fun
and passengers love it
especially when a group
member reaches the finals
and appears onstage in the
Princess Theater.”
Debuting first on-board
Sky Princess and Enchanted
Princess, the new Take 5
jazz lounge showcases
vintage footage, iconic
imagery and intimate
conversations that
transport guests to the jazz
era. This would be perfect
for a client like Standard
Bank with the Joy of Jazz
lovers, Sabrina adds.
She also recommends
the ‘Cruise with Me’ online
planning tool for groups,
which can be used for
itinerary selection and
personalising the cruise
experience.
The Princess Group
Program is one of the most
profitable sales tools for
travel agents, enabling
them to block space and
manage reservations for
ten or more passengers
using POLAR Online, she
says.
“By taking advantage
of this programme,
consultants can maximise
commissions while offering
attractive benefits to
clients, including exclusive
group fare discounts and
generous amenity points
for special perks and
incentives.”
Princess Cruises is also
known for providing guests
with immersive experiences
worldwide, continues
Sabrina.
“Consult with our group
excursion team, share
your idea and together
we’ll arrange the perfect
customised adventure.”
Sample excursions have
included penguin viewing
via helicopter, overnighting
on a glacier, camel racing
in Darwin, biking through
Denmark’s Marselisborg
Forest and hiking in
Stockholm’s Royal Haga
Park. There has also been
a biking nightfall canopy
zip line experience in San
Juan, an alpine adventure
hike in Sitka and a Mayan
chocolate and jade tour in
Colonial Antigua.
The is land life
THERE are few certainties in
the current economic climate,
but the appeal of the Indian
Ocean islands as a group
and incentive destination is
one.
Over the years,
Beachcomber Tours has
hosted many repeat
corporates and this is a big
part of the company’s group
business, says Enid Maullin.
Enid says Mauritius remains
an affordable destination
for groups, especially
when compared with some
European countries and the
US.
“Our group rates offer
excellent value for money
year-round, but our lowseason group rates are very
favourable. In addition, we
offer a complimentary beach
barbecue for groups during
this time at all our hotels. It
is during the low season that
most of the larger groups
travel.”
Experienced team
Beachcomber Tours sales
and marketing director,
Joanne Visagie, agrees
that the beauty in booking
group or incentive travel with
Beachcomber Tours is the
experience in the team, the
repeat business and the
word-of-mouth promotion due
to success.
“Weddings have been huge
for us too, not just corporate
groups, with dedicated
groups and wedding
co-ordinators at each of our
resorts.”
Réunion Island is becoming
more attractive for group and
incentive travel, says Hélène
Bezuidenhoudt, regional
director of Atout France,
which represents Réunion
in SA.
“The island is only a fourhour flight from SA and it
offers an experience that
is different from the one to
which this market has grown
accustomed.
“It has one of the most
active volcanoes in the world
and Unesco World Heritage
Sites. The island is a unique
melting pot with 30km of
coastal reef, clear blue
lagoons and delicious food.”
Once there, participants
can choose to go diving or
hiking in one of the amazing
calderas. “Delegates can’t
get bored.”
Two experiences that
guests particularly appreciate
are potholing through the lava
tubes that form a network
of tunnels under the volcano
and heli-hiking, a combination
of hiking with a ride in a
helicopter.
Hélène’s advice would be to
pick different experiences for
an incentive that include air,
water, earth and cultural.
Lux-ury
The Lux Collective is
currently working with the
Mauritius Tourism Promotion
Authority (MTPA) to promote
its MI Mauritius incentive
programme that is running
until March 31.
It is open to South Africanbased travel agents, PCOs
and MICE incentive houses
to encourage group bookings
(minimum of ten passengers)
to Mauritius, says The Lux
Collective head of groups
and incentives – SA and
Africa, Tamarin Transell.
“During the year we also
work with our airline partners
and package special
group offers at our various
properties, which we send
to our selected agencies
for their active promotion to
their corporate clients,”
she says.
“We are presently launching
a group offer for one of our
most popular group resorts,
LUX* Grand Gaube.”
The Lux Collective has seen
a pick-up with its groups
business this year, attributed
to the growth and changes
within the brand, she says.
More MICE
“We’ve also increased
visibility in the MICE space
locally by strengthening
relationships with our trade
partners and we are seeing
more repeat business.”
This past financial year,
two new properties opened,
with three more scheduled
in 2020, adds Tamarin. New
openings include the first
SALT boutique hotel, SALT of
Palmar in Mauritius, as well
as LUX* North Malé Atoll,
Maldives.
“We’ve had a great interest
in weddings this year and we
handle anything from small
intimate celebrations to large
Hindu weddings. We’ve also
seen the trend for smaller
groups, ranging in size
from 40 to 60 passengers.
Additionally, MICE agents
who’ve traditionally booked
Mauritius are starting to
show support for our resorts
in other destinations like
Réunion island and Bodrum
in Turkey.”
In-resort activities
Tamarin says in Mauritius,
there is demand for more
in-resort group activities,
such as cooking classes
with local chefs, rum or
beer tastings and volleyball
tournaments with the staff.
“We can also arrange a
‘Message in a Bottle’ with
a corporate message to
conference delegates or a
superb Cinema Paradiso
experience with popcorn,
bean bags and a movie
under the stars.”
The Lux Collective, she
says, continues to improve
its in-resort or hotel offerings
and resort programmes
with features like expertled workshops. “These are
special programmes based
on lifestyle ideals and can
be anything from ‘How to
use raw food and live your
best life’ to a ritual yoga and
meditation experience.
LATAM sees growth in group sales
SOUTH America is
recognised as an
affordable and mostly visafree incentive destination
for South African passport
holders and is often on
the same price point as an
Indian Ocean island or Far
East incentive.
This is according to
Kathy Lavery, key account
manager at Border Air, GSA
of LATAM Airlines Group
in SA.
“As a GSA, we’ve seen
an increase in groups
and incentive business
because our fares for
groups are revenue
managed and very
competitive.
“We’re also very flexible.”
She says they quote group
fares on an ad hoc basis
to suit the group budget
as much as possible. “We
also suggest travelling in
the low season (March to
November) to get the best
possible fare.”
The MICE value-adds for
LATAM Airlines include
the meet and greet at
the airport by the airline’s
airport station team, group
logo on the television
screens at check-in, an
on-board welcome to the
group if requested and
20% of all groups have the
opportunity to breakaway
at no penalty.
Air Austral ups flights
AIR Austral will increase
flights to South Africa
for October and then
again from December to
January.
“There are only two
additional flights in
October and in midDecember the airline
will increase services
to three weekly flights,
including a Friday flight
until end-January,”
says key accounts
manager at Border
Air, GSA for Air Austral
in SA, Benjamin
Combrink.
Benjamin says from
what he sees there is
an increasing number
of incentive groups to
Réunion.
Groups need to be
confirmed within seven
days of the query.
What a sport!
VIRGIN Atlantic
Airways has seen
an increase in
both groups
and corporate
incentive travel,
with a large
increase in
sports travel,
notably for the
Cricket World
Cup this year.
“We offer
a dedicated
group sales
team, global
connections
and discounted
fares. There’s no limit to the
number of seats in a group
booking and we can even
offer whole cabin or aircraft
buyouts. We can confirm
seats before having all the
customers’ names, which is
really useful when organising
events for large numbers of
people,” says
Mandy Lerena,
the airline’s
commercial
manager in SA.
The airline
accepts advance
registrations up
to 18 months
before the date
of the event. “We
provide ‘event
window’ fares
where delegates
can benefit
from unlimited
deviations and
event managers
will enjoy competitive group
rates to set up and close
down the event.”
If the group is travelling for
a sporting event, the airline
carries their sports equipment
free of charge.
“All your flights are eligible to
earn miles with Flying Club.”
Did you know?
World Leisure Holidays is able to secure the rate of exchange on all
Sun Resort properties in Mauritius for groups that secure the booking
early and pay a 30% deposit.
Book it!
World Leisure Holidays is promoting an offer with Meliá Zanzibar, an all-inclusive
luxury resort, during April and May. This includes a 20% discount on massage
treatments for the entire group, one free welcome drink on arrival per guest and one
guest stays free for every 30 paying guests. A discounted group rate for a private
beach barbecue also applies.
Mad about Madagascar
WALTHERS Destination
Business Solutions (DBS)
won a SITE Crystal Award
in 2018 for excellence in
incentive travel: Africa/
Middle East for the
incentive programme
developed for Škoda
UK, whose participants
travelled to Madagascar as
part of its annual ‘Retailer
of the Year’ programme.
With Škoda’s evolving
image and new slogan,
‘Driven By Something
Different’, a major
objective for the 2017
programme was to
select a new and unique
destination to provide
a “bucket-list cultural
experience” that would
live on after the event and
motivate those who did
not qualify, to try harder
the next year.
Selecting Madagascar
demonstrated that the
company was committed
to breaking new ground
and delivering an
exceptional experience.
Madagascar was an
ambitious choice, as no
one involved in planning
the incentive had ever
visited the country.
Survey results proved
that the destination
delivered, with 80% of
respondents rating the
event “Amazing” and 20%
“wow”.
Participants valued the
programme’s authenticity
above more glamorous
five-star programmes held
in previous years.
Border Air, GSA for Air
Madagascar, is working
diligently in the South
African market to get
companies to consider
Madagascar as an
incentive destination, says
Benjamin Combrink.
From June 18, Air
Madagascar introduced
twice-weekly flights
between Antananarivo
and Johannesburg on
Tuesdays and Sundays
after an absence of four
years.
The carrier gives travel
agents up to 40 days prior
to departure to confirm
group bookings.
Group quotes with Qatar
QATAR Airways has
announced that agents
are now able to submit
group quote requests
via the airline’s group
travel website.
Agents are to
note that the same
procedure still applies,
with a 72-hour
turnaround time.
Did you know?
Send your MICE
business our way and
enjoy one free ticket
(excluding taxes) for
every 50 ticketed as
well as best group rates
guaranteed,” says Carla
da Silva, Air Mauritius
regional manager
Southern Africa and
Latin America. The airline
offers dedicated account
management, check-in
counter, representative
and in-cabin seating
at no additional cost
for groups. Corporates
can print their own
branded headrests for
on board and access
the business-class
lounge at discounted
rates. “We also offer
aircraft upgrades and
supplementary aircraft
if fixed dates are nonnegotiable.” The airline
has discounted corporate
fares.
